Abstract: A scraper blade is provided with depth control disks that are formed with a narrow peripheral circumference that cuts through the accumulated chicken litter on the floor of the poultry house to engage the surface of the floor and establish a uniform residual layer of chicken litter over the floor. The depth control disks are mounted for swivel movement to accommodate changes in direction of travel of the scraper blade, and are vertically adjustable to provide a height adjustment to select the thickness of the residual layer of chicken litter left on the floor of the poultry house by the scraper blade. The scraper blade is pivotal about a central pivot to enable displacement of the chicken litter to a selected side of the scraper blade. The pivotal movement is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A blower apparatus is supported on a frame detachably mounted on the implement mounting plate for a skid steer loader. The blower is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader. The blower is mounted on the frame in a manner that orients the discharge spout upwardly to be directed at elevated structure within the chicken house. Re-orientation of the air stream from the blower can be affected by manipulating the tilt position of the implement mounting plate and by raising the boom arms of the skid steer loader to elevate the blower apparatus. By properly positioning and orienting the discharged air stream from the blower apparatus, the dirt and debris in elevated structure of the chicken house can be dislodged and removed from the chicken house to improve the health and environment for a subsequent flock of birds installed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the level of feed present within a bulk feed storage tank allows the empty volume of the storage tank above the level of feed to be estimated in order to evaluate the need to order new supplies of feed to be placed within the storage tank. The apparatus includes a slide mechanism having a slide block moveable within a vertically oriented slide tube. A rope entrained around a pulley is attached to the slide block to power movement of the slide block upwardly. A striker member is connected to the slide block and positioned externally of the slide tube. A second rope is attached to the striker member to permit selective actuation thereof to strike the exterior side of the storage tank. The pitch of the reverberation from the striking of the striker member provides an indication of the level of feed within the storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the level of feed present within a bulk feed storage tank allows the empty volume of the storage tank above the level of feed to be estimated in order to evaluate the need to order new supplies of feed to be placed within the storage tank. The apparatus includes a slide mechanism having a slide block moveable within a vertically oriented slide tube. A rope entrained around a pulley is attached to the slide block to power movement of the slide block upwardly. A striker member is connected to the slide block and positioned externally of the slide tube. A second rope is attached to the striker member to permit selective actuation thereof to strike the exterior side of the storage tank. The pitch of the reverberation from the striking of the striker member provides an indication of the level of feed within the storage tank.

Abstract: A blower apparatus is supported on a frame detachably mounted on the implement mounting plate for a skid steer loader. The blower is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader. The blower is mounted on the frame in a manner that orients the discharge spout upwardly to be directed at elevated structure within the chicken house. Re-orientation of the air stream from the blower can be affected by manipulating the tilt position of the implement mounting plate and by raising the boom arms of the skid steer loader to elevate the blower apparatus. By properly positioning and orienting the discharged air stream from the blower apparatus, the dirt and debris in elevated structure of the chicken house can be dislodged and removed from the chicken house to improve the health and environment for a subsequent flock of birds installed therein.