Abstract: A mixer is comprised of a substantially circular container tub and includes an auger flighting member extending upwardly within the mixer for engagement with bales of material to cut and shred the bales. The auger flighting member includes a plurality of knife blades mounted on the outer radial edges of the auger flighting member. The upper end portion of the auger flighting member includes a mounted knife blade, with the upper end portion of the member being bent out of the plane of the auger flighting at an angle of between 15 and 25 degrees. The auger flighting member includes a lower flighting portion having an extension member comprised of a leading edge member cooperating with the floor of the tub with the extension member having a radial width at least equal to the radial width of the remainder of the lower flighting portion. A kicker plate is mounted adjacent the leading edge portion of the extension member to direct the cut material into the auger flighting member to facilitate feeding and mixing.

Abstract: A mixer is comprised of a substantially circular container tub and includes an auger flighting member extending upwardly within the mixer for engagement with bales of material to cut and shred the bales. The auger flighting member includes a plurality of knife blades mounted on the outer radial edges of the auger flighting portion. The upper end portion of the auger flighting member includes a mounted knife blade, with the upper end portion of the member being bent out of the plane of the auger flighting at an angle of between 15 and 25 degrees. The lower leading edge portion of the auger flighting member includes a kicker plate mounted adjacent the lower leading edge portion to direct the cut material into the auger flighting to facilitate feeding and mixing. The mixer further includes a plurality of wedge deflection members mounted to the interior surface of the container tub to facilitate feeding and mixing within the mixer.