Twine cutting assembly for bale processor

Abstract

Disclosed is a twine cutting assembly for a rotary drum type bale processor. The twine cutting assembly comprises a twine cutter and a locking mechanism. The twine cutter, comprising a rod and a cutting member, is adapted to extend through a hole in the side wall of the bale processor. The cutting member may be manually moved axially along the surface of the rotary drum in contact with a guide element. The cutting member has a cutting blade which engages with and cuts any twine wrapped around the rotary drum as the cutting member is moved along the surface of the rotary drum. A locking mechanism including a stop member connected to a handle is positioned within a frame mounted on the exterior of the end wall of the bale processor. The stop is moved between a locked position and an unlocked position by movement of the handle. In the locked position, the stop member extends through a hole in the end wall and engages with the rotary drum thereby preventing rotation of the rotary drum. In this position, the guide element is positioned relative to the hole in the end wall of the bale processor such that contact of the cutting member with the guide element is facilitated. In the unlocked position, the stop member disengages with the rotary drum thereby permitting rotation thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.