Abstract: A debris dispersal system for use with a vehicle comprises a blower assembly, a nozzle assembly, and first and second discharge conduits. The blower assembly is supported on a frame having at least one rolling support and includes an engine drivingly connected to a blower having a radial housing. The nozzle assembly includes at least one elongate nozzle, wherein each nozzle has at least one discharge opening configured to direct air downwards from the nozzle. The first and second discharge conduits each have a proximal end connected to the blower and a distal end connected to the nozzle assembly in spaced relation.

Abstract: A slope mower includes a mower body, drive wheels, left and right mower decks and left and right support wheels mounted on support arms pivotally mounted to the mower body with hydraulic actuators acting on the left and right support arms to maintain the mower body vertical. An inclinometer measures the tilt angle of the mower body and a controller reads the angle and controls a leveling valve to supply hydraulic fluid from a supply line to the leveling actuator toward which the inclinometer indicates the mower body is leaning to move the mower body back to vertical. The system can be programmed to actuate a leveling actuator only when the detected tilt angle exceeds a minimum angle. Lockout valves can be actuated by the controller to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from both actuators if a maximum allowed tilt angle is exceeded.

Abstract: A turf sweeper includes a hopper mounted on a frame. A debris loading duct mounted on the frame includes an intake opening supported in closely spaced relation above the ground and a discharge opening at a discharge end communicating with a hopper inlet. A broom is rotatably mounted within an intake section of the debris loading duct proximate and across the intake opening. A paddle rotor, having a plurality of paddles outwardly projecting paddles is rotatably mounted within and across a transfer section of the debris loading duct with a path of rotation of tips of the paddles extending in closely spaced relation to a path of rotation of tips of the pick-up members of the pick-up head. A return air duct flow connects a return air outlet to the hopper with a return air opening through the transfer section of the debris loading duct.

Abstract: A turf sweeper includes a hopper mounted on a frame. A debris loading duct mounted on the frame includes an intake opening supported in closely spaced relation above the ground and a discharge opening at a discharge end communicating with a hopper inlet. A broom is rotatably mounted within an intake section of the debris loading duct proximate and across the intake opening. A paddle rotor, having a plurality of paddles outwardly projecting paddles is rotatably mounted within and across a transfer section of the debris loading duct with a path of rotation of tips of the paddles extending in closely spaced relation to a path of rotation of tips of the pick-up members of the pick-up head. A return air duct flow connects a return air outlet to the hopper with a return air opening through the transfer section of the debris loading duct.

Abstract: A debris loader for comminuting or collecting leaves and debris comprises a vacuum tube connected to an intake assembly which connects to a blower housing. The blower housing contains a rotating impeller which creates suction through the vacuum tube and intake assembly drawing in leaves and debris. The leaves and debris are then discharged from the blower housing through a discharge opening or conduit. The intake assembly includes a cylindrical collar, to which a vacuum tube is attached, and a conical section which is connected to the blower housing. The diameter of the conical section expands from its connection with the cylindrical collar toward the blower housing. In a preferred embodiment the conical section is angled downward relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller and preferably at an angle of approximately thirty degrees.

Abstract: A pelletized feed distributor includes a hopper having an auger positioned at the bottom thereof for moving feed in the hopper toward a discharge opening. A discharge door selectively closes the discharge opening. A door linkage connected between the auger and the discharge door cyclically opens and closes the door.

Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Abstract: A debris loader for comminuting or collecting leaves and debris comprises a vacuum tube connected to an intake assembly which connects to a blower housing. The blower housing contains a rotating impeller which creates suction through the vacuum tube and intake assembly drawing in leaves and debris. The leaves and debris are then discharged from the blower housing through a discharge opening or conduit. The intake assembly includes a cylindrical collar, to which a vacuum tube is attached, and a conical section which is connected to the blower housing. The diameter of the conical section expands from its connection with the cylindrical collar toward the blower housing. In a preferred embodiment the conical section is angled downward relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller and preferably at an angle of approximately thirty degrees.

Abstract: A pelletized feed distributor includes a hopper having an auger positioned at the bottom thereof for moving feed in the hopper toward a discharge opening. A discharge door selectively closes the discharge opening. A door linkage connected between the auger and the discharge door cyclically opens and closes the door.

Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are pivotable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are pivotable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper includes a blower for pulling debris in a stream of air through a vacuum duct, past the blower, out a blower discharge duct and into a hopper. Debris settles to the bottom of the hopper and the air exits the hopper through a return air duct having a discharge opening. The discharge opening is positioned near a vacuum nozzle inlet of the vacuum duct such that dust and debris in the return air stream is pulled back into the vacuum duct. The air discharge opening and the return air duct are sized to be larger than the vacuum nozzle inlet. The speed of the air exiting the discharge opening is thereby reduced increasing the percentage of the return air pulled back through the vacuum nozzle inlet instead of being blown out of the vacuum chamber and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A telescoping gripping and lift assembly for use with a flat bed truck or the like includes a pair of gripper arms, each of which is attached to a transverse lift housing which, in turn, is pivotably attached to the rear of the flat bed. Each of the gripper arms is telescopically extendable relative to a respective opposing end of the lift housing between grip and release positions via a pressure equalizing gripping piston & cylinder unit positioned within the lift housing. In addition, each of the gripper arms is a two part construction with an outer sleeve encompassing an inner sleeve and with a respective hydraulic telescoping cylinder selectively extending and retracting the larger outer sleeve relative to the smaller inner sleeve.

Abstract: A round bale cutter has an open bale loading side and a cut hay exhaust side with a bale receiving area on a floor in between. The cutter includes a housing with a gap on the hay exhaust side extending the length of the machine just above the floor and a hay reprocessing chamber attached to housing and extending outward and downward from the gap. A rotary cutter drum equipped with knives about its periphery is supported on a drive shaft which extends from end to end of the housing, with the cutter drum being positioned in the gap in contact with a hay bale in the bale receiving area. The hay bale is initially cut by the drum, propelling cut hay strands into the hay reprocessing chamber where they circulate long enough to hit the rotary drum knives again. The twice cut strands, which are small enough to be used in feed mixing operations, are then expelled through an exhaust side opening in the hay reprocessing chamber.