Abstract: An infeed chute that is configured to more effectively and safely guide brush into a chipper is provided. The infeed chute is configured to guide brush upwards, thereby minimizing the occurrence of branches inadvertently catching the bottom edge of the chute. The infeed chute is also configured so that operators can conveniently load the chipper while being along a side of the chipper.

Abstract: A brush chipper with feed rollers and a winch has an interlock control with feed roller disabled position and a feed roller enabled position, spring loaded to the feed roller disabled position to encourage or require the use of the winch line to move it into a feed roller enable position. A winch control is provided that selects between a winch freewheel condition and winch drive condition. A connection is provided between the interlock control and winch control such that the interlock control automatically moves to the feed roller disabled position whenever the winch control is moved to the freewheel position.

Abstract: A brush chipper with feed rollers and a winch has an interlock control with feed roller disabled position and a feed roller enabled position, spring loaded to the feed roller disabled position to encourage or require the use of the winch line to move it into a feed roller enable position. A winch control is provided that selects between a winch freewheel condition and winch drive condition. A connection is provided between the interlock control and winch control such that the interlock control automatically moves to the feed roller disabled position whenever the winch control is moved to the freewheel position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing safety in operating a brush chipper. A remote-enabled warning light flashes any time the brush chipper may be operated via a wireless remote control module. Workers on the ground are thereby notified the functions of the brush chipper may be changed in a manner not evident from their vantage point. Additionally, for remote operation to be enabled, two switches must both be in a remote-enable position and a feed control bar must be in neutral. Any change in these aspects will remove control from the remote module and make the machine controllable only at the controls on the brush chipper.

Abstract: An optical inspection system for articles moved by a conveyor, in which photo-electric transducers of one or more cameras are directed onto a transverse viewing area to detect light variations in individual articles. A threshold system permits correction for light signals in relation to the angular distance between the article being observed and the camera optical axis. A two-step inspection involves first detecting anomalous light levels, and subsequently detecting the size of each defect.

Abstract: An article inspection and cutting apparatus (10) is described for high production processing of elongated articles (12) such as raw potato strips (french fries). The apparatus includes a conveyor (20) for moving the articles (12) in line in a large number of transversely spaced lanes past an inspection (28) station and a cutting station (30). Scanning cameras (38, 40) at the inspection station (28) rapidly scan across the lanes to detect color or shade variation in the articles (12) and generate electrical signals characteristic of the defect. Rotating sets of knife wheels (54) are positioned at the cutting station for selectively projecting two or more knives (68) from the periphery of the wheel to cut sections of the article (12) containing the defect to separate the defective portion from the remainder of the article. The apparatus 10 has the capability of detecting the size of different shade defects and removing smaller dark defects and larger lighter defects.