For corn farmers looking to chop down stalks after harvest, two of the most popular options on the market are the Yetter Devastator and the Stalk Stompers. Both cornheads are designed to efficiently flatten and crush corn stalks left behind after combining, but they utilize different mechanisms to get the job done.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the key features and performance of the Yetter Devastator and Stalk Stompers to help you determine which is the best fit for your farm.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Yetter Devastator | Stalk Stompers |
| Power Source | Tractor/Combine PTO | Ground driven wheels |
| Chopping Mechanism | Rotating drum with blades | Weighted staggered wheels |
| Widths Available | 5′ to 8′ | 10′ to 20′ |
| Ground Clearance | Low | High |
| Chopping Action | Shredding/cutting | Crushing/flattening |
| Green Stalk Handling | Struggles | Excels |
| Maintenance Needs | Occasional blade replacement | Minimal |
| Transport | Compact drum | Bulkier wheels |
| Flotation Adjustment | Hydraulic angle | Some models allow added weight |
| Corn Saver Kit Compatible | Yes | No |
Overview of the Yetter Devastator
The Yetter Devastator is a heavy-duty rotary shredder made by Yetter Manufacturing in Colchester, IL.
It consists of a large drum lined with hardened steel blades that pulverize corn stalks and residue as it turns.
The Devastator is designed to be mounted on the front of a combine or tractor and powered by the engine’s PTO.
Here are some key features and specs of the Yetter Devastator:
- Drum size: Available in 60”, 72”, 84”, 96”
- Shredding blades: 16 free-swinging blades made of abrasion-resistant steel
- RPMs: Up to 1000 RPMs
- Drive options: 540 or 1000 PTO
- Weight: Approximately 2,750 pounds
The Devastator shreds stalks in a wide swath as it moves through the field, crushing material down to 2 inches or less. It can handle very heavy crop residue without clogging thanks to its open drum design.
The free-swinging blades are reversible and provide a scissoring cut that efficiently chops material on both sides.
Yetter offers hydraulic angle options that allow operators to adjust the shredder to different angles for varying crop and field conditions. It can also be equipped with a specialized corn saver kit to minimize kernel loss when harvesting high-moisture corn.
Overview of Stalk Stompers
Stalk Stompers are heavy-duty stalk chopping attachments made by distributor Sloan Express in Illinois. Unlike the rotating drum design of the Devastator, Stalk Stompers utilize rows of weighted wheels to crush stalks.
Here are some of the key features of Stalk Stompers:
- Wheels: 10 – 14 inch steel wheels spaced in 2, 3 or 4 rows
- Wheel weight: Approximately 135 lbs per wheel
- Attachment: Designed for front 3-point mount
- Drive: Ground driven by wheels
- Flotation: Up to 800 pounds per row
- Widths: 10 to 20 feet
The heavy wheels of the Stalk Stompers simply ride over the top of corn stalks, crushing them with brute force.
The wheels are staggered in alternating rows to provide complete stalk destruction in a single pass.
Most Stomper models allow you to add weight or liquid ballast to increase the flotation and crushing power.
Stalk Stompers do not require any external power source – the ground drives the spinning wheels as they move through the field.
This makes for a very simple, low-maintenance stalk management system. A front-mounted design allows excellent visibility for the operator while in use.
Key Differences Between Yetter Devastator And Stalk Stompers
While both the Yetter Devastator and Stalk Stompers efficiently chop corn plant residue, there are some key differences between the two machines:
- Power source – The Devastator requires connection to a tractor or combine PTO to run the shredding drum, while Stalk Stompers are ground driven so do not need an external power source.
- Chopping mechanism – The Devastator uses a rotating drum with steel blades to pulverize stalks, while Stalk Stompers use weighted wheels that crush the stalks.
- Ground clearance – Stalk Stompers ride higher off the ground, allowing them to work well in fields with more uneven terrain. The low-set Devastator drum may occasionally scalp the ground.
- Widths available – Devastators come in widths from 5 to 8 feet wide. Stalk Stomper models are available from 10 feet up to 20 feet wide, allowing more acres covered per pass.
- Chopping action – The Devastator provides more of a cutting/shredding action that leaves some stalk pieces behind. Stalk Stompers simply crush and flatten the entire stalk.
- Performance in green stalks – The Devastator may sometimes struggle with tougher green stalks before they dry out, whereas the Stompers handle green or dry stalks equally well.
- Maintenance – The Devastator’s blades require occasional changing or sharpening when they become worn. The Stompers’ wheels hold up very well to prolonged use with little maintenance needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each model.
Yetter Devastator Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Aggressive shredding action pulverizes stalks thoroughly
- Open drum design resists clogging in heavy residue
- Hydraulic angle adjustment allows tuning for conditions
- Fast operation at up to 1000 RPM
- Reversible steel blades provide long service life
Cons:
- Requires tractor/combine to supply power via PTO
- May need occasional blade maintenance
- Lower ground clearance than Stalk Stompers
- Narrower width options limit acres covered per pass
- Not ideal for high-moisture corn harvesting
Stalk Stomper Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very simple, low-maintenance operation
- No external power source required
- Wheels handle tough green stalks easily
- Excellent ground clearance for uneven fields
- Available in wider widths up to 20 feet
- Performs well in muddy conditions
Cons:
- Crushing action may leave some stalk pieces intact
- No way to increase aggressiveness for tough conditions
- Heavy steel wheels are more difficult to transport
- Lack of flotation options on some models
- Cannot mount a corn saver kit
As you can see, both the Yetter Devastator and Stalk Stompers have strengths and weaknesses that make them better suited for certain situations.
The Devastator works very aggressively to pulverize residue, so it’s ideal for chopping down tough, dense corn stalks after harvest. But the shredding drum design requires maintenance and doesn’t work as well in muddy, uneven conditions.
Stalk Stompers provide a simple, low-maintenance way to crush stalks using sheer wheel weight rather than an active chopping mechanism. Their ability to handle wet fields and green stalks makes themideal for certain crops and conditions.
But they may leave more intact stalk pieces behind in very thick, mature residue.
FAQ: Key Questions about Stalk Chopping
There is no definitive “best” stalk stomper, as the ideal model depends on your farm’s specific needs and conditions. Some of the top stalk stomper brands include Remlinger, Amity, and Sloan Express. Look for key features like heavy steel wheels, adequate wheel weight per row, hydraulic weight adjustment, and widths over 15 feet for the largest acreage coverage. The REM-15 and Amity 4400 models are good heavy-duty options to consider.
A Yetter Devastator is a PTO-driven rotary shredder made to pulverize corn stalk residue after harvest. It consists of a large steel drum lined with reversible hardened blades that shred and chop stalks into tiny pieces as it rotates at up to 1000 RPM. Their aggressive cutting action handles very dense crop residue thoroughly.
Stalk stompers use heavy, weighted wheels spaced in rows to crush corn stalks left in the field after harvest. The staggered wheels simply ride right over the stalks, flattening and snapping them with their sheer weight rather than using any active cutting or shredding mechanism. This provides a simple way to manage crop residue without requiring any external power source.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a cornhead for crop residue management, consider factors like your typical field conditions, crop moisture levels, maintenance preferences, and width needs.
Corn farmers who deal with particularly thick, mature stalks will appreciate the aggressive chopping action of the Yetter Devastator. But for a low-maintenance, simple stalk crushing tool that handles wet fields and green stalks easily, Stalk Stompers are hard to beat.
Both tools have their advantages, so weigh these key differences as you choose the ideal stalk chopping implement for your harvesting operation. With the right cornhead, you can make quick work of clearing fields and set the stage for an efficient next growing season.
