Abstract: A wood chipper having a rotatable drum configured to reduce the size of wood fed into the wood chipper; a sensor configured to sense a speed of rotation of the rotatable drum; and a controller operably connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to cut power to the rotatable drum when the speed of rotation of the rotatable drum drops below a pre-set threshold value. The controller is operably engaged with a centrifugal clutch that is engaged to enable the rotatable drum to be rotated. When the speed of drum rotation drops below the threshold value because debris is slowing down rotation of the drum, the centrifugal clutch is disengaged by dropping engine speed. Disengagement of the centrifugal clutch cuts power to the drum and rotation thereof ceases so that the debris may be cleared.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock includes a vessel, a screen positioned in the vessel above a first feedstock outlet and spaced from the top of the vessel, and a blade rotatably mounted above and generally parallel to the screen. The blade has a leading side, a trailing side, and a radial blade length. At least a portion of the leading side has a cutting edge and at least a portion of the trailing side has a downwardly extending trailing portion. The downwardly extending trailing portion has a lower edge having a plurality of discontinuities along a radial length of the trailing portion. The cutting edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a first distance and a lowermost portion of the lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a second distance.

Abstract: There is provided a food garbage disposal apparatus. The food garbage disposal apparatus includes a food garbage processing unit provided in a housing having an food garbage introduction food garbage introduction opening through which food garbage is input, and configured to decompose and dry the food garbage; and a housing driving unit provided at a lower side of the housing and configured to move the housing on a ground surface, wherein the housing driving unit is configured to move the housing up and down.

Abstract: An apparatus including a gear assembly; a first blade section and a second blade section. The first blade section includes a first shaft. The first shaft is connected to gears of the gear assembly and extends from a first side of the gear assembly. The second blade section includes a second shaft and a cutting blade. The second shaft is connected to the gears of the gear assembly and extends from a second opposite side of the gear assembly. The gear assembly is configured to rotate the second shaft in an opposite direction of rotation relative to rotation of the first shaft.

Abstract: A chip discharge chute having a flexible chute main section having an upstream end connectable from a chipping machine output, a main section elevation mechanism connected to the downstream end of the chute main section for controlling a height of the downstream end of the flexible main section with respect to a chip receiving area, and a chute deflector section pivotably connected to the downstream end of the flexible main section for receiving chips from the downstream end of the chute main section and a downstream end with a downwardly directed ejection opening for discharging chips into the chip receiving area.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material. The method includes: initiating the wetting of at least a portion of the plurality of cluster particles; disaggregating at least a portion of the wetted plurality of cluster particles into a disaggregated material including a plurality of smaller clusters, discrete particles or any combination thereof; and stabilizing at least a portion of the disaggregated material by reducing, eliminating or replacing specified controlling attractive forces. A system and apparatus for separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A platform for securing a portable vacuum and shredder apparatus has brackets for attaching a shredder onto the platform. A vacuum tube for the ingress of matter to be shredded. An ingress opening for the shredded matter. A closed area, or bag for collecting the shredded material. An air exhaust fitted with a filter system or device allowing for air exhaust while the shredded material is retained in the closed collecting area, or bag.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material. The method includes: initiating the wetting of at least a portion of the plurality of cluster particles; disaggregating at least a portion of the wetted plurality of cluster particles into a disaggregated material including a plurality of smaller clusters, discrete particles or any combination thereof; and stabilizing at least a portion of the disaggregated material by reducing, eliminating or replacing specified controlling attractive forces. A system and apparatus for separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for on-site document shredding, through the use of a self-contained roll-off compactor including a high-volume shredder. This self-contained roll-off shredding compactor permits users to collect, shred, compact and temporarily store the shredded confidential documents, using their own personnel in a cost-effective manner. A waste management service provider periodically picks up, transports and empties the roll-off shredding compactors. In a preferred embodiment, the roll-off shredding compactor is owned by the waste management service provider and leased to the user.

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 present invention provides an improved system and method for on-site document shredding, through the use of a self-contained roll-off compactor including a high-volume shredder. This self-contained roll-off shredding compactor permits users to collect, shred, compact and temporarily store the shredded confidential documents, using their own personnel in a cost-effective manner. A waste management service provider periodically picks up, transports and empties the roll-off shredding compactors. In a preferred embodiment, the roll-off shredding compactor is owned by the waste management service provider and leased to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed mulcher has a base unit and a shredding blade in a removable assembly. Two different embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, shredded material is removed from air exiting the shredding blade before it reaches an exhaust port. In one embodiment, the material is removed by a filter. In the other embodiment, walls are arranged so that debris must double back against high-speed airflow leaving the shredding blade before exiting the unit. The shredding blade can be mounted in front of and on the same shaft as an air impeller, with the back surface of the shredding blade being supported by the impeller. In another embodiment, the air impeller and the shredding blade are carried in assemblies that are separable from each other and are each separately attachable to a base unit. A detachable power module and a detachable blower are also shown. The power module has a safety switch that disables the power module when it is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shredder for comminuting or shredding organic material to use as organic fertilizer. The shredder has a material-receiving receptacle that is removably attached to a housing. The receptacle has shredding blades disposed on the interior thereof. The housing contains the motor that drives blades to shred the material in the receptacle. A pair of wheels and a pair of stanchions (i.e. legs) support the housing of the shredder. The receptacle may employ a discharge cute to allow the user to remove the shredded material from the receptacle without removing the receptacle from the housing or turning the receptacle upside down.

Abstract: A shredder for pruning sarments and similar materials, comprising a frame provided with wheels on which are installed: a shredding group, a storage container and a conveying conduit of the shredded sarments from the shredding group to the storage container.

Abstract: This invention provides garden refuse shredding apparatus (10) which has a chipping rotor (20) supported for rotation about a vertical shaft (31) in a chamber (11) which has a hopper (14) which feeds refuse to radially disposed elongate chipper blades (30) which span a major part of the rotor (28). Fan blades (44) are supported on the rotor for creating an airflow through the hopper (14) to assist feed to the chipping rotor and to assist discharge of shredded refuse from the outlet (45). The chipping rotor (20) is driven directly from the vertical output shaft (36) of an electric motor or a petrol engine (21).

Abstract: This invention provides garden refuse shredding apparatus (10) which has a chipping rotor (20) supported for rotation about a vertical shaft (31) in a chamber (11) which has a hopper (14) which feeds refuse to radially disposed elongate chipper blades (30) which span a major part of the rotor (28). Fan blades (44) are supported on the rotor for creating an airflow through the hopper (14) to assist feed to the chipping rotor and to assist discharge of shredded refuse from the outlet (45). The chipping rotor (20) is driven directly from the vertical output shaft (36) of an electric motor or a petrol engine (21).

Abstract: In a working engine including a bearing mounted on an outer wall of a crankcase for carrying a crankshaft, an oil seal mounted on the outer wall of a crankcase and disposed outside and adjacent the bearing, and a cooling fan which is attached to an outer end of the crankshaft adjacent the oil seal with its blades turned toward the crankcase and which has blades protruding toward the crankcase, a cylindrical protective tube is formed on an outer sidewall of the crankcase to cover ends of bosses of the cooling fan, and a foreign matter-beating piece is formed on the cooling fan 16 in proximity to an outer peripheral surface of the protective tube. Thus, even if a long foreign matter drawn in by the cooling fan such as a weed and the like has been entangled around the crankshaft, it can be beaten and loosened, or cut by the foreign matter-beating piece rotated along with the cooling fan.

Abstract: A secure disposal system for articles having a movable enclosure that is fully enclosed except for an opening to receive articles. The movable enclosure has a releasable lock for automatically locking a cover in a closed position on the movable enclosure. A transfer device automatically unlocks the cover of the movable enclosure in response to the transfer device mechanically engaging the movable enclosure. The transfer device transfers the enclosure to a position and orientation permitting the cover of the enclosure to fall open and the articles to drop from the enclosure. An article destroyer is located adjacent the transfer device, receives the articles dropping from the movable enclosure and destroys their functionality.

Abstract: The apparatus has a holder having inner grip elements disposed at a periphery of the holder. A bearing assembly is rotatably attached to the holder so that it is co-axial with a first axis. A driving source is rotatable engaging the bearing assembly. A wheel is eccentrically mounted on the bearing assembly and the wheel has outer grip elements that cooperate with the inner grip elements. The wheel is rotatable about a second axis that is not co-axial with the first axis. A first knife member is attached to the wheel and coaxial therewith and a second knife member is eccentrically mounted on the wheel so that the second knife member is rotatable about the first axis.

Abstract: A shredder including a frame, a housing with a housing opening mounted to the frame, and a cutting blade mounted within the housing for use in shredding associated lawn debris is provided. The shredder also includes an engine mounted to the frame for use in driving the cutting blade and a hopper assembly for use in directing the associated lawn debris into the housing opening and to the cutting blade. The hopper assembly includes a chute having a first end pivotably connected to the housing and having a chute opening for receiving the associated lawn debris. The chute opening communicates with the housing opening. The chute can be positioned into first and second positions with respect to the housing. The hopper assembly also includes a flap for automatically covering at least a portion of the chute opening when the chute is placed in the first position and for automatically uncovering the opening when the chute is placed in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for lifting a glass container hammermill to enable a holding and storage receptacle to be placed beneath the hammermill is disclosed. The apparatus and the method may utilize a variety of lifting and locking mechanisms to lift and then lock the hammermill in the upper or release position so that the glass cullet holding and storage can be removed and replaced. Providing a user a mechanical means of lifting a hammermill high enough to place a storage receptacle below the break area allows for faster glass crushing and greater receptacle storage capacity.