Abstract: An improved manure transfer system is disclosed. A collection hopper is located at a first location, preferably within a building, for collecting manure and animal waste products from the building. A piston pump apparatus directs and forces the collected manure through a pump cylinder into a below-grade transfer conduit that carries and deposits the manure through a discharge outlet located at a remote, second location. Means for bypassing the pump piston and cylinder are provided for accessing the transfer conduit enabling safe servicing and maintenance of the system. Isolation means are provided at the conduit discharge outlet for isolating the outlet from accumulated manure at the second location.

Abstract: A manure transfer and storage system (2, 102) includes a manure collection hopper (13) disposed at a first location for receiving manure. A pull pump is operatively mounted in the collection hopper (13) and includes a movable piston body (30, 130) which is cooperable with a cylinder (27) for pumping manure from the collection hopper (13) into cylinder (27). Cylinder (27) is connected to a manure transfer pipe (25, 26) for transferring manure to the second remote storage location. In the first embodiment, piston body (30) telescopically slides over cylinder (27) in a straight line motion. In another embodiment, the piston body (130) is pivotably mounted in collection hopper (13) for arcuate rotation about a pivot axis (134). Piston body (130) includes an arcuate manure confining surface (136) which engages the cylinder (27) only along a single line (144).

Abstract: A manure pump 2 includes a collection hopper 4 for collecting manure. A housing 20 attached to the collection hopper 4 has a pump cylinder 32 located therein. The discharge end 38 of the pump cylinder 32 has a one-way check valve 40. Housing 20 also includes a return path 60 which connects the discharge end 38 of pump cylinder 32 to collection hopper 4. When check valve 40 is jammed in a partially open position, the return path 60 is opened by removing a valve plate 68. Operation of pump piston 32 will recirculate the manure through the return path 60 back to the collection hopper 4 to clear the jammed check valve 40.