Abstract: A mortar mixing apparatus includes a screw conveyor disposed below the bottom of a mixing container in which a selectively operable agitator is located. An elongate opening in the bottom of the mixing container is open into the housing of the screw conveyor so that mixed mortar may flow into the screw conveyor. The screw conveyor may be rotated in a reverse direction to force materials upward into the mixing container, or it may be operated in a forward direction to convey mortar away from the mixing container. The agitator and the screw conveyor are independently driven by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A substance holding and heating apparatus for preventing sand and water from freezing. The substance holding and heating apparatus includes a rectangular base member which is essentially a housing, and also includes a substance holding member having side walls and being securely disposed upon the housing and extending upwardly therefrom, and further includes a lid member having a top wall and side walls extending downwardly from the edges of the top wall and further having a handle member securely attached to an exterior of the top wall with the lid member being closeable over the open top of the substance holding member, and also includes a heating element diposed inside the housing and beneath the substance holding member, a switch member connected to the heating element, and a power cord connected to the switch member and being adapted to plug into a power source.