Abstract: A method and apparatus to be mounted upon a planter row unit for delivering liquid fertilizer to the bottom of a trench without contacting the seed to be planted may be integrated with a cleaner for the furrow opening device. The system as claimed and described is adapted for mounting to substantially all modern row units employing floating row units. The method and apparatus as described does not interfere with existing down pressure or seed placement systems as found on modern row crop planters. As described and implemented, the method and apparatus is more compact and lighter in weight than the prior art. The attached assembly for a seed planting unit works in combination with a seed trench opener to form a trench for the deposit of liquid fertilizer offset from and parallel to the later formed seed trench.

Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft is disclosed. The pressure balanced shaft seal assembly includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.

Abstract: A method of producing Dried Distiller's Grain with Solubles (DDGS) agglomerated particles is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating a first product stream out of the whole stillage that is primarily solid material from a second product stream that is primarily liquid, agglomerating the first product stream using a mechanical compression machine such as an extruder, and exposing the agglomerated particles to microwave radiation of a sufficient energy for a sufficient time so that the resulting moisture of the agglomerated particles is between 3% and 40% by weight. The second product stream may be condensed and blended with the first product stream prior to, or concurrently with, the step in which the agglomerated particles are formed. Additionally, other additives, such as enzymes, may be added to the first product stream to enhance the final product's desirability as a nutritional source.

Abstract: An opener unit having a pair of single disc openers mounted upon a parallel linkage which may be mounted onto a tool bar or drawbar is disclosed and claimed. The pair of single opener discs may be used for controlled creation of a pair of furrows to which seed, fertilizer or other soil amendments may be delivered. The opener unit may be mounted in combination with a row clearing or cleaning unit. The opener unit may also be mounted in combination with an auxiliary depth tire or a ski, and or a furrow closing apparatus such as a wheel, a chain or a strap.

Abstract: An opener unit having a pair of single disc openers mounted upon a parallel linkage which may be mounted onto a tool bar or drawbar is disclosed and claimed. The pair of single opener discs may be used for controlled creation of a pair of furrows to which seed, fertilizer or other soil amendments may be delivered. The opener unit may be mounted in combination with a row clearing or cleaning unit. The opener unit may also be mounted in combination with an auxiliary depth tire or a ski, and or a furrow closing member such as a wheel, a chain or a strap.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.

Abstract: An improved free swinging hammer mill hammer design is disclosed and described for comminution of materials such as grain and refuse. The hammer design of the present art is adaptable to most hammer mill or grinders having free swinging systems. The improved hammermill hammer may incorporate multiple comminution edges for increased comminution efficiencies. The design as disclosed and claimed may be forged to increase the strength of the hammer. A rod hole shoulder surrounding a portion of the rod hole adjacent the neck may be reduced in the radial dimension. The shape of the hammer body may be varied, as disclosed and claimed, to further improve hammer strength, or reduce or maintain the weight of the hammer while increasing the amount of force delivered to the material to be comminuted.

Abstract: A hockey puck comprised of an annular member with a translucent member disposed interior to the annular member. The interface of the annular member and the translucent member is reflective. A light member is disposed in the translucent member to form a hockey puck having symmetrical contact surfaces. A plurality of raised nubs may be located on the first and second opposedly arranged surfaces (faces) of said annular member for playing on non-ice surfaces.

Abstract: A trailer having a front and a rear. The trailer includes a frame constructed to receive a bed and a hitch attached to the frame at the front of the trailer. A tube is pivotally connected to the frame between the front and the rear of the trailer. First and second support arms are connected to the tube. Each wheel support arm has an axle and a wheel located at its distal end. The trailer further includes means for rotating the tube. In one embodiment, the trailer has an inclining feature and a shoe for ground engagement. The shoe is located vertically below a central axis of the tube and longitudinally between the wheels and the front of the trailer. In a second embodiment, the trailer has an inclining and elevating feature. In this second embodiment, the hitch is pivotally connected to the front of the trailer and there is provided means for rotating the tube and rotating the hitch relative to one another to elevate, incline, or decline the bed.

Abstract: A powered hand tool comprising a pneumatic motor including a cylinder, a main body formed as a hollow tube member, a main body rear end being formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the main body being axially disposed for engagement with the pneumatic motor, a main body front end with an interior surface fitted for engagement with a lock nut, the pneumatic motor having a rotary shaft axially extending out of the main body front end wherein the diameter of the pneumatic motor is smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube member, an internal isolation layer composed of a vibration isolation material placed in the hollow tube member so that the vibration isolation material is engaged with and adjacent the ends of the hollow tube member and the pneumatic motor.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed and pictured herein illustrate a safety stand and jack for safety and easily positioning the load engaging portion of the jack directly against the frame of a heavy truck. Certain embodiments of the safety stand and jack employ an elongated support saddle that fits between the truck frame and suspension spring and distribute the load over a larger area at the bottom of the safety stand or jack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to be mounted upon a planter row unit for delivering liquid fertilizer to the bottom of a trench without contacting the seed to be planted is disclosed and claimed. The system as claimed and described is adapted for mounting to substantially all modern row units employing floating row units. The method and apparatus as described does not interfere with existing down pressure or seed placement systems as found on modern row crop planters. As described and implemented, the method and apparatus is more compact and lighter in weight than the prior art. The attached assembly for a seed planting unit works in combination with a seed trench opener to form a trench for the deposit of liquid fertilizer offset from and parallel to the later formed seed trench. The apparatus allows directed liquid fertilizer delivery in close proximity to the seed trench with minimal disruption of said seed trench. The attachment includes a single disk blade disposed forward of the seed trench forming unit.

Abstract: An improved free swinging hammer mill hammer design is disclosed and described for comminution of materials such as grain and refuse. The hammer design of the present art is adaptable to most hammer mill or grinders having free swinging systems. The improved hammermill hammer may incorporate multiple comminution edges for increased comminution efficiencies. The improved hammermill hammer may incorporate multiple comminution edges for having increased hardness for longer operational run times. The design as disclosed and claimed may be forged to increase the strength of the hammer. The shape of the hammer body may be varied, as disclosed and claimed, to improve the hammer strength reduce or maintain the weight of the hammer while increasing the amount of force delivered to the material to be comminuted. The improved design may also incorporate comminution edges having increased hardness for longer operational run times.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly is disclosed having a stator including a main body and axial and radial projections therefrom. The rotor is radially extended and encompasses the axial and radial projections from said stator. A passageway formed between the radial projection of stator and rotor results in an axial passageway having its opening facing rearwardly from the rotor and away from the source of impinging coolant and/or contaminant. A concentric circumferential receptor groove in the stator facing the housing allows insertion of conductive means for transmission of electrostatic charge away from the shaft through the shaft seal assembly to the housing and ground. The receptor groove is opposite the axial passageway and provides for both a substantially lower contaminant environment and improved engagement with conductive means.