Abstract: A high production, double lift box baler having a pair of lift box assemblies which rotate between a charging position and a compression position. Each lift box assembly includes a lift box and a displaceable lower platen which has a latched position in which the lower platen forms a floor of the lift box. Each lower platen also has an unlatched position in which the lower platen is independently displaced to rest against a bottom sill during a compression cycle to withstand the compression forces. The lower platens are independently displaceable, so that while one platen is displaced against the bottom sill for compression, the other sill is latched and is utilized as a floor for tramping the fibers during a filling cycle. A latch assembly is provided for unlatching the lower platen at the compression position during a compression cycle, and for latching the lower platen integrally to the lift box for rotation and tramping.

Abstract: A shearing apparatus for breaking railroad type rails into small segments with a standard rail section including a base formed from a bottom flange on each side of the head connecting web. The apparatus includes a sequential rail feed mechanism comprised of an inclined vibratable supply table, a driven conveyor and means to move rails from the supply table to the conveyor. The rails are conveyed to an advancing mechanism located adjacent the breaker head assembly. Predetermined lengths of the conveyed rails are fed into the breaker head assembly where the rail is initially clamped. Following clamping, one bottom flange, on one side of the web, is sheared through and the rail is then contacted by a breaker head positioned beyond the shear plane established by the sheared flange.