Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus carried on a self-propelled vehicle field processes alfalfa to obtain therefrom fiber and protein components and a deproteinized liquid component which is simultaneously applied on the field as the vehicle advances. A specially-designed macerator for shredding the harvested alfalfa is disclosed. The macerator includes a cylindrical die ring having an open end and a series of peripheral apertures through which the alfalfa is extruded by means of a pair of rollers mounted inside the die ring for rotation therewith. The die ring is rotatably supported in a frame, and the rollers are coupled to the die ring for rotation in synchronism. A shroud surrounds the periphery of the die ring to collect macerated alfalfa, and an impeller is mounted inside the shroud for displacing macerated alfalfa downwardly through an outlet in the bottom of the shroud.

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First Claim