Kasten 22 chopper box

[Fordfarmer]

Anyone here ever own a Kasten chopper box? No experience with them...haven't even seen one up close - no dealers around here. But since there's one at an auction next week, sans running gear and out of season now, it might go cheap enough that I should consider it. (still no luck finding a replacement gear box for my old Forage King) Anything specific I need to watch out for? Thanks.
 

[jon f mn]

Make sure you check the wood 2x6 cross members real close. These boxes are 20-40 years old and most have been outside so rot is the major problem. Boxes that have sat for years are the hardest to see it on. The drives are pretty much trouble free as long as the chains are good. Check the augers in front they rust through.
 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

Bearings in gearbox Holes in the auger trough
Rot in the wood parts Check the links in the apron chain for bad wear. We used on a lot of years ago and it was quite dependable.
 

[tomstractorsandtoys1]

They are the same as the IH 105,110 and Kasten also made a box for Gehl a model 640 if I remember right.They are good wagons but age abd use has made the wood bad or loose.Look for a Deere chuck wagon with a steel frame and wood sides a 122 or 125 were very good wagons and held up much better than the all wooden wagons.Badger made a good older wagon as well.
 

[formerly ny bill]

kastens were cheap when they were new. i doubt if age has improved it any. the sides tended to slop back and forth. sides were nailed not bolted, so you need to constantly watch for nails coming loose and getting into the cows' feed. 2 speeds to unload. the rest has been covered already.
 

[Leroy]

If the iron parts are good then if it goes for scrap price then you could put all new wood in and have a good cheap box.
 

[Fordfarmer]

This one has steel sides, so no nail issues there. I didn't realize they were the same as the IH boxes, but now I do see that they look alike. Thanks for all the info! Will post pics if I end up buying it.
 

[trkrmtt]

dad had one when i was a youngin
only thing i recalled that he ever did to it was replaced the sides,he used togue and groove 1x6's and 1/4" bolts only thng i didn't like about it was it only had two beeters,so when then top got so far it would fall forward over the front,had to watch it then as it would throw it all out at once plus you had a mess too clean up also...
 

[JDseller]

You would be just replacing one dead horse with another that could go dead the first time you use it. Kasten was not a bad forage box but they have been out of business for just about as long as Forage King.