Abstract: A mixing and feeding apparatus is provided for processing long-stemmed and livestock feed material. The apparatus comprises a receptacle having upright front and rear walls and side walls defining a mixing chamber for blending the feed material. One of the side walls has a discharge door which is generally aligned with the mid portion of the mixing chamber. The receptacle also has a scalloped bottom wall defining a pair of side-by-side troughs, each of the troughs having an inwardly projecting hay bar located on an upper end of the trough. An auger arrangement is disposed in the receptacle to blend the feed material in the mixing chamber. The auger arrangement includes first and second lower augers located in the bottom portion with one of the lower augers in each of the troughs. The auger arrangement further includes third and fourth upper augers positioned above and generally parallel to the first and second lower augers.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a generally V-shaped hollow body, or hopper, disposed on a movable frame and having a side discharge rotary expeller for spreading the manure over a wide area as the spreader is displaced. A conveyor auger within a lower portion of the V-shaped body moves the manure toward a forward discharge aperture disposed adjacent the expeller for discharge. A pair of hydraulic cylinders move the rotating auger from a lower portion of the V-shaped body upward along an inclined body wall, maintaining an essentially fixed, close spacing between the conveyor auger and the expeller and also maintaining a working relationship between the conveyor auger and the body wall. The upward displacement of the conveyor auger loosens and breaks bridge formations of the manure above the conveyor auger, while continuing to convey the material in all positions of elevation.