Abstract: A broadcast spreader and methods of using the same. One method includes dispersing particulate material using a broadcast spreader having a hopper and an impeller by placing the spreader in a first configuration where a first set of through openings proximate a bottom portion of the hopper permit the particulate material to pass therethrough and fall onto the impeller to thereby be distributed in a first spread pattern, and shifting the spreader into a second configuration where a second set of through openings proximate the bottom portion of the hopper permit the particulate material to pass therethrough and fall onto the impeller to thereby be distributed in a second spread pattern. The first set of through openings includes a different number of through openings than the second set of through openings, and the first spread pattern is different than the second spread pattern.

Abstract: A ground treatment apparatus for loosening the ground, in particular in the case of ground with grass growth, comprising a support device and a holding device that is movably held thereon, on which a plurality of injection elements are held, a lifting device, by way of which the injection elements are insertable into the ground and are extractable therefrom, and a fluid provisioning device that comprises at least one reservoir for fluid, which can be supplied with fluid for intermediate storage and which is directly or indirectly in fluidic connection with a plurality of injection elements. The support device and/or the holding device comprise at least one frame made of interconnected structural elements, wherein the at least one reservoir forms a structural element of the frame.

Abstract: A tank for transporting and spraying a liquid having a plurality of walls forming a receptacle configured to receive the liquid and a pump system supported by at least one of the plurality of walls. The pump system has a liquid end and a power frame with at least a portion of the power frame being disposed in the receptacle. In some implementations, the tank has a reservoir disposed in proximity to one of the plurality of walls. The reservoir provides a working fluid to the portion of the power frame disposed in the receptacle.

Abstract: A high-speed bulk filling tank truck is provided, which permits reduction of the filling time. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck delivers a liquefied gas in a truck tank to a bulk storage tank, and recovers a gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank into the truck tank, thereby filling the bulk storage tank with the liquefied gas. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck includes a liquid feed pump, provided on a liquid line through which the liquefied gas flows, for feeding the liquefied gas in the truck tank to the bulk storage tank, and a gas compressor, provided on the gas line through which a gas-phase gas flows, for compressing the gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank and delivering the same into the truck tank.

Abstract: A high-speed bulk filling tank truck is provided, which permits reduction of the filling time. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck delivers a liquefied gas in a truck tank to a bulk storage tank, and recovers a gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank into the truck tank, thereby filling the bulk storage tank with the liquefied gas. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck includes a liquid feed pump, provided on a liquid line through which the liquefied gas flows, for feeding the liquefied gas in the truck tank to the bulk storage tank, and a gas compressor, provided on the gas line through which a gas-phase gas flows, for compressing the gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank and delivering the same into the truck tank.

Abstract: The invention describes an article and method comprising a refractory article having an outer surface covered by an insulating coating over which a protective glaze is applied. The method includes applying a suspension of an insulating coating to a refractory piece, drying the suspension, applying a glaze slip over the coating, and drying the slip to form a protective glaze. In one embodiment, the article comprises a carbon-bonded alumina-graphite nozzle, an insulating coating containing hollow microspheres, and a protective glaze formed from a fusible frit. The invention is described as improving wetting to the refractory piece, reducing delamination of the glaze and insulating coating from the piece, and reducing oxidation of the piece.

Abstract: A sandbagging manufacturing apparatus designed to be used with standard sanding trucks normally used with a broadcast spreader. The truck includes a large hopper with a hydraulically controlled conveyor belt located longitudinally inside the large hopper that delivers sand to a rear opening. Located below the rear opening is rigid framework used to hold the broadcast spreader. The apparatus includes a small hopper selectively attached to the framework below the hopper's rear opening. The small hopper is designed to slide into brackets formed on the framework so that the small hopper and broadcast spreader may be easily exchanged. A vertically aligned chute is attached to the small hopper through which sand falls to fill sandbags. The apparatus also includes a control box designed to control the operation of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle for delivering liquids to a storage location and a liquid delivery control system therefor. The apparatus comprises manual and remote actuation of a clutch controller for engaging and disengaging a clutch of the vehicle, remote and manual actuation of a throttle controller for opening and closing a throttle of the vehicle, actuation of a power take-off controller for engaging and disengaging a power take-off on the vehicle, and actuation of a valve controller for opening and closing an internal flow valve in a cargo tank on the vehicle. The apparatus also may include actuation of a reel controller for unwinding a liquid delivery hose from a reel and rewinding the hose on the reel. A method of delivering a liquid to a storage location is also disclosed.

Abstract: A material filling apparatus which can be installed between the end of a cargo box and the tailgate of a dump truck. The attachment is adapted to engage, on its forward side, the latch mechanism at each side of the cargo compartment and, on its rearward side, the latch pins at each end of the tailgate, so that the attachment is supported between the end of the cargo compartment and the tailgate which is partly open.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a motor for providing drive power to the vehicle, a hydraulic system powered by the motor, a container for containing a bulk quantity of fluent matter, and matter-dispensing apparatus comprising the hopper for receiving fluent matter from the container, a selectively operable transfer mechanism for transferring fluent matter from the container to the hopper, and an actuator disposed proximately to the hopper, the actuator being operatively associated with the transfer mechanism by the hydraulic system such that the transference of fluent matter from the container to the hopper is controlled by the actuator.

Abstract: A trailer vehicle for distributing a fertilizing manure slurry to a field which includes a slurry distribution assembly mounted to the tear of the vehicle having four slurry distribution units, each with three plow teeth and a slurry distribution nozzle associated with the teeth for feeding the slurry at root level in the soil. The distribution assembly includes an elongated manifold with four flexible conduits extending from the manifold to each nozzle on the distribution units. The manifold communicates with the slurry tank. The trailer vehicle can also have a special suspension to maintain the tank relatively level. The trailer has three sets of wheels which are articulated in tandem, and the rear wheels of the trailer can be steered in the arc traced by the motive vehicle pulling the trailer. The tank includes an annular wall defining an impeller pump area and a door is hinged to the annular wall.

Abstract: A special seed spreading machine, lawn care apparatus and process are provided to transport, meter, and disperse different types of grass seeds evenly and uniformly over a lawn, turf, or soil. Advantageously, the novel seed spreading machine, lawn care apparatus and process can accurately control, mix, meter, and spread different amounts (proportions) of various types of grass seeds and/or other materials, and can dispense different types of grass seed in separate bins simultaneously at different speeds and flow rates. The seed spreading machine and lawn care apparatus preferably comprise of a ground driven disc, dual hopper assembly with double friction wheels which drives tumblers in the hopper assembly through a chain and sprocket arrangement.

Abstract: A service vehicle includes a frame (10) on which a material dispensing system is mounted. The dispensing system includes reservoirs (30, 32) and (34) for various lubricants or the like and pumps (46) for pumping material out of the associated reservoirs (30, 32) and (34). The pumps (46) are driven by hydraulic motors (50) which may receive hydraulic fluid under pressure through electrically operated control valves (76) from a pressure compensated, variable displacement pump (60) driven by the engine (64) for the vehicle. The use of the pressure compensated variable displacement pump (60) achieves operating efficiencies.

Abstract: A material spreader system is designed to dispense a topping material through a widthwise slot onto the surface of a plastic substance such as concrete lying within an area having a length, width, and opposing sides. The material spreader system includes a spreader for storing a supply of topping material and for dispensing a layer of the topping material as the spreader is translated along a path. A drive system is coupled to the spreader to translate the spreader across the path formed by the bridge to thereby dispense a layer of topping material over the entire area. Sequential translations of the spreader across the bridge followed by sequential translations of the bridge along the length of the area covers the entire surface of the area with a layer of topping material.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser is provided for hay balers and it comprises a hopper for the temporary storage of particulate chemicals. The hopper has a rounded bottom with a plurality of openings therein. The openings are selectively opened by 1/4 increments by a slider. The slider has an indicator which cooperates with 1/4 increment indicia printed on the front wall of the hopper for indicating the degree of opening thus permitting the operator to predetermine the quantity of particulate chemicals to be dispensed. For round hay balers, the dispenser has a blower and chemical directing lines.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated endgate is presented which places a panel directly in front of the beaters of a manure spreader. The endgate retains all of the manure within the spreader box until the spreading site is reached. The panel is hinged mounted along its top edge to a generally U-shaped structural member. The central portion of the U-shaped member spans the box just in front of the beater. The legs of the U-shaped member are of equal length and extend forward along the sides of the spreader. The very ends are pivotally attached to the box, one on the left, the other on the right. A hydraulic piston attached to an arm secured to one of the pivot points makes it possible to move the structural member upward through an arc of about 100 degrees, then back down to the rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating air for a pneumatic conveyor implement is disclosed. Air is heated in a variety of fashions including passing input air to fan (26) through radiator (53) of fan drive motor (54). Air is also heated by mixing it with the exhaust gases from exhaust pipes (66), (72) from the propulsion engine of vehicle 16 or the fan drive engine (54). The heated air enhances distribution uniformity of substance 20 at the outputs (28) of the implement.

Abstract: A spreading apparatus comprising a large hopper disposed above a series of integral mini-hoppers. Each mini-hopper includes positive metering discharge means for uniformly distributing granular materials containing ingredients of mixed densities such as blended fertilizers.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the speed of a truck-mounted material conveyor includes a direct current drive motor and a truck-driven shunt generator for providing power to the motor. A control circuit has a reference input representing desired delivery rates in material weight per unit of distance and a truck speed input. A multiplier circuit converts the inputs to a delivery rate in terms of material weight per unit of time at the current truck road speed. Generator and conveyor speed feedback loops are provided to maintain a desired conveyor speed despite variations in truck engine speed or slippage at the conveyor.

Abstract: A broadcast spreader having one or more spinners driven by hydraulic motors and a material delivery conveyor or auger driven by a hydraulic motor is provided with a hydraulic system including a flow and pressure-compensated variable displacement pump and pressure-compensated control valves respectively for the spinner and conveyor motors connected so that the volume of fluid delivered by the pump corresponds to the demands of the motors.

Abstract: Improved apparatus useful in conjunction with a forage wagon to allow forage material to be removed from the wagon by dispensing it laterally toward the side of the wagon or, alternatively, to dispense the material directly out the front of the wagon to the area beneath the wagon such as in the filling of a trench silo. The improved apparatus includes a lateral feed conveyer affixed to the front end of the forage box by a removable attachment apparatus. Bottom and top collecting pans located beneath the lateral feed conveyer form a removable delivery surface and are constructed of discrete sections which are mounted on rail members for selective removal and replacement.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle for delivering liquids to a storage location and a liquid delivery control system therefor. The apparatus comprises manual and remote actuation of a clutch controller for engaging and disengaging a clutch of the vehicle, remote and manual actuation of a throttle controller for opening and closing a throttle of the vehicle, actuation of a power take-off controller for engaging and disengaging a power take-off on the vehicle, and actuation of a valve controller for opening and closing an internal flow valve in a cargo tank on the vehicle. The apparatus also may include actuation of a reel controller for unwinding a liquid delivery hose from a reel and rewinding the hose on the reel. A method of delivering a liquid to a storage location is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trailer vehicle for distributing a fertilizing manure slurry to a field which includes a slurry distribution assembly mounted to the tear of the vehicle having four slurry distribution units, each with three plow teeth and a slurry distribution nozzle associated with the teeth for feeding the slurry at root level in the soil. The distribution assembly includes an elongated manifold with four flexible conduits extending from the manifold to each nozzle on the distribution units. The manifold communicates with the slurry tank. The trailer vehicle can also have a special suspension to maintain the tank relatively level. The trailer has three sets of wheels which are articulated in tandem, and the rear wheels of the trailer can be steered in the arc traced by the motive vehicle pulling the trailer. The tank includes an annular wall defining an impeller pump area and a door is hinged to the annular wall.