Bale Processor

Abstract

A bale processor ( 10 ) of a type for tearing apart a bale of forage material into filamentary material includes a shredder rotor ( 13 ) with blades that remove filamentary portions of the bale and delivers such filamentary material directly to a multiple fan blower ( 14 a/ 14 b ) for blowing such filamentary material directly to and out of a delivery chute ( 15 ). An independent dual discharge feature permits discharge out of either side and/or one or more blowers placed closer to the shredder rotor can be used independently of the dual discharge feature and the multiple fan blower feature.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A bale processor comprising:
 a frame;   a bale chamber mounted on the frame, the bale chamber defined at least partially by a first side and a second side;   a bale shredder operably positioned below the bale chamber;   a shield disposed around a bottom portion of the bale shredder;   a first discharge opening in a first side of the shield; and   a second discharge opening disposed in the second side of the shield.   
     
     
         18 . The bale processor of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a blower mounted proximate the first discharge opening; 
 a first discharge passageway defined between the first discharge opening and the blower; and 
 a delivery chute affixed relative to the first side of the chamber and adjacent to the blower, the delivery chute and the blower defining a flow path there between. 
 
     
     
         19 . The bale processor of  claim 17  further comprising a diverter selectably movable between at least a first diverter position and a second diverter position, the first diverter position being chosen for permitting flow of filamentary material out of the first discharge opening, the second diverter position further being chosen for blocking the first discharge opening, whereby most of the filamentary material from the blower will go out the second discharge opening. 
     
     
         20 . The bale processor of  claim 19  wherein the diverter is a one piece member that slides between the first and second diverter positions thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The bale processor of  claim 19  wherein the first diverter position further blocks flow of filimentary material at the second discharge opening to cause substantially all flow of filimentary material to go through the first discharge opening. 
     
     
         22 . The bale processor of  claim 19  wherein the diverter comprises at least two parts that are moveable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         23 . A bale processor comprising:
 a frame;   a bale chamber mounted on the frame, the bale chamber defining at least a first chamber wall on one side of the frame and an second chamber wall on the other side of the frame;   a bale shredder operably positioned within the bale chamber;   a blower mounted proximate the first chamber wall;   a first discharge passageway defined between the bale shredder and the blower;   a delivery chute affixed relative to the first chamber wall and adjacent to the blower, the delivery chute and the blower defining a flow path there between; and   the blower having a fan blade rotatable about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being disposed at an angle between horizontal and vertical and wherein a radially outer portion of the fan blade is closer to the bale shredder at a bottom most rotary position thereof than at a top most position thereof, resulting in close proximity of the blower to the bale shredder.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled)