Brady flail stalk chopper

[Anonymous-0]

Model 120
Having a problem losing blades, then it gets out of balance, and then vibration.... this happens in one afternoon. My father is operating the machine. It's a 10' unit with 44 blades, the 2-1/2" cup blade, has the knife pivots and square ring set up, parts from Shoup are really adding up! Brady Mfg of Des Moines, Iowa is no longer in business. I work on this thing more than it's in the field. 540 rpm running it on a JD 4020 at full throttle. The drum attach point is a double flat steel welded and I can't find any pictures or a manual to see how it should be set up, I found lock washers welded to the attach points to act spacers and I'm not liking this, looks like it was cobbed up by somebody. Anyone out there have any experience with a Brady?

 

[Stuart]

I have brady flai chopper. I have the option to chop it back onto the ground or blow into a wagon. Sounds different than mind, but maybe the blades and the way they are fastened to the drum are the same. Maybe I missed it in your post, but where exactly are they breaking off of the machine at? I will look at mine today and post back if someone hasnt already answered your questions

 

[Anonymous-0]

Brady co. was sold to HINIKER CO. about 20yrs. ago. I'm no engineer but sold Hiniker equip close to 40 yrs farmed for over 50 yrs. Not looking at your machine I can't say for sure but it could be one of two things. First your hangers are wore out or your trying to run too close to the ground. You don't have to cut the root ball out of the ground. If you want to talk about it feel free to call my cell.314-313-9948 GENE

 

[JMS/.MN]

I have the 6 row narrow Brady 1680 with two hammers and a D-ring per set. Not sure how your square ring looks, but I put a complete set of new knives on shortly after I got it several years ago, and I slipped both knives onto the D-ring, then welded the D shut. Grind it smooth so if fits the holder well. Otherwise the D can open up, hitting a rock, etc., and the knife flies off. Losing one set will imbalance the machine, and you should stop right away, either replace the missing one, or remove the one 180 degrees out, otherwise the imbalance will tear the bearings out very shortly. Even with a good tractor cab, like a JD Sound Gard, you should hear or feel the vibration.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks for your interest,
Yes, I think he has it set a little too low to the ground, but he won't listen to me....All the parts were either new or inspected by me, and all new grade 8 bolts installed. It uses a U-shaped strap type bracket called a "knife pivot" at the rotating drum or "shaft", then a square ring and another knife pivot and then the single "cup blade".
The whole blade/pivot/ ring assembly is lost in the field as the bolt breaks at the rotating drum. Really it would be better if I could post some pics of this rather than you guys think I'm crazy trying to explain this!!