Abstract: A field tank-vehicle has a large reservoir for holding water or plant nutrients in water solution and/or suspension, and a plurality of relatively small auxiliary containers for holding water solutions and/or suspensions of herbicides, insecticides, hormones and other soil-treating chemicals. The apparatus includes vehicle-speed-responsive means for insuring uniform mixture application, and positive-action pumps for each feed line to insure accurate metering of each liquid to a mixer in the main line leading to a conventional sprayer boom. Each pump is driven from the vehicle-speed-responsive means by a variable-ratio speed-changer for metering the several liquids being combined, in desired proportions.

Abstract: This device comprises a tank for the product to be spread, a pump inserted in a conduit connecting the tank to a spreader system, a regulating valve actuated by a driver. An electronic system controls the driver as a function, on one hand of the speed of the vehicle and, on the other hand, of reference data. The regulating valve is inserted in a regulating conduit which is connected in parallel with the pump. The electronic system comprises a regulator including a microprocessor which is, on one hand, connected to data encoders for encoding data relating to the amount of product to be spread per unit area and to a parameter relating to the type of spray nozzles to be chosen for said spreader system and, on the other hand, connected to at least one interface circuit connecting the microprocessor to a speed detector and a pressure detector and to an interface circuit connected with said valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic rate control system for maintaining a selected application rate at varying ground speeds. The application rate is selected through an operator control which permits the operator to dial in the spray tip size, the width of the spray pattern per tip and the desired spray rate in gallons per acre, and this application rate can be changed on the go. A ground-driven hydraulic oil pump directs its entire flow through a variable orifice, adjusted through manipulation of the operator control, and the oil pressure acts against a balance valve which maintains the pressure of the chemical to be sprayed equal to the oil pressure at the variable orifice. As the ground speed increases or decreases, the oil pressure and thus the chemical pressure increases or decreases accordingly to maintain the selected application rate.

Abstract: A spray gun for applying granulated material onto a surface, preferably glass beads onto roadway markings, or the like, is characterized in that a bead spray gun with an ejection effect is coupled with a mechanical dosaging device in one structural unit. Preferably, the mechanical dosaging device is a roller bead sprayer and is mounted immediately in the housing of the air spray gun above an ejection air nozzle.

Abstract: A hydrostatic spraying system with multiple spray booms for use with vehicles is especially suited for spraying agricultural treatment liquids such as fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, trace minerals, etc. The system includes an operator-controllable variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle, e.g., via its transfer case. A linear hydraulic motor is powered by the pump, being operated at a speed dependent upon a preselected output of the variable displacement pump and the rate of ground travel. Solenoid-controlled valving alternately supplies the hydraulic fluid to opposite ends of the linear motor for oscillating stroking operation of the motor.

Abstract: The disclosed stripe-applying ("striping") method and apparatus for applying a curable coating composition (preferably the two-part type) to a paved surface comprises a movable vehicle suitable for traveling over that surface. The vehicle carries a first nozzle for applying a pressurized water spray to the paved surface, a second nozzle for applying an air blast to the paved surface, and a third nozzle for applying the coating composition under pressure to the section of the paved surface previously cleaned by the water spray and air blast. In addition, a glass bead applicator drops a plurality of glass beads onto the coating composition after it has been applied to the paved surface. The two components which comprise the coating composition are heated in a system having selectively operable valves for continuously circulating these components when a striping operation is not taking place.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dispensing apparatus which is mounted at the rear of a tractor and which employs two friction wheels mounted on a common frame. The frame is pivotally mounted so that an operator can cause the friction wheels to engage the rear wheels of the tractor. The friction wheels are attached to a rotatable shaft which contains a pulley. When the friction wheels engage the tractor wheels, the pulley rotates and by means of an associated belt, causes rotation of a dispensing cylinder associated with a cannister or hopper containing chemicals to be dispensed. Means are provided for adjusting the tension on the belt as well as for engaging said friction wheels in constant contact with the tractor wheels. The apparatus further incorporates a selectively actuated aerator assembly which is used in conjunction with the dispensing apparatus to maintain and perform lawn maintenance services.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the speed of a truck-mounted material conveyor includes a direct current drive motor and a truck-driven shunt generator for providing power to the motor. A control circuit has a reference input representing desired delivery rates in material weight per unit of distance and a truck speed input. A multiplier circuit converts the inputs to a delivery rate in terms of material weight per unit of time at the current truck road speed. Generator and conveyor speed feedback loops are provided to maintain a desired conveyor speed despite variations in truck engine speed or slippage at the conveyor.

Abstract: In a system for spreading material from a vehicle, the ground speed of the vehicle is sensed by a low torque transducer which generates a train of electrical pulses or digital signal having a repetition rate representative of the vehicle's ground speed. The digital signal energizes a stepper motor. The shaft of the stepper motor is coupled to a mechanical comparator which is also responsive to the speed of a conveyor, which delivers the material to be spread, for controlling the conveyor drive motor so that the speed of the conveyor tracks the ground speed of the vehicle even at very low speeds. Proportioning of the ground speed signals is accomplished electronically by a digital counter circuit. Override of the ground speed control signal is actuated by the operator. The override may require continued operator actuation; or the override, once actuated may last for a predetermined time or a predetermined distance travelled by the vehicle. In the latter two cases, the time and distance may be adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle with apparatus for discharging material such as salt on a roadway or the like at a rate that a control system automatically varies with vehicle speed includes means that ordinarily interrupts normal control to prevent discharge of material while vehicle speed is below preselected threshold value. The system also includes a blast circuit which responds to momentary manual operation of a switch to impose a blast signal on control system to override all other control activity to cause rapid dispensing of material for a preselected period even if vehicle is stopped or moving below the threshold speed.

Abstract: An automatic control system for use with a vehicular liquid sprayer of the type which pumps the liquid to be sprayed at a desired pressure to a plurality of nozzles which dispense the liquid at a predetermined desired density relative to the area being sprayed, with the density being a function of a plurality of liquid spraying parameters which may vary from one spraying application to another or from time to time during a given spraying application. A pressure transducer senses the pressure of the liquid supplied to the nozzles and develops a corresponding electrical liquid pressure signal. A ground speed sensor measures the speed of the vehicular sprayer and develops a corresponding electrical ground speed signal. Programming means are coupled to the ground speed sensor for selectively modifying the ground speed signal to obtain a modified ground speed signal having a characteristic which corresponds to the values of at least two of the liquid spraying parameters required to obtain the desired density.

Abstract: In a vehicle-carried spreader system, a regulator valve controls a regulator conduit inserted between the output of a reservoir and a distribution chamber. A servo operates the valve in response to comparison of a chamber pressure manometer signal with a reference signal which is a function of vehicle speed, desired spreader output and type of spray nozzles used.