Waste processing machine feed assist system

A waste processing machine for reducing waste material and having a feed assist system, comprising:

• a frame;
• a cutting assembly disposed on said frame for reducing the waste material;
• a feed system disposed on said frame for directing the waste material toward said cutting assembly;
• a winch assembly for directing the waste material toward said feed system, said winch assembly comprising a winch line extending to a distal line end for securing the waste material, and a winch driver coupled to said frame and in communication with said winch line to urge said distal line end toward said winch driver;
• a keeper fixedly coupled to said frame to secure said distal line end to said frame;
• a winch docking safety system comprising a docking sensor arranged to detect utilization of said winch assembly between a docked configuration with said winch line tensioned between said winch driver and said distal line end and with said distal line end secured to said keeper, and an undocked configuration with said winch line loosened between said winch driver and said distal line end;
• a control unit in communication with said feed system and said docking sensor to allow operation of said feed system when said winch assembly is in said docked configuration, and to interrupt operation of said feed system when said winch assembly is in said undocked configuration;
• a feed assist mechanism in communication with said control unit and arranged for actuation to bypass said interrupted operation of said feed system when said winch assembly is in said undocked configuration to allow said feed system to advance the waste material toward said cutting assembly for a predetermined bypass period;
• and
• a limit mechanism in communication with said control unit to prevent operation of said feed assist mechanism for a predetermined limit period immediately following said bypass period.