Combines converting beater to a chopperIJ

I can't be sure on the 1680, but I would guess the RPM would be too slow to do any job of chopping the way we like to see. Example: The published beater speed for a 1440 is 816 at no load, whereas a "chopper" is going to be much faster.

The chopper also has a stronger lower plate under it and thicker walls on the sides. You might be able to find most of the parts on a salvage combine (upper gearbox, side plates, chopper, concave (thing with knives on it),lower plate, and pulleys. The chopper may need rebuilding (knives, bearings),but it should be cheaper than the kits.

ihman, Its really not that much of a deal to put a factory chopper in a beater combine in fact there is a kit to do that through parts but found that option a bit pricey too.You have to add a gear box on top of the combine where the rotor variable drive is to run the chopper as the beater drive won't do it..Best bet is to find a used one off a salvage machine and just add the new parts as needed.Probably get $3-5000 in one that way.Another option is the sharktooth shredder which works well for me and has been discussed here. Email me if you have further questions....Steve

I have heard good things about the TSR retro fit choppers. Maybe that is an option.