Systems and methods for growing vegetation are provided. The disclosed systems (100) and methods (1100, 1200) use rotating growth mats (102) and a cutting device (112). The rotating growth mats and cutting device can be coupled to an anaerobic digester (402) to generated methane gas using vegetation grown on the growth mats. The systems and methods may further use C artificial light sources (108) and a nutrients delivery system (110) to assist growth.

An adapter method and system includes a first side deflector, a second side deflector, and a top deflector coupled to the first side deflector and the second side deflector. The system may further include an internal deflector coupled to the first, second, and top deflectors. A first leg is coupled to the first side deflector and a second leg is coupled to the second side deflector. The legs are adjustable between a first position and a second position. The first, second, and top deflector define an entrance region for channeling wood-based debris into the chute of a woodchipper. Each side deflector may include a coupling mechanism for attaching to a woodchipper. Each coupling mechanism has an aperture. Each leg may telescope within a respective side deflector.

A flywheel and paddle assembly for a chipping or shredding apparatus, including a wood chipper, a brush chipper, and a leaf shredder. The assembly has a flywheel attached coaxially to a drive shaft. The flywheel has at least one aperture extending from the front side to the back side, and carries at least one knife adjacent to the at least one aperture. The knife presents a knife edge on the front side of the flywheel. A paddle is rotatably mounted coaxially to the drive shaft adjacent to the back side of the flywheel. The paddle is configured to rotate on the drive shaft independently of the flywheel. A chipping or shredding apparatus incorporating the aforesaid flywheel and paddle assembly is also disclosed.

A material processing machine for material reducing operations. The material processing machine comprises an infeed system, a reducing system, and a discharge system. The reducing system comprises a rotor having processing tools to reduce the material within a reducing chamber. A colorizer system directs colorant from a colorant source towards the material reducing system within an outlet zone. The colorant colorizes the material being reduced within an inlet zone. The reduced material may be discharged through one or more screens within the outlet zone such that negligible colorant is applied directly to the reduced material. The material reducing operations may comprise a two-stage reducing operation in which the colorizer system is inoperable for the first stage and operable for the second stage. The screens may be selectively interchangeable between stages to incrementally reduce the material to provide substantially uniform colorizing and material size.

An infeed system of a chipper or grinder includes a feed roller, a motor for rotating the roller, a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting an amount of crush force applied by the roller, a sensor, and a controller in data communication with the sensor and the cylinder. In operation, the controller determines whether the material is being effectively moved to the processing portion and whether the amount of crush force is at a maximum or lowest setting. The controller causes the cylinder to: (a) decrease the amount of crush force when the material is being effectively moved to the processing portion and the amount of crush force applied is not at the lowest setting; and (b) increase the amount of crush force when the material is not being effectively moved to the processing portion and the amount of crush force is not at the maximum setting.

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 liner mounting system for mounting a replaceable wear liner between the rotor and the inner wall, the liner mounting system including: an upper mounting provided at an upper edge of the inner wall, the upper mounting configured to releasably connect with the wear liner; and a lower mounting provided at a lower edge of the inner wall, the lower mounting configured to support the wear liner against the upper mounting and secure the wear liner to the inner wall.

A method of operating an apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock wherein a blade that is positioned above a screen and the blade is rotated at a rate of rotation, wherein the trailing portion of the blade generates turbulence that induces upward movement of cut and partially cut feedstock from the upper surface of the screen to a plane of rotation of the cutting edge of the blade.

A chipping device that has a chipper framework and a rotor having a plurality of spaced apart replaceable knives, teeth or strikers mounted on a periphery of the rotor and which cooperate with at least one anvil for comminuting desired limbs, branches or trunks of trees into chips having a desired size. A combustion engine supplies rotational drive to at least the rotor. A hydraulic power source for supplying power to hydraulic components of the chipping device and controlling operation thereof. Both the engine and the hydraulic power source being solely and entirely supported by the chipper framework so as to move along with the suspendable chipping device.

A tooth for use on a rotating element has a base attached to the rotating element and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base. The cutter assembly has an upper ramp surface and a blade. In another aspect, the tooth has a base attached to the rotating element and the base includes one or more base tab and slot elements. The tooth also includes a cutter assembly that has one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements. Each of the one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements is configured for a mating engagement with a corresponding one of the one or more base tab and slot elements. In another aspect, a rotary drum for use on a vegetation cutting machine includes a plurality of teeth that each have a base attached to the rotary drum and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base.