Abstract: In a type of manure spreader including an auger rotatably mounted in a tank and an expeller disposed adjacent an opening in the tank to discharge manure from the tank, a material breakup device is pivotally mounted on a sidewall of the tank. The material breakup device is movable toward the auger to break up manure that is bridged above the auger. In operation, the material breakup device moves between an upper position where it is adjacent a sidewall of the tank and a lower position where it is adjacent the auger.

Abstract: An improved support for the forward end portion of the wooden floor of a manure spreader is disclosed. The forward edge of the floor is enclosed by a channel-shaped cap portion which is in turn supported by an elongated brace member affixed at its ends to structural elements of the spreader. The cap portion may extend across the entire edge of the floor; however, its primary advantages may be obtained by making it substantially conterminous with the conveyor chain width.

Abstract: A manure spreader paddle attachment is disclosed wherein a flexible extension is attached to the trailing face of the manure spreader paddle. This extension covers the outer peripheral toothed edge of the paddle to provide a capability for the paddle to scoop up and discharge liquified material yet deflects when the paddle encounters tough pen-packed material to permit the teeth to engage, shred and discharge the more solidified material.

Abstract: An L-shaped elongated discharge edge is integrally formed on the tank wall of a flail-type material spreader thereby providing structural rigidity to the wall as well as serving as a mounting for a detachable wear absorbing plate. The wear absorbing plate is positioned on the elongated discharge edge with its inner portion inwardly of the sidewall of the tank such that the heads of the flails shall strike the wear plate as the flails elongate due to wear to thereby protect the spreader from structural damage.

Abstract: An improved paddle design for use on the beater mechanism of a manure spreader enables the spreader to satisfactoriloy handle a broader range of manure consistencies and to distribute the same over a more uniform and wide spread pattern. The paddle has a dished or cupped shape, is substantially symmetrical about its centerline, and includes a curved main body portion and integrally formed upper engaging and lower mounting portions. The upper portion has a curved shape similar to the main body portion and is inclined inwardly toward the axis of curvature of the main body portion, thus providing a concave working surface. The lower portion presents a planar surface for mounting the paddle on a beater shaft. The paddle, being symmetrical, can be used on either the left or right sides of a spreader.

Abstract: An improved beater mechanism for a manure spreader uniformly spreads and distributes a thin layer of shredded manure particles to the sides and the rear of the spreader over the ground in a wide spread coverage pattern, substantially greater in width than the width of the spreader. The mechanism comprises a main beater having saw-toothed paddles and being disposed in the rear end of the spreader with a wide spread distributor beater positioned upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in the path of the manure discharged by the main beater such that the discharged manure strikes the outer marginal edge portions of the distributor blades when the same are located in the upper forward quadrant of a cylindrical zone defined by the rotation of the distributor beater. Additionally, a third beater is provided having saw-toothed paddles which level the load of manure and assist the main beater in shredding the manure into smaller particles for distribution by the wide spread distributor beater.