Abstract: A material spreader that permits selective liquid treatment of particulate material from the same spreader bed. The spreader bed is comprised of a hopper, a plurality of chain belts, a liquid treatment system, and a mixing and drying assembly which delivers the treated particulate material to the spreaders. The chain belts can drive in a forward direction for liquid treating or an aft direction for no liquid treating. Selective bypass permits non-treated particulate material to be spread without contamination from the liquid treatment.

Abstract: A steerable subsurface probe for particulate materials broadly includes a plurality of elongated, helically flighted adjacent bodies, a frame supporting the bodies, a drive assembly, and a cable. The drive assembly is operably coupled with the bodies for selective rotation of the bodies in respective rotational directions and at respective rotational speeds so that the probe may enter a mass of said particulate materials and move beneath the surface of said mass. The cable is attached to the frame, with the end of the cable remote from the frame being at a control location outside of the mass.

Abstract: A planter implement (12) includes one or more row units (10) equipped with a furrowing assembly (22), a seed/fertilizer assembly (24), and a furrow-closing assembly (26). The unit (10) is equipped with a pair of right- and left-hand crimper wheels (30) respectively mounted on opposite sides of the furrowing assembly (22). Each crimper wheel (30) has a pair of support rims (52, 54) with a series of elongated bar elements (56) extending between and secured to the rims (52, 54). The bar elements (56) extend beyond the outer periphery of the rims (52, 54) in order to crimp surface crops as the row units (10) pass over a field; the bar elements (56) are oriented to direct material outwardly from each wheel (30) in order to prevent clogging thereof. The crimper wheels (30) are adjustably mounted on the row units (10) and serve as gauge wheels for the units (10).

Abstract: Coating apparatus (20) includes a pair of juxtaposed bodies (22, 24, 112, 114, 112a, 114a, 138, 140) defining a nip region (30, 126, 126a, 150) therebetween, with each presenting a periphery (26, 28, 116, 118, 116a, 118a, 144, 146) and being rotatable in opposite directions, respectively. The peripheries (26, 28, 116, 118, 116a, 118a, 144, 146) of the bodies (22, 24, 112, 114, 112a, 114a, 138, 140) are provided with a series of indentations (32, 120, 120a, 148). Liquid coating material is directed onto the bodies (22, 24, 112, 114, 112a, 114a, 138, 140) through an outlet (100, 110, 158) during rotation of the bodies (22, 24, 112, 114, 112a, 114a, 138, 140). This generates an adjustable spray or fog flow pattern (108) for effective coating of a substrate.