Straw Management @ Combine

[wade]

I have a CaseIH 2188- no chopper only big spreaders. For straw management purposes, how is my money best spent-factory chopper, after market chopper (if so, what kind), or???? Have set of heavy harrows but was hoping to not have to harrow every acre.

[nw9flynn]

When we had our 2188 we had the factory internal chopper, factory spreaders, then mounted a kirby straw and chaff spreader underneath. It worked great. If the straw was wet it didn't do as nice of a job but no straw chopper does.
You do need to run all three. I've seen guys drop the speaders and just use their kirby and it does a poor job of straw spreading.
I now run a new 2388 with internal chopper and with the spreader changes we no longer need the kirby.

[lakenheath]

We had a 2144 with no chopper and ran a "double barrell" kirby spreader. It spread straw and chaff 30'. Much better than the old kirbys.

[wade]

Thanks for the feedback. If my EFP gets approved in time ,I think I will opt for the factory chopper. I already have the curved bats on the spreader. It looks like the 2388's have a smaller spreader driven pulley which I will do also. I like to bale straw in selected areas so the aftermarket ideas kinda discourage me.

[wade]

We have 2388's with Redekop choppers in my mind best chopper built, the chaff and straw get spread through one hole spreads 30 feet very nicely.