Abstract: A bale processor with a processing chamber includes a manipulator driven by a drive system that includes a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor of the drive system drives a drive shaft with an axis of rotation offset from a driven shaft of the manipulator. A rotation transmission mechanism allows a higher torque to be applied to the manipulator than may be applied by the hydraulic motor alone and, thereby, leads to improved performance for the bale processor. Additionally, the hydraulic motor may be sized such that the peak allowable pressure of the hydraulic motor is higher than the peak output pressure of the power source used to drive the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for disintegrating compressed bales of coarse, fiberlike, natural or synthetic materials, especially straw bales, and transporting the disintegrated materials to further processing. Bales often contain foreign objects which the invention removes from disintegrated bale material by moving the material disintegrated from the compressed bales to a feeding and collecting auger and sucking off the portions of natural or synthetic fiber intended for further processing from the feeding and collecting auger, while the contaminants collected are moved on by the feeding and collecting auger and discharged.

Abstract: An un-baling system for transforming substantially rectangular bales of farm product into smaller substantiality rectangular sized bales of farm products. The un-baling system incorporates a first rail mounted conveyor subsystem connected to a first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem. The first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem is connected to a platform conveyor subsystem in such a way as to enable the first rail mounted conveyor subsystem to convey the farm product to the first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem wherein the farm product is thrashed. The thrashed farm product is gravity fed onto the platform conveyor subsystem. The platform conveyor subsystem then feeds the thrashed farm product into the baling machine. A plurality of un-baling systems may be ganged together to further increase the volume of production in transforming large substantially rectangular bales of farm products into smaller substantiality rectangular sized bales of farm products.

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: The feed mixer of the present invention includes two upper horizontal augers having flighting thereon. Below and between the two upper augers is a rotor having helical paddle segments thereon. The two upper augers and the rotor all rotate in the same direction, but the two upper augers force material in one direction and the lower rotor forces material in the opposite direction. Knives on the outer edges of the upper augers and on the helical segments of the rotor act upon the hay to cut it and facilitate its mixing with other feed ingredients.

Abstract: A bale-grouping and shredding device includes at least a rotor (4) equipped with said discs whereof the periphery is smooth. The discs (12) are provided with cutting members in the form of sectioning pairs (11). The sectioning pairs are V-shaped and co-operate with the teeth (17) of the barrier (11) to cut up and drive the products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for disintegrating bales of agricultural material such as hay. The apparatus has a chassis with a bale receptacle mounted thereon. A disintegrator is mounted in the bale receptacle and is adapted to disintegrate baled crop material in the bale receptacle and discharge the processed baled material out of the bale receptacle. A manipulator is mounted in the processing tub above the disintegrator adapted to manipulate the baled crop material in the bale receptacle to expose different parts thereof to the disintegrator and a passive support means is provided in the bale receptacle above the disintegrator. The manipulator and passive support means are positioned on opposing sides of the disintegrator to facilitate maintenance of the baled crop material above the disintegrator such that the disintegrator engages the baled crop material between the manipulator and the passive support means.

Abstract: An inclined conveyor for supporting and feeding a longitudinally-extending array of bales, and a beater assembly positioned at a downstream end of the conveyor for receiving the downstream end of a downstream-most bale being moved by the conveyor. The beater assembly includes a plurality of beaters laterally mounted on respective shafts across a width of the conveyor for plucking tufts of fibers from the bale being fed by the conveyor, a beater enclosure within which the beaters are enclosed, and a drive enclosure positioned laterally to a drive side of the beater enclosure. The drive enclosure includes motor assemblies for driving the beaters by rotation of the respective shafts, and an access enclosure positioned laterally to an access side of the beater enclosure for allowing access to the beaters for removal and replacement of the beaters laterally from the second side of the beater enclosure.

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: Disclosed is an apparatus for disintegrating bales of agricultural material such as hay. The apparatus has a chassis, a processing tub with a discharge opening located in one of its side walls, a disintegrator mounted in the processing tub to disintegrate baled crop material positioned within the tub and discharge the processed bale material out the discharge opening and a manipulator mounted within the processing tub adapted to manipulate the baled crop material to expose different parts thereof to the disintegrator. The processing tub is adapted to be mounted on the chassis such that the discharge opening can be positioned on either the left or right side of the chassis. In an embodiment of the invention, the processing tub is sized to accommodated a large square bale lengthwise therein or two or more round bales.

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 method of improving the palatability and digestability of bales of forage materials comprises carrying a quantity of a molasses based liquid feed supplement in a container mounted on a bale shredder; shredding the bales in the bale shredder and discharging a stream of shredded bale material through a discharge opening in the bale shredder; and spraying the molasses based liquid feed supplement into the stream of shredded bale material as it is discharged and prior to the stream landing on the ground such that the molasses based liquid feed supplement mixes with the shredded bale material and adheres to the shredded bale material. A modified bale shredder and a kit to retrofit existing bale shredders are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for disintegrating bales of agricultural material such as hay. The apparatus has a a chassis, a processing tub with a discharge opening located in one of its side walls, a disintegrator mounted in the processing tub to disintegrate baled crop material positioned within the tub and discharge the processed bale material out the discharge opening and a manipulator mounted within the processing tub adapted to manipulate the baled crop material to expose different parts thereof to the disintegrator. The processing tub is adapted to be mounted on the chassis such that the discharge opening can be positioned on either the left or right side of the chassis. In an embodiment of the invention, the processing tub is sized to accommodated a large square bale lengthwise therein or two or more round bales.

Abstract: A large bale loading, transporting and unloading method and apparatus including a wheeled vehicle having a flatbed with a longitudinal conveyor and a cross-bed conveyor for unloading bales laterally from the side of the flatbed. A tine carrying frame or bed is movable to a vertical position against a bale stack and bale engaging tines are actuated to hold the bales against the frame. The frame is returned to the horizontal position for either transport or lateral unloading. In one embodiment the longitudinal and cross-bed conveyors and the tine structures are carried on a flatbed beneath the surface thereof. In a second embodiment the longitudinal conveyor and tine structures are mounted on top of the bed. Apparatus is disclosed for selectively cutting off flakes or segments of the bale as it is discharged laterally.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices for mechanically separating hay bales. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices intended to flake rather then shred or grind bales. The invention is of the type having a horizontal main frame, a biasing means thereon for moving a hay bale, a separation means toward which the biasing means moves the bale, and a transportation means for moving the bale to the locate at which hay is desired to be flaked.

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: An apparatus and a method for installing insulation from bound insulation bales having a feeder for contacting and moving the insulation bales and a receiving apparatus for disengaging the insulation from unbound bales. A cutter disengages insulation from the insulation bales and has at least one vertically arranged member rotatable about a vertical axis toward which the bales are moved and also has a circumference upon which is vertically positioned a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from said circumference for severing the insulation away from the bales. An air blower blows the insulation out from said system onto a surface to be insulated.

Abstract: The crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprises a housing for receiving and containing the baled crop material. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall and a bottom, wherein each of the left and right side walls includes a fixed lower section and a pivotably mounted upper section forming a movable wing. The processor further includes a disintegrator having a roller positioned along the length of the housing, manipulator rollers mounted inside the housing, and a discharge opening at the bottom of one of the side walls to discharge crop material from the processor. Each of the fixed side walls sections may have a protrusion projecting into the housing substantially level with and parallel to the manipulator roller. Each wing, which rotates about an axis positioned generally at the same level as the manipulator roller, comprises a back panel having one edge fixed to an axle for rotating the wing.

Abstract: A gravity flow grain tank includes enclosed chamber mounted on a hay processor, for holding grain to be dispensed. The chamber includes a rearwardly and downwardly sloped bottom, so that gravity causes the grain to flow into an auger at the lower end of the chamber. The auger extends outwardly from the chamber, to dispense grain on to processed hay.

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: Disclosed is a twine cutting assembly for a rotary drum type bale processor. The twine cutting assembly comprises a twine cutter and a locking mechanism. The twine cutter, comprising a rod and a cutting member, is adapted to extend through a hole in the side wall of the bale processor. The cutting member may be manually moved axially along the surface of the rotary drum in contact with a guide element. The cutting member has a cutting blade which engages with and cuts any twine wrapped around the rotary drum as the cutting member is moved along the surface of the rotary drum. A locking mechanism including a stop member connected to a handle is positioned within a frame mounted on the exterior of the end wall of the bale processor. The stop is moved between a locked position and an unlocked position by movement of the handle. In the locked position, the stop member extends through a hole in the end wall and engages with the rotary drum thereby preventing rotation of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A mobile variable mulch handling and dispersing apparatus comprises an input section, a beater section, and a blower section. The input section preferably comprises a primary conveyor further comprising a drag chain conveyor assembly. The input section further comprises a twine removal device that removes twine from bales as they are handled by the apparatus. The beater section preferably comprises at least two counter-rotating shafts disposed substantially horizontally. The first shaft is preferably disposed slightly forwardly of the second shaft. Preferably a third, smaller shaft is disposed forward of both first and second shafts, and rotates in same direction as second shaft. The beater section further comprises funneling surfaces that serve to direct the material into the blower section. The blower section comprises a blower fan assembly that conveys a mixture of air and straw through an exit.

Abstract: The invention concerns bale-grouping and shredding device comprising at least a rotor (4) equipped with discs whereof the periphery is smooth. Said discs (12) are provided with cutting members in the form of sectioning pairs (11). Said sectioning pairs are V-shaped and co-operate with the teeth (17) of the barrier (11) to cut up and drive the products.

Abstract: A panel forming method and apparatus used compressed fibrous material such as straw, hay and the like. The fibrous material from bales is debailled by debailler rollers and passed to straw walkers. The straw walkers move the material to crop shredders which deposit the shredded fiber on a conveyor. A leveller roller smooths the mat on the conveyor which mat moves to a picker roller. The picker roller moves the crop into a chute and a compression cavity where the material is severed and compressed by a reciprocating ram. The severed and compressed material has glued paper applied to its upper and lower surfaces and thereafter moves between heated platens for curing the glue. The severed and compressed material now forming a longitudinal panel is pulled by puller rollers and subsequently severed into panels of a desired length.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus comprises a bale support surface (18) and means for gradually displacing a bale (16) off the surface. This allows flakes or wafers of the bale no longer supported by the surface to break off from the rest of the bale and enables a whole bale to be discharged piecemeal without the production of a large amount of dust. Agitating means (134) may be provided to assist in breaking up the discharged bale portions. The bale may be discharged, for example, by a movable member (e.g. a wall or gate) which engages the inner face of a bale or may comprise means for securing a cut end of one or more bale bindings and pulling the other end of the or each bale binding.

Abstract: An open throat crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprises a container having front and back walls and two side walls, a disintegrator and at least two rollers for manipulating the bale mounted within the container in parallel between the front and the back walls and a discharge opening that is at the bottom of the first of the side walls of the container. The sides of the discharge opening are defined by the front and back walls, the bottom of the opening is defined by the second side wall that extends under the disintegrator and the top of the opening is defined by the first side wall that extends down to below one of the manipulator rollers. The crop material processor further includes an elongated baffle located adjacent the disintegrator on the discharge opening side of the processor. The baffles may have a planar or curvilinear surface facing the disintegrator and the ends of the baffle may be fixed to or moveably mounted to the front and the back walls.

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 roughage processing and dispensing apparatus including a mobile frame defining a floor section for supporting a plurality of bales of roughage, a shredder section in which the bales are shredded, a discharge section for discharging roughage shredded in said shredder section and a bin for particulate feed material; a shredder disposed in the shredder section; a first conveyor for moving at least one of the bales into the shredder means at a given speed; and a conveyor system arranged to receive from the shredder the shredded content of the one bale, and to transport the content to the discharge section. Also included is an auxiliary conveyor for moving the feed material to the discharge section at a selected rate; a drive mechanism operable to provide simultaneous movement of the first conveyor, the auxiliary conveyor and the conveyor system; and a control system for varying the given speed relative to the selected rate.

Abstract: A square bale processor having an elongated conveyor mounted on the frame and a mechanism for mounting the frame to a set of wheels in such a way that the back end of the conveyor may be positioned a predetermined distance above the ground or adjacent to the ground. A bale shredding roller which may be substantially cylindrical or may be in the shape of a truncated cone with flails symmetrically spaced about its circumference and along its length is rotatably mounted adjacent the front end of the conveyor. The axis of rotation of the shredding roller is positioned in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the conveyor in the direction of the length of the processor. The roller axis at the back end of the roller is positioned below the front end of the conveyor. The bale shredding roller axis may be substantially horizontal or it may slope upward from the back end of the shredding roller to the front end of the roller.

Abstract: A system is provided for the loading, transporting, feeding one or more bales of crop material such as corn stalks, straw, hay or grasses, particularly large cylindrical bales, and the subsequent controlled distribution of straw torn from said bales. More specifically, the disclosed invention is a vehicle mounted mechanical straw distribution system comprising a boom arm adapted to handle large cylindrical bales of crop materials, a mounted straw blower which breaks up a bale and blows the straw, and a versatile discharge spout allowing the blower operator to efficiently distribute straw over large areas such as road rights of way from the moving vehicle. The straw distribution is primarily for erosion control or other ground cover purposes. Two persons are required for operation of the system, one to drive the truck and operate the boom arm and the other to operate straw blower.

Abstract: The crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprises a housing for receiving and containing the baled crop material. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall and a bottom, wherein each of the left and right side walls includes a fixed lower section and a pivotably mounted upper section forming a movable wing. The processor further includes a disintegrator having a roller positioned along the length of the housing, manipulator rollers mounted inside the housing, and a discharge opening at the bottom of one of the side walls to discharge crop material from the processor. Each of the fixed side walls sections may have a protrusion projecting into the housing substantially level with and parallel to the manipulator roller. Each wing, which rotates about an axis positioned generally at the same level as the manipulator roller, comprises a back panel having one edge fixed to an axle for rotating the wing.

Abstract: The twine cutter for a bale processor comprises a blade holder has a front end and a back end, the holder further has a top edge that is bevelled to a wedge shape at the front end, a back edge and a base edge. A drive mechanism such as an elongated handle is fixed to the holder for driving the holder back or forth. A cutter blade is fixed to the holder such that a cutting edge is bevelled towards the front of the holder and a further cutting edge is bevelled towards the back of the holder thereby being able to cut twine when the holder is driven forward or backward. The cutter blade may further include a sharpened hook shaped section used to snag and cut twine. The hook shaped section can be positioned at the apex of the triangular upper portion of the single blade. A disintegrator roller for a bale processor comprises an elongated roller arranged to rotate in one direction about its axis with a number of flails intermittently spaced along the length and around the circumference of the roller.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices for mechanically separating hay bales. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices intended to flake rather then shred or grind bales. The invention is of the type having a horizontal main frame, a biasing means thereon for moving a hay bale, a separation means toward which the biasing means moves the bale, and a transportation means for moving the bale to the locate at which hay is desired to be flaked.

Abstract: A baled crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprising a container, a disintegrator, a discharge opening and means for manipulating the crop material for disintegration by the disintegrator. The container, receives and contains the crop material. The disintegrator comprises a flail roller that is mounted within the container and has a number of flails pivotally mounted about it. The flail roller rotates about its own longitudinal axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The discharge opening is at the bottom of one of the side walls to discharge the disintegrated crop material either to the left or to the right of the processor and in a bidirectional processor, the operator may alternate between sides. The manipulation means comprises manipulator rollers having paddles positioned at an angle to the length of the roller to rotate the crop material without substantially breaking the crop material apart.

Abstract: A vertical feed mixer has an auger with a center post that has an inclined upper surface that is substantially flat. Flights of varying shapes can be used. The upper part of the flight extends above the upper surface. The inclined upper surface increases the versatility and efficiency of the mixer since feed bales are unlikely to block the mixer.

Abstract: An open throat crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprises a container having front and back walls and two side walls, a disintegrator and at least two rollers for manipulating the bale mounted within the container in parallel between the front and the back walls and a discharge opening that is at the bottom of the first of the side walls of the container. The sides of the discharge opening are defined by the front and back walls, the bottom of the opening is defined by the second side wall that extends under the disintegrator and the top of the opening is defined by the first side wall that extends down to below one of the manipulator rollers. The crop material processor further includes an elongated baffle located adjacent the disintegrator on the discharge opening side of the processor. The baffles may have a planar or curvilinear surface facing the disintegrator and the ends of the baffle may be fixed to or moveably mounted to the front and the back walls.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for loosening a block of compressed loose material, such as potting compost, comprising a container with a plurality of support wall members for receiving the block, a scraper cooperating with one of the supporting wall members and a discharge opening. The device provides a good scraping activity and the original structure of the loose material is nearly restored.

Abstract: A feed mixer comprising a plurality of mixing members wherein each mixing member is longitudinally mounted for rotation about an axis and the mixing members further comprises a chopper auger and a shredding auger, each having a flighting. In addition, the mixing members may also comprise a third mixing auger having a flighting. The auger flightings may further provide chopping knives, or sickle knives, on the outer peripheral edge of the flightings.

Abstract: An animal feed processor for producing a mixture of baled crop material and a supplemental feed. The animal feed processor comprises a container for receiving baled crop material mounted on a chassis and a hopper for receiving the supplemental feed also mounted on the chassis. A disintegrator for shredding the baled crop material is mounted within the container that also has a slot on one side to discharge the disintegrated baled crop material. The hopper includes an auger mechanism for discharging the supplemental feed from the hopper to the same side of the animal feed processor as the disintegrated baled crop material. The animal feed processor further includes a fork lift mounted on the back end of the chassis for lifting bales into the baled crop material container and a hitch at the front end of the chassis for coupling the animal feed processor to a tractor.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a straw-cutting machine which is disposed behind the grain separating devices of a combine harvester and whose separating devices cut up the stalks falling down from the straw walkers into short pieces. In this process, due to an innovative, special disposition of the generally conventional deflector which, under the straw walkers, deflects the stalks from falling down from these to the cutter tray at the inlet into the cutter, receiving the stalks by the cutting drum is made more secure and, on the other hand, due to an innovative, special design of the distribution hood following the cutter, ejection and distribution of the chopped up stalks over the field soil is essentially improved over existing designs.

Abstract: A cutter-mixer and bed-straw spreader wagon for fibrous products having a container with rotating screw feeder inside and outwardly of a distribution group for conveying the cut and mixed material outside the container. The distribution group has a fan with a volute that is fixed to a side of a wagon and has an internal impeller with at least four blades having planar surfaces.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor (22) conveys a body of bulk material (16) to the outlet end (21) of a container (12). The body of bulk material (16) is moved against a sloughing wall (10). The sloughing wall (10) includes a plurality of slats (40) that are mounted for generally up and down reciprocation. The slats (40) carry bulk material engaging teeth (60, 62). In response to the generally up and down movement of the slats (40) the teeth (60, 62) break loose the bulk material (16). The loosened bulk material falls down onto a secondary conveyor (14) which leads it away from the container (12).

Abstract: A chopper for breaking up stalks, chiefly straw is provided with a chopper housing in which a rotor equipped with cutting tools and a drive are housed and which is positioned under a feed hopper. A baffle plate forms a chopping floor in the area of which counterblades are positioned. Slits are positioned in the chopper floor essentially over the width of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading compacted agricultural feed from an elongated storage bag of the type formed from sheet plastic material. The apparatus includes a wheeled framework having a front part for facing an open end of the bag and a transversely extending rotating cylindrical mounted on pivoting arms for fragmenting the feed exposed at the open end of the bag and transferring the feed rearwardly into a transverse trough which has a conveyor system for transporting the fragmented feed to an area of removal. A lower transverse roller has an outer surface for driving engagement with a lower portion of the sheet material forming the bag beneath the compacted contents of the bag and upon rotation of the roller developing a pull on the framework to thereby move the apparatus towards the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A baled crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprising a container, a disintegrator, a discharge opening and means for manipulating the crop material for disintegration by the disintegrator. The container, receives and contains the crop material. The disintegrator comprises a flail roller that is mounted within the container and has a number of flails pivotally mounted about it. The flail roller rotates about its own longitudinal axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The discharge opening is at the bottom of one of the side walls to discharge the disintegrated crop material either to the left or to the right of the processor and in a bidirectional processor, the operator may alternate between sides. The manipulation means comprises manipulator rollers having paddles positioned at an angle to the length of the roller to rotate the crop material without substantially breaking the crop material apart.

Abstract: An agricultural mixer auger cutting blade for providing a durable cutting blade with improved impact and wear resistance. The agricultural mixer auger cutting blade includes a plate having a leading edge, and a back edge. The leading edge of the plate has a plurality of spaced apart cutouts therein forming a row of alternating seats and extents extending along the leading edge of the plate. A plurality of cutting teeth are provided each having an arcuate front cutting edge and a back edge. Each of the seats receives therein a corresponding associated cutting tooth therein such that the front cutting edge of each cutting tooth faces in an outwardly direction from the leading edge of the plate. Each of the cutting teeth is coupled to the plate in the associated seat.

Abstract: A machine adapted to be towed by a tractor and powered by the PTO and hydraulic power system of the tractor for transporting, processing and blending two different types of roughage of substantial size and weight into a desired ratio for a more efficient and economical nutritional balance and better palatability as well as dispensing the ratio to livestock. This improved machine is characterized by two independently hydraulically driven floor chains that are each capable of carrying a large bale (or bales) of roughage through a series of vertically aligned shredders at different rates of speed. This produces a blend of differing types of roughage consistent with the desired nutritional component considered most economical and efficient for the particular livestock being fed. The processed ration is dropped onto a conveyor chain and immediately delivered into feed bunks for livestock consumption. The shredders and conveyor chain are mechanically driven.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a mounted chopper with a wide-distributor discharge, designed such that the need for impeller blowers for distributing the chopped material across the entire cutting width of the combine harvester is eliminated.In the mounted chopper according to the invention, the latter consists of the two chopper units whose shafts carrying the chopper blades are at an obtuse angle to each other and cooperate with corresponding counterblades. Each chopper unit is equipped with an input funnel so that the straw is chopped completely. To distribute the chopped material, each chopper unit is equipped with an ejection fitting, increasing in cross-section towards the rear end.The mounted chopper is particularly suitable for combine harvesters with a wide cutting width.

Abstract: A straw chopper arrangement for an agricultural combine wherein the chopper is provided two vertically arranged rotors. The rotors are provided with a number of circumferentially spaced radially extending impeller blades. The outer ends of the impeller blades are provided with pivotally mounted flails. The flails are vertically spaced from one another. The straw chopper arrangement is also provided with a chopper housing for receiving the rotors. The housing having at least two walls that are provided with inwardly extending shear bars which are located in the vertical space defined by vertically adjacent flails.

Abstract: A method for removing wires from a bale of waste cardboard and paper material that is compacted in vertical layers with wires running at right angles to the layers and in vertical planes. A cutting blade is moved downwardly through the wires and bale of waste material to separate a forward portion of the bale of waste material from the remainder of the bale of waste material and from the cut wires. The cut wires are gathered ahead of and beneath the bale of waste material into a bundle with opposed pairs of hook blades moved toward one another to interdigitate in overlapping relation to grasp the bundle of wires in a wire-receiving recess. A rotating fork is inserted into the wire receiving recess to coil the cut wires and pull them free from the bale of waste material as the bale of waste material is moved forward. The recess is cleared by withdrawing the fork from the coil and pushing the coiled wire with a pushing finger clear of the recess.