A system for processing plant materials is described. The plant materials have at least plant stalks, and the plant stalks comprise at least bast fibers. The system has a crusher module for disrupting the plant materials without breaking or damaging the bast fibers thereof, thereby obtaining disrupted plant stalks and a first plant-remainder; a decorticator module coupled to the crusher module for separating the disrupted plant stalks into bast fibers as a first product and a second plant-remainder; and a screening module coupled to the decorticator module for separating at least the second plant-remainder to microfibers and hurds as a second and a third product, respectively.

A net wrap recovery device that removes net wrap from large round bales of hay attached to commercial hay bale unrollers using one or more pins. The Net Wrap Removal Device mechanically automates the unwrapping of polymeric hay bale wrapping from a wrapped hay bale in one piece quickly and with a minimum of effort. The embodiments then allow the operator to simultaneously gather and store the net wrap on a disposable spool without dismounting from the tractor seat or leaving the operator station. The disposable spool can then be easily removed from the embodiments and disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. A new spool is then quickly and easily installed in its place.

Processing of baled material includes a bale opening stage, a separation stage, and a decortication stage. The bale opener features a conveyor moving incoming bales toward a toothed extractor with an array of teeth driven on a revolutionary path moving upwardly past the adjacent end of the conveyor to rake through the bale and extract material therefrom. The conveyor tilts upward reduce a working angle between the conveyor and the toothed extractor to urge the shrinking bale toward the moving teeth. A separation stage features multiple sets of vertically stacked, counter-rotating rollers with different characteristics from one set to the next. A decorticator has an external container, an internal drum rotatably supported therein, and an array of teeth on the drum. Driven rotation of the internal drum spins the fibrous stalks around the internal drum and impacts the fibrous stalks against surrounding interior wall surfaces of the external container.

A grappler for a utility implement for handling bales includes a pivot frame, at least one support arm coupled to the pivot frame, and a selectively movable cutting device. The grappler forms part of a utility implement along with a bucket such that the grappler is movable with respect to the bucket.

A net wrap recovery device that removes net wrap from large round bales of hay attached to commercial hay bale unrollers using one or more pins. The Net Wrap Removal Device mechanically automates the unwrapping of polymeric hay bale wrapping from a wrapped hay bale in one piece quickly and with a minimum of effort. The embodiments then allow the operator to simultaneously gather and store the net wrap on a disposable spool without dismounting from the tractor seat or leaving the operator station. The disposable spool can then be easily removed from the embodiments and disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. A new spool is then quickly and easily installed in its place.

Hydraulic power savings for a rear module handler cylinder of a round module cotton harvester is possible by using a regenerative hydraulic arrangement for raising an empty handler and using gravity to lower the handler. A bale handler system for a cotton picker baler includes a handler for receiving a round module that is movable between upright and lowered positions and a handler cylinder operably connected to the handler. The handler cylinder system includes a regenerative valve. The regenerative valve is engaged when the handler moves to the upright position during regenerative handler raise mode of operation, the regenerative valve is not engaged when the handler moves to the lowered position during float handler lower mode of operation. While in the float handler lower mode of operation, the handler cylinder retracts and diverts an oil flow pressure from a base end to a rod end of the handler cylinder.

A bale unroller apparatus for distributing hay includes a frame configured to be coupled to a hitch of a tractor. A motor is coupled to the frame and rotates a driveshaft. A bale plate is coupled to the driveshaft and at least one bale spear is coupled to the bale plate. The bale spears are configured to support a hay bale. An extension arm is coupled to the frame and a rake is coupled to the extension arm. The rake has a plurality of tines extending towards the bale spears. As the motor rotates the bale plate the hay bale unrolls while the rake breaks apart the hay.

A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.

A front-end loader for attachment to a tractor. The front-end loader includes a support structure configured to be attached to the tractor, and two extendable booms, each boom including a proximal leg and a distal leg, the distal leg configured to be attached to an accessory, such as a bucket. The extendable booms each have a boom extension hydraulic cylinder for extending the boom by up to 2 to 4 feet, in addition to a lift hydraulic cylinder to lift each boom, and a tilt hydraulic cylinder to tilt the accessory. The extendable booms greatly enhance the capability of the front-end loader to position its payload higher and farther than a standard front end loader, while preserving the stability and lifting capacity of the front-end loader. The booms have a traditional dogleg bend of 105 to 135 degrees that provides the two booms with a wide range of motion.

Example aspects of a wrap cutting assembly for a bale wrap and a method for using a bale wrap cutting and retaining apparatus are disclosed. The wrap cutting assembly can comprise a saw housing defining a connection portion; a saw comprising a plurality of teeth configured to cut the bale wrap; and a linkage system movably coupling the saw to the saw housing and configured to move the saw along an arcuate path.