Hiniker stalk chopper

[Jake Collie]

I have a chance to purchase a 12' Hiniker stalk chopper for $2000.00. It looks clean, tires are good, comes with cylinder, maybe needs the flails turned around. This is the first Hiniker I have seen. Does anyone have experience with these?
 

[Fordfarmer]

I use a 1000 RPM, 15' Brady that belongs to my cousin. Works well, doesn't need as much power as I expected it would. I think he has around $3k in it. Hiniker bought Brady, and has kept the design pretty much the same. Replacement parts (knives, D-rings and bolts anyway) are available from Shoup. If 12' is what you need, I'd say go for it.
 

[JMS/.MN]

I second the comment about the chopper matching the rows. 12 foot machine is for four wide rows, 15 foot matches 6-30. Life is simpler, results better, since I went to 6-30 with the planter, combine, stalk chopper, with tires always between the rows. Previous was 8-30 planter, 4-30 combine (crushing two rows), and 4-38 chopper. Crushed rows don't get chopped well.
 

[Jake Collie]

Never thought about crushed rows-Thanks for the input!
 

[JMS/.MN]

I didn't either- just thot I was lucky to find a chopper for $550 on an auction where stuff went cheap....took 5 trips to get everything home, 80 miles....well worth it. Went for a 15 foot bean head, got the combine and 3 heads for 2000, sold one head for 3250! You'd think dragging a tornado over picked rows would suck everything up, but it doesn't. I even made straddle duals for my M2, so no rows get crushed.