Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids from a settling pit or tank is disclosed which comprises a horizontal collector section that rests at the bottom of the tank and an attached vertical conveyor or elevator section having an upper, discharge end above the tank. Carrier means is employed for conveying settled solids across the floor of the collector section and upwardly within the elevator section for discharge into a receiving container located outside the tank. The collector section includes a distributor means whereby settling solids are distributed over the floor thereof at a desired rate, thereby preventing overloading of the carrier means during peak or slug loading conditions so that removal of solids from the tank at a desired rate remains smooth and unhampered.

Abstract: In a power and free conveyor system which comprises a train of free trolleys including a leading trolley and one or more following trolleys, one of the following trolleys is provided with a transfer dog that remains fully retracted within the trolley track and out of contact therewith until conveying of the train is to be transferred from a first to a second powered conveying chain. To initiate the transfer, a power dog on the first chain disengages from a drive dog on the leading trolley, and the transfer dog is raised out of the following trolley for engagement with another power dog on the first chain. Engagement of the transfer dog with the power dog is maintained preferably throughout the transfer area until the leading trolley is adjacent to the second conveyor chain for engagement of a power dog thereon with the drive dog of the leading trolley.