Machine and actuator assembly associated with machine

A hopper assembly comprising:

• a hopper frame;
• at least one hopper movable relative to the hopper frame between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein a material receiving space defined by the at least one hopper is sealed relative to the hopper frame;
• and
• an actuator assembly coupled with the hopper frame and the at least one hopper, wherein the actuator assembly is adapted to move the at least one hopper between the raised position and the lowered position, wherein the actuator assembly includes:
• an actuator including:
• a cylinder defining a fixed end adapted to couple with the hopper frame;
• and
• a rod member defining a movable end adapted to couple with the at least one hopper;
• a first retention assembly adapted to couple the fixed end of the cylinder with the hopper and configured to captively hold the fixed end of the cylinder within a first space defined by the first retention assembly, the first retention assembly including:
• a first plate coupled with the hopper frame;
• a first retention plate coupled with the first plate;
• and
• a first mount coupled with the hopper frame, wherein the first mount is spaced apart from the first plate to define the first space therebetween;
• and
• a second retention assembly adapted to couple the movable end of the rod member with the at least one hopper and configured to captively hold the movable end of the rod member within a second space defined by the second retention assembly.

A method of operating at least one hopper associated with a hopper assembly of a machine, wherein the machine includes an actuator assembly adapted to move the at least one hopper, the method comprising:

• coupling a fixed end of an actuator of the actuator assembly with a hopper frame of the hopper assembly by a first retention assembly of the actuator assembly, wherein the first retention assembly includes a first mechanical fastener;
• coupling a movable end of the actuator with the at least one hopper by a second retention assembly of the actuator assembly, wherein the second retention assembly includes a second mechanical fastener;
• moving the at least one hopper between a raised position and a lowered position based on an operation of the actuator assembly;
• capturing the fixed end of the actuator within a first space defined by the first retention assembly in an event of failure of the first mechanical fastener;
• and
• capturing the movable end of the actuator within a second space defined by the second retention assembly in an event of failure of the second mechanical fastener.