Abstract: This invention relates to a trailer drawn by a tractor vehicle which includes the combination of a rear and belly dump and in which the trailer rear wheel assembly remains entirely on the ground when the means for elevating the trailer for rear dump is made, including means for permitting the material to be dumped to directly dump beyond the wheels of the trailer, and further, to permit the trailer wheels and the tractor wheels to be moved close together during rear dump for purposes of distribution of the material and further to include a clean-out door for dislodging material which may have been stuck during dumping operation.

Abstract: An improved kiln car comprises a car with a load box with a base that can be separated into parts that can be reconfigured to form a discharge and then rotated to reform the base but with the load-bearing side on the underside so as to present a clean side to the next load of green items to be fired and to counter the cumulative effects of distortion as the load bearing base makes repeated passes through the kiln.

Abstract: A truck trailer useful for carrying road surfacing material such as gravel, crushed rock, limestone or the like. A feature of the trailer is that it empties to the side of the trailer and directly from the bottom. Doors on the side separately operable facilitate the side dumping.

Abstract: An unloading flap of a stationary or mobile silo for pourable particulate material having at least one outlet opening comprises an upper part that is secured to a first silo wall and a lower part that hinges on the upper part and can be tilted into the open and closed positions by means of an actuating rod that can be power driven.The lower edge of the straight or angled lower part with respect to the upper part is in the form of a projecting support. In the closed position this support rests along a line or area on a longitudinal groove in the region of the lower edge of a second silo wall. A device attached to one of the two parts of the flap exercises a moment of rotation on the other part of the flap such that the angle (.alpha.) between the upper and lower parts is reduced to an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating and locking pairs of hopper doors of a railroad hopper car of the type having a longitudinal center sill and pairs of longitudinally extending chutes, located opposite each other and on each side of the center sill, configured to discharge lading to each side of the hopper car, and each provided with a hopper door. Each chute of a pair is provided with a longitudinally extending shaft rotatively mounted on the underside thereof with first and second end portions extending beyond its chute. Both end portions of the shaft have an operating cam assembly non-rotatively mounted thereon and connected to the adjacent hopper door by an operating link. The operating cam assemblies at corresponding ends of the shafts are joined by connecting links. The first end of each shaft has a ratchet wheel and a capstain non-rotatively mounted thereon. Each chute of the pair has a ratchet pawl pivoted thereto and cooperating with its respective ratchet wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating and locking each pair of hopper doors of a railroad hopper car of the type having a plurality of hopper doors arranged in opposed pairs and extending transversely of the hopper car center sill. Each door actuating and locking apparatus for each opposed pair of hopper doors comprises a shaft assembly extending transversely of the hopper car between its respective opposed pair of hopper doors and through the hopper car center sill and the inner and outer hopper sheets for those hopper doors. That portion of the shaft assembly located within the center sill has an L-shaped lever structure non-rotatively mounted thereon. The lever structure is connected by links to the hopper doors of its respective pair. Either end of the shaft assembly can be engaged externally of the hopper car by an approriate tool to rotate the shaft assembly and its lever structure between a door open position and an over-center, door-closed and locked position.

Abstract: A vehicle for carrying cotton from a mechanical picker to a cotton trailer, and for tamping the cotton down while in the bed of the trailer, is disclosed. The vehicle is constructed with a U-shaped base and has one open end for straddling the cotton trailer. A bottom-dumping basket which can be raised to clear the sides of the trailer, emptied into the trailer, and then lowered into the bed to tamp the cotton down, is mounted in the center of the vehicle.

Abstract: A train of tandem arranged, wheeled, refuse receptacles, pulled by a prime mover along a path, are successively moved over a dump chute to drop their contents when their discharge doors are successively tripped, the contents falling downwardly through the chute and into the entrance opening of an underground compactor. The reciprocating ram of the compactor passes the contents sidewise into the awaiting container of a refuse collection vehicle, compacting the contents therein.

Abstract: A hopper gate mechanism for opening and closing the bottom opening of a hopper containing vehicle. The mechanism typically includes two doors hinged along the longitudinal axis of the associated vehicle and fluid pressure actuated motor means for selectively actuating latching members normally employed to maintain the doors in a closed position.

Abstract: A hopper car door locking mechanism includes a rotatable latch member which includes a keeper receiving portion. The latch member also includes a positioning portion providing stops which are engaged by a rotatable locking pawl in the closed position of the hopper car door. The rotatable locking pawl includes a cam device which is pivoted in response to reciprocating movement of a rod having a suitable cam surface. The rod also includes a stop device which with the rotatable latch member provides a second stop which therefore provides for double locking of the door.