Abstract: Auger cleaned inaccessible floor systems to maximize operational capacity of inaccessible floors. The auger cleaned inaccessible floor system includes a floor having at least one channel beneath the lowest point of the floor extending horizontally at least half the length of the longest dimension of the floor and adapted for receiving an auger cleaner, at least one gate complex that provides fluid communication between the channel and at least one box and further provides access to the floor for the auger cleaner, and at least one box to deliver the auger cleaner to the channel and adapted for equalizing pressure when the inaccessible floor is under water to deliver an auger cleaner for cleaning. Thus, the auger cleaned inaccessible floor system allows cleaning of the inaccessible floor while the inaccessible floor system is in operation increasing the yield from the inaccessible floor system.

Abstract: Auger cleaned inaccessible floor systems to maximize operational capacity of inaccessible floors. The auger cleaned inaccessible floor system includes a floor having at least one channel beneath the lowest point of the floor extending horizontally at least half the length of the longest dimension of the floor and adapted for receiving an auger cleaner, at least one gate complex that provides fluid communication between the channel and at least one box and further provides access to the floor for the auger cleaner, and at least one box to deliver the auger cleaner to the channel and adapted for equalizing pressure when the inaccessible floor is under water to deliver an auger cleaner for cleaning. Thus, the auger cleaned inaccessible floor system allows cleaning of the inaccessible floor while the inaccessible floor system is in operation increasing the yield from the inaccessible floor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shed with a defecation region, a rest region, a feeding region and an activity region. The floor of the defecation region is formed by the upper run of a conveyor belt, through which urine that is produced can pass. A collecting trough for the urine is arranged under the upper run of the conveyor belt, from which collecting trough the urine is guided away and directed into a urine collection container outside the shed. An excrement scraper is disposed proximate the conveyor belt in the region of the rear deflection thereof. The excrement scraper, during the forward movement of the conveyor belt, scrapes the excrement on the conveyor belt off onto a discharge conveyor belt, in such a way that a separation of excrement and urine takes place.

Abstract: An aviary that includes a system and method for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.

Abstract: An aviary includes a cage and a resilient platform coupled to the cage. The resilient platform is resilient such that movement of a bird on the resilient platform causes the resilient platform to flex and then rebound to loosen a deposit from the resilient platform but not permit the deposit to pass through the resilient platform.

Abstract: Floor for animals such as cattle, comprising a base structure and a top layer, wherein the top layer is permeable to fluid portions of animal faeces and/or animal urine, but impermeable to solid parts of the animal faeces, wherein the base structure comprises voids for receiving said fluid portions and/or urine passing through the top layer, wherein the base structure comprises an array base elements forming a substantially continuous deck supporting the top layer, wherein the deck is arranged for passing said fluids into internal volumes of the base elements forming said voids, the internal volumes of at least a number of said base elements being in fluid communication with each other, preferably such that fluids received in said internal volumes can be removed from the base elements by flow through said internal volumes.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting sand including a transportation element for moving the sand, and a drive subassembly for moving the transportation element on a predetermined path. The drive subassembly includes a sprocket driven by a motor for moving the transportation element along the predetermined path, and a floating idler wheel supportable by the transportation element and positioned on the predetermined path downstream from the sprocket. The floating idler wheel is movable between an upper location and a lower location, depending on the tension to which the transportation element is subjected. The drive subassembly also includes a limit switch activatable upon the floating idler wheel moving to the lower location. Upon activation, the limit switch transmits a signal to a motor switch to de-energize the motor.

Abstract: The apparatus is a tender that removes horse manure from pastures and paddocks by collecting stools of manure, grinding the manure and returning it back to the pasture as fertilizer. The tender can also process collected manure, moving it and distributing it to locations needing biomass. The tender is a specialized sled, which can be towed by small vehicle, such as a golf cart. When towed through a pasture, the tender scrapes up the horse manure, grinds it into small granules without hurting the grass, and then spreads it over a wide elongate area, utilizing a unique knife and a partitioned mesh in a structural frame. The tender has a removable bed liner for that retains some or all materials, such as collected manure, for transporting the materials, where it can be dumped or be distributed as a granular biomass.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting sand that is moved outwardly, from a lower end of an enclosure region in at least one animal stall toward a gutter, to a discharge location. The conveyor system includes a conveyor assembly having a transportation element for moving the sand, a drive subassembly for moving the transportation element on a predetermined path, and one or more guide subassemblies, for guiding the transportation element. The conveyor system also includes one or more support assemblies for at least partially defining a slot in the preselected region in which a part of the transportation element is receivable, for receiving at least a portion of the sand, and one or more grates located at least partially above the part of the transportation element positioned in the preselected region, through which the portion of the sand is permitted to pass.

Abstract: Animal keeping installation comprising a floor (11) provided with a mat (12) on which the animal treads when setting foot on the floor (11) and which mat (12) is arranged to be intermittently propelled by a drive roll (13) placed internally in relation to the mat (12), wherein the drive roll (13) is connected to and mounted in bearing journals (15) for rotation about its center axis in a pendulum (14) which allows the drive roll (13), on the one hand, to bear against the inner side of the mat (12) and, on the other hand, to be released from the said bearing contact in dependence on the position of the pendulum (14), and wherein the drive roll (13) is connected to a drive member (18, 19, 51, 62) for driving the roll (13) at least into a position where the drive roll (13) bears against the mat (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a scraping device (14) for removing objects from a floor surface (1c) of a rotary milking platform (1). The scraping device (14) includes a scraper (18) configured to come into contact with and move an object on the floor surface (1c) of the rotary milking platform (1) during rotation, and a suspension device selectively supporting the scraper (18). The suspension device selectively supports the scraper (18) in each of i) a first position adjacent to the floor surface (1c) of the rotary milking platform (1) and ii) a second position in which the scraper (18) is pressed against the floor surface (1c) with a first force. The suspension device is configured to move the scraper (18) from the first position to the second position when the object on the floor surface (1c) hits the scraper (18) during rotation of the rotary milking platform (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing manure present on a floor, including a frame, a drive for moving the device over the floor and at least one manure slide which has an upper edge, wherein the manure slide is held by the frame by means of a connection structure, wherein the connection structure includes a first rotational connection with a first substantially horizontal rotational centre line which is located below at least a portion of the upper edge of a manure-pushing wall portion of the manure slide.

Abstract: Manure is scrapped from a barn floor including an elongated conduit by blades on a trolley moving in the direction of the elongated conduit. The manure passes into the conduit via a slot. The trolley has a paddle wheel and drive wheels bearing on the conduit interior lower surface. The entirety of the drive wheels and most of the paddle wheel are in the conduit. A sprocket and chain arrangement connects the wheels so that, as the drive wheels turn, the paddle wheel turns to urge manure into the conduit.

Abstract: A dung scraping device includes a safety system, a dung scraper (13) and a driving mechanism (17, 18) adapted to drive the dung scraper along a floor surface (11a) for animals such that the dung scraper pushes dung on the floor surface to a cross channel (14) located at an end portion (11d) of the floor surface). The safety system includes height detecting unit (20-22, 29) arranged to detect the presence of foreign objects having at least a predetermined height (x) above the floor surface and an emergency stop device (19, 26) arranged to receive information from the height detecting unit and to deactivate the driving mechanism when such a foreign object having the predetermined height (x) above the floor surface is detected such that the dung scraper is automatically emergency stopped before the foreign object is pushed into the cross channel.

Abstract: A separator system for separating the solids debris from a slurry flowing over a spillway from a storage pit includes a horizontal conveyor horizontally disposed across a flowpath of the slurry below the spillway and including a channel defined by a pair of opposed side members extending upward from a bottom plate having a pattern of perforations formed therein. A plurality of spaced apart paddles oriented in a direction parallel to the channel are fixed to continuous conveyor drive running along the bottom of the trough. A conveyor has a pickup end disposed below the downstream end of the trough and is positioned to catch solid debris that has been carried along by the paddles and convey the solid debris out of the slurry stream.

Abstract: A dung scraping device includes a safety system, a dung scraper (13) and a driving mechanism (17, 18) adapted to drive the dung scraper along a floor surface (11a) for animals such that the dung scraper pushes dung on the floor surface to a cross channel (14) located at an end portion (11d) of the floor surface). The safety system includes height detecting unit (20-22, 29) arranged to detect the presence of foreign objects having at least a predetermined height (x) above the floor surface and an emergency stop device (19, 26) arranged to receive information from the height detecting unit and to deactivate the driving mechanism when such a foreign object having the predetermined height (x) above the floor surface is detected such that the dung scraper is automatically emergency stopped before the foreign object is pushed into the cross channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying a chemical, such as an ammonia control chemical, in an animal house. The apparatus includes spreading apparatus adapted to be installed at an elevated position in the animal house and adapted for spreading the chemical onto the floor in the house. The apparatus also includes feeding apparatus adapted for feeding the chemical from a supply to the spreading apparatus. A method of controlling ammonia emissions from an animal agriculture operation includes applying an ammonia control chemical during both the early part and the late part of the grow out of the animals so that the chemical contacts ammonia from animal waste and reduces or prevents its emission into the air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing manure present on a floor, including a frame, a drive for moving the device over the floor and at least one manure slide which has an upper edge, wherein the manure slide is held by the frame by means of a connection structure, wherein the connection structure includes a first rotational connection with a first substantially horizontal rotational centre line which is located below at least a portion of the upper edge of a manure-pushing wall portion of the manure slide.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving debris such as chicken manure away from a wall including a frame assembly movable across a floor, a scraping member suspended from the frame assembly and a guide member connected to the scraping member. The scraping member is arranged for scraping debris away from the wall and causing movement of the scraping member and frame assembly toward the wall when the frame assembly is moved in a predetermined direction across the floor. The guide member causes movement of the scraping member away from the wall and around objects projecting out from the wall such as support beams.

Abstract: Animal waste is removed from a barn floor by moving a trolley in a first direction adjacent a first trough in the floor. As the trolley moves in the first direction: a blade extending from the trolley scrapes the waste into a region adjacent the trough; rotating paddles on the trolley drive the waste from the region into the trough; and a plow on the trolley that extends into the trough drives the waste toward one end of the trough for removal. Alternatively water drives the waste in the trough in the first direction. When the trolley moves away from the one end, the blades scrape the waste toward the region and the paddles drive the waste into the trough, but the plow is idle because the plow pivots to ride on top of the waste.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is used to process animal waste in a farm building and to spread the processed animal waste back on the floor of the farm building as the apparatus moves through the farm building. The apparatus includes a processing mechanism that heats the animal waste to a predetermined temperature to eliminate insects, bacteria, and ammonia from the animal waste. The apparatus also includes a spreader mechanism for distributing the processed animal waste onto the farm building floor. The apparatus may optionally include a pickup mechanism that picks up the animal waste off of the farm building floor and directs the animal waste to the processing mechanism.

Abstract: The animal stall soil agitator includes a mounting plate assembly pivotally attached to a tractor loader boom for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal loader boom axis. An elongated frame assembly has an inboard frame end attached to the mounting plate assembly and outboard frame end that extends laterally to one side of the tractor loader boom. An elongated bar is journaled on the elongated frame assembly. A plurality of flat soil agitator bars are fixed to the elongated bar. The flat soil agitator bars are oriented to minimize lateral movement of agitated soil. A reversible hydraulic motor is connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor and rotates the elongated bar in a selected direction. The elongated frame assembly is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from the floor of an animal stall is provided with a first motorized drum, a second motorized drum, a cable extending between the first and second drums, a scraper and a switch tripper carried by the cable. The switch tripper actuates a switch in communication with the first motorized drum to stop and reverse direction of the scraper and cable.

Abstract: An efficient economical automated animal house is provided to increase the health and longevity of animals, such as poultry, and swine. The automated poultry house provides for automatic removal of contaminated bedding and replacement with fresh or recycled bedding. The automated animal house also greatly reduces concentration of dust and noxious gases to provide for a cleaner and healthier environment for the animals and workers.

Abstract: A device intended for use as a lavatory for pets includes a round basin for sand; and a cleaning unit, with the cleaning unit substantially covering a sector of the basin and the cleaning unit adapted for cleaning the sand. The cleaning unit includes components used in the collecting and processing of waste from the pets, with the components including at least a frame and a separating mechanism fastened to the frame for separating waste and sand. The basin and the cleaning unit are arranged to be movable in relation to each other, with one of the cleaning unit and the basin being rotatable around a vertical axle passing through the center of the basin. All of the components of the cleaning unit used in the collecting and processing of waste from the pets are located above the basin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the disposal of excrements of animals kept in a stable, wherein solid manure is separated from liquid manure in the stable and separately removed from the stable and separately stored and/or subjected to further processing. The new system is characterized in that the removal of solid and liquid manure and storing/further processing thereof is effected before the onset of decomposition and in that further processing of the solid manure comprises at least the following steps: surface expansion of the fresh manure and drying of the manure with a humidity content preventing decomposition. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A cage, such as a bird or other animal cage, employs a folding side assembly that, using a specially designed hinging system, allows the cage to fold to a collapsed condition for storage or shipping, and then to be unfolded and secured to an open position without the need for screws, bolts or other types of fasteners, or the use of hand or other tools. In the preferred embodiment, the folding side assembly is formed of six permanently assembled sections, each of which is attached to adjacent sections by means of a plurality of pivoting hinges. These six sections form four sides of the cage, which preferably is rectangular or square. Two of the sections form two fixed side of the cage, while the remaining four sections form, in two hinged pairs, two folding sides of the cage. The pairs are hinged to one another so that the folding sides can fold inwardly toward one another in an accordion fashion so that the fixed sides of the cage collapse toward one another.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn implement for breaking up caked litter on the floor of a poultry house includes a stationary blade which passes beneath the surface of the litter and a rotary rake whose tines are flattened and are inclined at an oblique angle to radial planes of the rake. The tines break up caked litter as they turn; their inclination causes sweeps the litter particles toward one end of the blade, away from the wall of the house.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from the floor of an animal stall includes a central frame member oriented generally parallel to the direction of movement of the scraper assembly and a cross frame member integral with the central frame member, the cross frame member having opposed first and second ends. First and second beams are pivotally supported on the first and second frame member ends and are generally parallel to the cross frame member. First and second scraper blades are pivotally supported, respectively, by the first and second beams, the blades being pivotal from a vertical orientation adapted for scraping a floor surface during advancement of the blade assembly in a first direction and pivotal to elevated, non-scraping orientation for retraction of the assembly in a direction opposite from the scraping direction. Preferably, a pair of end scrapers are supported by the outer ends of each of the two beams and hingedly connected thereto by a vertical hinge.

Abstract: The present invention entails a hog sewage separator for separating solids within the hog sewage from the water or liquid therein. The sewage separator includes a conveyor having a perforated solids retainer extending thereover so as to define an open channel through which the separated solids are conveyed by the conveyor. Hog sewage directed into the separator unit is separated as the water or liquid flows through the perforated retainer and spills over into an underlying lagoon. The separated solids are conveyed by the separator to a holding tank.

Abstract: This chicken coop litter removal apparatus that incorporates a frame under which a blade is pivotally mounted to extend outside the side of the frame to scrape along the walls of chicken coops. The blade is pivotally mounted to the frame held in its normal working position by tension. When the blade contacts an object such as a structural pole, it rotates relative to the frame backwards. A side bar is mounted to the frame to push the frame out slightly from the wall of the chicken coop as the blade passes the pole. When the blade passes the pole it returns to its original position because of the tension means but does not contact the wall because the frame was pushed slightly away from the wall by the side bar. The devise is mounted to a standard tractor using a type 3 trailer hitch and has two wheels one at each side rear so that it rolls easily.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in removing manure and bedding from animal stalls especially in horse barns comprising a movable floor engagement belt that is adapted to be pulled along the floor in one direction transporting accumulated debris out of the barn and in the opposite direction to reposition across the floor of the multiple stalls.

Abstract: A scraper assembly and method for clearing manure deposits from a manure collection board associated with an animal cage arrangement is provided. The scraper assembly includes a first scraper blade extending in a generally diagonal direction with respect to a length of the collection board, but only partially across a width of the collection board, in an area of maximum manure deposits. The scraper assembly further includes a second scraper blade extending in a substantially opposite generally diagonal direction with respect to the diagonal extension of the first scraper blade. The second scraper blade, however, extends substantially across the entire width of the collection board.

Abstract: A nesting facility designed specifically for parakeets but possibly being adaptable for other birds comprises an elongated tree-like length which is solid throughout, having a hard cylindrical wall and a soft inside that can be pecked out by the bird to satisfy its pecking instincts and to form a nest of the torn off bits of pith. A hole through the cylindrical sidewall provides the bird access to the pithy interior, which has a texture at the bird enjoys pulling out and reworking into a padded nest over a period of weeks or months.

Abstract: An egg transfer device having an active rotator assembly and a passive rotator assembly pivoted about a common axis above a support table. An automatic clamping device associated with the active rotator assembly is held in an unlocked or open position to allow the active rotator assembly to be loaded with egg flats. After a hatcher tray for receiving the eggs from the egg flats is disposed on top of the egg flats and the passive rotator is rotated thereover, the two rotator assemblies are rotated together about their common axis 180 degrees to their opposite position on the support table. At the same time the automatic clamping assembly is automatically moved into its locked position, thus firmly gripping the tray of egg flats securely into the active rotator assembly as it is being rotated, and stays in its locked position until the active rotator assembly is swung back separately to its original position, at which time the clamping assembly is automatically unlocked.

Abstract: A nesting assembly for encouraging domestic fowl egg production is described. The assembly includes a fowl contact plate mounted to a support member and supported over a trough. The plate comprises a plate upper surface with a depression thereon forming a nesting basin. The nesting basin includes a basin lower surface sloping rearwardly to an aperture in a basin rear wall. The aperture accepts eggs laid by a nesting hen. The nesting assembly further comprises an indicator. The indicator indicates presence and duration of the fowl on the nesting assembly.