An apparatus for roughage processing includes a first platform for placing of a first type of roughage, a first cutting mechanism for processing the first type of roughage, a first chain for cutting the first type of roughage from the first platform to the first cutting mechanism; and a second platform, a second cutting mechanism, and a second chain for performing similar tasks with a second type of roughage. The first chain and the first cutting mechanism and the second chain and the second cutting mechanism are driven at a different speed to provide concurrent cutting of the first and second types of roughages at different cut sizes. The apparatus further includes a conveyor or an auger for concurrently collecting the first type of roughage and the second type of roughage after respective processing by the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism for effective blending of the two types of roughages, each of which has been cut differently to obtain its optimum particle size for ruminant consumption. The apparatus can be powered by a very small horse power motor. It also includes a mechanism that will stop the floor chains carrying the roughage into the knife drums when the power load force that is detected by the knife drum power load reading device reaches a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is still within, but near the upper limits of, the available horsepower range of the small motor powering it.

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 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.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a housing having at least one receptacle configured to removably receive at least one cutting reel system to rest unsecured therein. The housing includes a closeable lid having retention structure configured to operably secure the at least one cutting reel system in the at least one receptacle when the lid is closed. In some embodiments, the housing is further configured to removably receive a knife assembly to rest unsecured in the housing, and the retention structure of the closeable lid further includes a knife retention structure configured to operably secure the knife assembly in engagement with the at least one cutting reel system when the lid is closed.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a housing having at least one receptacle configured to removably receive at least one cutting reel system to rest unsecured therein. The housing includes a closeable lid having retention structure configured to operably secure the at least one cutting reel system in the at least one receptacle when the lid is closed. In some embodiments, the housing is further configured to removably receive a knife assembly to rest unsecured in the housing, and the retention structure of the closeable lid further includes a knife retention structure configured to operably secure the knife assembly in engagement with the at least one cutting reel system when the lid is closed.

A lubrication arrangement includes at least one housing, at least one shaft, at least one bearing system configured to hold the at least one shaft in the at least one housing and to permit the at least one shaft to rotate, lubricant distributed in the at least one housing with the rotation of the at least one shaft, and a lubricant deflector provided in a stationary manner relative to the at least one housing above the at least one shaft. The lubricant strikes against the lubricant deflector and, by action of gravity, the lubricant is conducted to the at least one bearing system of the at least one shaft so that the at least one bearing system is supplied with the lubricant.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

A bale splitter attachment for use with a bale including a frame including a frame base and a cutting arm rotatably connected to the frame base at a pivot, the rotatable cutting arm including an elongate blade, the frame base and the rotatable cutting arm together defining a bay to receive the bale; a powered actuation device including a first end connected to the frame base and a second end connected to the rotatable cutting arm at a connection point, the powered actuation device arranged to apply cutting force in a pulling arrangement; and a hook apparatus connected to the frame, the hook apparatus including a plurality of hooks.

A tensioning bar assembly for a tensioning assembly of a drive system of an agricultural machine includes a longitudinal bar having a top end, a bottom end, and a threaded portion. An attachment device is coupled to the top end to attach to a tensioning arm. A compression spring is located around a portion of the longitudinal bar. A first spring retainer engages with and retains a first end of the spring. A first locking nut fits to the threaded portion of the bar and retains the first spring retainer longitudinally in place relative to the bar. The longitudinal bar is rotationally freely coupled to the attachment device to permit free axial rotation of the bar about its longitudinal axis relative to the attachment device, and an engagement head is attached to and located at or proximate the bottom end of the longitudinal bar for engagement with a tool.