John Deere flywheel forage harvesters models 6, 8 and 12

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

John Deere forage harvester model 6, 8 and 12 forage harvesters; is it possible to get them to cut reel fine to about 1/4 inch cut? I dont know anything about them but whoulf like to find one and run it with a 620 or 630 tractor and 110 wagon just to try not for real use. I have herd some silo unloders don't work well with more coarse silage is that true and can the JD choppers mentioned make a fine cut? using a two cylinder John Deere t run a forage harvester is somthing I have always wanted to do; I bet those tractors sound good mixed with the sound of the chopper.

NY 986 · Jul 10, 2009

Talked to a person I know that farmed during those days. He did not think a 1/4 inch cut could be achieved without altering the feed roll drive ratio. My dad also always thought that is the reason most manufacturers came out with cylinder type units in the late 50's, early 60's.
If I recall, you are the fellow that is doing this for some type of project. I just went to the JD expo here in NY, saw plenty of manuals for sale for older JD implements. I can't get back but maybe you could get somebody that could scout this for you.
The alternative would be looking for a JD model 34 for your vintage JD chopper for this project. I take it the 1/4 inch cut has to happen for the sake of the farmer that is supplying the crop and silo.
I actually have a similar aim with IH equipment from the early 60's. Let us know how things are progressing.

JMS/.MN · Jul 10, 2009

Pretty shaggy cut compared to the newer technology. Cut lengths were "theoretical"- figuring roll speed and fan speed, but what ended up in the box had a lot of variation- stalks going in at an angle, etc.

cadet trooper · Jul 10, 2009

JMS is right we had a JD #5 I think. It had four knives and feed rolls if you kept the knives sharp, belt tight and shear bar clearance set close and didn't try to crowd it too much it would do OK. We started out pulling it with a W-30 McCormick-Deering rpm's were too slow and first gear was too fast then put our newer M Farmall on it rpms were faster but first gear was too slow and second too fast but we threw our ensilage down by hand so we were the silo unloader. Personally I don't think the unloader is all the issue cows just left alot of the longers stalks in the bunk just wouldn't eat em. We finally traded for an IH 15 reel type cutter known as chop and throw much better in corn but horrible in dry hay which we did a lot of.

John Deere flywheel forage harvesters models 6, 8 and 12

Anonymous-0

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NY 986

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JMS/.MN

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cadet trooper

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