Mulching apparatus and related components

Abstract

A mulching apparatus including: a housing including a front opening and an inner wall; a rotor mounted in the front opening of the housing adjacent to the inner wall; and a drive train for driving the rotor, the drive train including: a drive shaft connected to the rotor; a motor comprising a motor shaft; and a removable wear gear connecting the motor shaft and the drive shaft, wherein the wear gear is formed from a material that is softer than a material of the drive shaft or motor shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mulching apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising a front opening and an inner wall;   a rotor mounted in the front opening of the housing adjacent to the inner wall; and   a drive train for driving the rotor, the drive train comprising:
 a drive shaft connected to the rotor; 
 a motor comprising a motor shaft; 
 a removable wear gear connecting the motor shaft and the drive shaft, wherein the wear gear is formed from a material that is softer than a material of the drive shaft or motor shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . A mulching apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft further comprises an axial bore in fluid communication with the wear gear for introducing a lubrication fluid thereto. 
     
     
         3 . A mulching apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive train further comprises a purge port in fluid communication with the axial bore. 
     
     
         4 . A mulching apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wear liner, the wear liner comprising:
 a body configured to fit around a rotor of the mulching apparatus;   a plurality of slots at an upper end of the body; and   a flange provided at a lower end of the body and extending rearward from the body, the flange provided with a plurality of fastening holes.   
     
     
         5 . A mulching apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a chain assembly, the chain assembly comprising:
 a plurality of chains;   a chain mounting plate comprising a plurality of chain holders, each of the plurality of chain holders configured to support an individual chain; and   a chain support plate removably attached to the chain mounting plate to hold the plurality of chains on the chain holders of the chain mounting plate.   
     
     
         6 . A tooth assembly for a rotor of a mulching apparatus, the tooth assembly comprising:
 a tooth mount mountable to the rotor, the tooth mount comprising one of a male or female T-connector; and   a tooth mountable to the tooth mount from said front side, wherein the tooth comprises:
 the other of the male or female T-connector; and 
 a plough shaped extension protruding from a front side thereof toward the rotor surface and in front of the tooth mount, 
   wherein the T-connector is wedge-shaped for engaging the tooth on the tooth mount.   
     
     
         7 . A tooth assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the tooth assembly further comprises a support mechanism for supporting the tooth on the tooth mount when the tooth is not fully engaged with the tooth mount but otherwise not supporting the tooth. 
     
     
         8 . A tooth assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein a width of the tooth assembly is tapered from front to back. 
     
     
         9 . A tooth assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the tooth assembly further comprises a stress relief feature at a forward end of the T-connector. 
     
     
         10 . A tooth assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the tooth comprises more than two carbide cutting elements. 
     
     
         11 . A chain assembly for a mulching apparatus, the chain assembly comprising:
 a plurality of chains;   a chain mounting plate comprising a plurality of chain holders, each of the plurality of chain holders configured to support an individual chain; and   a chain support plate removably attached to the chain mounting plate to hold the plurality of chains on the chain holders of the chain mounting plate.   
     
     
         12 . A chain assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of chain holders comprise a plurality of holes configured to receive one or more links of each of the plurality of chains and support the plurality of chains in place.