John Deere 972

972 Flail Chopper

  • John Deere
  • Hay & Forage

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  • The 972 Flail Chopper has a cutting width of 6 ft for good productivity
  • Adjustable discharge spout
  • Gauge wheels are very easy to change
  • Tractor hookup is fast and easy
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  • Welded mainframe is 40 percent thicker and offers higher structural resistance
    MainframeMainframe

    The mainframe is welded instead of bolted:

    • The welded design offers higher structural resistance.
    •  For longer life, the hood is 40 percent thicker than the hood used on discontinued 16A Flail Chopper.
  • Gauge wheels are very easy to change
    Rear axleRear axle

    The rear axle is made of 102x102-mm (4x4-in.) steel. This axle has two hitch supports:

    • The left-hand support is used to attach the wagon during operation, while the right-hand support is used to hook the wagon during transport when it is necessary to have it in line with the chopper and the tractor.

    Two wheels with 5.90x15 4 PR tires are included as standard equipment.

    Changing wheelsChanging wheels

    Changing the wheels and tires is a very simple operation.

     

    The square axle of the chopper has jackstand supports that help when changing the tires.

     

    With the chopper hooked up to the tractor, the jackstand can be placed on either support, left or right, as required.

  • Double-edged rotor knives can be reversed to increase life
    Double-edged rotor knivesDouble-edged rotor knives

    The rotor design has two rows of knives that allow a uniform cut of the forage:

    • The rotor speed is 1366 rpm
    • The cutting width is 1.8 m (6 ft)

    The cutting height can be adjusted to obtain a minimum of 64 mm (2.5 in.) or a maximum of 184 mm (7.25 in.) with a lever or an optional hydraulic cylinder.

     

    The mounting system of the knives allows them to swing back when they hit stones or other obstacles and to automatically return to their normal position without interrupting the chopping operation.

     

    The rotor has 42 heat-treated knives. They are double edged so they can be reversed, increasing their longevity.

  • Tractor hookup is fast and easy
    Category 2 hitchCategory 2 hitch

    The hitch is Category 2, with hitch plates attached by bolts and bushings. The tongue is made of 3-in. x 5-in. PTR for higher strength.

     

    The tongue can be adjusted from the tractor seat.

     

    A screw-type jack makes hitching up the 972 Flail Chopper fast and easy.

  • Cutting width of 1.8 m (6 ft) for good productivity
    Cutting widthCutting width

    With its 1.8-m (6-ft) cutting width, the 972 Flail Chopper handles a variety of jobs:

    • Makes excellent grass silage
    • Shreds and spreads corn and cotton stalks
    • Chops light brush
    • Makes silage of beet tops
    • Clips pastures

    Lower initial costs and simple, rugged construction make the 972 easy to buy and maintain.

  • Auger and cutterhead provides better delivery of material
    AugerAuger

    The speed of the auger is 300 rpm, which provides better delivery of material into the cutterhead.

     

    The design of the door allows easy access to the auger. There are three reinforced hinges to prevent breakage.

     

    For increased convenience, a cover over the chain on the right-hand side can be removed when service is necessary.

    CutterheadCutterhead

    Three rotary knives are included in the cutterhead as base equipment, and a set of three additional rotary knives can be ordered.

    • Knives are adjustable to provide longer life.
    • Three fan blades and three fan plates located between the knife supports are installed to increase the efficiency of forage ejection.

    The lower side of the cutterhead has 56 percent thicker steel than the 16A cutterhead for longer life.

    Its improved design allows easy installation and removal.

  • Discharge spout can be adjusted from the tractor seat
    Easy adjustment from tractorEasy adjustment from tractor
    Discharge spoutDischarge spout

    The discharge spout mechanism allows the operator to easily adjust the direction in which the forage is thrown and, at the same time, adjust the speed at which the material is being ejected.

    • The material deflector has independent movement from the rotation lever and is adjustable for different positions.
    • The spout mechanism is heat-treated, which ensures a longer life of its components. The spout rotation is done through a lever, within reach of the operator from the tractor.
    • A steel wear sleeve (attachment) extends the life of the spout.
    • The vertical and horizontal extensions (attachments) evenly fill the larger or taller wagons.
  • Drivetrain with slip clutch to protect the drive system of the chopper
    Slip clutchSlip clutch
    #

    The slip clutch is designed to protect the components of the drive system of the chopper. 

     

    The slip clutch releases the load and reengages automatically, protecting the components when there is an overload or obstruction, avoiding damage to or breakage of the chopper parts.

     

    Overrunning the clutch, integral with the slip clutch, releases the rotating parts, disconnecting the tractor power take-off.

Chopper

Cutting width 183 cm
72 in.
Cutting height 6.4-15.2 cm
2.5-6 in.
Operating width 312 cm
123 in.
Transport width 287 cm
113 in.
Length 366 cm
144 in.
Height (with spout) 312 cm
123 in.
Weight 849 kg
1,872 lb
Number of knives Rotor
42 (double edge)Cuttherhead
3 regular
3 optional
PTO speed 540 rpm
Rotor speed 1,400 rpm
Cutterhead speed 800 rpm
Auger speed 246 rpm
Tires 15-5.90, 4 PR
Drive system protection Slip clutch protected
Hitch adjustment Yes, from tractor seat
Wagon hitches Egual angle optional