Abstract: An apparatus for introducing molding sand into a mold space defined by a pattern plate (1) having a pattern, a flask (2) placed on the pattern plate (1) for surrounding the pattern, and a filling frame (3) placed on the flask (2) and for compacting the molding sand in the mold space. The apparatus includes a sand hopper (10) having an inlet pipe (7) for introducing a first airflow at a low pressure (0.05 to 0.18 MPa) and compressed air thereinto from an upper part thereof, and a plurality of separated nozzles (17) at a lower portion thereof for blowing and introducing the molding sand held in the sand hopper into the mold space by the first airflow. First and second chambers (11 and 12) supply a second airflow under a low pressure (0.05 to 0.18 MPa) and compressed air to the molding sand in the sand hopper (10) to fluidize the molding sand.

Abstract: A heated bucket system for significantly reducing the accumulation of frozen mud and ice within a bucket thereby maintaining the bucket's dirt moving capacity. The inventive device includes a bucket attachable to a pair of arms of the tractor or dozer, a pump attached to the coolant system of the tractor or dozer, an inflow tube fluidly connected to the pump, a heat tube attached to the back member of the bucket preferably in a sinusoidal pattern and fluidly connected to the inflow tube, and an outflow tube fluidly connected to the heat tube opposite of the inflow tube and fluidly connected to the coolant system of the tractor or dozer. In operation, the pump draws the heated coolant within the coolant system and pumps it through the heat tube attached to the bucket. The heat from within the coolant is exchanged with the bucket thereby maintaining the temperature of the bucket above freezing. The coolant is then returned to the coolant system through an outflow tube.

Abstract: A heated bucket system for significantly reducing the accumulation of frozen mud and ice within a bucket thereby maintaining the bucket's dirt moving capacity. The inventive device includes a bucket attachable to an arm of a backhoe or other machinery, a pump attached to the coolant system of the backhoe, an inflow tube fluidly connected to the pump, a heat tube attached to the back member of the bucket preferably in a sinusoidal pattern and fluidly connected to the inflow tube, and an outflow tube fluidly connected to the heat tube opposite of the inflow tube and fluidly connected to the coolant system of the backhoe. In operation, the pump draws the heated coolant within the coolant system and pumps it through the heat tube attached to the bucket. The heat from within the coolant is exchanged with the bucket thereby maintaining the temperature of the bucket above freezing. The coolant is then returned to the coolant system through an outflow tube.