Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for shredding branches, limbs, twigs, leaves or like material includes a housing having a lower cavity. A rotatable shredding mechanism is provided in the lower cavity. The shredding mechanism includes a plurality of substantially triangular shaped hammers for shredding material within the cavity. The triangular shape of the hammers increases the energy available for shredding material contained within the cavity. The shredding mechanism includes a drive shaft to which a drive sheave is connected, and is driven by a motor having a rotatable motor shaft to which a motor sheave is connected. A belt is provided about the motor and drive sheaves. A clutch mechanism for selectively imparting rotation to said drive shaft from said motor shaft includes an axially movable clutch bar to which a clutch sheave is rotatably connected. The clutch bar is movable between an engaged position in which the clutch sheave tensions the belt about the motor sheave and the drive sheave so as to cause rotation of the drive sheave in response to rotation of the motor sheave, and a disengaged position in which slack is introduced into the belt so that rotation of the motor sheave is not transferred to the drive sheave. A spring is provided to bias the clutch bar toward its engaged position. A pair of pins cause slack introduced into the belt when the clutch sheave is in its disegaged position to be directed about the motor sheave to ensure that rotary power is not transferred.

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First Claim