Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly. The seed tank assembly further including at least one angled rib molded into the seed tank assembly, in which the at least one angled rib is configured to provide structural rigidity to the seed tank assembly and to direct the seeds toward the exhaust.

Abstract: A method and assembly for distributing a granular agricultural material. The assembly includes a container that is configured to be supported by a chassis of a self-powered vehicle. A first conveyor and a second conveyor are associated with the container and configured to receive the granular material contained therein. The first conveyor and the second conveyor each extend in a longitudinal direction that is generally aligned with and offset in opposite lateral directions from a longitudinal centerline axis of the chassis. Preferably, each of the first and second conveyors are independently operable to manipulate the amount of commodity distributed to the alternate lateral sides of the underlying vehicle.

Abstract: The fertilizer dispenser is used on a surface area to be treated. The fertilizer dispenser comprises a main body for storing the fertilizer, a rolling mechanism affixed to the main body, and a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with the main body. Tines extending radially from the rolling mechanism enable a targeted site to be exposed prior to fertilization. The rolling mechanism disrupts the surface area to be treated as the fertilizer dispenser apparatus rolls over the surface area to be treated. Then, a trigger mechanism is engaged by the user and a metering auger drops a controlled amount of granular fertilizer. The control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with the main body, the control mechanism enables the user to pinpoint an exact location where the dosage of fertilizer is dropped. Once the fertilizer is dropped, the surface is treated, via a back and forth motion of the rolling mechanism.

Abstract: A pull-behind floor finish applicator wherein a peristaltic pump is employed in conjunction with disposable conduit tubing obviate any clean up of the pump. This applicator is adaptable to receiving bag in the box floor finish, thus reducing cleaning time. The applicator employs a minimum number of disposable parts thus making it economical to produce. A mop is employed to apply floor finish to easily accessible areas in one instance, yet allows the mop to be used independently for application of floor finish to not so easily accessible areas.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for composting poultry carcasses, comprising a two wheel utility trailer with a rotary drum composter mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis above and parallel to the wheel axle of the trailer. The drum may be turned, manually or mechanically, until the composting process is complete. After composting, the loaded composter is taken to a field for spreading. The drum has openings which are opened and a chain drive is connected to the axle of the trailer so that the drum is turned by the movement of the wheels of the trailer over the ground. This tumbling action spreads the composted material as the trailer is pulled over the field. In one embodiment, the trailer is provided with a roof to keep rain off the composter drum. In another embodiment, the spreading action is improved by providing a distributing disc located under the trailer and driven by the drive axle to throw the composted material falling from the openings of the drum.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism (88) for a ground-driven top dresser (10) is actuated by an electric actuator (139) pivotally mounted to a U-shaped bracket (104). The shaft (141) of the actuator (139) is connected to flanges (135) radially extending from a rotatable tube (132) through a lost motion means in the form of elongated slots (145) formed in the flanges (135) and which slideably receive a pin (143) carried by the actuator shaft (141). A cam (134) is removably attached to flanges (133) radially extending from the rotatable tube (132) opposite to the actuator flanges (135). The cam (134) has first and second portions (136a,b) for engaging the pivotal arm (110) which engages and disengages the clutch mechanism (88).

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading granular material having a pre-calibrated material gauge removably located in the bottom of a hopper. The granular material is forcibly pressed through discharge apertures formed in the material gauge under the rotatory action of an auger mounted in the hopper. The discharge apertures are sized to inhibit the free flow of granular material therethrough when the auger is not rotating. A clutch mechanism is provided for permitting selective control of the rotary movement of the auger. Since the material gauge is interchangeable, the apparatus can be quickly converted for spreading a variety of differently sized granular materials.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a particulate chemical meter for use in a planter includes an axially and rotationally moveable shaft having a coupler on a first end and a knob on a second end thereof. The clutch shaft is inserted through and coupled to a chain-driven sprocket and sprocket sleeve combination. A coiled spring disposed about the shaft urges the shaft toward and in engagement with a dispensing rotor of the chemical meter for dispensing an insecticide or herbicide. Rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a roll pin inserted through the shaft of the clutch to ride up a cam surface disposed on an end of the sprocket sleeve for axially displacing the clutch shaft and disconnecting it from the rotor. Further rotational displacement of the knob positions the shaft roll pin in a notch also disposed on the end of the sprocket sleeve for maintaining the clutch disengaged.

Abstract: A planter population reduction drive system includes a third shaft adapted to be added onto a planter implement transmission unit having existing first and second shafts. The individual planter units are driven by the second shaft which is connected by a series of adjustable wheels to the first shaft for a selected population rate. The new third shaft is driven by the ground wheels and includes primary and secondary belt drive connections to the first shaft. A normally engaged wrap spring clutch on the third shaft normally provides for the transmission of torque from the third shaft to the first shaft but when the wrap spring clutch is disengaged, torque is transmitted through a secondary drive wheel which is mounted on the third shaft by an over running clutch.

Abstract: A planter population reduction drive system includes a third shaft adapted to be added onto a planter implement transmission unit having existing first and second shafts. The individual planter units are driven by the second shaft which is connected by a series of adjustable sprockets to the first shaft for a selected population rate. The new third shaft is driven by the ground wheels and includes primary and secondary chain drive connections to the first shaft. A normally engaged wrap spring clutch on the third shaft normally provides for the transmission of torque from the third shaft to the first shaft but when the wrap spring clutch is disengaged, torque is transmitted through a secondary drive sprocket which is mounted on the third shaft by an over running clutch.

Abstract: Floor treating apparatus, principally for waxing floors includes a drip pan to catch wax from the applicator pad when the applicator head is in a retracted position. A piston pump has an adjustable variable stroke to provide selection of the quantity of wax to be deposited. Slotted connections between the applicator head and the supporting arms provide independent vertical movement of each end of the applicator pad to enable the pad to conform to uneven floors.

Abstract: An octogonally configured cam has four flats located radially outward a greater distance than the four intervening flats. The various flats are successively engageable with a pivotal arm to engage and disengage a clutch mechanism and thus start and stop an endless belt conveyor along with the starting and stopping of a cylindrical brush. Both the conveyor and brush are ground-driven through a chain and cog wheels, the size of the cog wheels being such that the brush is rotated at faster speed than the conveyor. The position of an indicating rod signifies when the clutch mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A planter having a frame, a drive train supported from the frame and having a forward end adapted to be connected to a drive and the other end having drive structure rotatably supported on the frame, the frame also having a pair of laterally spaced horizontal flanges, stop structures extending through each flange, funnel structure mounted on said frame, a clutch shaft rotatably supported in the drive structure and having spaced jaws and structure for releasably connecting the clutch shaft in a driving and non-driving position to the drive structure, a hopper assembly having lower flanged surfaces for engaging the frame flanges and stops, a granular dispenser located in the lower portion of said hopper and having a dispenser shaft engageable with the clutch shaft jaws and fastening structure between the frame and hopper for releasably attaching the hopper to the planter.

Abstract: A powder dispensing device having a powder storage bin with a powder discharge area, a perforated drum rotatably mounted within the bin adjacent to the powder discharge area and a wiper blade mounted within the drum and engaging the interior surface of the drum near the powder discharge area.

Abstract: A pull type folding grain drill driven by the gauge wheels including pivoting legs carrying the gauge wheels which drive a clutch shaft through a first chain and sprocket drive, the clutch shaft axis being offset from the pivoting leg axis. A second chain and sprocket drive between the dispensing seed shaft and the clutch shaft including an idler pulley having cam means on the end thereof for disengaging a clutch on the clutch shaft when the pivoting legs are rotated to lift the planter out of the ground in the transport position.

Abstract: An electrically adjusted and mechanically driven variable speed pulley transmission provides immediate and accurate changes to the seed dispensing rate of a planter. The variable speed pulley transmission is driven by a ground-engaging wheel and adjusted in response to electrically monitored variations between desired and actual seed plant densities. Adjustment to the sheaves of the transmission pulley is effected by an electric motor and tension springs which interconnect the movable pulley sheaves apply pressure to the sides of the pulley belt to assure torque transmission at low RPM's.