Attachment for rotary material processing machines

Abstract

A material processing machine with a rotating element positioned within a hopper for receiving materials to be processed, the rotating element including an outer edge to which one or more attachments may be mounted. The attachments include a forward edge extending generally forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotating element and extending outward from the outer edge of the rotating element. A rotating element for use in a material processing machine has either attachments mounted to an outer edge or integrally formed extensions along an outer edge. The extensions or attachments including a forward edge that extends generally forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotating element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment for mounting to a rotating element of a material processing machine, the rotating element having a direction of rotation about an axis of rotation including an outer edge, the attachment comprising:
 a body including a mounting portion configured to permit the mounting of the attachment to the outer edge of the rotating element;   the body further including a forward edge extending from an inner portion adjacent the mounting portion to an outer portion, the outer portion positioned forward of the inner portion so that the outer portion is position generally forward of the inner edge with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotating element;   the body further defining an outer extension generally opposite the mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the outer extension is configured to extend further from the axis of rotation than the outer portion when the attachment is mounted to the outer edge of the rotating element. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the outer extension is configured to extend no further from the axis of rotation than the outer portion when the attachment is mounted to the outer edge of the rotating element. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the forward edge includes a bevel so that a cutting edge is defined by the forward edge of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the forward edge extends generally linearly from the inner portion to the outer portion. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the forward edge extends in a non-linear fashion from the inner portion to the outer portion. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the rotating element includes helical flighting and is configured to have at least one attachment mounted to an outer edge of the helical flighting.