Abstract: A crop cutting device including a crop guiding surface including parallel slots. A row of knives pivotally mounted below the guiding surface is pivotable between a retracted inoperative position in which it is located below the guiding surface and an extended operative position, wherein the knives project above the guiding surface. An actuating mechanism includes movable operating members. Each operating member is associated with a respective knife and is movable from a first position in which the knife is in its retracted position to a second position in which the knife is in its extended position. Further, there is included a lifting mechanism for raising at least a part of each knife above the guiding surface, while the operating members are in their first position.

Abstract: A crusher device includes a frame, a rotating mechanism positioned in the frame, and a plurality of curtains connected to the frame. The curtains are spaced from the rotating mechanism to define a passageway along which material moves while being crushed. A first curtain is connected to the frame via at least one first cylinder. The first curtain is connected to a second curtain via at least one pivotal connection and at least one second cylinder. The at least one second cylinder is retracted automatically when the at least one first cylinder is forcibly retracted to adjust spacing between the first curtain and the rotating mechanism due to an uncrushable. The automatic retraction of the at least one second cylinder rotates the second curtain away from the rotating mechanism. Such movement widens the spacing between the rotating mechanism and the curtains minimizing damage from tramp or uncrushables.

Abstract: A crusher is provided that can quickly return to the operating state from a shutdown state which occurs due to the incorporation of a foreign object. Provided are a crushing rotor 32, a housing 41 and an anvil 33 supported by the housing to face a crushing chamber 31. A lever 90 is disposed on the side opposite the crushing rotor 32 with respect to the housing 41, pivotably installed with respect to side frames 19, and provided with a holding portion for holding the housing 41 to keep a posture where the anvil 33 faces the crushing chamber 31. An elastic member 93 is for biasing the lever 90 at a set biasing force. When the biasing force is exceeded, the lever 90 turns to permit the anvil 33 to turn and retreat from the crushing chamber 31.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for a combine includes a rotary chopper element, a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper element to form a passageway for crop residue and a knife bank adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly. The knife bank is movable between a first position where the knife bank is fully inserted into the passageway and a second position where the knife bank is full retracted from the passageway. An actuating mechanism is used to move the knife bank between the first position and the second position. A position sensor is used to measure the position of the actuating mechanism and determine the position of the knife bank relative to the passageway.

Abstract: A comminuting machine including a frame, an infeed conveyor connected to the frame, a hammer mill connected to the frame, the hammer mill including a hammer mill housing substantially surrounding the hammer mill, a containment system substantially surrounding a comminuting portion of the comminuting machine, the containment system includes at least one cage, the at least one cage including a cage frame extending to substantially block projectile travel paths through openings of the comminuting machine, the cage frame being connected to the frame, and a drive unit movably coupled to the frame for effecting movement of the at least one cage relative to the comminuting portion of the comminuting machine without disconnecting the cage frame from the frame.

Abstract: A vertical shaft impact crusher includes a rotor that rotates about a substantially vertical axis for accelerating a flow of material to be crushed. The crusher further includes a housing, a feed tube, and a feeding chamber. The housing includes a circumferential impact wall section against which the accelerated flow of material may be crushed. The feed tube is for vertically feeding a flow of material into the rotor to be crushed. The feeding chamber includes a feeding chamber side wall and is for vertically feeding a flow of material into the feed tube. A first door is provided for opening and closing an aperture in the feeding chamber side wall. The feed tube is removable from the feeding chamber via the first aperture.

Abstract: The present invention regulates the delivery of feedstock to the fragmentation zone in a gravity-fed comminuting machine and reduces the ejection of feed materials by means of a rotating cylinder located at an offset position above the rotor. Rotationally mounted on an axis parallel to and above, but offset from, the axis of the rotor, this cylinder serves primarily as a striking surface, or anvil. The continual rotation of the anvil, in the opposite rotational direction as the rotor and with much slower rotational speed, assists in agitating the feed material, alleviating the problems of feed chute obstructions and feed aggregation. The cylinder forces the feed materials into contact with the rotor teeth through continuous rotation and provides a novel tooth design to improve efficacy and reduce wear.

Abstract: A solids reduction processor has a pair of opposed parallel rotor assemblies which are rotationally driven in opposite directions to pulverize solids dropped into the processor. Each assembly comprises a shaft, disc sets removably secured to the shafts, and circumferentially spaced sets of outwardly projecting hammer members removably secured to the disc sets for limited pivotal movement relative thereto. Operational abrasion of the shafts and discs is substantially reduced by virtue of the hammer sets on each rotor assembly being axially aligned with the hammer sets on the other rotor assembly. Additionally, since all of the discs from may be removed from their shafts, individual discs may be replaced without the necessity of replacing the whole rotor assembly. Particle reduction efficiency within the processor housing is increased by the use within the processor housing of top and side-mounted breaker bars having particle impact surfaces sloped both horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: A screening machine on a frame with a hopper having a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt discharges particulate material poured into the hopper into a rotating barrel screen or vibrating planar screen for sifting the material. A hammermill apparatus is pivotably mounted on a hood member to an arm that is pivotably mounted to the frame of the machine. The hammermill is positioned above the conveyor belt at the discharge end. The hammermill can pivot upwardly relative to the arm upon striking a large object on the conveyor belt, and a spring mounted to the arm and the hood biases the hammermill back to its original position. A hydraulic ram is drivingly linked to the arm for manually or automatically displacing the hammermill relative to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The rotor (2) being operatively associated with an indexing member (13) in the form of a prism, coaxial and secured in rotation with the rotor, said indexing member having a number of projecting edges equal to the number of beaters (3), the indexing member being positioned on the axis of the rotor such that the application of the indexing plate (25) against the surface of the indexing member causes a rotation of the rotor (2) to a position in which one of the beaters is located at a position of maximum approach with the impact baffle (5), wherein approach of said baffle (5) into contact with the end of said beater (3) defines an origin of adjustment of the spacing ® between said baffle and said beater and thus the adjustment of said spacing for the desired granulometry.

Abstract: A roll crusher having a box-like main frame, a material inlet and material outlet, a first rotatable crushing roll on the frame and a second rotatable crushing roll mounted on a roll carriage in an opposed, spaced apart relationship to the first crushing roll defining a material crushing gap. The roll carriage is a generally rectangular frame positioned atop the main frame having one end attached to the main frame near the midpoint of the main frame by pivot. The pivot is asymmetrically positioned relative to the axes of the crushing rolls. An actuator between the main frame and the free end of the roll carriage moves the roll carriage about the pivot to adjust the gap between the first and second rolls. The jack can be equipped with a servo motor responsive to a computer program.

Abstract: A processor for reducing solids from a predefined input size to a predefined output size is provided. The processor includes a base, an enclosed cylinder, a pair of rotor assemblies (each driven by its own motor) having a plurality of disk sets, the disk sets having a plurality of hammers thereon. As the rotor assemblies spin, the hammers cause the solids to be reduced. The processor further includes two inlet ports for receiving solid material, and an outlet or discharge port for exiting the reduced solid material. Additionally, the processor includes legs for varying the incline of the inlet ports with respect to the outlet port, vanes to create lift on the inlet port side of the cylinder, flow restrictor plates to restrict solids flow within the cylinder, and baffle plates to prevent material build up within the cylinder.

Abstract: A retractable debarking block for a debarker having an enclosure to receive logs for debarking in order to vary the aggressiveness of the debarking process. The block member has a debarking surface with projecting teeth and is positionable within the enclosure of the debarker to be movable between a retracted position in which the debarking surface does not contact logs in the enclosure and an exposed position in which the debarking surface is exposed to engage logs. The block member is fittable into a rotor or drum type debarker. An actuator is provided to move the debarking surface between the retracted and exposed positions. The actuator is adapted to permit automatic movement of the debarking surface toward the retracted position if the force exerted by the logs exceeds a pre-set limit to prevent damage to the blocks and the logs. Preferably, the actuator is an airbag or telescoping cylinder operable over a range of pressures to permit adjustment of the pre-set limit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the movement of the adjusting rods of a horizontal shaft impact crusher when the crusher is opened for service or the like. The disclosed apparatus includes a guide mounted to the crusher and defining a cavity. The cavity receives an adjusting rod and is dimensioned to force the adjusting rod to pivot in a predetermined direction when the crusher is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agricultural harvesting machine having a switching device for cutter blades for comminuting crop material before the pressing or gathering operation. It is particularly applicable for round and square baling presses as well as self-loading forage boxes. The essential characteristics of the invention are support strips, which are associated with pivot strips and attached to bearing sleeves, and a blocking rod which is arranged outside the pivot range of the support strips, extends across the whole width of the conveying channel and can be pivoted by an adjusting device into the working range of the support strips.

Abstract: A chopper aggregate has a chopper drum provided with a plurality of knives, a countercutter bar arranged on a saddle, a discharge element, a bottom plate transiting into the discharge element and partially surrounding the chopper drum, a unit for supporting the countercutter bar adjustably relative to the chopper drum, a unit for adjustably supporting the bottom plate for changing its radial position relative to the chopper drum so as to follow a position change of the countercutter bar, the unit for adjustably supporting the bottom plate being formed so that the bottom plate is adjustable at its both ends in dependence on an adjusting movement of the countercutter bar, radially relative to a peripheral circle of the chopper drum.

Abstract: An improvement relating to a rotary mineral breaker tip assembly and components therefor. A tip assembly is provided which presents an edge of a wear resistant tip which is able to be positioned within a rotary mineral breaker assembly by use of a position modifying means.

Abstract: A traveling rock crusher has a vehicle body adapted to travel along the ground in a horizontal travel direction, a drum mounted at a front end of the body and rotatable about a horizontal axis generally perpendicular to the direction, an array of radially outwardly projecting chisels mounted on the drum, and a plurality of angularly spaced breaker elements mounted on the drum between the chisels. A support is mounted on the body spaced back in the direction from a rear side of the drum and carries a plurality of vertically spaced breaker bars spaced from the drum. A drive is provided for forcibly rotating the drum about the axis in a sense with a front side of the drum moving upward and the rear portion of the drum moving downward for engaging the chisels and elements with rocks on the ground, picking up the rocks, and comminuting the rocks against the breaker bars.

Abstract: The invention concerns an impact crusher 1 with a rotor 3 equipped with blow bars 4 and pivotably-mounted impact aprons 5, 6 arranged in the crusher housing 2, the impact aprons are positionable vis a vis the rotor by means of hydraulic cylinder-piston units 7 via piston rods 8. In a prior art impact crusher, additional mechanical devices are provided locally alongside the hydraulic retaining and positioning device 7, 9 to prevent the impact aprons 5 dropping into the tip circle circumscribed by the blow bars 4 of the rotors 3 in case of failure of the hydraulics. The invention provides additional devices connected to the corresponding hydraulically-actuatable retaining and positioning device 7, 9, using the latter's piston reds 8 to form homogeneous units 12.

Abstract: A materials grinder has a materials receiving hopper, an exit opening into a shrouded grinding chamber and a powered ram for driving materials accumulated in the hopper to and through the exit into the grinding chamber. As grinding drum is rotatably disposed inside of a shroud adjacent the exit of the hopper to grind the ends of materials to be ground as they enter the grinding chamber and to continue to grinding as the materials are carried downwardly toward the bottom rear of the grinding chamber. The bottom of the shroud is open to receive an adjustable transverse shear bar assembly that is pivotally mounted to provide adjustment of the upper edges of the transverse shear bars with respect to the materials grinder drum.

Abstract: The invention is a waste processor which incorporates the advantages of the chipper knife holder 100, swing hammers 50 and hog 120. A swing hammer 54 is used, providing for the use of all the kinetic energy stored in the swing hammers 54 together with good material contact. The swing hammer 54 profile is designed to spread the impact force over a large area, thus increasing the life of the swing hammer 54. If necessary, the swing hammers 50 can be locked to the rotating disc assembly 18, preventing their contacting any material. Hog hammers 120 are placed immediately behind the swing hammers 50. The position of the hog hammers 120 is such that they provide room for the swing hammers 50 to recoil, but are close enough to impact the material in approximately the same place as the swing hammers 50. The hog hammers 120 use the much larger amount of kinetic energy that is stored in the rotating disc assembly 18.

Abstract: A materials grinder has a materials receiving hopper, an exit opening into a shrouded grinding chamber and a powered ram for driving materials accumulated in the hopper to and through the exit into the grinding chamber. A grinding drum is rotatably disposed inside of a shroud adjacent the exit of the hopper to grind the ends of materials to be ground as they enter the grinding chamber and to continue to grinding as the materials are carried downwardly toward the bottom rear of the grinding chamber. The bottom of the shroud is open to receive an adjustable transverse shear bar assembly that is pivotally mounted to provide adjustment of the upper edges of the transverse shear bars with respect to the materials grinder drum.

Abstract: A household compactor and separator utilizes linear motion in crushing glass and metal refuse for comminution and separation. A crushing element disposed on a worm shaft crushes refuse against a steel grate, broken glass falling therethrough into a glass receptacle. Crushed metal cans fall into a metal receptacle when the grate is released to swing downwardly. The grate is restored to its original position by pulling control lines via a handle, and the grate is secured by solenoid operated latches. The worm shaft is driven by an electric motor operating through a gear box. The compactor is housed in an enclosure having upper and lower doors and pushbutton controls located in the front. Refuse is inserted through the upper door into a compaction chamber. The glass and metal receptacles are removed through the lower door for emptying. Safety switches sense door, grate, and crushing element positions, inhibiting operation if an unsafe condition is sensed.

Abstract: A hammer mill having a rotor carrying a series of hammers for the reduction of material entering the hammer mill, a casing forming a material receiving inlet opening into a throat space from outside the mill, a rotor having hammers traveling in a circular path below the material inlet, the rotor being free to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise, breaker plates positioned one on each side of the material receiving throat space, and having upper and lower end portions, first adjustment provisions operably connected to the upper portions of each of said breaker plates in position for moving said breaker plate upper portions in toward or away from said throat space, second adjustment provisions operably connected to the lower portions of each of said breaker plates for positioning the lower portion of said breaker plates in a selected position relative to the hammer circular path, and said first and second adjustment means acting to support the respective breaker plate to which each is connected and effecting

Abstract: A supporting and adjusting device for a counter-cutter rail of a field chopper having a cutting element with a partially surrounding bottom, the device comprises a saddle arranged so that the countercutter rail can lie on the saddle, two levers supported outside a surface of the cutting element and adjusting a distance from the saddle to the outer surface of the cutting element, the saddle being fixedly connectable with the countercutter rail and adjustable about a stationary axis extending parallel to a circumference of the cutting elements so that the saddle together with the countercutter rail can be adjusted to be at different distances to the outer surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A cutter for a shredder comprising a cutter blade formed by a plurality of rotation blades disposed and spaced parallel to each other on a shaft, and a cylinder made of a resilient material having on the circumference thereof a plurality of annular grooves which are inserted by the blades when those two are assembled with both shafts pivoted on the frame parallel to each other.

Abstract: A jaw-type rock crusher has a stationary jaw, a cantilevered swing jaw driven by a toggle drive system, and a top feed opening above the crushing chamber formed between the two jaws. Two lateral hinge supports having an elevated horizontal hinge axis which lies in a plane generally bisecting the crushing chamber hingedly engage lateral support arms forming the upper hinge section of the swing jaw. In accordance with the invention, the lateral hinge supports and the swing jaw's upper support arms straddle the frame of the crusher and its top feed opening to allow the top feed opening to extend behind the swing jaw's hinge axis thereby permitting larger rock to be fed into the crusher and permitting easier access into the crusher for the purpose of dislodging or breaking up over-sized rock. A shock-absorbing back wall positioned behind the hinge axis near the top of the crusher prevents the impact forces of rock fed into the feed opening at high velocities from being fully absorbed by the swing jaw's bearings.

Abstract: The moveable roll of a rolling mill is locked in the engaged position by lock means which include a tension shaft. The tension shaft is telescoped through and biased by a compression spring toward the stationary roll. The end of the tension shaft has an eccentric which causes a housing pad to engage arms carrying the bearings of the moveable roll.

Abstract: A food grater attachment which facilitates the use of a grater with receptacles of various sizes and shapes. The grater may be installed in a frame which is hinged to a clip for engaging the wall of the receptacle. The hinge incorporates locking provisions so that the frame and grater may be immobilized in selected inclined positions so that the grater is entirely over the mouth of the bowl or other receptacle.

Abstract: An arrangement of the working gap of a crushing machine having a housing in which is disposed a hammer crusher rotor via a horizontally disposed shaft. The working gap is disposed between the striking circle described by the hammers of the rotor as the latter rotates, and the bottom, trough-like inner housing surface that faces the rotor. The housing has an outlet for material that has been reduced in size, with the outlet extending tangential relative to the rotor. The housing also has an inlet that is provided with an anvil, and extends approximately radially relative to the rotor. The entire width of the working gap, when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotor, is crescent-shaped from the anvil at the inlet to the tangential outlet.

Abstract: A baled mulch applicator for the uniform application of baled mulch material from bales to a plurality of furrows between rows of soil on cultivated land to control soil erosion and increase crop yield. The apparatus has a plurality of bale chambers dapted to accept bales which are advanced in the bale chambers towards a plurality of beaters on a single rotating shaft. The beaters break up and distribute the material through a deflector hood to the furrows. The individual bale chambers are spaced apart a distance which corresponds to the distance between the furrows.

Abstract: A lawn mower for a reel type lawn mower, and including mechanism for urging the bedknife cutting edge toward the reel and for positioning the bedknife cutting edge in the direction away from the reel, if desired. The cutting edge can be positioned either with a clearance or with no clearance, relative to the reel. The adjustment is automatic and consistently the same each time it is made.

Abstract: A size reduction machine for reducing the particle size of material, comprises a frame, an arm pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the frame, a counter weight movably connected to one end of the arm, a motor having a drive shaft mounted on the other end of the arm, an impeller connected to the free end of the motor shaft, an enclosure carried by the frame below the motor, the enclosure having fenestrated side walls and an open top for receiving the motor shaft and impeller, the motor and impeller being bodily movable into and out of the enclosure upon pivotal movement of the arm, and an adjustable stop positioned between the frame and the arm for limiting the maximum travel of the impeller into the enclosure.

Abstract: This is a food-cutting apparatus wherein: a cutting blade is disposed on a back surface of a cutting plate so as to protrude its front tip from an opening provided in the cutting plate; the cutting plate is disconnectably mounted on a mounting plate having a saddlelike engaging recess at its middle portion; the mounting plate engages at its engaging recess rotatably with a supporting rod interposed between a pair of arms provided on the supporting plate which is provided in a back side of the cutting plate; a width of the cutting blade is shorter in dimension than a length of an interval between the pair of arms; and, interposed between a rear portion of the mounting plate and the supporting plate are a spring and an adjusting means for adjusting a protruding amount of the front tip of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A single-roll crusher has a crushing roll formed with a plurality of hammers and disposed above an anvil or breaker plate which can form the bottom of a trough through which a conveyor passes to carry the material to be crushed into the breaker and the crushed product therefrom. The height of the central portion of the roll above the anvil plate defines the maximum size of the material which can be comminuted. To stabilize the rotation of the roll and yet permit this distance to be relatively great, a pair of massive circular spinning disks are mounted on the roll shaft coaxial with the roll. The disks flank the channel through which the material passes.