Abstract: A bottom unloader having a material conveyor for moving material from a hopper centrally located in a bin to a location outside of the bin. A drive apparatus mounted on the outer end of the conveyor operates the conveyor and adjusts the tension on the conveyor chain. The outer end of the conveyor has a door that is clamped to a closed position with eccentric clamping locks. An elongated auger collector is mounted on a rotatable turntable located in the central hopper. A cap having a side opening for the auger collector is mounted on the turntable. The auger collector is drivably connected with the conveyor so that, when the conveyor is operated, the auger collector is rotated. A separate drive operated with a hydraulic motor is used to move the auger collector in a circular path.

Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus having an endless belt supported on an elongated table above a feed bunk by a plurality of stands. The stands are laterally and vertically adjustable to level the apparatus and accommodate different sized bunks. The belt has an upper run that rides on a wood deck secured to the support. An idler pulley and drive pulley engages one end of the belt opposite ends. The belt is retained in driving engagement with the drive pulley by a driven roller engageable with the lower run of the belt adjacent the drive pulley. A motor drives the roller at a speed so that the surface speed of the roller is greater than the linear speed of the belt to maintain the lower portion of the run of the belt between the roller and the drive pulley under tension. A sweep assembly slidably mounted on the wood deck operates to move the material off of the side of the top run of the belt into the bunk.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a pair of front drive wheels and a rear steerable drive wheel mounted on a main frame. A sub-frame secured to the main frame intermediate the front and rear drive wheels carries an internal combustion engine and a pump assembly. The pump assembly has a first pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to fluid operated motors operably connected to the front drive wheels and a second pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to a fluid operated motor operably connected to the rear drive wheel. The internal combustion engine and pump assembly are located below a seat and floor with both the engine and pump assembly positioned transversely of the main frame of the vehicle. The rear wheel is mounted on the frame for angular movement about a generally upright axis. A fluid operated double acting piston and cylinder assembly operates to angularly move the rear wheel about the upright axis to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A mixer having an open top mixing box accommodating a pair of lower augers and a pair of upper paddle conveyors drivably connected to the augers. A power box pivotally mounted on one end of the mixing box is drivably connected to the augers with releasable drive connections. The power box is a motor driven power transmission assembly that can be disconnected from the augers and removed from the mixing box. A movable door associated with the bottom of the mixing box is used to selectively open and close a discharge opening allowing mixed and blended material to be discharged into a conveyor.

Abstract: A material conveying apparatus having a trough assembly for receiving material connected to a tail section. The tail section has a door movable to an open position to facilitate the cleaning of the tail section. An incline section connects the trough section to an elevator section. The incline section has conveyor guide strips that guide a movable conveyor in an arcuate path to the elevator section. The elevator section is connected to a decline assembly having a wear strip for guiding and supporting the movable conveyor. A discharge section is connected to the decline section. The drive for the movable conveyor is mounted on the discharge section.

Abstract: A top unloading silo unloader pendently supported in a tower silo. The unloader has a material collector moved around the silo with leading and trailing drive wheels. An impeller receives material from the collector and throws the material into an out chute which directs the material to a doorway leading to an upright passageway. The drive wheels are mounted on opposite ends of a rocker arm rotatably supported on a support. The support is connected to the impeller housing. Power is applied to both wheels by separate drive shafts connected to a gear box. A collector leveling apparatus has a linear actuator connected to the unloader frame. A cable connects the linear actuator with the outer end of the collector and the support in a manner so that the outer end of the collector can be raised or lowered and held in a selected position in response to operation of the actuator. The linear actuator has a reversible electric motor coupled to a motor controller.

Abstract: A mixer having an open top mixing box accommodating a pair of lower augers and a pair of upper paddle conveyors drivably connected to the augers. A power box pivotally mounted on one end of the mixing box is drivably connected to the augers with releasable drive connections. The power box is a motor driven power transmission assembly that can be disconnected from the augers and removed from the mixing box. A movable door associated with the bottom of the mixing box is used to selectively open and close a discharge opening allowing mixed and blended material to be discharged into a conveyor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a pair of front drive wheels and a rear steerable drive wheel mounted on a main frame. A sub-frame secured to the main frame intermediate the front and rear drive wheels carries an internal combustion engine and a pump assembly. The pump assembly has a first pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to fluid operated motors operably connected to the front drive wheels and a second pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to a fluid operated motor operably connected to the rear drive wheel. The internal combustion engine and pump assembly are located below a seat and floor with both the engine and pump assembly positioned transversely of the main frame of the vehicle. The rear wheel is mounted on the frame for angular movement about a generally upright axis. A fluid operated double acting piston and cylinder assembly operates to angularly move the rear wheel about the upright axis to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus having an endless belt supported on an elongated table above a feed bunk by a plurality of stands. The stands are laterally and vertically adjustable to level the apparatus and accommodate different sized bunks. The belt has an upper run that rides on a wood deck secured to the support. An idler and drive pulley engages one end of the belt opposite ends. The belt is retained in driving engagement with the drive pulley by a driven roller engageable with the lower run of the belt adjacent the drive pulley. A motor drives the roller at a speed so that the surface speed of the roller is greater than the linear speed of the belt to maintain the lower portion of the run of the belt between the roller and the drive pulley under tension. A sweep assembly slidably mounted on the wood deck operates to move the material off of the side of the top run of the belt into the bunk.

Abstract: A mixer having an open top mixing box accommodating a pair of lower augers and a pair of upper paddle conveyors drivably connected to the augers. A power box pivotally mounted on one end of the mixing box is drivably connected to the augers with releasable drive connections. The power box is a motor driven power transmission assembly that can be disconnected from the augers and removed from the mixing box. A movable door associated with the bottom of the mixing box is used to selectively open and close a discharge opening allowing mixed and blended material to be discharged into a conveyor.

Abstract: A material transport and self-unloading vehicle having an open top hopper for accommodating bulk material, as animal feeds. A first material conveying auger is located along the bottom of the hopper for moving material toward a side discharge opening in the hopper. A second paddle auger is located above the first auger for moving material rearwardly in the hopper. A side unloading conveyor mounted on the side of the hopper adjacent the side discharge opening operates to receive material moved through the discharge opening by the first auger and move the material laterally of the hopper to a discharge or feeding location. A drive assembly drivably connects a power take-off drive shaft to the first and second augers and unloading conveyor for concurrent operation of the augers and unloading conveyor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a pair of front drive wheels and a rear steerable drive wheel mounted on a main frame. A sub-frame secured to the main frame intermediate the front and rear drive wheels carries an internal combustion engine and a pump assembly. The pump assembly has a first pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to fluid operated motors operably connected to the front drive wheels and a second pump operable to deliver fluid under pressure to a fluid operated motor operably connected to the rear drive wheel. The internal combustion engine and pump assembly are located below a seat and floor with both the engine and pump assembly positioned transversely of the main frame of the vehicle. The rear wheel is mounted on the frame for angular movement about a generally upright axis. A fluid operated double acting piston and cylinder assembly operates to angularly move the rear wheel about the upright axis to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle equipped with lift arms and a bucket for handling material. The vehicle has a fluid power system including piston and cylinder assemblies to pivot the lift arms between down and up positions and tilt the bucket relative to the lift arms. A bucket leveling control apparatus operates a fluid control valve in response to the pivotal movement of the lift arms to control the flow of fluid to the bucket tilting piston and cylinder assembly to maintain the bucket substantially level during the movement thereof between down and up positions. The fluid control valve is operable to supply fluid under pressure to the bucket tilt piston and cylinder assembly to move the bucket to a dump position.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid drive for a land motor vehicle having front and rear drive wheels. An internal combustion engine drives a pair of positive displacement pumps. A first pump is connected to hydraulic motors that drive the front wheels of the vehicle. A second pump is connected to a hydraulic motor that drives a rear steerable wheel of the vehicle. A manually operated control is used to adjust the speed and torque of the motors for the front wheels. A front and rear wheel drive equalizing control operates in response to differences in hydraulic fluid pressure supplied to the front and rear hydraulic motors to equalize the fluid pressure pumped to the front and rear hydraulic motors so as to maintain the torque and speed of the front and rear wheels substantially constant. A foot operated lever is used to operate the control for the first pump for changing the supply of fluid pressure to the front wheel motors.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a plurality of drive wheels and a steerable wheel. The steerable wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame with an upright steering post. A hydraulic powered transversely movable cylinder is connected to a sprocket mounted on the steering post with a pair of chains. The cylinder is linearly movable relative to a piston and a transverse rod. Adjustable members connect opposite ends of the rod to the frame and hold the rod in linear tension. The cylinder is supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure from a pump driven by an internal combustion engine. A control valve having a spool connected to the vehicle steering wheel controls the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure from the pump to the cylinder thereby steering the vehicle.

Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus having an endless belt supported on an elongated table above a feed bunk by a plurality of stands. The stands are laterally and vertically adjustable to level the apparatus and accommodate different sized bunks. The belt has an upper run that rides on a wood deck secured to the support. An idler pulley and drive pulley engages one end of the belt opposite ends. The belt is retained in driving engagement with the drive pulley by a driven roller engageable with the lower run of the belt adjacent the drive pulley. A motor drives the roller at a speed so that the surface speed of the roller is greater than the linear speed of the belt to maintain the lower portion of the run of the belt between the roller and the drive pulley under tension. A sweep assembly slidably mounted on the wood deck operates to move the material off of the side of the top run of the belt into the bunk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating sewage and converting the sewage into organic fertilizer which utilizes equipment for converting the solid material of the sewage into patties and a mixing apparatus for mixing the patties with bulking agents. The mixture of patties and bulking agents is stored in a pile and subjected to a supply of air to enhance the self-combustion or oxidation of the organic material in the patties. The bulking agents provide the patty-bulking agent mixture with air passages and pockets and minimize compaction of the patties. The self-combustion of the patties continues until the organic material is burned out, leaving a residual ash. A shaker separator having an elongated longitudinal perforated member is reciprocated to separate the ash from the bulking agents. The ash is collected and utilized as organic fertilizer. The bulking agents are recycled back to the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A top unloading silo unloader pendantly supported in a tower silo. The unloader has a material collector moved around the silo with drive structure. An impeller receives material from the collector and throws the material into an out chute which directs the material to a doorway leading to an upright passageway. The drive structure mounted on the outer end of the collector has leading and trailing drive wheels connected with movable mounts to a leveling apparatus. Power is applied to both wheels by separate drive shafts connected to the power transmission for the augers of the collector. The leveling apparatus has a base secured to the collector. Supports pivotally mounted on opposite ends of the base are attached to the mounts for the wheels. A linear actuator connected to the supports operates to concurrently pivot the supports in opposite directions so that the outer end of the collector can be raised or lowered and held in a selected position.

Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus having an endless belt supported on an elongated table above a feed bunk by a plurality of stands. The stands are laterally and vertically adjustable to level the apparatus and accommodate different sized bunks. The belt has an upper run that rides on a wood deck secured to the support. An idler pulley and drive pulley engages one end of the belt opposite ends. The belt is retained in driving engagement with the drive pulley by a driven roller engageable with the lower run of the belt adjacent the drive pulley. A motor drives the roller at a speed so that the surface speed of the roller is greater than the linear speed of the belt to maintain the lower portion of the run of the belt between the roller and the drive pulley under tension. A sweep assembly slidably mounted on the wood deck operates to move the material off of the side of the top run of the belt into the bunk.

Abstract: A top unloading silo unloader pendently supported from a tripod with a cable connected to a motor operated winch. An automatic silo unloader let-down control system is operably connected to the winch motor to energize the motor once during each revolution of the unloader to lower the unloader in the silo. The let-down control system has a control switch mounted on the unloader which is actuated by the rotating part of the unloader once during each revolution of the part. An automatic time delay unit is adjustable to control the duration of operation of the winch motor thereby controlling the amount of let-down of the silo unloader.