Patent ID: 11871699
Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 18:
19. A method of macerating a crop, the method comprising:
rotating a first endless member of a first macerator assembly around a first roll having a first axis of rotation and around a second roll having a second axis of rotation rotating in a first direction;
advancing the crop into a maceration zone, wherein:
the maceration zone is bounded by the first endless member and a second macerator assembly spaced apart from the first endless member, wherein the second macerator assembly includes a second endless member rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction, and
the maceration zone extends a longitudinal distance between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation; and
contacting the crop with the first endless member and the second endless member of the second macerator assembly in the maceration zone, wherein a clearance along a first portion of the longitudinal distance continuously decreases.