Combines sts spreader

I don't think the three strips is the only problem. The chopper has those blunt knives and it doesn't chop up the straw enough. The knives should be sharp and serrated to do the best job.We had trouble with the chaff not sliding down into the chopper also. This is in the morning when the chaff is damp. If you could be sure that only chaff is getting to the spreader that hyd. spreader would work.

The up-dated tailboard does a real good job. As far as the hammers and knives go each individual has a different standard as to what is course or fine. Save your money and just put on the new style tailboard which is larger and has more fins for better distribution. Some guys have removed the "flat knives_paddles" and installed the old style shapened knives. To each his own. My 02 sts will spread 30+ feet evenly.

We ran four STS a year ago, never had any problem with the spreader. In damp conditions a spreader can leave little piles. You might consider that for no-till. Some of our customers didn't like that. A CASE combines both. They chop the straw right behind the rotor than dump it together with the chaff on the spreader. That way you spread with a spreader only but the straw is chopped a bit. This year we had Kirby spreaders. But they can't handle anything else but dry straw. Anything damp or green plugs up the spreader.

Mr. Mntdew If I was you I would go to your local JD dealer and order a new 9880 sts. With 425 hp. and a 400 plus bushel hopper and a 18 inch unloading system. After diong field tests on my farm this fall(only after dark) it's the only way to go. Now that you have that big machine you just as well order a new 35 foot flex platform. Then you would want to be the first on in the comunity to have the new 16 row folding corn head. If this don't fix your 3 stripe problem then I would get a smaller chopper pully and speed that baby up. But if you still want to go with the spreader idea, there are alot of l3's and N series combines with spreaders on them. You might want to look in to one of them. Good look Bigtime

We have 2002 9650sts with the spreader. We love it. It will spread 30' plus gives a good even spread. We didn't order the combine (dealer stock) wasn't sure how we would like it but after consideration bought it. It's a whole lot less maintenance and horsepower requirement. Virtually no wear items on it. Definately would do it again. We've had numerous people from several different dealerships come and look the machine and the job it was doing during harvest. I think more people will go this route on their next purchase. Some were buying the 9750s for the extra hp to run the chopper when the 9650s are big enough in our area to handle the yields we have. Hope this helps. I'm happy with it.