Abstract: A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position. A floor stand may include a securing device pivotably engaged thereto, wherein the securing device is operable to removably engage and permit pivotable selective positioning of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device.

Abstract: A tub grinder has a rotor with hammers that pass between adjacent slug bars. The slug bars have a riser bar portion disposed on the top of the slug bars, the riser bar portions extending vertically higher on one end of each respective slug bar than on the other end of each respective slug bar so that the hammers extend farther beyond the top of the riser bar and slug bar when they pass by first end than when they pass by the second end of the riser bar.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a vertical feed mixer including a hopper for holding a composition to be mixed that contains strands of feed material. A vertically oriented mixing member is positioned in the hopper, wherein the mixing member includes a helical member and a shaft and is rotatable about a vertical axis in a direction to promote an upward flow of the composition to be mixed proximate the shaft. The helical member has an outer helical edge, a cutting blade at the outer helical edge and a cutout at the outer helical edge. The cutout and the cutting blade cooperate with each other to reduce mixing power consumption and improve mixing action.

Abstract: A mixer includes a housing having one or more augers therein. The augers are turned so that they lift the material being mixed upwardly. Fixed on the side walls, which include baffles, are one or more deflectors which impart a downward motion on the mixture being mixed so that the mixture is tumbled upwardly by the augers and downwardly by the deflectors.

Abstract: Grinding members on a grinding drum are arranged to move the material to be reduced laterally across the drum. The drum may be used in a tub grinder where the tub is configured to rotate about a vertical axis. In a tub grinder environment, the drum extends through the grinding floor, is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis, and includes cutters arranged in a right-handed helical pattern on the drum.

Abstract: An interference knife apparatus is provided for use with an environmental material mixer. The mixer includes a tub housing at least one auger with blades mounted on the auger flight. The apparatus includes a post rotatably mounted on the outer sidewall of the mixer tub. The post can include one or more knives extending therefrom. Rotating the post moves the knives in and out of the mixer tub through access slots extending through the mixer's sidewall. The combination of the knives and the auger blades provides a “scissors-like” cutting action for cutting the environmental material during auger rotation.

Abstract: A chopper unit for chopping bales of vegetation is particularly well suited for chopping large square bales. The chopper unit mounts on the arms of a transporter unit such as a skid loader. The unit includes a housing having a deck with a window therein. During normal operation, the deck faces upwardly. The housing includes a chopping chamber having the window in the deck at one end thereof, and extending to an opening or window in a side wall of the housing. A bale hopper mounted on the deck can translate along a predetermined path. The bale hopper extends generally upwardly when the unit is in an operating position, and surrounds the window in the deck. A vegetation cutter mounted within the chopping chamber partially projects through the deck's window and into the hopper. Rotating the cutter chops the vegetation into small pieces. The hopper translation allows the cutter to access the entire bottom surface of the bale.

Abstract: The invention is a high inertia flywheel for a tub grinder to stabilize the rotational speed of a hammermill of the tub grinder and to act to prevent jamming of the tub grinder. A high inertia flywheel attached to either the input or output shaft of the hammermill and outside the confines of the tub. A slip clutch or fluid coupling interconnects the flywheel to the hammermill. A motor spins the flywheel to a desired speed before the clutch is engages or disengaged. A control is used for adjusting the connection between the motor means and the flywheel.

Abstract: A rotary crushing apparatus having a hydraulic motor for driving a crusher includes a load detector for detecting a loading state of the hydraulic motor, a load judging device for judging the loading state of the hydraulic motor, a feeding amount controller that stops a feeding of an object to be crushed by a feeder when the load judging device judges as overloaded or that starts the feeding of the object to be crushed by the feeder when the load judging device judges as underloaded, and a motor capacity controller that changes a capacity of a capacity-variable motor to a large capacity when the load judging device judges as overloaded. Since the capacity of the hydraulic motor is switched to the large capacity when the feeder is stopped, it is possible to crush wood in the crusher with high torque and to reduce the load in order to recover to a former state in a short time.

Abstract: In a jaw crusher, cheek plates are mounted on side wall plates of a crusher frame by mounting bolts, and the mounting bolt adjacent to the outlet of the jaw crusher can be covered with the swing jaw by adjustment of an outlet gap-adjusting link mechanism. When the jaw crusher is in operation, the mounting bolt is covered by the swing jaw to avoid contact with raw materials, so that abrasion of and damages to the mounting bolt can be prevented. Thus, a longer lifetime of the jaw crusher can be promoted. Besides, since abrasion of and damages to the mounting bolt can be prevented, a mounting structure of the cheek plate can be stronger.

Abstract: An auger for a vertical livestock feed mixer having an open-top mixing tub is provided. The auger includes two flights to draw in feed components from the bottom of the mixer tub and move them to the top. The trailing edge of the upper auger flight includes an upraised portion to deflect feed components towards the sidewalls of the feed mixer. The leading edge of the lower auger flight includes a kicker plate on the topside of the flight to deflect feed components towards the centre of the auger.

Abstract: Truck for shredding and mixing products for zootechnical use having, on a chassis with wheels that is self-propelled or towed, a container that is substantially shaped like an inverted frustum, is open in an upper region and contains shredding and mixing elements which have at least two adjacent rotating screw feeders with substantially vertical axes arranged at staggered levels on corresponding staggered bottom regions of the container, each screw feeder having an external profile that lies on a substantially conical imaginary surface and at which shredding cutters are mounted, contrast cutters substantially shaped like circular sectors being hinged to the internal wall of the container by their respective vertices in a vertical arrangement in substantially radial positions and being insertable and removable trough appropriately provided slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for disintegrating bales of agricultural materials such as hay. The apparatus includes a processing tub and is provided with a novel adjustable fork-lift adapted to raise bales of different size and configuration into the processing tub.

Abstract: A refiner that reduces solid material to a particulate form includes a rotatable sidewall, a bottom, at least one exit hole, and a rotatable toothed disk. One or more baffles may be attached to the chamber sidewall to form one or more surfaces that extend into the chamber. The baffles help move the solid material toward the rotating toothed disk. The baffles also limit material from being inadvertently thrown out of the chamber. A moveable gate may be positioned to change the size of the exit hole and thus regulate the size of particulate material exiting the chamber. The position of the gate may be adjusted during the operation of the refiner chamber. A gate indicator indicates the relative position of the particle size gate. One or more attachments to the bottom of the chamber may be used to limit the amount and/or size of material engaging the toothed disk.

Abstract: A hay bale processor (10) having a cylindrical rotatable drum (14) adapted to displace a bale of hay (156-157) over a grill (26) which has a plurality of spaced-apart parallel slot openings (27) which are adjustable to define an average fiber cut length. A rotor (28) driven by an electric motor (66-67) has cutting blades (35) projecting through the openings to contact a bottom face (159) of a bale of hay (160) displaced over the grill. The rotor has a driveable shaft (29) secured to a displaceable suspension mechanism (45) to displace the blades (35) in the openings and above the grill a variable distance depending on the resistive load appliA hay bale processor (10) having a cylindrical rotatable drum (14) adapted to displace a bale of hay (156-157) over a grill (26) which has a plurality of spaced-apart parallel slot openings (27) which are adjustable to define an average fiber cut length.

Abstract: The invention is a high inertia flywheel for a tub grinder to stabilize the rotational speed of a hammermill of the tub grinder and to act to prevent jamming of the tub grinder. A high inertia flywheel attached to either the input or output shaft of the hammermill and outside the confines of the tub. A slip clutch or fluid coupling interconnects the flywheel to the hammermill. A motor spins the flywheel to a desired speed before the clutch is engages or disengaged. A control is used for adjusting the connection between the motor means and the flywheel.

Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.

Abstract: A truck for shredding and mixing products for zootechnical use, of the type that comprises, on a chassis (11) with wheels (12) that is self-propelled or towed, a container (13) that is substantially shaped like an inverted frustum, is open in an upper region and contains shredding and mixing means (14) which comprise at least two adjacent rotating main screw feeders (15, 16), each having an external profile (17) that lies on a substantially conical imaginary surface and at which shredding cutters are mounted. Contrast cutters (20) substantially shaped like circular sectors are hinged to the internal wall of the container (13) by means of their respective vertices in a vertical arrangement in substantially radial positions and can be inserted and removed through appropriately provided slots. Auxiliary screw feeders (18, 19), suitable to avoid the formation of stagnation regions, are arranged between the main screw feeders (15, 16), in the regions adjacent to the walls of the container (13).

Abstract: A vertical mixer has a mixing chamber with a vertical auger rotatably mounted herein. The mixing chamber has a side wall and a floor. The side wall has an opening therein that is closable by a door. The door is constructed to be opened and closed by hydraulic cylinder connected in parallel to a linkage. The linkage includes two or more elongate members pivotally connected to one another, and the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected between the elongate members.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in loading material to be ground into a rotatable drum assembly and protecting the rotating means of the assembly. A stationary drum assembly having a frustoconical stationary sidewall is configured to aid in feeding material into the rotatable drum space attached to a frame suspended over the rotating drum space. The stationary sidewall has a smaller diameter end adjacent to the rotatable drum assembly, and a large diameter end positioned atop the rotatable drum. Whereby when material is loaded into the large diameter end of the frustoconical stationary sidewall, the material passes through the stationary sidewall into a drum space where material is contacted by the grinding means and ground into pieces.

Abstract: The cutter mixer has a mixer tub with side walls and a floor. The floor includes a primary floor portion at a lower elevation. At least one secondary floor is positioned vertically above the primary floor portion. A primary vertical spindle is journaled in the center of the primary floor. A secondary vertical spindle is journaled on the secondary floor. Auger flighting is attached to the primary spindle. Auger flighting is also attached to the secondary spindle. The flighting decreases in width from the bottom to the top of each spindle. The bottom of the flighting on the primary spindle sweeps over substantially all the primary floor. The flighting on the secondary spindle overlaps the flighting on the primary spindle and sweeps fodder from the secondary floor to the primary floor. The augers are driven to cut and mix fodder and discharge fodder from the primary floor.

Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.

Abstract: A vertical mixer has a set of wheels on each side of the mixer that is automatically adjustable for variation in the terrain where the mixer is used. Each set is rotatable about a pivot point. Preferably, weight bars provide the pivot point for each set of wheels. There is a further weight bar in the tongue of the mixer. The weight bars automatically determine the weight of materials within the mixer on an intermittent or continuous basis.

Abstract: An auger for vertical mixers includes a forward angled leading edge. The leading edge includes an inner portion, which may or may not be aligned with a radial line extending from the axis of rotation of the auger. The leading edge also includes an outer portion adjacent to the inner portion, which is angled forward of the radial line and extends forward of the inner portion.

Abstract: A vertical mixer has plexi-glass sight windows located in a side wall of the mixing chamber. The windows extend generally vertically between a top and bottom of the mixing chamber and provide visual access to an interior of the chamber from outside the mixer.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A timber crusher capable of sufficiently exhibiting an effect of preventing timber pieces from scattering to an outside and also preventing damage to the crusher is provided. To this end, in the timber crusher comprising, on a base, a crusher for crushing timber into pieces and a rotary tub for guiding the timber to the crusher, a hopper (5) having an upwardly open shell part (5b) and guiding the charged timber to the rotary tub (3) is provided at an opening of the rotary tub (3). The hopper (5) is inclined with respect to the horizontal and is tiltable. Further, the hopper (5) may be provided with a scattering prevention cover (7) for preventing timber from scattering to an outside from an inside of the rotary tub (3).

Abstract: A hay chopper is used for chopping elongated stems of hay into small fragments. The hay chopper comprises two superimposed screens comprising an identical set of slots recessed thereon. When the two screens are well aligned, effective slot windows result from the superimposition of slots from each one of the screens. A chopping element is also provided within the hay chopper, this chopping element comprising sharp-edged blades emerging periodically from underneath said screens through said effective slot windows, in order to cut the hay located onto the chopping element of the hay chopper. By varying the alignment between the two screens, the effective slot windows' width can be adjusted accordingly. It is the width of these slots that will determine approximately the length of the chopped fragments of hay that is allowed to slip therethrough by gravity and/or drive force from the rotating blades.

Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A rock crushing plant including rock crushers, screens and conveyors. The assembly is modularized whereby major components and associated support structures are organized into movable modules that are independently movable from site to site over public roadways. The modules are equipped with appropriate support wheels for traveling and stabilizing jacks for stabilization of the modules at a rock crushing site. Modifications are made to certain of the components to satisfy road height and width restrictions, e.g., folding conveyors. Each module is preferably equipped with its own power plant.

Abstract: A feed-mixing truck comprises a load-bearing structure (2) on which a feed-mixing hopper (4) and means for loading the feed into the mixing hopper (4) are mounted. The loading means comprise a discontinuously-operating loading device (10) with a receptacle (19, 119) which is disposed at the free end of a loading arm (11, 111, 211) and is pivotable relative to the arm between a first operative position in which the receptacle (19, 119) is substantially horizontal in order to be filled, and a second operative position in which the receptacle (19, 119) is at least partially turned over above the hopper (4).

Abstract: A livestock mixer and feeder apparatus operates efficiently to minimize the time and facilities necessary to service a modest feedlot. The large mixing chamber utilizes a vertical auger operating at high speed to quickly perform the mixing procedure and is run by a high power hydraulic motor. A moveable base, such as a pickup, supplies the need power-take-off capability and produces efficient feedlot operation, since the apparatus can be quickly loaded and unloaded. Prudent sized inlet and outlet augers complete the apparatus and are also powered by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A large industrial waste tub grinder is mounted onto a lift or support frame that has a connection for a hook from a hoist on a truck so that the lift or support frame can be placed onto the truck and offloaded from the truck utilizing a conventional hook hoist. The lift or support frame supports the tub grinder on the ground surface, for in place use, the lift or support frame carries stabilizers for insuring that the lift or support frame provides a stable mounting for the tub grinder.

Abstract: A tub grinder is used for grinding industrial wastes, including large stumps, lumber chunks and the like. A cover member is pivoted alongside the tub, and is made in two sections. An upright frame section is pivoted near a plane along the bottom of the tub, and extends upwardly to a level at or adjacent to the top of the tub. A cover section is pivotally mounted to the upright frame and can be adjusted about a generally horizontal axis from a generally horizontal position to an upwardly extending position. The upright frame can be tilted outwardly so that the cover section is out of registry with the tub to permit the tub to be loaded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-propelled crushing machine in which a crushed material having a widely desired grain size can be obtained, a degree of freedom for automatically controlling a rotary tub and a rotary crusher can be preferably improved, and a crushing having a high efficiency can be performed.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/562,167 filed May 2, 2000. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container has a base and a wall extending away from the base. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the base for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the base and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is rotatably disposed within the enclosure for mixing the feed. Also, the wall further defines an outlet which is disposed between the base and the opening, the outlet permitting discharge therethrough of the feed. A door is disposed adjacent to the outlet, the door being movable from a closed disposition thereof for obturating a discharge of the feed through the outlet when the feed is being mixed to an open disposition thereof for permitting a discharge of the feed when mixed through the outlet.

Abstract: A large industrial waste tub grinder is mounted onto a lift or support frame that has a connection for a hook from a hoist on a truck so that the lift or support frame can be placed onto the truck and offloaded from the truck utilizing a conventional hook hoist. The lift or support frame supports the tub grinder on the ground surface, for in place use, the lift or support frame carries stabilizers for insuring that the lift or support frame provides a stable mounting for the tub grinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial waste crushing bit capable of sufficiently exerting wear resistance from the initial stage of service and improving the service life at low cost. A super-hard member to be inserted in an opening formed in the tip of a bit body is formed into a plate shape and is secured to the bit body in such a manner that the plate faces of the plated-shaped super-hard member are placed in a direction virtually orthogonal to the rotational direction of the bit, with its side being exposed.

Abstract: A tub grinder is used for grinding industrial wastes, including large stumps, lumber chunks and the like. A cover member is pivoted alongside the tub, and is made in two sections. An upright frame section is pivoted near a plane along the bottom of the tub, and extends upwardly to a level at or adjacent to the top of the tub. A cover section is pivotally mounted to the upright frame and can be adjusted about a generally horizontal axis from a generally horizontal position to an upwardly extending position. The upright frame can be tilted outwardly so that the cover section is out of registry with the tub to permit the tub to be loaded.

Abstract: A tub grinder includes a tub mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A grinding member is positioned within a floor of the tub grinder. A deflection plate partially covers the floor to define a narrow trajectory area for debris being ejected from the tub. A deflection cover is secured to the frame covering the tub opening only over the deflection area.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in loading material to be ground into a rotatable drum assembly and protecting the rotating means of the assembly. A stationary drum assembly having a frustoconical stationary sidewall is configured to aid in feeding material into the rotatable drum space attached to a frame suspended over the rotating drum space. The stationary sidewall has a smaller diameter end adjacent to the rotatable drum assembly, and a large diameter end positioned atop the rotatable drum. Whereby when material is loaded into the large diameter end of the frustoconical stationary sidewall, the material passes through the stationary sidewall into a drum space where material is contacted by the grinding means and ground into pieces.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing, the wall defining an opening disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The auger includes a core and flighting connected to the core so that when the auger rotates, feed disposed within the enclosure is mixed. The flighting includes a first portion and a second portion staggered relative to the first portion such that movement of the feed between the first and second portions is interrupted.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a size reducing machine with a rotor having a plurality of hammers arranged to size reduce waste material upon impact. The rotor is contained with a tub that includes a tub floor for feeding the waste material toward the rotor. Located proximate to the tub floor is a gator plate with a serrated edge for initial material for sizing of the waste material.

Abstract: An improved tub grinder includes a hammer mill having a swing diameter which is adjustable. The tub grinder includes: first and second sets of interchangeable hammers, the second set being shorter than the first; first and second interchangeable semi-cylindrical screen assemblies, the second screen assembly having a smaller diameter than the first; and a pair of shear bars and adapter plates. In a first configuration, the first set of hammers are mounted to a rotor assembly and have a first swing diameter. The first semi-cylindrical screen assembly is secured within a cylinder box in co-axial alignment and outwardly spaced relationship with the first set of hammers. The shear bars are mounted to the tub floor and extend across the sides of a floor opening in spaced relationship to the swing diameter of the first set of hammers to form a gap therebetween.