Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a bale feeder assembly is provided comprising a housing having side walls and a feed assembly disposed between the side walls. The feed assembly has a proximal end and a distal end, and is structured to move a bale of material. The bale feeder also has a movable platform connected to the proximal end of the feed assembly to move the bale along the housing, and wherein the movable platform is rotatable between a generally horizontal position and a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing. The bale feeder also has a shredder disposed adjacent the distal end of the feed assembly to shred the bale, the feed assembly being disposed at an angle such that the proximal end is in a plane spaced below a plane the distal end is disposed in and the feed assembly with the movable platform is capable of moving a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding.

Abstract: A fiber mat includes natural wood fibers formed into an elongated strip having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a first plurality of channels extending into the elongated strip, each of the first plurality of channels having a channel depth being different in a central portion of the mat than in an edge portion of the mat.