Abstract: An air volume control valve apparatus is provided for use with a water system pressure tank. The apparatus includes an elongated tube that is supported on the tank with a first end exposed to an area exterior of the tank and a second end within the tank. A valve is provided for controlling the volume of air in the tank. The valve includes an elongated, buoyant float member having a first axial end supported for pivoting movement on the tube about a pivot axis extending in a direction transverse to the length of the tube, and a second free end opposite the first end. As the water level rises in the tank beyond a predetermined level, the float member is lifted on the water to an upper pivoted position in which the second end of the tube is closed off, and when the water level drops beneath the predetermined level, the float member pivots away from the upper position and the second end of the tube is uncovered.

Abstract: Jack for elongated cylindrical tanks, such as propane tanks, including a jack housing, a jack actuator tube coming out of the jack housing, and an elongated jack foot at a right angle to the jack actuator tube. The jack channel includes a tank support affixed to the jack channel and opposing chain plates at right angles to the tank support including keyhole slots for holding chain links. Two chains including hooks and chafe protectors secure to feet of a cylindrical tank, and each free end of the chain secures through the key hole slot. A jack handle actuates and extends the elongated jack foot downwardly thereby carrying and raising the tank resting on pads on the tank support, as well as the jack housing upwardly in an opposite direction to the actuation of the elongated jack foot.

Abstract: Rotary chute for a spreader where the chute is rotationally adjustable about a spinner axis of a spreader where at any rotational position selected for the chute, the overall geometric relationship of the spinner and chute are geometrically symmetrical. The rotary chute spreads dry material such as fertilizer, lime, salt or the like onto a spinner of the spreader, the spinner including a conical spinner cone mounted on a spinner disc, and a plurality of spinner vanes, the spinner vanes being channeled members. The first rotary chute is for a pull-mounted configuration including a configured baffle and vane configuration internal to an inner ring which rotates within an outer ring. A handle is provided for rotating the inner ring within the outer ring including a direction pointer and directional plate indicating the angular degree of the path of spread material.

Abstract: Adjustable vane rear chute for use with a dry material spreader including an inversely mounted rear chute with respect to a spinner disc, the rear chute including a plurality of adjustable vanes with respect to a central axis of the spinner disc. The adjustable vanes include a left vane and a right vane connected to a left handle and a right handle rod which are rotatably positioned about the base of the chute providing for predetermined spread of material. The rotational orientation function of the adjustable vane rear chute is a function of the conveyor drive shaft rpm, the cubic feet of material discharge per conveyor drive shaft revolution per inch of feedgate opening, and feedgate opening. The adjustable vane rear chute includes at least one adjustable vane and in this instance two adjustable vanes which are rotatably adjustable for each vane over a plurality of predetermined points, resulting in a correct pattern distribution of spread material.

Abstract: A sleeve bearing and filter for reducing the wear on a submersible electric pump used to pump fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand. The sleeve bearing receives the upper end of the pump shaft and is equipped with a sintered bronze filter element which restricts the flow of abrasives between the shaft and bearing while permitting sufficient fluid flow for lubrication purposes.

Abstract: A trailer-type vehicle for transporting and dispensing solid materials over the ground includes a self-contained, hydraulic power and control system driven by one of the vehicle's ground engaging wheels which operates a first dispensing mechanism at a selectable speed proportional to the vehicle's rate of travel over the ground, but operates a second dispensing mechanism at a constant speed regardless of the vehicle's rate of travel. A single hydraulic motor driven by a selectively engageable drive train connected with one of the vehicle's wheels is novelly employed as a hydraulic pump for delivering a force transmitting fluid through a pair of control valves to a pair of hydraulic motors respectively powering the dispensing mechanisms. One of the control valves includes provision for selectively adjusting the flow rate to the associated hydraulic motor thereby allowing adjustment of the volume of material being dispensed per area of ground covered by the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanical cam-type apparatus is provided for ensuring even application of agricultural products or the like onto a field or the like from a moving vehicle notwithstanding variations from time to time in the ground speed of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed, yieldably biased-together cam members respectively coupled to the vehicle and spreading apparatus and separably rotatable in accordance with vehicle speed and the operational speed of the spreader; the cams are cooperatively configured and mounted for relative shifting movement caused by differences in the respective rotational speeds thereof, and means coupled between the cams and spreader motor is provided for variably operating the latter in response to the extent of cam shifting in order to automatically regulate spreader output in accordance with vehicle speed.