Abstract: A hay bale flaking device mountable on a wheeled vehicle such as a trailer is provided. The flaking device employs a ram to translate a hay bale on a ramp, and underneath a cutting blade which at timed intervals cuts flakes of hay from the distal end of the hay bale. The timing and thickness of the flakes may be adjustably controlled. A secondary bale of hay may be carried by the device for positioning upon the ramp subsequent to use of a previous bale to make flakes.

Abstract: A convertible hay bale flaking device that accommodates two bales of hay and is operated via a remote control. The functions of the device allow the controlled translation of a bale of hay stored at the rear of the device along the linear axis of the device onto a front ramp where it can be advanced perpendicularly to the linear axis of the device such that it can pass over and extend beyond the side edge of the device. When in this position, it can either be segregated into flakes by gravity or via a cutting blade forcefully disposed downward into the hay bale.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for creating and processing an electronic customs declaration manifest. These methods and systems include creating a image of the customs declaration form, converting the image of the customs declaration form into an electronic customs manifest, and transferring the electronic customs manifest to a database. In addition, a image is may also be forwarded electronically to a remote encoding center, where the customs declaration form data is manually converted into an electronic file for storing in a database. Customs services of both the originating and destination countries review the declared information stored in the database. When the international mailpiece arrives at the border, domestic customs service may find a matching unique identifiers on the international mailpieces and customs declaration forms stored in the database.