Abstract: A mobile material placer with an auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body. The auxiliary steering system includes a direct hydraulic drive mechanism coupled to the steering column and which causes the steering column to rotate bidirectionally in response to fluid flow from a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An mobile material placer or slinger with a placer conveyor having a gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body about a vertical axis. The gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism includes a first gear attached to the body of the material placer and that drives a second gear fixedly mounted to the placer conveyor.

Abstract: A mobile material placer with an auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body. The auxiliary steering system includes a direct hydraulic drive mechanism coupled to the steering column and which causes the steering column to rotate bidirectionally in response to fluid flow from a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An mobile material placer or slinger with a placer conveyor having a gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body about a vertical axis. The gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism includes a first gear attached to the body of the material placer and that drives a second gear fixedly mounted to the placer conveyor.

Abstract: An mobile material placer with a placer conveyor having a high-speed direct hydraulic drive mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body. The placer conveyor includes a frame, at least a drive axle and a secondary axle rotatably coupled to the frame, each axle having at least one roller mounted thereon. An endless belt extends around and frictionally engages the rollers. A direct hydraulic drive mechanism is provided and causes the drive to rotate. The rotating axle causes the rollers to rotate and thereby drive the endless belt at a high-speed. The direct hydraulic drive mechanism is configured to drive the endless belt at a linear velocity of at least 3,000 ft/min.

Abstract: A chassis having a main member carries adjustable side members defining an area for the reception of berm forming particulate material conveyed by an air flow from a remote source. The discharged material forms a continuous berm of constant size and shape. Wheel assemblies are adjustably carried enabling the berm cross-sectional shape to best suit the job requirements. Forward travel to the apparatus may be imparted by a steerable tongue assembly.

Abstract: A biodegradable product for use as a ground cover or in the formation of a berm and comprising a major component of organic particulate as compost or a mulch containing compost. Additional components include granular molasses, granular guar, cotton seed meal and soy bean meal. A blower system for delivery of the product is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,406 incorporated herein by reference, and which discloses a vehicle supported system for mixing and discharging the product. The present product applied as a blanket serves to inhibit erosion and promote plant growth. When used in berm construction, the product constitutes a barrier aiding in the confinement of hazardous matter.

Abstract: A truck is equipped with a bin from which bin contents are fed into a blower pressurized conduit by a feed screw conveyor immediately prior to entry into a flexible discharge conduit. Control means permit feed screw conveyor speed to be varied to control the rate of seed discharge into the pressurized conduit. Provision is made for a tank and nozzle for injecting water and/or fertilizer into the pressurized conduit. The truck includes a moving floor conveyor for transferring organic material toward vertical augers which break up the material and feed the material to a powered mixer prior to entry into a rotary feeder and the pressurized air flow. The mixing of seed with the organic material and/or water or fertilizer immediately prior to the composite flow of material entering a flexible discharge conduit mitigates damage to the seed.

Abstract: A truck is equipped with a grass seed hopper from which seed is fed into a blower pressurized conduit air flow by an air lock feeder at a first station. A motor with speed control drives the feeder and determines the rate of seed discharge. A tank on the truck permits the pumped flow of tank contents, water and/or fertilizer, into the conduit carried pressurized air flow. Organic material carried by the truck is conveyed forward by a moving floor toward augers which feed the organic material to a powered mixer for breaking up of the material to ensure passage of loose material into a rotary feeder at a second station. The feeder discharges into a mixing chamber whereat grass seed, discharged from the pressurized conduit, mixes with the organic material for subsequent discharge onto a ground surface via a flexible hose.

Abstract: A truck including a container used to transport and dispense loose particulate materials. A moving floor is located on the floor of the container to move loose particulate materials within the container into a feeder and dispensing system. The container includes two opposing augers mounted on the inner surface of a rear door of the container. The augers feed loose particulate material within the container to a mixer. The mixer helps to break up the loose particulate material to keep it from bridging as it drops into a feeder. The feeder regulates the flow of loose particulate material into a mixing chamber. A high volume air blower is connected to the mixing chamber. The blower forces a high volume of air through the mixing chamber and out of the mixing chamber into an attached hose. As loose particulate material drops into the mixing chamber, it mixes with the air flow and is blown out of the attached hose.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coloring aggregate wood material by directing a flow of material onto vertically spaced, perforate conveyors with each conveyor served by conduits discharging curtains of liquid dye. A drive system for the conveyors includes the provision of driving the conveyors at different speeds to increase aggregate depth for saturation purposes. Conduits of the spray system have oversized orifices directing discharges onto deflectors for curtain formation. Curtain impingement includes the aggregate material in transition in between conveyors. An inclined conveyor and pan returns dye removed from the material to a catch basin.