Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is directed to a cantilevered screw assembly comprising a solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw. Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes an improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. In particular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that is cantilevered to at least two walls. At least one reinforcement member may connect the walls for additional support.

Abstract: A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.

Abstract: A movable stuffing machine for producing silage is disclosed wherein the silage is stored on the bottom and is used for filling a tubular film. The stuffing machine comprises a stuffing wall (1) which is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stuffing machine and the direction of stuffing. A driven worm-type compactor is mounted on the stuffing wall (1), is aligned at a right angle from a longitudinal direction of the stuffing machine, is disposed in a horizontal direction, and is embodied as a pronged rotor (3) encompassing conveying prongs (9) which are offset in a helical manner. A feeding device (4) encompassing a metering mechanism (6) is placed upstream of said worm type compactor. The stuffing machine also comprises a roll (7) of silo film, which is mounted thereabove and from which the silo film (30) is directed to the guiding wall through at least one deflection roller (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for compacting waste which is disposed in containers that are open at the top thereof. The inventive includes a compactor roller which is pivot-mounted to one end of a handling arm, the other end of the arm being mounted to a support frame in a collapsible manner. The device is characterized in that at least one of the transverse ends of the support frame has an anchoring device which can co-operate with a lift and load hook of a container transport vehicle.

Abstract: The device for compressing a load of particulate material in an open-top trailer includes a frame mounted or mountable on a support so as to be elevated over the load of particulate material in the open-top trailer, a drum roller rotatably mounted or mountable to the frame, and a windrower mounted or mountable to the frame adjacent the drum roller. The windrower is for windrowing a heaped portion of the load of particulate material so as to heap the heaped portion above upper edges of sides of the trailer. The windrower windrows the heaped portion into a windrow of particulate material generally centrally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the trailer as the trailer and the windrower are translated relative to one another along the longitudinal axis. The drum roller is disposed on the frame so as to roll over and thereby compress the windrow of particulate material as the trailer and the roller translate relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system for compacting organic material such as silage and inserting compacted material into an elongate plastic bag. A feed table delivers material to a rotor that propels and compacts material into an inlet of a tunnel. A proportional valve controlling the hydraulic motor of the feed table controls the rate of which the feed table delivers material. A speed sensor senses the speed of the rotor and transmits a signal to the control unit connected to the proportional valve of the feed table. Overfeeding of material to the rotor results in a reduction of the rotor speed. Such reduction is sensed and the feed table delivery rate adjusted accordingly to optimize filling of the bag.

Abstract: A wrapping machine includes a first wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping around a bale to partially wrap the bale in wrapping material, a second wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping material around the bale to completely wrap the bale in wrapping material, and a transfer device for transferring the partially wrapped bale from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. This transfer device is swingable through approximately 90° from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. The first wrapping station includes a dispenser for dispensing a strip of plastic film and a device for rotating the dispenser about a substantially vertical axis around the bale. The second wrapping station includes a device for rotating the bale about a substantially horizontal axis and a dispenser for dispensing wrapping material around the bale as it is turned on the horizontal axis. A compaction station is provided to compact loose material into the bale before wrapping.

Abstract: A cotton module builder incorporates a roller that continuously applies variable pressure to a cotton module during building, thereby building the cotton module faster than conventional cotton module builders. The roller incorporates a number of vanes which pin the cotton fibers to aid in compaction of the module. The roller may take different shapes but a generally cylindrical shape is preferred.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting refuse and similar material in a vessel. The apparatus including a driveable rotating roller for compacting the material inside a receiver vessel, wherein the roller is capable of moving in an essentially horizontal direction about a shaft and is preferably driven in rotation. In one embodiment, the roller is coupled to the shaft by a support arm extending laterally from the shaft, and is movable in a vertical direction between bottom and top portions of the vessel by a pivot arm.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagger wherein the feed compaction rotor is mounted above the bottom portion of the feed receptacle to provide improved compaction of the feed stock within the receptacle space. The rotor may be mounted between one-third and two-thirds of the distance between the top wall and bottom portion of the bagger.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine including a length adjustable tunnel is provided to permit the adjustment of the compaction resistance offered by the tunnel. The length adjustable tunnel comprises an outer tunnel shell which is movably mounted on a fixed inner tunnel shell so that the length of the tunnel may be selectively varied. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are connected to the outer tunnel shell for moving the outer tunnel shell relative to the inner tunnel shell.

Abstract: A forage compaction apparatus including a three point based chassis to contact the floor, that supports a hopper in its front end. The apparatus forming a tunnel in the rear end while housing a compacting rotor and retainer bars in the chamber between the front and rear ends. The forage is admitted into the hopper and packed into the tunnel by the effect of the rotor and associated retainer comb. These are designed specifically to create forces directed upwards and backwards in order to compact evenly the forage into an agricultural bag that closes the exit of the tunnel in the rearmost end of the apparatus. The apparatus has a power transmission system and controls forward movement by braking the machine while compacting so that as the machine packs forage, pressure is built in a special way into the tunnel and agricultural bag so that the bag is unfolded in the field as the machine moves forward.

Abstract: A rotor arrangement for a bagging machine includes a tooth configuration providing both uniform power requirements and well directed compaction forces for uniform distribution of compacted crop material within a storage bag. The rotor arrangement includes right lead and left lead tooth groups wherein members of each right lead and left lead tooth groups sequentially enter a slot of a stripping comb beginning with the right and left, respectively, member of the group. The right lead groups occupy the same length portion of the rotor arrangement as corresponding left lead groups, but are angularly offset whereby rightward compaction forces of one group are followed by leftward compaction forces of the other group. The right and left tooth groups may be organized according to double-helix mounting patterns upon a mounting member. The net compaction force is substantially straight away from the rotor arrangement and has substantially uniform power requirements for uniform compaction within the storage bag.

Abstract: An arrangement for the compressing of refuse and similar materials by means of a number of roller-shaped compressing bodies acting in a container or similar receptacle and moving along the container so as to compress the material. The arrangement permits the effective compressing of the intended material without the need for a major labor input, etc.

Abstract: A livestock feed bagging machine includes a wheeled chassis having a feed stock receiving trough extending transversely across the front. An auger in the trough distributes the feed stock to a toothed drum which forces ground feed stock through comb fingers into a compression and shaping compartment. Compacted feed stock moves from the compression and shaping compartment through a feed stock discharge section into a flexible bag. An adjustable brake retards the movement of the chassis in a controlled reactive response to the discharge of feed stock into the bag.

Abstract: A removable tooth cap for use on the rotor of an agricultural feed bagger comprising a pusher plate selectively movably secured to each of the teeth on the rotor. The inner end of each of the pusher plates are removably received in an elongated opening formed in the leading edge of the associated rotor tooth. The outer end of each of the pusher plates embrace a portion of the outer end of the associated rotor tooth.

Abstract: An auger for bulk material compressors of the type having a feed chamber and a packing chamber to which is attached a tubular silo bag. The auger includes an inlet portion, located within the feed chamber, and an outlet portion, located within the packing chamber. The inlet portion includes a shaft and flights, each preferably of constant diameter. The outlet portion also has flights preferably of uniform diameter and a shaft which is cone-shaped, increasing in diameter from its connection with the shaft of the inlet portion, adjacent the beginning of the packing chamber, to the end of the auger flights, within the packing chamber, for gradual compression of bulk material within the packing chamber. The terminal most end of the auger, within the packing chamber, is provided with an end member to provide a large surface area as a support bearing for the auger in its engagement with the compressed material without substantial lengthening of the shaft.

Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.

Abstract: An improved packing apparatus is disclosed for use in compacting various types of materials such as grain or green forage into large air-tight tubes or bags. The apparatus includes an auger for packing the materials which is supported in part by bearing means located outside of the material flowpath and in part by an extended section supported by the material itself thereby eliminating the possibility of material becoming entangled or jammed. A retractable conveyor assembly is also incorporated therein which may be easily moved between operating and transport positions. An optional grain loading auger is also disclosed which is particularly well suited for transfering grain or like materials from a transporter to the packing apparatus.

Abstract: A silage compression machine includes a primary shaft which rotates a plurality of teeth to force material through a passageway into a tunnel. The tunnel includes an arcuate wall extending upwardly and rearwardly from a main beam to a top wall. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is supported on the main beam and includes a rear wall extending adjacent to the arcuate wall of the tunnel. Spacers maintain a predetermined gap between the rear wall of the reservoir and the arcuate wall of the tunnel.

Abstract: Equipment for compacting trash, in particular cardboard cartons or the like, in upwardly open containers, characterized in that a compacting roll (4) moving to-and-fro on the trash (2) in the container (1) is provided which is rotatably supported from the free end of a pivot arm (5) mounted in articulating manner to a post (6) and of which the telescoped length (L) is adjustable.

Abstract: Equipment for compacting trash, in particular cardboard cartons or the like, in upwardly open containers, characterized in that a compacting roll (4) moving to-and-fro on the trash (2) in the container (1) is provided which is rotatably supported from the free end of a pivot arm (5) mounted in articulating manner to a post (6) and of which the telescoped length (L) is adjustable.

Abstract: An improved brake mechanism is disclosed for use on an agricultural bag loading apparatus (10) having a pair of cable drums (20, 21) secured to the loading apparatus for deploying cables (18, 19) attached to the filled end of an agricultural bag (12). The brake mechanism comprises a disc brake rotor (23) rigidly secured to one end of a brake drum (20), a plurality of disc brake calipers (25) secured to the loading apparatus (10) and a hydraulic fluid pressurizer (29). Braking action between the rotor (23) and the calipers (25) permits control of the compression of the material packed within the agricultural bag (12).

Abstract: A system for cooling hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic circuit utilized for operating a silage compressor wherein hydraulic fluid is circulated through a tank forming at least a portion of a wall along and in contact with which compressed silage is passed, thereby effecting a heat transfer from the hot hydraulic fluid in the tank to the relatively cool silage passing along the wall.

Abstract: A forage press is disclosed for use in injecting forage or other feed material into an elongated flexible horizontal forage receptacle or silo. The forage press includes an injection chamber for introducing material into the forage receptacle and a press wheel which presses the material through the injection chamber into the receptacle. The press wheel is formed in a circular shape and includes a plurality of sectors each of which is formed at a canted angle so as to press the forage material into the injection chamber as the press wheel is rotationally driven by an external source of power.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping fodder feed and the like for flat storage thereof and having a molding channel mounted upon an undercarriage and compression roller means disposed therein. The compression roller means includes a roller having a shaft provided with a plurality of rigid tines or teeth arranged progressively spiraled about the circumference thereof for almost the entire length of the shaft. Said teeth are arranged in two adjacent sets or groups, each set or group completing part of a circumscription of the shaft. The teeth are arranged to cooperate with a stripping basket formed of spaced metal strips. Each set of teeth may be divided into outer and inner ones relative the ends of the roller. The tips of the teeth in the inner group have a smaller angular displacement relative to the adjacent teeth when compared with the angular displacement of the outer teeth, which are adjacent the sides of the channel walls when the roller is installed.

Abstract: An improved brake mechanism is disclosed for use on an agricultural bag loading apparatus (10) having a pair of cable drums (20, 21) secured to the loading apparatus for deploying cables (18, 19) attached to the filled end of an agricultural bag (12). The brake mechanism comprises a disc brake rotor (23) rigidly secured to one end of a brake drum (20), a plurality of disc brake calipers (25) secured to the loading apparatus (10) and a hydraulic fluid pressurizer (29). Braking action between the rotor (23) and the calipers (25) permits control of the compression of the material packed within the agricultural bag (12).

Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.