Retractable rod screens

The present invention generally relates to grinders and hammermills, and, more particularly to grinders with a screen adjacent to a rotating hammermill. An improved grinding apparatus or hammermill utilizing retractable bars as a hammermill screen, or as a support to a conventional hammermill screen. The ability to retract these bars which make up the screen of the hammermill assembly reduces the down time associated with inspecting, replacing, and repairing the bars, and clearing jammed material caught within the screen. When the retractable bars support a hammermill screen, retraction of the bars allows the screen to drop down from the hammermill for repair and cleaning.