Abstract: A grinding device including a rotor, mounted in rotational manner around an axle and having a plurality of blades extending radially relative to the axle. A sieve has a plurality of openings, with the sieve being mounted around the rotor so as to turn around the axle in the direction opposite the direction of rotation of the rotor. The rotor and sieve each has a height extending parallel to the axle and a width extending perpendicular to the axle wherein the width is between 1 mm and 20 mm. The rotation of the rotor and of the sieve is adjustable so as to reach a difference in circumferential speed between the rotor and the sieve between 100 m/s and 400 m/s, so as to reduce the average initial size of the crushed matter by a factor of 5 to 20.

Abstract: A threshing apparatus in a combine harvester has a main frame and a threshing rotor supported by the main frame. A concave frame supports one or more interchangeable arcuate concave grate segments in a grate reception zone. An adjustment mechanism provides adjustment of clearance between the concave grate segments and the rotor. A multi-position stop device is provided to determine the lower limit of a concave adjustment range. The position of the stop device is determined by a profile of an installed one of the interchangeable concave grate segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for shredding a pre-defined amount of waste. The apparatus includes a main frame positioned to provide support to the apparatus. Further, the apparatus includes a rotating core to shred, masticate and grind the pre-defined amount of waste. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a body mechanically linked to the main frame through a linkage plate. Moreover, the apparatus includes a hopper mounted vertically on the body. Further, the apparatus includes a first set of mash double row ball bearings symmetrically positioned near the first distal end of the main shaft. In addition, the apparatus includes a second set of mash double row ball bearings symmetrically positioned near the second distal end of the main shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus that controls the position of a component of a mechanical system, such as an adjustable concave in a combine harvester, while at the same time exhibiting a safety function that is reversible without requiring a long downtime of the combine. The apparatus includes a control part and an auxiliary part, both pivotable about the same axis, and a force transmission part to maintain these two parts in an assembled state by a spring force, as long as the component is subjected to forces below a given limit. When the forces exceed the limit, the auxiliary part and the control part are configured to become separated in such a manner that they can be reassembled by the intervention of an actuator. The safety function of the apparatus resembles the operation of a shear bolt.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a comminution apparatus including a rotational reducing unit that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The rotational reducing unit includes a plurality of material reducing components that are mounted to a carrier. The material reducing components are rotated by the carrier in a first direction about the axis of rotation. The comminution apparatus also includes a screen at least partially surrounding the rotational reducing unit. The screen defines a plurality of sizing slots that have slot lengths and slot widths. The slots are elongated along the slot lengths such that the slot lengths are longer than the slot widths.

Abstract: A nut chopper includes an upper hopper, a lower container, and a grate positioned between the hopper and container. A series of parallel blades supported on an axle and coupled to a crank is positioned so that the blades may be rotated through the grate. As the blades pass through the grate, they chop the nuts that are in the path of the blades. Once individual nuts are chopped into sizes that are smaller than the width of the openings formed in the grate, the chopped portions will fall through the grate and into the container.

Abstract: A nut chopper includes an upper hopper, a lower container, and a grate positioned between the hopper and container. A series of parallel blades supported on an axle and coupled to a crank is positioned so that the blades may be rotated through the grate. As the blades pass through the grate, they chop the nuts that are in the path of the blades. Once individual nuts are chopped into sizes that are smaller than the width of the openings formed in the grate, the chopped portions will fall through the grate and into the container.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a frame, a drum housing mounted to the frame, and a drum that is mounted for rotation within the drum housing. The drum includes a circumferential wall and a knife that is mounted on the drum. The machine includes a plurality of interchangeable belly bands, each of which is adapted to be removably attached to the frame so as to form a portion of the drum housing and to provide an inner surface that forms a belly band arc portion that is concentric with and of a larger diameter than the circumferential wall of the drum. A first interchangeable bellyband has a smooth inner surface, and a second interchangeable belly band has a plurality of flow interrupters spaced along its inner surface.

Abstract: A bottom grate for a crusher for chipping or comminuting material which includes: support ribs each substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the crusher; grate blades mounted to the support ribs and substantially parallel to the rotational axis, wherein the grate blades are releasably mounted to the support ribs and the grate blades each have a cutting edge proximate to a cutting or crushing rotor in the crusher; pulling members extending between two of the support members, wherein the pulling members are in tension and the tension in the pulling members binds the blades in the support members.

Abstract: A material reduction apparatuses and methods suitable for performing cutting operations on a variety of materials, including food and nonfood products. The apparatus includes a machine having a cutting head, an impeller adapted for rotation within the cutting head about an axis thereof, means disposed on the cutting head for reducing the size of a material forced therethrough by the impeller, and an electric motor unit disposed in-line with the axis of the impeller. The electric motor unit supports the cutting head and impeller and has a shaft coupled to the impeller to rotate the impeller within the cutting head. The apparatus further includes means physically coupled to the electric motor unit for supporting the machine within a duct in which the machine is entirely enclosed. The supporting means includes arms that extend from the electric motor unit.

Abstract: A nut chopper includes an upper hopper, a lower container, and a grate positioned between the hopper and container. A series of parallel blades supported on an axle and coupled to a crank is positioned so that the blades may be rotated through the grate. As the blades pass through the grate, they chop the nuts that are in the path of the blades. Once individual nuts are chopped into sizes that are smaller than the width of the openings formed in the grate, the chopped portions will fall through the grate and into the container.

Abstract: A knife bank assembly of a counter knife assembly of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester that includes an elongated bracket member that extends between opposed knife bank end plates and has a plurality of spaced retainment mounts securable therealong, with at least one, and preferably two, knife blades being removably connectable to each retainment mount in a side by side arrangement. The knife elements are removably connectable to the retainment mounts at first and second space mounting points, preferably in such a way that the knife elements are maintained in an extended position by application of a biasing force at the second mounting point but are rotatable about the first mounting point to a displaced or relaxed position if a sufficient force is applied to the leading edge of the knife element to overcome the biasing force.

Abstract: A bale processing apparatus for receiving and shredding a bale of material is disclosed. The bale processing apparatus comprises a hopper having a top and a bottom, a top opening through which a bale is received into the hopper and a bottom opening through which the material of the bale is dispersed. The bottom opening is at least partially positioned below the top opening. The apparatus further includes a bale shredding assembly for removing material from a bale received in the hopper. The bale shredding assembly is located in the interior of the hopper below the top opening and above the bottom opening.

Abstract: The container-grater comprises a base (10) on which an inverted cup-shaped element (12) having a polygonal cross-section is mounted rotatably so as to define a chamber (14) for containing the food product. The base (10) includes a grating plate (18) which constitutes the bottom of the chamber (14) and has a plurality of through-holes (20), with the edges of which respective teeth (22) that project into the chamber (14) are associated. Furthermore, a threaded rod (30) extends upwards from the plate (18) into the chamber (14) and a pressure plate (32) has a central, threaded hole (34) which is engaged by the rod (30) and an outer perimeter suitable for engaging with the internal wall of the element (12) in a manner such that rotation of the element (12) relative to the base (10) brings about translation of the plate (32) along the rod (30) and compression of the food product against the plate (18) so that the food product is broken up and dispensed from the containing chamber (14).

Abstract: An improved knife bank assembly of a counter knife assembly of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester that includes an elongated bracket member that extends between opposed knife bank end plates and has a plurality of spaced retainment mounts securable therealong, with at least one, and preferably two, knife blades being removably connectable to each retainment mount in a side-by-side arrangement. The bracket member is preferably mounted to a shaft member that extends between concave pan side plates to be slidable along such shaft member to permit adjustable positioning of the knife bank assembly and the knife elements thereof relative to the slots of the grate portion, and the retainment mounts are preferably removably securable to the bracket member.

Abstract: A comminution apparatus for reducing a particle size of a material includes a cutting chamber defining an interior volume, wherein the cutting chamber includes first and second member forming an angle therebetween. Each of the first and second members include a plurality of slots therethrough providing access to the interior volume. The apparatus further includes a rotatable arbor disposed outside the interior volume of the cutting chamber and supporting a plurality of toothed blades thereon. During rotation of the arbor a portion of each of the blades enters an interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the first member and exits the interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the second member. The comminution apparatus may be used to process various feed materials to desired sizes, and is particularly useful for reducing the size of materials otherwise difficult to cut to small size.

Abstract: A materials processing system adapted for the reduction of metallic materials including a material feed portion configured to convey materials to a mill portion comprising a motor driven rotor in close running fit with a cage mounted grate through which reduced material is discharged onto a conveyer. The cage is biased to a closed operating position by one or more hydraulic rams. A control system receives signals from a speed sensor operatively coupled to the rotor, and is configured to regulate the hydraulic rams, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the cage in response to rotation of the rotor. The control system is further configured to regulate the operation of the materials feed portion to suspend material feed during opening of the cage, permitting trapped or jammed material to be expelled from the mill portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting rocks, comprising a frame having a restrictive passageway with an inlet and an outlet end for relative displacement of rocks from the inlet to the outlet end. A rotary impacting device is secured to the frame in the passageway so as to be journaled with respect to the frame. The rotary impacting device has hammer elements on an outer periphery of the device. The hammer elements are adapted to scoop and impact rocks in the passageway to project the rocks toward the outlet of the apparatus. An actuator is mounted to the frame and operationally connected to the rotary impacting device for imparting a rotation of the rotary impacting device. A screen is adapted to comminute upon impact the rocks propelled thereon by the rotary impacting device. The screen is positioned at the outlet end such that comminuted rocks exiting from the apparatus are below a predetermined size.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for disintegrating bales of agricultural material such as hay. The apparatus has a chassis with a bale receptacle mounted thereon. A disintegrator is mounted in the bale receptacle and is adapted to disintegrate baled crop material in the bale receptacle and discharge the processed baled material out of the bale receptacle. A manipulator is mounted in the processing tub above the disintegrator adapted to manipulate the baled crop material in the bale receptacle to expose different parts thereof to the disintegrator and a passive support means is provided in the bale receptacle above the disintegrator. The manipulator and passive support means are positioned on opposing sides of the disintegrator to facilitate maintenance of the baled crop material above the disintegrator such that the disintegrator engages the baled crop material between the manipulator and the passive support means.

Abstract: An improved grinding apparatus or hammermill utilizing retractable bars as a hammermill screen, or as a support to a conventional hammermill screen. The ability to retract these bars which make up the screen of the hammermill assembly reduces the down time associated with inspecting, replacing, and repairing the bars, and clearing jammed material caught within the screen. When the retractable bars support a hammermill screen, retraction of the bars allows the screen to drop down from the hammermill for repair and cleaning.

Abstract: To operate the air circulation and convey the stock flow of scrap material comminuted in the housing (1) of a hammer mill, the airflow generated by the blower effect of a rotor (2) and the stock flow passing through an upper classifying grate (4) are diverted by a deflector hood (8) and guided vertically downwards into a duct (6) that is separate from the housing (1). The stock flow is combined with the stock flow classified in the area of a lower classifying grate (5). The air flow is then guided in the circulating air and the combined stock flow is conveyed to a device (11) for further processing, sorting and/or conveyance.

Abstract: A generally horizontal wood comminuter has a crosswise rotor with comminuting knives moving in a path of rotation and a crosswise coacting anvil. A feed works provides a material support surface and a power-driven feed member above it for feeding material toward the rotor. The rotor is driven in an uphill path of rotation relative to the feed works. Lift arms pivotally carry the feed member for swinging vertical movement toward and away from the material support surface. A crosswise deflector plate is carried independently of the lift arms and extends toward the anvil and a crosswise lift arm plate coacts with the deflector plate to contain fragmented material. The anvil and a grate retainer preferably are pivotal to move together from an operative to an inoperative position. A torque limiting device controls the drive of the rotor.

Abstract: A generally horizontal wood comminuter has a crosswise rotor with comminuting knives moving in a path of rotation and a crosswise coacting anvil. A feed works provides a material support surface and a power-driven feed member above it for feeding material toward the rotor. The rotor is driven in an uphill path of rotation relative to the feed works. Lift arms pivoted rearwardly of the feed works pivotally carry the feed member for swinging vertical movement toward and away from the material support surface. A crosswise deflector plate is carried independently of the lift arms and extends toward the anvil and a crosswise lift arm plate coacts with the deflector plate to contain fragmented material. The anvil and a grate retainer preferably are pivotal to move together from an operative to an inoperative position.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in an apparatus and a method for shredding blocks of cheese. The apparatus includes an elongated cheese chamber having an open side face for the admission of a block of cheese, which is urged into the elongated cheese chamber by a loading piston, a longitudinally-extending side plate and a floor surface for slidingly-engaging a block of cheese. An extruding piston is provided to force the cheese downstream within the elongated cheese chamber. The improvement includes an extrusion grid plate which is fixed at the downstream end of the elongated cheese chamber having a plurality of elongated, parallel, horizontal and vertical, knife-edges constituting a plurality of rectangular openings. A rotatable shredder assembly including an overlapped disc is sited immediately downstream of, and is in longitudinal abutment with, the extrusion grid plate, to prevent undesired escape of the extruded cheese.

Abstract: A rotary blade shredding apparatus comprising a plurality of shredder rollers (14, 15, 16) with parallel axes, each roller comprising a rotationally driven shaft and a plurality of rotating blades spaced axially therealong, and a cut-cooperating screening member (20), the blades of adjacent rollers being axially intercalated, characterized in that the cut-cooperating screening member comprises a plurality of bars (22) having a shape among the following: a broken line (22a), a wavy line (22b), so as to have bar portions protruding from one side and the other of a theoretical median line (m) of the bar.