Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus provides continuous flow of feed to an elongated bunk utilizing a traveling hopper supported for movement along rails on an elongated frame over the bunk. The hopper includes a gate extending substantially along the full length of the bottom opening of the hopper for bulk dumping of the feed when the hopper is over one of the two dumping stations adjacent the two ends. The gate is actuated during opening and closing so as to travel along a sliding path to assure efficient delivery of the feed with a clean cut-off. Preferably, the gate moves at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the hopper and along an arc defined by pivotal support links. Cam wheels adjacent the ends of the hopper engage ramps for opening and closing the gate as the gate moves along an arcuate path defined by the parallelogram linkage. In the preferred embodiment, the wheels drop off the top of the ramps providing sudden release for rapid and secure closing of the gate. A 20.degree.

Abstract: A hook line includes a hook portion and a link portion contained in two different planes substantially perpendicular to one another. A projection tip is provided on a distal end of the hook portion to provide secure locking action between adjacent hook links; the normal clearance between the tip and the connected link portion being insufficient to allow coupling/uncoupling action. A tip receiving groove extends substantially laterally across the elongated ring forming the link portion. The ring defines a longitudinal slot for receipt of said hook portion. The groove of one hook link receives the projection tip of an adjacent hook link to allow coupling/uncoupling action. In the preferred embodiment, the groove extends along an arc between a transverse midline of said longitudinal slot and an end of said longitudinal slot opposite said hook portion. The groove and tip structure substantially eliminates uncoupling during normal conveyor operation even when subjected to incidental slackening.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a feeder for livestock which is simple and easy to assemble at the site of use and which is compact for shipment. The feeder 10 includes a center section 42, a drive shaft 106 and drive shaft support 44 and an idler shaft 64 and idler shaft support 40. The center section 42 has a plurality of reversible and identical side panel members 150 and 152 formed from flat pieces of sheet metal. Each side panel member 150 or 152 has a tapered bed support ledge 154 and an endless conveyor chain return run support ledge 158. A spacer bracket assembly 166 with two generally vertical side sections 170 has two side panel members 150 or 152 secured to each side section 170. The drive shaft support 44 is attached to one end of the center section 42 and the idler shaft support 40 is attached to the other end of the center section 42. A tapered bed is secured to the tapered bed support ledges.

Abstract: A manure transfer pump with a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, a connecting rod connected to a mid section of the piston and a gate assembly pivotally mounted inside the piston between the axis of the connecting rod connection and the rod end of the piston. In operation, the gate assembly swings open during a return stroke and allows manure to pass through the piston. On a pumping stroke, the gate assembly closes and manure is forced out the discharge end of the cylinder and sucked in the inlet end at the same time.