Abstract: A comminuting machine includes a frame, a comminuting rotor coupled to the frame, and a rotary drive coupled to the rotor. The rotary drive including a controller, a multi-phase motor connected to the controller, a set of contactors disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor for selectively providing driving motive force to the multi-phase motor, and at least one rheostat disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor, in parallel with the first set of contactors, for selectively providing a stopping resistance to the multi-phase motor to effect frictionless braking of the comminuting rotor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the set of contactors and the at least one rheostat to single phase lines of the multi-phase motor for providing the stopping resistance.

Abstract: A comminuting machine includes a frame, a comminuting rotor coupled to the frame, and a rotary drive coupled to the rotor. The rotary drive including a controller, a multi-phase motor connected to the controller, a set of contactors disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor for selectively providing driving motive force to the multi-phase motor, and at least one rheostat disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor, in parallel with the first set of contactors, for selectively providing a stopping resistance to the multi-phase motor to effect frictionless braking of the comminuting rotor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the set of contactors and the at least one rheostat to single phase lines of the multi-phase motor for providing the stopping resistance.

Abstract: A hydraulic power device for effecting operation of at least one load, the hydraulic power device including a motor having a predetermined motor speed rating and motor power rating, at least one pump operably coupled to the motor, the pump being configured to provide, to the at least one load, a predetermined hydraulic fluid flow at the predetermined motor speed rating, and a variable frequency drive connected to the motor, the variable frequency drive being configured to effect operation of the motor at a speed above the predetermined motor speed rating such that the at least one pump operates to provide an excess hydraulic fluid flow during operation of the motor substantially above the predetermined motor speed rating where the excess fluid flow is greater than the predetermined hydraulic fluid flow.

Abstract: A through beam shear angle change, cutting blade deflection detector including a cutting member within a shear box of a recycling machine, a through beam sensor including an emitter disposed on the cutting member and a receiver disposed on the cutting member, the receiver being disposed relative to the emitter for receiving a signal emitted from the emitter, and a controller connected to at least the receiver, the controller being configured to determine an amount of cutting member deflection based on an output of the receiver.

Abstract: A comminuting machine includes a frame, a comminuting rotor coupled to the frame, and a rotary drive coupled to the rotor. The rotary drive including a controller, a multi-phase motor connected to the controller, a set of contactors disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor for selectively providing driving motive force to the multi-phase motor, and at least one rheostat disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor, in parallel with the first set of contactors, for selectively providing a stopping resistance to the multi-phase motor to effect frictionless braking of the comminuting rotor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the set of contactors and the at least one rheostat to single phase lines of the multi-phase motor for providing the stopping resistance.

Abstract: A comminuting device for comminuting material. The device has a frame and a shear member having a main blade, the shear member movably coupled to the frame with a shear member slide bearing located at least partially inside the frame. A supporting table is coupled to the frame, the supporting table having a counter blade, the supporting table adapted to support the scrap material. The frame has an opening forming an access way to the shear member slide bearing. The main blade and the counter blade cooperate to chop the scrap material when the shear member is moved from a first position to a second position. The shear member slide bearing is removable from inside the frame through the opening without removal of the shear member from the frame.

Abstract: A comminuting machine including a frame, an infeed conveyor connected to the frame, a hammer mill connected to the frame, the hammer mill including a hammer mill housing substantially surrounding the hammer mill, a containment system substantially surrounding a comminuting portion of the comminuting machine, the containment system includes at least one cage, the at least one cage including a cage frame extending to substantially block projectile travel paths through openings of the comminuting machine, the cage frame being connected to the frame, and a drive unit movably coupled to the frame for effecting movement of the at least one cage relative to the comminuting portion of the comminuting machine without disconnecting the cage frame from the frame.

Abstract: A recycling machine deflection detection system including a cross head movable within a shear box of a recycling machine, one or more sensor units disposed on the cross head, and a controller connected to the one or more sensor units, the controller being configured to receive deflection signals from the one or more sensor units and determine, from the deflection signals, a shear deflection angle of the cross head due to deformation of the cross head.

Abstract: A through beam shear angle change, cutting blade deflection detector including a cutting member within a shear box of a recycling machine, a through beam sensor including an emitter disposed on the cutting member and a receiver disposed on the cutting member, the receiver being disposed relative to the emitter for receiving a signal emitted from the emitter, and a controller connected to at least the receiver, the controller being configured to determine an amount of cutting member deflection based on an output of the receiver.

Abstract: A comminuting device for comminuting material. The device has a frame and a shear member having a main blade, the shear member movably coupled to the frame with a shear member slide bearing located at least partially inside the frame. A supporting table is coupled to the frame, the supporting table having a counter blade, the supporting table adapted to support the scrap material. The frame has an opening forming an access way to the shear member slide bearing. The main blade and the counter blade cooperate to chop the scrap material when the shear member is moved from a first position to a second position. The shear member slide bearing is removable from inside the frame through the opening without removal of the shear member from the frame.

Abstract: A hydraulic power device for effecting operation of at least one load, the hydraulic power device including a motor having a predetermined motor speed rating and motor power rating, at least one pump operably coupled to the motor, the pump being configured to provide, to the at least one load, a predetermined hydraulic fluid flow at the predetermined motor speed rating, and a variable frequency drive connected to the motor, the variable frequency drive being configured to effect operation of the motor at a speed above the predetermined motor speed rating such that the at least one pump operates to provide an excess hydraulic fluid flow during operation of the motor substantially above the predetermined motor speed rating where the excess fluid flow is greater than the predetermined hydraulic fluid flow.

Abstract: A ram baler includes a charging passageway, a compacting chamber that is coupled to the charging passageway, a main platen, which moves back and forth in at least one direction in the passageway and compacting chamber, a floor, which bears the weight of the main platen, a series of guide strips on the floor, and a series of wear shoes which are attached to the bottom surface of the main platen, and the bottom surface of the main platen having one or more jack bolts or levers that allow for repair of the wear shoes without requiring the removal of the main platen from the baler. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a baler that includes forming holes in the bottom surface of the main platen and coupling to the bottom surface of the main platen one or more jack bolts or levers that allow the main platen to have its wear shoes repaired without requiring removal of the main platen from the charging passageway or compacting chamber.

Abstract: A conveyored bale dewiring system for safe severing and removal of bale strap material from about a compressed bale composed of a planar table with an integral conveyor system, an overhead cutting assembly on an articulated balanced 4-bar linkage, a grasping blade and opposing meshed puller gears, a rotating drum anvil and rotating drum cutter head assembly, and containment safety shroud. The system consists of a continually moving conveyor on which the bales are loaded; a cutting head which floats over the top of irregular shaped bales and automatically grabs and cuts each strand in succession as the bale is moving forward on the conveyor, and a grabber and chopper unit which simultaneously grabs each strand and pulls it down through the conveyor deck into a rotary drum anvil which chops the wire or bands into a manageable length and deposits it into a holding bin.

Abstract: A baler for baling polystyrene material which has high bulk and low weight for subsequent recycling. The baler includes a ram which provides significant penetration over repeated cycles to compress the polystyrene into a bale, which is subsequently ejected through a bale door of the baler. The baler can either be manually controlled or automatically controlled, such as by an algorithm stored in programmable logic controller. Feedback systems measure the length of travel of the ram and the pressure of the ram determine the status of baling operation, and can automatically provide for ejection of the baled material. The bale can either be manually strapped, automatically strapped, and in some events, no strapping of the bale is required. The polystyrene material is chopped by a chopper system on the baler to break the material into smaller sections for baling. The baler has been specially designed to uniformly densify and bale most poly foam materials in a high production environment.

Abstract: A ram baler (20) having a platen (28) coupled to a plunger (26). A first cutting edge (32) is attached to platen (28) and a second cutting edge (30) attached to baler (20). Platen (28) includes a top assembly (27) for attachment of the first cutting edge (32). A bottom plate assembly (46) is included for forming a lower surface of platen (28). Top assembly (27) is vertically moveable with respect to bottom plate assembly (46). Platen (28) houses an adjuster assembly (110) for varying the distance between top assembly (27) and bottom plate assembly (46).

Abstract: A ram baler (20) having a compression ram (28) with plunger (29) and platen (31). A fixed knife assembly (50) with a first cutting edge (52) is attached to the ram baler (20) and a second cutting edge (42) is attached to the compression ram (28). Platen (31) includes a movable knife assembly (40) for attachment of the second cutting edge (42). The fixed knife assembly (50) includes a pair of adjusting assemblies (80) which allow adjustment of the vertical spacing between the first cutting edge (52) and the second cutting edge (42). This adjustment can be accomplished without disassembly of the components of the ram baler (20).

Abstract: A baler for baling polystyrene material which has a high bulk and low weight for subsequent recycling. The baler includes a ram, to compress the material past its form memory, which provides significant penetration over repeated cycles to compress the polystyrene into a bale, which is subsequently ejected through a bale door of the baler. The baler can either be manually controlled or automatically controlled, such as by an algorithm stored in a programmable logic controller. Feedback systems measure the length of travel of the ram and the pressure of the ram to determine the status of the baling operation, and can automatically provide for ejection of the baled material. The bale can either be manually strapped, automatically strapped, or no strapping of the bale may be required. The polystyrene material is chopped by a chopper system on the baler to break the material into smaller sections for baling. The baler also includes a vertical tamper to tamp the polystyrene down into the baling chamber.

Abstract: A baler for recyclable materials and any other materials. The baler includes a power unit which engages to the rear of the gatherer desk. An operator stands on the gatherer deck between the rear of the hopper, which provides for visual observation, and forward of the power unit. Material is fed into the hopper. A compression chamber of bale chamber is at the forward end of the system for baling of the materials and subsequent discharge by an ejection ram for later disposition. The system provides for adjustment of the hold-down assembly for the ram and the charging box section, as well as for adjustment of the knife between the ram and the knife on the shear beam. The baler provides for adjustability for proper movement of the ram through the charging box, and for proper shearing of most materials which may be above the ram prior to entering the bale compression chamber area.

Abstract: A baler for recyclable materials and any other materials. The baler includes a power unit. An operator console on a deck at a front of a hopper, which provides for operator observation and operation through a high tech control system. Material is fed into the hopper, such as by a conveyor. A compression chamber under the hopper and a bale chamber is at a forward end of the baler for baling of the materials and subsequent discharge by an ejection ram across a bale run-out table for later disposition. A control system provides the capability of automatic control for the baler, as well as diagnostic assistance when necessary. The baler is also the primary building block for a completely automated municipal recycling facility (MRF). The baler can bale such materials as corrugated cardboard, news print, magazines, computer paper, flattened cans, round cans, plastic bottles, scrap aluminum, scrap copper, aluminum radiators, as well as any other miscellaneous materials required for baling on a real time basis.