A waste processing machine for reducing material and having a feed assist system. A cutting assembly on a frame reduces material. A feed system on the frame directs material toward the cutting assembly. A winch assembly includes a line with a line end for securing material, and a driver on the frame to urge the line end toward the driver. A keeper fixed to the frame secures the line end. A sensor detects utilization between: a docked configuration with the line tensioned against between the driver and the keeper； and an undocked configuration with the line loosened. A control unit allows operation of the feed system in the docked configuration, and interrupts the feed system in the undocked configuration. A feed mechanism actuation bypasses the interrupted operation to advance material for a bypass period, and a limit mechanism overrides operation of the feed mechanism for a subsequent limit period.
