Abstract: A cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). Also described is a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to a cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). The invention further includes a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).

Abstract: A rotary milking station for milking, which includes a base having a circular path disposed about a given center. The rotary milking station also includes a driving assembly operatively mountable onto the base so as to be disposed about the circular path of the base. The rotary milking station also includes a carrousel operatively mountable onto the driving assembly, the carrousel being made out of sectional segments, each sectional segment having a lower protruding vertical portion and a pair of flange portions each projecting from a corresponding side of the vertical portion, the sectional segments being interconnected to another so as to define the carrousel, the vertical portions of the sectional segments being positioned, shaped and sized so as to be disposed along the circular path of the base and for cooperating with the driving assembly to enable the carrousel to be rotatably moveable with respect to the base.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for producing biogas (16) from biomass (14). The system (10) includes a digestion reservoir (20) having a path defined by passageways (32) along which biomass (14) is conveyed and digested, the digestion reservoir (20) being configured for containing biogas (16) generated from a digestion of biomass (14) along the path. The system (10) also includes at least one mixing assembly (40) located along the path, each mixing assembly (40) being operatively connected between different passageway segments of the path so as to be able to selectively mix given biomass (14) from one segment to another, in order to increase overall production of biogas (16) along the path.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). The invention further includes a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).

Abstract: A rotary milking station for milking, which includes a base having a circular path disposed about a given center. The rotary milking station also includes a driving assembly operatively mountable onto the base so as to be disposed about the circular path of the base. The rotary milking station also includes a carrousel operatively mountable onto the driving assembly, the carrousel being made out of sectional segments, each sectional segment having a lower protruding vertical portion and a pair of flange portions each projecting from a corresponding side of the vertical portion, the sectional segments being interconnected to another so as to define the carrousel, the vertical portions of the sectional segments being positioned, shaped and sized so as to be disposed along the circular path of the base and for cooperating with the driving assembly to enable the carrousel to be rotatably moveable with respect to the base.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system (1) for growing produce (3) in greenhouses. The system (1) includes at least one greenhouse (5) for housing the produce (3) to be grown, the at least one greenhouse (5) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving direct sun rays (7d). The system (1) also includes at least one reflector assembly (11) proximate to the at least one greenhouse (5) and being positioned, shaped and sized for redirecting indirect sun rays (7i) by-passing the least one greenhouse (5), towards at least one targeted area (13) within the at least one greenhouse (5), so as to provide said at least one greenhouse (5) with assisted complementary solar energy.

Abstract: A rotary milking station (1) for milking cows and the like, the rotary milking station (1) including a base (3) having a circular path (5) disposed about a given center (7). The rotary milking station (1) also includes a driving assembly (9) operatively mountable onto the base (3) so as to be disposed about the circular path (5) of the base (3).

Abstract: A liquid separating drum (1) for use with a separator (3) in order to separate liquid material (11a) from solid material (11b) in a mixture material (11) to be processed. The liquid separating drum (1) includes an elongated main body (5) having a longitudinal axis (7), the main body (5) being removably mountable about a base frame (9) of the separator (3) so as to be rotatable with respect thereto, the main body (5) having an inlet (5a) for receiving the mixture material (11) to be processed, and an outlet (5b) for releasing processed material.

Abstract: A modular pump assembly for pumping a viscous liquid, such as liquid manure. The viscous liquid is conveyed under pressure from an admission line to an evacuation line. The assembly has a base between the admission and evacuation lines. The base receives and conveys the liquid manure. The base can also be partitioned into separate sections 14 or chambers, thereby increasing pumping capacity and efficiency. At least one pump is vertically mounted to the base, and operates in a receiving configuration for receiving the liquid manure, and a pumping configuration for pumping the liquid manure. The inlet and out of the base are adjacent or coterminous with either another pump's inlet and outlet, or with another assembly, thereby allowing a pressurized flow of liquid manure through multiples pumps and/or assemblies arranged in series.

Abstract: A liquid separating device (1) for processing a mixture material (3) containing both solid and liquid materials (3a,3b), in order to separate liquid material (3b) from the solid material (3a), the liquid separating device (1) includes a support frame (5), a series of liquid separation assemblies (7a,7b) and a corresponding guiding assembly (19) between each pair of liquid separation assemblies (7). The liquid separation assemblies (7) are disposed about the support frame (5) in a cascading configuration, and the passage (13) of each liquid separation assembly (7) is narrower in width than the passage of a preceding liquid separation assembly (7) so that each subsequent liquid separation assembly (7b) is enabled to extract more liquid material via an increased wringing pressure resulting from a thickening of the remaining mixture material (3) to be processed and the narrower subsequent passage (13b) through which it is channeled and pressed.

Abstract: A liquid separating drum (1) for use with a separator (3) in order to separate liquid material (11a) from solid material (11b) in a mixture material (11) to be processed. The liquid separating drum (1) includes an elongated main body (5) having a longitudinal axis (7), the main body (5) being removably mountable about a base frame (9) of the separator (3) so as to be rotatable with respect thereto, the main body (5) having an inlet (5a) for receiving the mixture material (11) to be processed, and an outlet (5b) for releasing processed material.

Abstract: A rotary milking station (1) for milking cows and the like, the rotary milking station (1) including a base (3) having a circular path (5) disposed about a given center (7). The rotary milking station (1) also includes a driving assembly (9) operatively mountable onto the base (3) so as to be disposed about the circular path (5) of the base (3).

Abstract: A liquid separating device (1) for processing a mixture material (3) containing both solid and liquid materials (3a,3b), in order to separate liquid material (3b) from the solid material (3a), the liquid separating device (1) includes a support frame (5), a series of liquid separation assemblies (7a,7b) and a corresponding guiding assembly (19) between each pair of liquid separation assemblies (7). The liquid separation assemblies (7) are disposed about the support frame (5) in a cascading configuration, and the passage (13) of each liquid separation assembly (7) is narrower in width than the passage of a preceding liquid separation assembly (7) so that each subsequent liquid separation assembly (7b) is enabled to extract more liquid material via an increased wringing pressure resulting from a thickening of the remaining mixture material (3) to be processed and the narrower subsequent passage (13b) through which it is channeled and pressed.

Abstract: This invention provides a tire for agricultural vehicles that employs a tread design having a flattened contact surface across the width and a plurality of curved lugs that alternately extend from each sidewall to a location nearly adjacent to the opposing side wall. Each lug curves so that a central section at the center of the tire width is located on the surface ahead on the circumference of adjoining sections of the lug that extend toward each of the opposing sidewalls. In this manner, each lug appears to have a curved “banana” shape that extends across the width of the tire contact surface in a generally axial alignment. The grooves between lugs extend generally axially across the width, as a result. They are narrowed, having a circumferential width that is between approximately 20% and 30% of the average circumferential width of a lug. This geometry places more lug surface in contact with the road for better handling and longer tread life and provides less groove space to retain mud and detritus.

Abstract: This invention provides a tire for agricultural vehicles that employs a tread design having a flattened contact surface across the width and a plurality of curved lugs that alternately extend from each sidewall to a location nearly adjacent to the opposing side wall. Each lug curves so that a central section at the center of the tire width is located on the surface ahead on the circumference of adjoining sections of the lug that extend toward each of the opposing sidewalls. In this manner, each lug appears to have a curved “banana” shape that extends across the width of the tire contact surface in a generally axial alignment. The grooves between lugs extend generally axially across the width, as a result. They are narrowed, having a circumferential width that is between approximately 20% and 30% of the average circumferential width of a lug. This geometry places more lug surface in contact with the road for better handling and longer tread life and provides less groove space to retain mud and detritus.

Abstract: A liquid manure spreading tool bar for use on a manure spreader, wherein the manure spreader has a tank and a pump, and wherein the spreading tool bar has a supporting frame externally mounted onto the tank, a manure distributor mounted onto the supporting frame, a vertically extending telescopic conduit made of a rigid material, and at least one manure discharging pipes connected to a corresponding outlet of the manure distributor. The supporting frame is movable in an up and down position with respect to the tank. Each of the manure discharging pipes is made of a rigid material and is vertically movable together with the frame and the manure distributor. The telescopic conduit has one end connected to the manure distributor while the other end is connected to the pump so as to feed the manure pumped from the tank to the manure distributor. In as much as the telescopic conduit and discharging pipes are not flexible, they cannot break.

Abstract: A liquid manure spreading tool bar for use on a manure spreader, wherein the manure spreader has a tank and a pump, and wherein the spreading tool bar has a supporting frame externally mounted onto the tank, a manure distributor mounted onto the supporting frame, a vertically extending telescopic conduit made of a rigid material, and at least one manure discharging pipes connected to a corresponding outlet of the manure distributor. The supporting frame is movable in an up and down position with respect to the tank. Each of the manure discharging pipes is made of a rigid material and is vertically movable together with the frame and the manure distributor. The telescopic conduit has one end connected to the manure distributor while the other end is connected to the pump so as to feed the manure pumped from the tank to the manure distributor. In as much as the telescopic conduit and discharging pipes are not flexible, they cannot break.

Abstract: An automatic, hydraulically-operated steering assembly for a towed vehicle is disclosed. Each set of steerable ground-engaging wheels of this towed vehicle is steered by a double action piston fed by a pair of hydraulic hoses connected to a control valve actuated by a pivotal device and a control rod. A bypass is provided between the two hydraulic hoses to allow the hydraulic pressure to slowly equilibrate in the two hoses and thus allow the wheels to return in their straight line position when the source of pressurized fluid is normally disengaged or in the case of a failure of the hydraulic system. Advantageously, the valve is controlled by a push-pull cable having one end attached to one wheel and another end to the valve. The towed vehicle may comprise one or more sets of steerable wheels. In the latter case, the front and rear sets of wheels are adapted to pivot in either direction, the middle set being non-pivotal.