Abstract: To prevent or minimize bridging of material to be dispersed within a containment vessel, a rotatable auger is positioned in close proximity to a curvilinear inner wall surface of the vessel. The auger has an axis that moves parallel to the curved wall surface in a manner such that the auger flights maintain a close working relationship relative to the curved wall surface as the auger is positioned for movement therealong. A spreader apparatus is positioned to receive material dispensed through the vessel outlet port to broadcast the dispensed material externally of the vessel.

Abstract: A hitch structure for mounting attachments to a vehicle such as a skid steer loader is disclosed herein. The hitch structure includes a universal, reversible hitch structure. The hitch structure includes a first end positioned opposite a second end, a fixed locking structure located adjacent each of the first end and the second end, the fixed locking structure constructed for receiving a toe end of an attachment carrier of a loader vehicle. The hitch structure also includes a removable locking structure with a slot for receiving a locking wedge positioned adjacent a heel end of the attachment carrier. The removable locking structure is removably engageable with the hitch structure alternatively adjacent either the first end or the second end of the hitch structure to form a clamping structure with the fixed locking structure located at the opposite end from the removable locking structure for mounting the attachment to the vehicle.

Abstract: A blade assembly includes a main body vertical blade portion and a pair of wings pivotally mounted at the ends of the main body. A hydraulic cylinder attached to each wing pivotally moves each wing relative to the main body, the cylinders being operatively connected in series. Each wing is configured to rotate through a range of rotation substantially equal that of the other wing but includes a different radius of rotation than the other wing.

Abstract: A hitch structure for mounting attachments to a vehicle such as a skid steer loader is disclosed herein. The hitch structure includes a universal, reversible hitch structure. The hitch structure includes a first end positioned opposite a second end, a fixed locking structure located adjacent each of the first end and the second end, the fixed locking structure constructed for receiving a toe end of an attachment carrier of a loader vehicle. The hitch structure also includes a removable locking structure with a slot for receiving a locking wedge positioned adjacent a heel end of the attachment carrier. The removable locking structure is removably engageable with the hitch structure alternatively adjacent either the first end or the second end of the hitch structure to form a clamping structure with the fixed locking structure located at the opposite end from the removable locking structure for mounting the attachment to the vehicle.

Abstract: A blade assembly and a vehicle including the blade assembly is disclosed. The blade assembly includes a main body vertical blade portion and a pair of wings pivotally mounted at the ends of the main body. A hydraulic cylinder attached to each wing pivotally moves each wing relative to the main body, the cylinders being operatively connected in series. Each wing is configured to rotate through a range of rotation substantially equal that of the other wing but includes a different radius of rotation than the other wing.

Abstract: To prevent or minimize bridging of material to be dispersed within a containment vessel, a rotatable auger is positioned in close proximity to a curvilinear inner wall surface of the vessel. The auger has an axis that moves parallel to the curved wall surface in a manner such that the auger flights maintain a close working relationship relative to the curved wall surface as the auger is positioned for movement therealong. A spreader apparatus is positioned to receive material dispensed through the vessel outlet port to broadcast the dispensed material externally of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently separating solids from liquid/solid slurries are disclosed. The slurry to be separated is retainably placed within a container having one or more lift paddles secured within its inner cavity. The container is supported for rotation about an axis and has drive means for slowly rotating the container. As the container rotates, the lift paddles lift a portion of the retained slurry, allowing the liquid portion to fall back into the primary slurry pool to be separated, and lifting coarse solids toward the top of the rotation path of the paddles. The separated solids slide by gravity from the lift paddles as they approach the top of their rotation paths and into a collection tray. A filter that rotates with the container filters fine solids from the liquid portion of the slurry and also deposits the fine solids on the collection tray. The filtered liquids can be readily pumped from or recirculated to the separator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently separating solids from liquid/solid slurries are disclosed. The slurry to be separated is retainably placed within a container having one or more lift paddles secured within its inner cavity. The container is supported for rotation about an axis and has drive means for slowly rotating the container. As the container rotates, the lift paddles lift a portion of the retained slurry, allowing the liquid portion to fall back into the primary slurry pool to be separated, and lifting the solids toward the top of the rotation path of the paddles. The separated solids slide by gravity off of the lift paddles as they approach the top of their rotation paths and into a collection hopper and transport means that carry them away from the container. The liquids returned to the primary retained slurry within the container assist in washing the slurry for facilitating solids separation without required increase in the retained slurry volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently separating solids from liquid/solid slurries are disclosed. The slurry to be separated is retainably placed within a container having one or more lift paddles secured within its inner cavity. The container is supported for rotation about an axis and has drive means for slowly rotating the container. As the container rotates, the lift paddles lift a portion of the retained slurry, allowing the liquid portion to fall back into the primary slurry pool to be separated, and lifting the solids toward the top of the rotation path of the paddles. The separated solids slide by gravity off of the lift paddles as they approach the top of their rotation paths and into a collection hopper and transport means that carry them away from the container. The liquids returned to the primary retained slurry within the container assist in washing the slurry for facilitating solids separation without required increase in the retained slurry volume.

Abstract: An improved towed apparatus for pumping and/or agitating manure slurries is disclosed. The apparatus, which is configured for energization by a tractor's hydraulics and power take-off system, includes an elongate conduit beam member flexible along a center section and extending from the towing vehicle to a distally mounted pump and/or agitator. The conduit can be controllably raised to extend over obstacles, and bent along its flexible section to accurately position the pump or agitator in the slurry to be pumped. Hydraulic steering means are provided for accurately maneuvering the apparatus by a tractor, and cooling means which uses the material being pumped as a heat sink are provided for cooling the hydraulic fluid that energizes the pump or agitator.

Abstract: An improved manure transfer system is disclosed. A collection hopper is located at a first location, preferably within a building, for collecting manure and animal waste products from the building. A piston pump apparatus directs and forces the collected manure through a pump cylinder into a below-grade transfer conduit that carries and deposits the manure through a discharge outlet located at a remote, second location. Means for bypassing the pump piston and cylinder are provided for accessing the transfer conduit enabling safe servicing and maintenance of the system. Isolation means are provided at the conduit discharge outlet for isolating the outlet from accumulated manure at the second location.

Abstract: A manure transfer and storage system (2, 102) includes a manure collection hopper (13) disposed at a first location for receiving manure. A pull pump is operatively mounted in the collection hopper (13) and includes a movable piston body (30, 130) which is cooperable with a cylinder (27) for pumping manure from the collection hopper (13) into cylinder (27). Cylinder (27) is connected to a manure transfer pipe (25, 26) for transferring manure to the second remote storage location. In the first embodiment, piston body (30) telescopically slides over cylinder (27) in a straight line motion. In another embodiment, the piston body (130) is pivotably mounted in collection hopper (13) for arcuate rotation about a pivot axis (134). Piston body (130) includes an arcuate manure confining surface (136) which engages the cylinder (27) only along a single line (144).

Abstract: A manure pump 2 includes a collection hopper 4 for collecting manure. A housing 20 attached to the collection hopper 4 has a pump cylinder 32 located therein. The discharge end 38 of the pump cylinder 32 has a one-way check valve 40. Housing 20 also includes a return path 60 which connects the discharge end 38 of pump cylinder 32 to collection hopper 4. When check valve 40 is jammed in a partially open position, the return path 60 is opened by removing a valve plate 68. Operation of pump piston 32 will recirculate the manure through the return path 60 back to the collection hopper 4 to clear the jammed check valve 40.