Abstract: The invention concerns a knife seat arrangement on a cutting shaft of a shredding machine, having a knife seat groove and cutting tool arranged therein, whereby the cutting tool, fastened so as to be detachable in the knife seat groove, adjoins a flat back surface on a flat front surface of a stop element and the stop element adjoins a corresponding end surface of the knife seat groove with a semicylindrical rear wall, whereby the stop element has a protrusion, situated in a form-locking manner in a corresponding recess of the groove bottom and directed inward, in the area of the groove bottom of the knife seat groove, said protrusion partially gripping under the cutting tool and adjoining it, so that the stop element is supported radially in the groove by the cutting tool.

Abstract: A device for comminuting material includes a plurality of knife carriers arranged along a comminuting path, wherein each knife carrier has a receiving unit with a stop for a knife bundle. The knife bundle is held in a position of operation in the receiving unit, wherein each knife bundle is composed of a knife support plate and a chipping knife. The knife support plate and the chipping knife are connected to each other so as to overlap in a transverse direction in a plane of the knife support plate. The knife support plate has at a longitudinal side thereof facing the stop of the knife carrier at least one stop surface, wherein the stop surface is adjustable in the transverse direction of the knife support plate.

Abstract: This fiber chopper overcomes the disadvantages of the previous cutting rollers for chopping continuous filaments. The apparatus includes a means for feeding continuous fibers to a chopping roller. A spring holds the cutting blades on the chopping roller. The filaments pass between the chopping roller and a feed roller for chopping.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for comminuting scrap wood and other like material has a rotor drum including a drive shaft and at least one radially projecting tool supporting member with a tool assembly receiving pocket. A releasable tool is locked in the pocket and comprises a shank, with an outer cutting head thereon, received in the pocket to bear upon the front wall of the pocket. The shank has an inclined front wall matching the inclined front wall of the pocket. A wedge mating member has a more inclined rear surface bearing upon the inclined rear wall of the pocket and a front wall bearing upon the tool shank. The wedge has a threaded opening for a threaded abutment member which is manipulatible to draw the wedge member outwardly to releasably clamp the tool shank.

Abstract: A comminuting striker assembly for mounting on a rotor of a comminuting apparatus comprising: a striker having first and second opposed faces, the first face defining at least one cutting edge, and the second face defining a pair of perpendicular slots; a striker retainer having a leading face for attachment to the striker, the leading face defining a pair of perpendicular keys to be received by the slots; and a single threaded fastener for joining the striker to the striker retainer.

Abstract: A replaceable raker assembly for a processing tool of a waste processing machine includes a tool holder for attachment to a rotor assembly of the waste processing machine. The replaceable raker assembly also includes a raker removably attached to the tool holder to rake reduced waste material.

Abstract: Between first, the roll body (10) and the fittings carrier (11) and second, the drive shaft (2) is provided a releasable, particularly a clip or latch type connection apparatus (3). This connection apparatus (3) possesses on one of these two disintegrator roll components (10, 11) a studlike element (30) and on the other of these two disintegrator components (11, 10) a stud acceptor (31) oriented parallel to the disintegrator roll axis. The said stud acceptor possesses a narrowed passage on its end which is proximal to the fittings carrier (11). By means of this narrowed passage, the stud acceptor (31) and/or the studlike element (30) acts elastically in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A rotor for a crushing machine has a central block mounted on a shaft for rotation. The central block has tapered blade mounting faces circumferentially spaced about the central block. A blade is secured to each tapered blade mounting face. Each blade has a tapered rotor mounting face matching the tapered blade mounting face. Each blade is secured to the rotor by a pin to pull the tapered rotor mounting face of the corresponding blade against a corresponding tapered blade mounting face of the rotor and lock the corresponding blade onto the rotor by frictional locking of the tapered blade mounting face and the tapered rotor mounting face. Each blade preferably has a square impact face with four cutting edges and the tapered blade. mounting face. and tapered rotor mounting face match in four rotational positions so that each blade is rotatable to place any one of its four cutting edges on the outer periphery of the rotor.

Abstract: A drum chopper in which cutting blades are locked in a form-fitting relationship to blade receptacles includes a locking structure between the blades and receptacles and a clamping piece. In one embodiment, the locking structure is integrally formed in the bearing surfaces of the receptacle and the mating surfaces blade by a latch projection in the receptacle and a lug in the blade. In another embodiment, the locking structure is formed by matching grooves in the mating surfaces of the receptacle and blade and a key inserted into the matching grooves. The clamping piece is inserted between the blade and a stop in the receptacle to secure the arrangement.

Abstract: A fragmenting rotor assembly for waste wood and other fragmentable material has a drive shaft and mechanism for driving the shaft in a direction of rotation. A series of radially projecting hammers are situated along the axis of the shaft and powered by the shaft. Fragmenting knives are removably secured to the leading outer portions of the hammers and deflector members are mounted in radial alignment with said hammers and have outer ends traveling in a circumferential path of lesser radial extent than the circumferential path of the knife edges. The rotary paths of axially adjacent knives axially intersect along the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: In a method for disposing of waste matter such as waste tire pieces by using first and second shredding members each having shredding blades, the waste matter is introduced into a space between the shredding blades of the first and second shredding members and shredded or torn off into fine chips by operating the first and second shredding members, while partially caught by grooves formed in opposite faces of the shredding blades of the respective shredding members. By moving the first and second shredding members relative to each other in opposite directions to impart a shearing force to the waste matter in the space between the shredding blades, the waste matter is effectively torn off into pieces. When a waste tire is processed in an apparatus for practicing the method, it is successfully separated into rubber parts and wires with high efficiency.

Abstract: A brush chipper that enables easy and ready access to frequently maintained areas of the chipper comprises a chipper-knife assembly, a feed-roller assembly, and a sliding apparatus that allows the feed-roller assembly to move away from the chipper-knife assembly. This sliding apparatus, preferably, includes at least one track and at least one friction-reducing apparatus. The brush chipper preferably includes a chipper-knife assembly that comprises a knife with at least one threaded opening for attaching the knife to a support. To attach the knife to the support, a bolt threads through the support to secure the knife. The bolt includes a head and a stem, and the support is positioned between the knife and the head of the bolt.

Abstract: A mechanism for disintegrating breakable materials, such as wood, pipes, bricks, etc. includes a rotary drum having striker bars mounted thereon which disintegrate the breakable materials. Each striker bar has a notched cutting edge formed by a row of carbide tips sintered to an edge of a steel body. The cutting edge can be of serrated shape and/or scallop-shape.

Abstract: A rotary grinder having a cylindrical drum that includes a cylindrical surface. The cylindrical surface defines two holes. The drum receives opposite ends of a through-member at the two holes such that the opposite ends of the through-member comprise hammers when the cylindrical drum is rotated. A single retaining member is used to secure all of the through-members to the drum.

Abstract: A forage harvester cutterhead includes knife holders which each, in one embodiment, form a major portion of a smooth, curved impeller blade surface, which in a second embodiment form a portion of an impeller blade surface with the major portion of the impeller blade surface being defined by a replaceable sheet metal insert that is held in place by a rail located in a recess of the knife holder, and which in a third embodiment form a portion of an impeller blade surface with a major portion of the impeller blade surface being defined by a surface of an appendage of a replaceable rail located in a recess of the knife holder.

Abstract: A comminuting striker assembly for mounting on a rotor of a comminuting apparatus comprising: a striker having first and second opposed faces, the first face defining at least one cutting edge, and the second face defining a pair of perpendicular slots; a striker retainer having a leading face for attachment to the striker, the leading face defining a pair of perpendicular keys to engage the slots; and a single threaded fastener for joining the striker to the striker retainer, whereby the slots of the striker mate closely with the keys of the striker retainer.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an insert for attachment to a hammer of a size reducing machine for use in size reducing waste material, comprising a body with a centrally located mounting hole to allow for attachment of the insert to the hammer. The body also includes a bullet shaped tip distally located in relation to the body, wherein the tip can size reduce waste material on impact.

Abstract: Pelletizing device for cutting plastic fiber strands into pellets, having a strand-feeding device and a cutting rotor, which is driven by a drive system and has cutting blades distributed over its rotor circumference, the root areas of which blades are arranged in grooves in the rotor body, each cutting blade having at least one recess parallel to the cutting edge, which recess is covered by the groove and interacts with a clamping element which is supported against the rotor body, in which device the clamping element is a slotted clamping sleeve, the cylindrical outer contour of which is of the same shape as the recess in the cutting blade.

Abstract: A stump grinding tool includes a rotary cutting wheel having a pair of side surfaces and an outer peripheral surface. Cutting assemblies are mounted on the cutting wheel, each cutting assembly including first and second pockets disposed on respective side surfaces of the wheel. Each pocket includes a leading through-hole and a trailing through-hole aligned with respective leading end trailing through-holes of the other pocket for receiving a pair of cutting teeth. Each tooth extends through aligned through-holes of the pocket and cutting wheel in mutually opposite directions, wherein cutting elements of the teeth are disposed adjacent respective ones of the side surfaces. Each tooth is fixed by a nut threaded thereon such that each tooth and associated nut functions to clamp both of the first and second pockets against the respective side-surfaces of the cutting wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing (e.g., granulating) industrial materials (e.g., synthetic resin materials). The apparatus has a rotor shaft mounted in the inside of a housing. The rotor shaft has an axis running in a generally horizontal direction. Cutters extend radially from the rotor shaft with some of the cutters extending a distance less than the others. Approximately one-half of a second plurality of cutters are positioned on the rotor shaft between a first cutter and a second cutter of the first plurality of cutters, and approximately the other half of the second plurality of cutters are positioned on the rotor between the second cutter and a third cutter of the first plurality of cutters. The cutters may contain a symmetrical blade portion such that the rotor may be run in both directions, thereby extending the time between required maintenance operations, and minimizing down-time for the apparatus.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a waste reduction machine includes a hub which is mounted on a rotatable shaft. A plurality of attachment devices are located at spaced-apart intervals on the periphery of the hub. Each attachment device has a tooth releasably attached to it. The attachment device includes an elongate threaded element which is oriented generally perpendicular to a radial line on the hub which intersects the threaded element. The threaded element engages the tooth and pulls it onto or pushes it off of the attachment device. The attachment device includes an elongate locking element and the tooth includes a slot which slidingly interfits onto the locking element. The locking element and slot are configured so as to prevent the tooth from moving radially outwardly from the periphery of the hub.

Abstract: An interlocking interchangeable interface element and rotor assembly comprising at least two rotor bodies, a plurality of interface element mounting cut-outs arranged substantially radially in the rotor bodies, a plurality of interface elements arranged to be mountable in the cut-outs and a plurality of peripheral mounting holes arranged to receive rotor body bundling means to hold the rotor bodies fixedly against each-other and to prevent the hammers to exit the interface element mounting cut-outs. Each of the interface elements has a substantially oblong and planar shape; a bottom end shaped to interlock with the cut-outs; a leading edge facing the direction of rotation of the rotors; a trailing edge facing the side opposite to the direction of rotation; and interface element tip mounting means, arranged in an upper mounting portion of each interface element.

Abstract: A comminuting striker assembly for mounting on a rotor of a comminuting apparatus comprising: a striker having first and second opposed faces, the first face defining at least one cutting edge, and the second face defining a pair of perpendicular slots; a striker retainer having a leading face for attachment to the striker, the leading face defining a pair of perpendicular keys to be received by the slots; and a single threaded fastener for joining the striker to the striker retainer.

Abstract: In rotary tire shredding machinery, cutter assemblies are built onto opposing rotary shafts timed together by meshed teeth of two gears, with spacer groups separating adjacent cutter assemblies, allowing two sets of cutter assemblies to intermesh, with cutter assemblies on one shaft interleaving with cutter assemblies on a parallel shaft in a shearing relationship. Each cutter assembly has a construction featuring a series of cutter sectors, with each sector having a separately demountable knife base, with a removable, radially outward knife top. Alternate spacers between cutter assemblies are segmented, with alignment rods running parallel to the axially rotating drive shafts, passing through both the knife bases of the cutter assemblies, spacers, retaining flanges and fixed registering spacer. The rods are secured at opposite ends and the center holding the cutter assemblies and spacers in place, but when pulled, allowing the cutter and spacer assemblies to be removed from the shaft.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for comminuting scrap wood and other like material has a rotor drum including a drive shaft and at least one radially projecting tool supporting member with a tool assembly receiving pocket. A releasable tool is locked in the pocket and comprises a shank, with an outer cutting head thereon, received in the pocket to bear upon the front wall of the pocket. The shank has an inclined front wall matching the inclined front wall of the pocket. A wedge mating member has a more inclined rear surface bearing upon the inclined rear wall of the pocket and a front wall bearing upon the tool shank. The wedge has a threaded opening for a threaded abutment member which is manipulatible to draw the wedge member outwardly to releasably clamp the tool shank.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cutting shaft for a cutting machine having knife seat grooves distributed so as to be spirally wound on the periphery in the cutting shaft, whereby cutting tools are arranged in the knife seat groove which protrude with a cutting edge beyond the periphery of the cutting shaft and mesh with corresponding counter cutting means of the cutting machine, whereby, to change the cutting contour, cutting tools having at least the same cutting edge length and the same maximum protrusion beyond the cutting shaft, but slighter engagement depth, are arranged with counter cutting means in the shaft.

Abstract: A shredding roller (10) has a roller core (12) and a plurality of cutter blades (22) supported by the roller core (12). The roller core (12) possesses an axial cavity (38). A plurality of penetration apertures (36) for shredded material are provided in the sheath (35) of the roller core (12), which surrounds the axial cavity (38). At least one discharge aperture (39) for shredded material is provided in at least one axial end area of the roller core (12). A shredding roller of this type increases the throughput of a shredding machine for shredded material.

Abstract: An adjustable cutting mechanism for mounting on an extruder. The cutting mechanism incorporates a square stock blade holder that is axially adjustable and holds a shortened cutting blade. The axial adjustment allows for uniform contact of the cutting mechanism blades with an associated extruder die surface. A shorter blade, along with the adjustability of the mechanism for contact with the die face, prevents deflection of the cutting blade and, thereby, insures the precise cutting action needed for the product to maintain shape integrity.

Abstract: An agricultural growth control device (2) includes an organic, biodegradable, layer (6) and an impermeable sheet (4) affixed to the underside of the organic layer to form a unitary ground collar (8). The ground collar defines at least one hole (10) to allow growth of a plant (P) therethrough while suppressing the growth of weeds or grass around the plant. The impermeable sheet is preferably formed from a slurry of cellulosic fiber and water and the organic layer is preferably formed from a slurry of fiber, water and finely chopped organic material, such as straw, manure, leaves or almond wood chips. The fiber and chopped organic material provide a semi-rigid mulch cover for suppressing weeds around the plant. The mulch cover is easily positioned around the plant and, once it is so disposed, will be relatively impervious to severe weather, such as heavy rainfall and winds. The chopped organic material, particularly almond wood chips, enhance the appearance of the mulch cover.

Abstract: A finger roller for agricultural machines is provided. At least one finger disk is disposed on a shaft of the finger roller and has a hub, over the periphery of which are distributed and project a plurality of fingers. The fingers are at least slightly elastically deformable, and a side of each finger that faces in the direction of rotation of the finger roller is markedly roughened, for example by being provided with fine ribs, studs or knobs.

Abstract: Aa wearing element for a comminuting machine whose rotating knife head includes a support disc, a support ring arranged coaxially to the support disc and knife carriers which are distributed uniformly over the-circumference and are arranged axially between the support disc and the support ring. The wearing element is composed of a plate having a certain thickness and the shape of a ring sector. The plate covers the inner periphery of the outer side of the support ring and has in the area of the gap between two knife carriers an inclined surface extending over the thickness of the wearing element toward the support ring. A wearing lip for protecting the support ring is arranged so as to extend or elongate the inclined surface portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a grinding roll in which a roll tire made from a highly wear-resistant bainitic cast material is applied to the basic roll body. In order to create a roll tire with particularly high reliability against fractures and with relatively high wear resistance and compression strength, the roll tire is produced from a ductile bainitic spheroidal graphite cast material having a breaking elongation of approximately 0.1 to 2.5% and a compression strength of approximately 1,000 to 1,800 Mpa.

Abstract: A cutter tooth is carried on an outer peripheral surface of a rotatable cutter adapted for clearing, mulching and grinding trees. The cutter tooth includes a tooth body with a front face, sides, and a rear. The face is recessed inwardly and defines three equally spaced-apart and outwardly diverging cutting tips.

Abstract: A pull type forage harvester including a header, a cylindrical cutter head having rotating knives operatively associated with a shearbar, feed rolls for receiving crop material from the header and conveying it to the cutterhead, and a blower remotely located on the forage harvester relative to the cutterhead. The blower includes a spout for expelling cut crop material to a collecting receptacle. A transverse conveyor consisting of an auger mounted in a trough receives chopped crop material from the cutterhead and conveys it to the blower. Mounted adjacent the cutterhead is a crop processor for crushing chopped crop material received from the cutterhead. The processor comprises a pair of crushing rolls aligned with the is cutterhead axis and above the transverse conveyor. Each roll includes a shaft on which are mounted a plurality of cylindrical segments having similar outer crop engaging surfaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns blow bar 1 for impactor rotors with a mirror-symmetrical longitudinal cross-section for the purpose of reversibility, which is fitted in peripheral recesses 17 of the rotor advantageously comprising discs 16. According to the invention, the cross-section of blow bar 1 essentially forms a basic double trapezium shape with the wide bases of each trapezium as symmetrical axis 2. The rear 5 of the blow bar corresponding to the height of each trapezium is arranged at rightangles to the symmetrical axis and forms a level surface 6 over the total height of the blow bar. The invention also specifies an advantageous rotor for such a blow bar, Fig.

Abstract: A rock crusher such as a cone or jaw crusher incorporates hardened tapered inserts in the manganese or other wear liner of at least one of its crushing elements. The inserts extend outwardly from the crushing surface of the crushing element towards the facing crushing surface so as, in use, to act as pick axes that shatter rock primarily by impact rather than pulverizing the rock by compression. The inserts are fixed in a heat treated manganese wear liner either by bonding or by press-fitting. The inserts substantially improve the life of the wear liner and, unexpectedly, 1) produce product of a highly uniform gradation in the desired ranges, 2) consistently produce product with a very high cubicity, 3) dramatically reduce the crusher's power requirements, and 4) significantly increase the crusher's capacity.

Abstract: A slow speed, high torque shear technology is disclosed having optional configurations and attachments for its construction and methods for reconfiguring existing shears to improve performance, and maintenance economics. A method is provided for the readily replacement of individual cutters and tooth modules, reconfiguration of cutter and tooth assemblies in a mix and match manner, in combination with matching anvils having replacement cutting elements with multiple cutting faces. Alternative embodiments are provided illustrating methods of configuration of various types of cutting elements and material feed systems. Methods for converting a rough cut shear to a fine particle shear and then to a granulator as well as a method for rejecting unprocessable material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system of processing big refuses such as spring-containing mattresses according to the present invention includes a crushing process for crushing big refuses such as spring-containing mattresses by a single axial crusher capable of crushing them into a certain particle size or less, a magnetic-force grading process for grading iron material by a magnetic-force grader from crushed pieces crushed in said crushing process, and a wind-force grading process for removing light-weight refuses such as fiber adhering to iron material graded in said magnetic-force grading process by a wind-force grader.

Abstract: A direct drive material volume reduction apparatus having a frame, a motor supported by the frame, a drum supported by the frame and having an interior and an exterior, a drive shaft operably connected to the motor, a comminuting wheel assembly including a disk like body portion having an axis and a geared axle assembly operably interpositioned between and connected to the drive shaft and the comminuting wheel assembly to operably support the comminuting wheel assembly within the interior of the drum and to transmit the rotational torque of the motor imparted to the drive shaft and transfer it to the comminuter wheel assembly enabling the comminuter wheel to rotate within the interior of the drum. The geared axle assembly is preferably that of a motorized vehicle of the type found in an over-the-road type diesel truck. The drum may include a substantially cylindrical wall with an open first end and an open second end and a closure member to at least partially close the second end of the drum.

Abstract: An interchangeable cast metal block for mounting on a rotor shaft, the shaft having a polygonal cross-section. The block includes a substantially circular body having a central bore complementary to the polygonal cross-section of the rotor shaft such that the rotation of the shaft will turn the block. There are at least two opposed cutting blade mounting bosses for attachment of cutting blades on the external surface of the block. The mounting bosses are positioned on the block in a predetermined geometric arrangement relative to a facet of the polygonal center bore such that the block can be reversed and remounted on the rotor shaft to effectively double the available number of cutting blade positions. The number of available cutting blade positions is two times the number of facets on the polygonal center bore. A plurality of the blocks may be stacked on the rotor in an array to provide a plurality of cutting blade patterns along the length of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A portable mixer has a bin with a number of augers rotatably mounted therein. The augers have forward flights, for conveying roughage feed material, such as hay, in a forward direction, and reverse flights, for conveying the feed materials in an opposite direction. The augers mix feed material introduced into the bin and convey the feed material to a discharge opening. At least one of the augers has a ribbon flighting positioned at an outer peripheral edge of the auger flighting. The ribbon flighting has an outer edge having a continuous saw-tooth cut. The relatively small, closely spaced teeth of the saw-tooth edge cuts the elongated fibrous material, such as hay, without increasing the torque required by the auger. The ribbon flighting is formed from a number of separate, identical ribbon flighting members positioned in series along the outer peripheral edge of the auger flighting.

Abstract: A slow speed high torque shear technology is disclosed having optional configurations and attachments for its construction and methods for reconfiguring existing shears to improve performance, and maintenance economics. A method is provided for the readily replacement of individual cutters and tooth modules, reconfiguration of cutter and tooth assemblies in a mix and match manner, in combination with matching anvils having replacement cutting elements with multiple cutting faces. Alternative embodiments are provided illustrating methods of configuration of various types of cutting elements and material feed systems. Methods for converting a shear a rough cut shear to a fine particle shear and then to a granulator is provides. A method for rejecting unprocessable material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rock crusher such as a cone or jaw crusher incorporates hardened tapered inserts in the manganese or other wear liner of at least one of its crushing elements. The inserts extend outwardly from the crushing surface of the crushing element towards the facing crushing surface so as, in use, to act as pick axes that shatter rock primarily by impact rather than pulverizing the rock by compression. The inserts are fixed in a heat treated manganese wear liner either by bonding or by press-fitting. The inserts substantially improve the life of the wear liner and, unexpectedly, 1) produce product of a highly uniform gradation in the desired ranges, 2) consistently produce product with a very high cubicity, 3) dramatically reduce the crusher's power requirements, and 4) significantly increase the crusher's capacity.

Abstract: In a profiled inserted-blade cutter, with blades (13) which can be re-sharpened without altering the profile and trajectory, each blade (13) is secured to a blade holder (14) having a base with a T-shape cross section, one arm (16) of the transverse section of which engages in a first longitudinal groove (4) in the basic unit (2). The other arm (17) engages in a second longitudinal groove (5) also in the basic unit (2) and open towards the first groove (4). The flanks of the first and second longitudinal grooves (4, 5) at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis of the basic unit (2) lie in planes which are mutually parallel and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the basic unit and each form a positioning surface (6, 7) for one or other arm (16, 17) of the transverse section. On the blade holder (14) there is a clamping surface (15) which encloses a radially outwardly opening angle with the frontal surface (13') of the blade (13) and an acute angle with the adjacent positioning surface (7).

Abstract: A forage harvester chopper knife includes a cutting region defined by a plurality of recesses arranged across the width of the knife so as to result in a corrugated or serrated cutting edge, the cutting edge thus defined requiring less energy for cutting crop passing over a cutter bar.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method of operating a grinder for chipping and shredding material into waste, the grinder including a generally cylindrical drum having an exterior surface with a plurality of pockets formed into the exterior surface. Within each pocket, at least one of a plurality of bits are removably positioned, with each bit having a base securable into the pocket providing an upper cutting edge portion of each bit that extends above the exterior surface. Each upper cutting edge extends outward in an arcuate curving shape from each side of the bit, forming a self-sharpening sharp outer edge for each side of the bit. Each pocket and removable bit has a center line that may be angled off-set with respect to a center line of the radius of the rotor drum, providing protrusion of the leading cutting edge of each bit above the exterior surface so that the leading cutting edges of the plurality of bits are placed in contact with the material to be chipped and shredded.

Abstract: A material volume reduction apparatus having a frame, a motor supported by the frame, a drum supported by the frame and having an interior and an exterior, a drive shaft operably connected to the motor, a comminuting wheel assembly including a disk like body portion having an axis; and a geared axle assembly operably interpositioned between and connected to the drive shaft and the comminuting wheel assembly to operably support the comminuting wheel assembly within the interior of the drum and to transmit the rotational torque of the motor imparted to the drive shaft and transfer it to the comminuter wheel assembly enabling the comminuter wheel to rotate within the interior of the drum. The geared axle assembly is preferably that of a motorized vehicle of the type found in an over-the-road type diesel truck. The drum may include a substantially cylindrical wall with an open first end and an open second end; and a closure member to at least partially close the second end of the drum.

Abstract: A blade shoe for use with a shear shredder comprises a block of hardened metallic material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of opposing side surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, where the top surface and opposing side surfaces meet at sharp angles, and where the top surface includes rows of saw-tooth shaped teeth projecting therefrom. Preferably the rows of saw-tooth shaped teeth extend laterally across the top surface and intersect with the pair of opposing side surfaces, so as to create a corresponding pair of substantially serrated edges at the intersections of the top surface and the opposing side surfaces. Accordingly, the saw-tooth shaped teeth substantially increase the lineal length of the opposing pair of cutting edges, affording substantially longer life for the blade shoe.

Abstract: An ensilage harvester has a cutterhead including a closed cylindrical drum having angular knife retainers mounted in circumferential rows about the periphery of the drum. Each knife retainer has a first leg extending generally tangentially to the drum and a second leg oriented at approximately a right angle to the first leg. A sheet metal insert is mounted together with the knife on each retainer, the insert extending to the second leg of the adjacent trailing knife retainer and being shaped to act as a relatively smooth surfaced crop impeller from which crop flows without caking thereon, the retainer being easily replaceable when worn.

Abstract: A cutter tooth holder assembly is adapted for attaching a cutter tooth having a plurality of spaced cutting tips to a rotatable cutter drum. The tooth holder assembly includes a base for being mounted to an outer peripheral surface of the cutter drum. The base has a tooth-locking, circumferentially-extending groove formed in its top surface. A tooth holder is positioned in the tooth-locking groove, and has a front bearing surface residing adjacent a back end of the cutter tooth. The cutter tooth is arranged such that one of the cutting tips resides in the tooth-locking groove to prevent rotational movement of the cutter tooth during operation of the cutter drum, while an opposed second one of the cutting tips resides in a cutting position relative to the outer surface of the drum. An elongate, threaded bolt cooperates with the tooth holder for attaching the cutter tooth to the tooth holder assembly.