Abstract: An apparatus for use with a vehicle to reduce plant material includes a frame having first and second mounting brackets, a boom coupled to the frame and having first and second mounting plates, a drive assembly having a drive shaft, a cutting device rotatable with the drive shaft, a reinforcing member to support the boom, a first bearing assembly sandwiched between the first mounting bracket and the first mounting plate, and a second bearing assembly sandwiched between the second mounting bracket and the second mounting plate. Each bearing assembly has an exterior annular member, an interior annular member, and a rolling element disposed between the interior and exterior members. The rolling element permits movement of the exterior and interior members relative to one another to facilitate rotation of the mounting plate relative the mounting bracket to permit pivotal movement of the boom relative to the frame.

Abstract: A waste processing machine for reducing waste material and having a safety device for shearing lines. A housing defines a cutting chamber and an intake opening in communication with the cutting chamber for receiving waste material. A disc is disposed in the cutting chamber, rotates about an axis, and has an axial surface facing the intake opening. A cutting member is fixed to the disc for revolution about the axis concurrent with rotation of the disc for reducing waste material. A cutting anvil is coupled to the housing adjacent to the intake opening and faces the axial surface of the disc for reducing waste material between the cutting anvil and the cutting member. A line shear element is attached to the housing, extends into the cutting chamber toward the axial surface of the disc, and is spaced from the cutting anvil for shearing lines caught by the rotating disc.

Abstract: A material reduction system and processing tool for a material processing machine. The material reduction system comprises a tool holder fixedly mounted to a rotary drum. A leading member defines a raker surface oriented away from the operating direction at a first predefined angle. A processing tool is removably coupled to the tool holder. A leading face of the processing tool is oriented toward the operating direction at a second predefined angle. The first and second predefined angles are such that material is directed into contact with the reducing member to limit material contact with the tool body and the tool holder. An upper flange of the processing tool directly abuts the tool holder to direct material away from the tool holder. The upper flange and a lower flange define a tool recess configured to receive a projection from the tool holder to prevent rotation of the processing tool.

Abstract: A waste processing machine for reducing material and having a docking safety system. A cutting assembly on a frame reduces material. A feed system on the frame directs material toward the cutting assembly. A winch assembly includes a line with a line end for securing material, and a driver on the frame to urge the line end toward the driver. A keeper fixed to the frame secures the line end to the frame. A docking subassembly, spaced from the keeper, is movable between: a docked position with the line tensioned against the subassembly between the driver and the line end secured to the keeper; and an undocked position with the line loosened against the subassembly. A control unit allows operation of the feed system when the subassembly is in the docked position, and at least partially limits operation of the feed system when the subassembly is in the undocked position.

Abstract: A waste processing machine for reducing material and having a feed assist system. A cutting assembly on a frame reduces material. A feed system on the frame directs material toward the cutting assembly. A winch assembly includes a line with a line end for securing material, and a driver on the frame to urge the line end toward the driver. A keeper fixed to the frame secures the line end. A sensor detects utilization between: a docked configuration with the line tensioned against between the driver and the keeper; and an undocked configuration with the line loosened. A control unit allows operation of the feed system in the docked configuration, and interrupts the feed system in the undocked configuration. A feed mechanism actuation bypasses the interrupted operation to advance material for a bypass period, and a limit mechanism overrides operation of the feed mechanism for a subsequent limit period.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for reducing plant material are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame, a boom coupled to and extending from the frame, a drive assembly at least partially coupled to the boom and having a drive shaft rotatable relative to the boom, a hub interconnected to and rotatable with the drive shaft, a cutting wheel interconnected to and rotatable with the hub, and a shearing device coupled to the boom and having a working surface adjacent the hub. The working surface at least partially defines a shearing feature for shearing material wrapped around the hub as the hub rotates.

Abstract: A safety and control system for a wood chipper includes a positional switch having at least a first and second position and a hydraulic valve adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to the feed wheel system thereby powering the feed wheel system when is a first position, and diverting hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, thereby removing power from the feed wheel system, when is a second position, whereby a the valve and the switch are operatively connected such that when the switch is the first position, the valve is in a first position and is adapted to send hydraulic fluid to the feed wheel system, and when the switch is in the second position, the valve is in a second position and is adapted to send hydraulic fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A waste processing machine for reducing waste material and having a safety device for shearing lines. A housing defines a cutting chamber and an intake opening in communication with the cutting chamber for receiving waste material. A disc is disposed in the cutting chamber, rotates about an axis, and has an axial surface facing the intake opening. A cutting member is fixed to the disc for revolution about the axis concurrent with rotation of the disc for reducing waste material. A cutting anvil is coupled to the housing adjacent to the intake opening and faces the axial surface of the disc for reducing waste material between the cutting anvil and the cutting member. A line shear element is attached to the housing, extends into the cutting chamber toward the axial surface of the disc, and is spaced from the cutting anvil for shearing lines caught by the rotating disc.

Abstract: A safety device for a waste processing system having a powered cutting system including a rotor rotatably mounted within a housing is disclosed wherein the improvement relates to a safety device which includes a first safety device disposed within the housing, spaced from the rotor and thereby defining a first gap therebetween through which a cable that has been captured by the rotor assembly is automatically cleaved when disposed between the first safety device and rotor assembly.

Abstract: A wood chipper comprises a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch comprising a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected. The wood chipper further comprises a bypass for operation of the at least one feed wheel.

Abstract: A stump grinder for a powered cutting wheel attached to a boom is disclosed, wherein the improvement relates to a cutting wheel confinement system which includes a cutting wheel further comprising a coaxially disposed spindle extending from an unsupported side, and a boom which further comprises an opening which is centrally disposed with the spindle and sized so as to allow the spindle to freely rotate therein without contact when the cutting wheel is not rotating, and to allow for a predetermined amount of eccentric motion of the spindle before the spindle makes contact with the first opening, and which prevents more than a predetermined amount of eccentric motion of the spindle by confining the eccentric motion of the spindle via contact with the first opening.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes a cutting system and a feed system, wherein the improvement relates to a safety and control system which comprises a side mount actuator having at least two operable positions, wherein the actuator is in communication with the waste processing system and is adapted to selectively control the operation thereof.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch which includes a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected.

Abstract: A wood chipper comprises a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch comprising a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected.

Abstract: A material reduction system and processing tool for a material processing machine. The material reduction system comprises a tool holder fixedly mounted to a rotary drum. A leading member defines a raker surface oriented away from the operating direction at a first predefined angle. A processing tool is removably coupled to the tool holder. A leading face of the processing tool is oriented toward the operating direction at a second predefined angle. The first and second predefined angles are such that material is directed into contact with the reducing member to limit material contact with the tool body and the tool holder. An upper flange of the processing tool directly abuts the tool holder to direct material away from the tool holder. The upper flange and a lower flange define a tool recess configured to receive a projection from the tool holder to prevent rotation of the processing tool.

Abstract: A control system for a waste processing machine includes an actuator and a timer operatively connected to one another, wherein at least one of the actuator and the timer are in communication with and adapted to control at least one of the feed system, the cutting system, and the power system of the waste processing machine in response to the position of the actuator and a time frame or interval.

Abstract: A stump grinder for a powered cutting wheel attached to a boom is disclosed, wherein the improvement relates to a cutting wheel confinement system which includes a cutting wheel further comprising a coaxially disposed spindle extending from an unsupported side, and a boom which further comprises an opening which is centrally disposed with the spindle and sized so as to allow the spindle to freely rotate therein without contact when the cutting wheel is not rotating, and to allow for a predetermined amount of eccentric motion of the spindle before the spindle makes contact with the first opening, and which prevents more than a predetermined amount of eccentric motion of the spindle by confining the eccentric motion of the spindle via contact with the first opening.