Abstract: A hammer assembly that will mount in a grinder/shredder/hammer mill type machine. A tool holder is milled with dovetail/angular slots along each side of the hammer tool holder, which allows milled blade to slide in to place and be securely held in position. The simple milled slot located in the middle of each blade that allows a single mounting block/bolt to securely hold each blade in position. This results in the ability to rotate and/or interchange blades. The tool holder allows single or multiple blade/hammer inserts to be installed without having to remove a hammer pin, so the tool holder stays in the machine, and the blades can be easily removed. This arrangement allows the tool holder to stay in place, and enables the simple removal of a single bolt and retention block and then flip or rotate the hammer to get additional wear surfaces or install new blades.

Abstract: A hammer assembly that will mount in a grinder/shredder/hammer mill type machine. A tool holder is milled with dovetail/angular slots along each side of the hammer tool holder, which allows milled blade to slide in to place and be securely held in position. The simple milled slot located in the middle of each blade that allows a single mounting block/bolt to securely hold each blade in position. This results in the ability to rotate and/or interchange blades. The tool holder allows single or multiple blade/hammer inserts to be installed without having to remove a hammer pin, so the tool holder stays in the machine, and the blades can be easily removed. This arrangement allows the tool holder to stay in place, and enables the simple removal of a single bolt and retention block and then flip or rotate the hammer to get additional wear surfaces or install new blades.

Abstract: A bale processing apparatus for processing a bale of biomass that is bound by a binding includes a cutting device that is operable to automatically cut the binding. The bale processing apparatus also includes a binding remover that is operable to automatically move the binding from the bale after the binding has been cut by the cutting device. Furthermore, the bale processing apparatus includes an arranging member that cooperates with the binding remover to automatically arrange the binding generally into a predetermined position.

Abstract: A bale processing apparatus for processing a bale of biomass that is bound by a binding includes a cutting device that is operable to automatically cut the binding. The bale processing apparatus also includes a binding remover that is operable to automatically move the binding from the bale after the binding has been cut by the cutting device. Furthermore, the bale processing apparatus includes an arranging member that cooperates with the binding remover to automatically arrange the binding generally into a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method for automated destringing and breaking down of baled biomass material using limited manual labor is disclosed. The method includes selecting and moving one bale of biomass material from a stack of bales to an automated destringing station where the string is removed from that bale. The bale is then lined up next in line with previously processed destrung bales and advanced along a continuous process line through a bale chopper that breaks the biomass material down into useful pieces for further processing at the facility. In a preferred embodiment an automated initial quality control evaluation step can be provided with a bale rejection system operated on detected non-conforming bales before they are destrung.

Abstract: An interchangeable chipper tool attachment for a hog allows a hog machine to operate as either a hog or a chipper. An operator of the hog machine can remove hammer tools used in the hog and replace them with the chipper attachment. The chipper attachment includes knife receiving area, a knife support receiving area, and a fastener portion for mounting the tool holder to rotor disks on the rotor assembly of the hog machine. A knife assembly, including a chipper knife, is coupled to the tool holder at the knife receiving area and points in the direction of rotation of the rotor. A knife support block supports the chipper knife and is coupled to the tool holder at the knife support receiving area, a lateral face of the tool holder adjacent to the knife receiving area. When mounted in an interleaved fashion between the rotor disks of the rotor assembly, the chipper knife rotates in a circular path and produces chips by cutting wood waste against an anvil on the hog.