Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for use in a stable such as a shed for dairy cattle is provided with a hopper and spreader for carrying and distributing a material such as sawdust or straw on the floor of a stable. The spreader components comprise a venturi-type meter for determining the rate that material is to be spread; a blower and an air compressor to provide air stream which entrains and carries the sawdust or straw to its distribution area; a distribution mouthpiece to provide for uniform spreading of the material; a detection device including a camera for determining the surface area to be covered; navigation apparatus for steering which also includes the camera; and a manure displacer which is carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attracting an animal to a predetermined place such as a milking stall or feeding stall wherein the animal so attracted undergoes a predetermined process that relates to the animal being milking or fed, or both. In order to attract the animal into the stall a previously defining climatic parameter is established artificially which will attract the animal to proceed voluntarily to the stall or another predetermined place where it undergoes a process such as being milked or fed or both. The artificial climate disclosed comprises wetting the animal with a water vapor and causing an air flow over the wetted area of the animal. During the process, the animal is monitored for signs of thermal stress and the wetting and cooling processes are discontinued before the end of the milking or feeding or both so that the animal will voluntarily depart from the stall or predetermined place after it has been milked or fed or both.

Abstract: With a vehicle comprising a motor (5) and at least one rotatable element (1, 2; 10) which follows the ground, at least one rotatable element (1, 2; 10) is connected to a steering mechanism for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle. The steering mechanism comprises means (11) for adjusting the momentary distance from the axis of rotation of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2; 1 0) to the ground or means for adjusting the momentary coefficient of friction of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2; 10). Thus, the vehicle has a simple steering mechanism.

Abstract: An implement for displacing crop lying on the ground comprising a rake having two rotatable motor-driven side-by-side rake wheels which form crop lying on the ground into a swath which is formed between them. Immediately behind the rake is a motor-drivable tedder comprising two rotatable tedder members which immediately spread the crop which was just formed into a swath over the ground. The raking members and the tedder members are supported on a frame which includes mechanisms to raise the raking members and the tedder members from a working position to a transport position and vice versa. The frame is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels which are disposed between the rake and the tedder members on opposite sides of the just formed swath. The tedder members are equipped with hook-shaped tines and are provided with an rpm-variator to govern the rpm of the tedder members. The working width of the rake is in a range of about three to four times wider than the working width of the tedder.

Abstract: With a vehicle comprising a motor (5; 12; 20, 21; 32, 33) and two rotatable elements (1, 2; 18, 19; 30, 31) which are in contact with the ground during travelling of the vehicle, the vehicle has two substantially parallel, once passed through contact tracks with the ground and each of the two rotatable elements (1, 2; 18, 19; 30, 31) is capable of being driven. Consequently, the vehicle is compact and has a simple steering mechanism.

Abstract: With a vehicle comprising a motor (5; 12; 20, 21; 32, 33) and at least one rotatable element (1, 2; 15; 18, 19; 30, 31) which follows the ground, for the purpose of propelling the vehicle, the motor (5; 12; 20, 21; 32, 33) is adapted for influencing the momentary position of the center of gravity of the vehicle relative to the ground in such a manner that the rotatable element (1, 2; 15; 18, 19; 30, 31) performs a rotation under the influence of gravitational force. The vehicle is compact and has a simple driving mechanism.

Abstract: With a vehicle comprising a motor (5; 12; 20, 21; 32, 33) and exactly two rotatable elements (1, 2; 15; 18, 19; 30, 31) which are in contact with the ground during travelling of the vehicle, the axes of rotation of the two rotatable elements (1, 2; 15; 18, 19; 30, 31) are situated substantially in one line or in one vertical plane, and the vehicle is provided with a frame (3; 11; 17; 29) which is suitable for fastening devices (26-28; 34-36) thereto. The vehicle is simple and compact.

Abstract: A control device for a cylinder (1) is provided with an entrance (4) which is connectable to a pressure source and with an exit (5) which is connectable to the cylinder (1) that is controllable by means of the pressure source. The device (2) comprises means (6 to 12) for defining an intermediate position, not being one of the end positions, in the stroke of the cylinder piston (3). Thus a large number of options for use and application possibilities for the cylinder (1) can be realized in a simple, compact and cheap manner.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for use in a stable such as a cowshed is provided with detection components for determining meteorological conditions. The detection components comprise sensors for determining temperature, air velocity, gas, analysis, light, air pressure, and air humidity. The detection sensors are disposed at different heights on the vehicle and on a telescopic carrier for providing determinations at variable altitudes. The vehicle includes a data processing unit for storing and analyzing data. The vehicle also includes a transmitting unit and signaling device for transfer of data and for alerting an operator of threatening meteorological conditions and when they become hostile. Composition and quantity of feed which is provided to animals in the stable is varied dependent on changes in climate detected by the vehicle.