Abstract: A vehicle mounted spreader for spreading materials such as sand, salt, or other granular chemicals onto snow and ice covered paved surfaces comprises a material container for containing the material to be spread, a liquid container for containing liquid with which to pre-wet the material, a spinner for spreading the pre-wet material, an auger for conveying the material to the spinner, a liquid applicator for applying liquid to the material to pre-wet the material, and a paddle mixer mounted to an end of the auger adjacent the liquid applicator for mixing the liquid and the material.

Abstract: A powered material broadcast spreader apparatus. The apparatus may include a granular material hopper having one or more upwardly extending walls that partially enclose an interior volume of the hopper. A first wall may define an opening passing outwardly from the interior volume. The apparatus may also include a motor surrounded by the one or more walls, and a motor cover having a contact surface congruent with a mating inner surface of the first wall. The motor cover is configured to form a motor compartment adapted to effectively isolate the motor from the interior volume, while permitting access to the motor from outside the hopper via the opening in the first wall.

Abstract: A metering and mixing system of solid particulates for a rotary seed dispenser in agricultural equipment for sowing, wherein the rotary seed dispenser is mounted under a seed feeder. The rotary seed dispenser is driven at the bottom by a planter drive system, which provides rotation to a spinning disc provided with a number of calibrated orifices through which the seeds housed in the disc orifices fall on a given point of the agricultural equipment. The metering and mixing system of solid particulates includes a solid particulate feeder that is positioned between the seed feeder and the rotary seed dispenser.

Abstract: A method of spreading granular fertilizer includes driving a small framed truck over an electronically mapped area that is in need of granular fertilizer. As the small framed truck is driven over the mapped area, a GP S sensor is read to determine the location of the small framed truck on the mapped area. An electronic control determines the application rate of granular fertilizer needed to the left of the truck and the application rate of granular fertilizer needed to the right of the truck in relation to the location of the truck on the mapped area. The method includes dispensing left and right amounts of granular fertilizer from a hopper carried on the truck, with the left and right amounts being separately dispensed at rates determined in the determining step. Apparatus to carry out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a spreader for winter service vehicles, brine is filled from a tank sack into additional tanks by purely hydrostatic effect substantially without the use of pumps, by the tank sack being so filled for example by excess pressure that the brine is urged through a liquid line where it forms a closed liquid column. The exit end of the liquid line lies below the entrance end of the liquid line so that, upon filling, the liquid from the tank sack automatically flows into the additional tanks due to hydrostatic forces. Upon emptying the liquid tank, the liquid also flows in a corresponding manner from the tank sack into the additional tanks, thereby completely emptying the tank sack.

Abstract: A spreader assembly comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis; at least two bins mounted to the frame, two of the at least two bins being disposed sequentially along the longitudinal axis and each including a movement imparting assembly oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to advance material lengthwise in opposed directions toward adjacent ends of the two bins; and at least one discharge movement imparting assembly mounted to the frame, oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to receive material conveyed by at least one of the two bin movement imparting assemblies and advance the material towards a lateral end of the frame.

Abstract: A solid carrier sprayer apparatus, including a solid carrier container, a liquid container, a solid carrier spreading apparatus, and a liquid application apparatus is provided. The solid carrier spreading apparatus can be coupled to receive solid carrier from the solid carrier container, and is configured to drop the received solid carrier substantially evenly over an area of ground. The liquid application apparatus can be coupled to receive liquid from the liquid container, and is configured to spray received liquid substantially evenly over the received solid carrier, such that the liquid is sprayed substantially evenly over the received solid carrier before the solid carrier is dropped substantially evenly over the area of ground. Methods of using a solid carrier sprayer apparatus are also discussed.

Abstract: A granular spreader having a V-shaped hopper for distribution of oil absorbing granules can be used on race track spills. The granular spreader is towed by a vehicle such as a pickup truck during racing intervals. A rotatable scrubber is affixed to the hopper which can be lowered by an electric winch to contact the race track to urge the deposited granules into the spilled liquid. A pair of flexible flaps are affixed to the bottom of the hopper to assist in distribution and to prevent the fine granule particles from being blown away before contacting the spilled liquids. A cart is also provided for storing the granular spreader during periods of non-use.

Abstract: A spreader assembly comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis; at least two bins mounted to the frame, two of the at least two bins being disposed sequentially along the longitudinal axis and each including a movement imparting assembly oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to advance material lengthwise in opposed directions toward adjacent ends of the two bins; and at least one discharge movement imparting assembly mounted to the frame, oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to receive material conveyed by at least one of the two bin movement imparting assemblies and advance the material towards a lateral end of the frame.

Abstract: The salt slurry clump forming apparatus and process comprise an auger receiving salt and atomized liquid to form a slurry which is deposited on a broadcast spreader to form slurry clumps of generally 0.25? to 1.25? in diameter. Slurry clumps resist movement from roadway and other surfaces by wind and vehicle traffic and deter bonding of ice and snow with a surface. Multiple applications are lessened and road work in removal of ice and snow is facilitated.

Abstract: A mobile trailer for spreading a granular material mixture is disclosed. This trailer comprises at least two containers or bin compartments for containing a respective granular material, a movement-imparting assembly for moving the granular materials and a material mixer and spreader assembly for mixing and spreading the granular materials. Each bin compartment comprises a respective material-exit opening and the material mixer and spreader assembly is positioned near these openings. The movement-imparting assembly comprises a respective movement-imparting device mounted to each bin compartment for moving a respective granular material though a respective opening towards the material mixer and spreader assembly. A controller is linked to the movement-imparting assembly so as to selectively and independently modulate the speed of each movement-imparting device thereby modulating the ratio of each granular material received, mixed and spread by the material mixer and spreader assembly.

Abstract: A plural bin metering system for broadcasting material ingredients contained therein over a ground surface. The system includes at least two material ingredient hoppers, each of the hoppers having a material ingredient discharge port. At least one of the material ingredient hoppers includes a variably controllable metering unit associated therewith for variably controlling the discharge of material ingredients therefrom independently from the rate of discharge of material ingredients from the other material ingredient hopper. A conveyor is disposed below the hoppers for receiving material ingredients discharged from the hoppers, and a material ingredient broadcasting device disposed off of one end of the conveyor for receiving material ingredients conveyed thereon, received from the hoppers, for broadcasting the material ingredients over a ground surface. The metering unit is capable of metering material ingredients from its associated hopper at ultra low rates.

Abstract: A sprinkling appliance (1) comprising a reservoir (2), a metering means (3) and a preferably compressed-air actuated conveying and dispensing (5), respectively, for dispensing the sprinkling material, wherein the metering means (3) for metering sprinkling material has at least one conveyer or closure surface (19), respectively, capable of being rotated about an axis of rotation (4?).

Abstract: A material spreading device for spreading material over a targeted area includes a receiving portion for receiving a plurality of bags of material, a hopper assembly and a material moving device. The material spreading device is configured for use on a vehicle. The hopper assembly has a bag holding portion and a material dispensing bin. The bag holding portion receives at least some of the bags and retains the bags at or near the material dispensing bin. The hopper assembly includes at least one opening device for opening the bags such that material within the opened bags is deposited into the material dispensing bin. The material dispensing bin is operable to dispense or broadcast the material over the targeted area. The material moving device is operable to move the bags of material along the receiving portion and toward the hopper assembly.

Abstract: A convertible material spreader in which a single hopper bin with a conveyor is converted into a dual bin hopper with dual independent conveyors by nesting a secondary hopper and conveyor combination into the primary bin after removing an end gate.

Abstract: A convertible material spreader in which a single hopper bin with a conveyor is converted into a dual bin hopper with dual independent conveyors by nesting a secondary hopper and conveyor combination into the primary bin after removing an end gate.

Abstract: An agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering metered agricultural particulate material to a growing medium includes first and second compartments adapted to contain different agricultural particulate materials, a material meter having an interior and a flow switching mechanism between the first and second compartments and the meter. The flow switching mechanism is actuatable between a first position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the first compartment to the interior of the meter, a second position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the second compartment to the interior of the meter and a third position in which the flow switching mechanism stops the supply of material from both the first and second compartments to the interior of the meter.

Abstract: A spreading apparatus utilizes a number of features to improve material discharge and apparatus maintenance. In one embodiment, the apparatus uses a diverter in the box receiving the material for discharge that directs the material along a converging path and then a non-converging path to avoid material bridging and feed stoppages. The apparatus also employs a double tipping mechanism and a gate assembly, which arranges the gates in the plane of the box floor for improved dumping. The gate opening can have a grid to further control material discharge. The spreader device receiving the discharged material can employ one rotatable disc or double rotatable discs for spreading and a deflector plate directing the material to the discs. The box can be configured to utilize a number of different removable chutes, the removable chutes configured to handle a specific type of material for spreading. A particular chute can be selected to match the material intended for spreading.

Abstract: An agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering metered agricultural particulate material to a growing medium includes first and second compartments adapted to contain different agricultural particulate materials, a material meter having an interior and a flow switching mechanism between the first and second compartments and the meter. The flow switching mechanism is actuatable between a first position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the first compartment to the interior of the meter, a second position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the second compartment to the interior of the meter and a third position in which the flow switching mechanism stops the supply of material from both the first and second compartments to the interior of the meter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing salt granular materials upon a highway pavement at practical speeds. The deposition forms two narrow bands of the salt through utilization of two impeller-based mechanisms which are canted downwardly at an acute angle toward the pavement. The dump bed of trucks utilizing the apparatus is maintained in a down orientation through the utilization of a salt transport mechanism implemented as dual augers extending the length of the truck bed. Two embodiments of the apparatus are described each being self-contained and mountable upon a truck bed with relative ease. In one embodiment, a brine formation tank of generally triangular cross-sectional configuration is combined with a brine holding tank to form the sides of a V-box hopper structure. The brine formation tank is charged with salt and water to form a saturated brine which is permitted to migrate through a baffling system to the brine holding tank.

Abstract: A pneumatic material spreader for distributing two types of particulate fertilizers at once including an outwardly extending boom having a plurality of pipes, a hopper with plural compartments and conveyor system. The conveyor system comprises two sets of stacked conveyors each set having one conveyor transporting material for one compartment to the pneumatic spray boom and a second conveyor transporting material from a second compartment to the same pneumatic spray boom. Guide ducts receive the material form the conveyors which become mixed as they pass through the separating guide ducts into the pipes and out to an outlet. The hopper is separated into two compartments by a divider wall that is adjustable to permit the relative size of the compartments to be varied.

Abstract: An intelligent mobile product application control system capable of controlling product application by calculating control values on a per position basis from data that has traditionally been used to generate digital land area maps. The system includes a vehicle having coupled thereto at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module having a geographic raw data processor. The intelligent control module is responsive to raw geographic information data for controlling at least one actuator device in a manner that results in at least one predetermined product being applied to a predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the raw geographic information data.

Abstract: An insulation material spraying apparatus for using dry material and wet recycle material having, at least two hoppers for separately receiving the materials, at least one auger for receiving the materials for conveyance longitudinally of the auger, an accumulator chamber for receiving the materials and having at least one mixer rotatable about an axis for separately mixing and expanding the volume of the materials, a flow stabilizer to form a mixture of the wet and dry material and a pneumatic transport for receiving and dispensing the mixed insulation material.

Abstract: A material spreader includes a support frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels for rollingly supporting the frame. A hopper is attached to the support frame and includes first and second isolated chambers for holding first and second materials, respectively, to be spread. A first series of discharge openings in the bottom of the first chamber allows material to be discharged from the first chamber. A second series of discharge openings in the bottom of the second chamber allows material to be discharged from the second chamber. Slide valves are operable to selectively independently control the flow of material through the first and second series of discharge openings. A series of passages in a distribution manifold interconnect the first and second series of discharge openings. Each passage is isolated from the other passages and has two inlets and one outlet.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile trailer having a frame with a set of wheels on the frame for hauling the trailer and a pair of storage bins on the frame in side by side spaced relation with one bin adapted to a receive peat with a mixing blade to mix the peat and the other bin adapted to receive sand. The bins have openings along their bottoms and connecting openings along their vertical front walls with vertically adjustable plates to vary the sizes of the vertical openings. Horizontal conveyors are mounted beneath the bottom openings to the bins. Collecting and mixing blades are in the front of the trailer and a rotating spreader mounted to the rear upper portion of the trailer. An inclined conveyor is mounted with its lower end beneath the mixing blade and its upper end above the spreader.

Abstract: A distribution system for agricultural chemicals includes a primary auger conveyor that delivers particulates from a common hopper structure. The hopper is provided with primary and secondary particulate compartments. Primary particulate compartment discharges into a first auger conveyor. When a mixture of two particulate components is desired, the second component can be discharged from the secondary hopper compartment by operation of a second conveyor leading to the first. Liquid stored on-board the supporting vehicle can also be discharged into the main auger conveyor to wet the particulates prior to their delivery.

Abstract: A pneumatic spreading system for particulate material such as granular fertilizer includes a tank and a pair of booms extending outwardly from the tank for transportation across the ground. A pair of parallel belts lie in the same horizontal plane and carry a metered layers of the material out of one end of the tank adjacent the booms for discharge as a curtain of the material at a discharge end of the belt. The booms each include a plurality of pipes with all of the pipes lying side by side in the same horizontal plane and each pipe including two distribution nozzles forming a split pipe arrangement. A manifold for airflow is positioned between the two booms injecting air into each pipe of both booms. Each pipe includes a feed opening into which the material falls from the discharge end.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading dry or granular materials such as lawn seed and/or lawn treatment chemicals that includes a support frame 18 rollingly supported by a pair of wheels 14 and a hopper 12 attached to the support frame that defines four substantially isolated material compartments 55-58. Discharge openings 65-68 are associated with each compartment; the outflow of material through the discharge openings is controlled by shutter-like gates 65a-68a, two of which are remotely controlled by lever mechanisms 78, 87 mounted on operating handles 20a, the other two of which are adjustable by an arrangement mounted near the hopper. Material discharged through the openings falls into a blending chamber 90 that includes a blending disc 96 rotated by a vertical shaft 98 that is coupled to an axle 32 by a gear box 40 that is drivingly engaged by one or both wheels.

Abstract: A spreader of granulated and liquid material, for a vehicle comprises, a granulated material vessel having three feed troughs extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A conveyor with hydraulic motor is positioned in each feed trough and feeds granulated material to three distributor units. A liquid material vessel is also provided which includes liquid supply lines to each of the distributor units. Each liquid supply line has a hydraulic motor-powered pump. Two of the feed troughs which are positioned on either sides of the longitudinal axis of the vessel include granulated material feed lines connected between the respective feed trough and its associated distributor unit so that a distributor plate of each of the associated distributor units is positionable beyond the side contours of the vehicle, and on either side of the vehicle, to increase the potential width of coverage with the spread material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unit insertable in a truck or trailer body to convert same into a multiple conveyor having multiple hoppers and conveyors for removing granular material therefrom via a spreading, unloading or dumping mode. The unit has two embodiments: in the one embodiment there are two hoppers and conveyors, and in the other embodiments there are three hoppers and conveyors.

Abstract: A granular herbicide or other agricultural chemical is applied using an applicator including a hopper with orifices in its base for discharging the granular material onto metering wheels mounted on a drive shaft beneath the hopper, the wheels feeding the material to a spreader; a motor for driving the shaft to rotate the wheels; and a control circuit which monitors the speed of the motor by constantly monitoring an A.C. feedback from such motor, and controls motor speed by adjusting the current fed to the motor to compensate for speed changes of the motor.

Abstract: An auxiliary hopper is attached to the rear of a cinder spreading truck. The auxiliary hopper carries salt. The cinders and salt are discharged from their respective storage hoppers in predetermined proportions, are mixed and dumped onto a spreader for application to the roadway. A hydraulic control mechanism allows continuous variation of the proportions of salt and cinders in the mixture applied to the roadway.

Abstract: A lawn treating spreader cart is provided capable of carrying, measuring, mixing, and spreading multiple lawn treatment materials while, at the same time, being compact enough for hand operation. This is accomplished by positioning bins of various treatment materials transversely across the width of the chassis. The bins have proximate, transversely positioned outlets for depositing measuring quantities of treatment material upon a forwardly moving belt, these being spread over a wide area by an adjustable rotor. Means are provided for adjusting the width of the area to be treated and for temporarily stopping the spread while the cart is being moved.

Abstract: A lawn treating machine consisting of a wheeled front section and a wheeled rear section hinged together by a hydraulically operated vertical hinge mechanism for steering the machine. The front section includes a hydraulically driven scattering mechanism provided at the lower outlets of a multiple-compartment hopper assembly. The scattering mechanism includes a rotating horizontal scattering disc and rotating agitating and feeding elements which feed material from the hopper compartments to the disc. The rear section carries an engine-driven hydraulic pump supplying pressure hydraulic fluid to respective hydraulic motors driving the wheels of the front section. The rear section also carries a pivotally mounted transversely extending ground-scarifying blade assembly having a plurality of sod-piercing blades, the assembly being raised and lowered by hydraulic link means.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating lawns which includes a plurality of hoppers calibrated to dispense predetermined amounts of seed and fertilizer, wherein each of the hoppers includes an opening for feeding material therefrom and means are provided for adjusting the hopper feed opening. The adjusting means includes a movable closure bar which slides between an open and closed position for opening and closing each hopper feed opening. The movable closure bar is actuated by a rack and pinion, and the rack is connected to the movable closure bar by a plate member. The closure bar and plate member are arranged to slide relative to a stationary guide. An indicator dial is also provided for indicating the position of the closure bar relative to the hopper feed opening.The hoppers direct the seed and fertilizer to a distribution plate which distributes it over a wide lawn area.