Abstract: Apparatus for disintegrating bales comprises a hopper with vertical end walls and two side walls which converge inwardly and downwardly to a part cylindrical base portion extending longitudinally of the hopper. The upper face of the hopper defined at the top of the side and end walls is open to receive a bale dumped into the hopper. In the hopper is provided a pair of parallel rollers for supporting an rotating the bale when in the hopper. In the base portion is provided a flail roller which rotates about its axis grasping material and throwing it out of an exit slot longitudinally of the hopper at the base of the hopper. Rectangular bales are loaded into the hopper by an inclined ramp with a chain conveyor on the ramp, the ramp having a loading position in which it is inclined from a forward edge adjacent one side wall to a rear edge at the ground for pushing under the rectangular bale by which the bale is carried up the ramp to sit on the ramp.

Abstract: Apparatus for disintegrating baled material in the form of large cylindrical bales, a collection of small rectangular bales or large rectangular bales includes a hopper for receiving the baled material. At the base of the hopper is provided a flail cylinder which engages the material and sweeps it around to an ejection slot along one side of the hopper. Above the flail cylinder is provided a pair of support rollers each on a respective side of the flail cylinder with the axes parallel to the flail cylinder. The rollers can be rotated in either direction to provide a vigorous rotating action of the baled material despite flat edges of the baled material. The rollers are mounted so that they can lift from the surface of the hopper if material passes between the underside of the roller and the inside surface of the hopper on its way to the flail cylinder.