Abstract: In one embodiment, a hopper spreader apparatus for spreading granular material is provided. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a hopper, a spreading unit, and a dispensing unit. The hopper has a storage cavity for storing the granular material to be spread. The spreading unit spreads the granular material. The dispensing system transports the granular material from the hopper to the spreading unit. The dispensing system includes a conveying unit and a rotating first roll. The conveying unit conveys the granular material toward the spreading unit. The rotating first roll controls a flow of granular material from the hopper to the conveying unit. The use of the rotating roll allows for control of high flow material (such as for example dry salt) while allowing for improved collapse and break-up of low flow material (such as for example wetted sand).

Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader, a regulator and a rotary spreader. The spreader is operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine and includes a housing and rotary blades. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, and an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue. The rotary blades are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The regulator has a proximal end pivotably connected to a lateral side of the spreader about a substantially vertical axis to pivot the regulator in a fore and an aft direction, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The regulator is in fluid communication with the housing. The rotary spreader is positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator and receives and distributes the flow of residue.

Abstract: A material spreader may include an electric interlock mechanism that is adjustable between: (1) a first condition where an electric supply line can supply electricity to operate a material transfer member and a door cannot be moved into an open position; and, (2) a second condition where the electric supply line cannot supply electricity to operate the material transfer member and the door can be moved into an open position.

Abstract: A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor. The spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of the rotor in a horizontal position. A generally cylindrical rotor housing with a pair of closed, axial ends may be coaxial with the rotor. Entrance and exit apertures for the particulate matter may be formed in the surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. A rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor. An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter. A gate may be provided for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing. An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.

Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket. The lid draining accumulated water to protect interior contents. Motor control is easily interchangeable among pushbutton, remote and timer control.

Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket.

Abstract: An improved self-unloading spreader has a front end, a back end, and sides defining walls of a container for holding material. The container has at least one opening in one of the walls through which material can move. Inside of the container, longitudinally disposed between the front end and the rear end, is an auger that can move material in the container to and through the opening. Also inside of the container, adjustably positioned above the auger, is an adjustable height baffle to control the amount of material the auger has available to move. Outside of the container, adjacent to the opening, is a transversely mounted conveyer belt for spreading material that flows through the opening. An hydraulic system powers the auger and allows the hydraulically powered auger to either move material towards the opening or away from the opening. The auger, in combination with the adjustable height baffle, controls the rate at which material is provided to the conveyer system.

Abstract: A manually operable spreader for particulate material has a container body, a generally U-shaped chute and a cap sealing a discharge aperture. The body has a hand grip and the chute has one end pivotably mounted on the body. The sidewalls of the chute seat in recesses in the sidewalls of the body. When the chute is in its operative position, the contents flow onto the chute and then onto the ground.

Abstract: A cap dispenses material from a container having a mouth. The cap has a main body mountable on the mouth. The main body includes a protruding portion having an opening for receiving material moving through the mouth. A combination seal and dispensing spout is pivotally mounted to the main body and has a top wall with an extended portion. The spout may be pivoted on the main body between a sealing position and a dispensing position. In the sealing position, the spout blocks flow of material through the opening. In the dispensing position, the spout is aligned with the opening in the protruding portion to allow material to flow through the protruding portion and onto the spout so that the material may be dispensed.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a mounting assembly (10) for supporting a hopper (16) and a spreading mechanism (12) on a vehicle (14) for carrying and spreading a material. A spreader frame (18) supports the hopper (16) and a bumper bracket (60) is mounted to a bumper of the vehicle (14) for attaching the spreader frame (18) to a bumper. The mounting assembly (10) further includes a hitch support (70) for supporting the spreader frame (18) on a hitch receiver (72) of the vehicle (14). A plate (76) interconnects the hitch support (70) to the spreader frame (18) for adjusting a height of the hitch support (70) relative to the spreader frame (18). A pair of vertical supports (62) extend vertically from the spreader frame (18) for attachment to the bed of the vehicle (14) at an upper end (86) thereof.

Abstract: A material spreader includes a belt/chain assembly. The belt is mounted within the chamber of the material spreader and the chain remains out of contact with the material during the operation of the device. A sliding barrier is mounted at the rear of the belt, and moves from a forward position adjacent the front of the spreader to a rear position adjacent the rear of the spreader. One form of the hydraulic system utilizes a sensor for built up pressure within independently driven augers. In response to this pressure build up the sliding barrier speed is reduced.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a mounting assembly (10) for supporting a hopper (16) and a spreading mechanism (12) on a vehicle (14) for carrying and spreading a material. A spreader frame (18) supports the hopper (16) and a bumper bracket (60) is mounted to a bumper of the vehicle (14) for attaching the spreader frame (18) to a bumper. The mounting assembly (10) further includes a hitch support (70) for supporting the spreader frame (18) on a hitch receiver (72) of the vehicle (14). A plate (76) interconnects the hitch support (70) to the spreader frame (18) for adjusting a height of the hitch support (70) relative to the spreader frame (18). A pair of vertical supports (62) extend vertically from the spreader frame (18) for attachment to the bed of the vehicle (14) at an upper end (86) thereof.

Abstract: A dual mode spreader for broadcast spreading and drop spreading material comprising a hopper to hold a supply of spreadable material, first and second discharge openings located within the hopper for which spreadable material can flow therethrough, an impeller mounted in a position below the hopper for rotational movement about an upright axis, wherein the first discharge opening leads to impeller to enable the spreadable material in the hopper to exit therefrom onto the impeller to be distributed in a path outwardly therefrom onto the surface to be treated; and a diffuser defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the second discharge opening is in communication with the inlet opening to enable the spreadable material in the hopper to enter the diffuser and exit therefrom through the outlet opening to be distributed in a path downwardly therefrom onto the surface to be treated.

Abstract: Various instruments are provided to the structural chassis of a riding or standing mower, in order to accessorize various equipment that may be applied thereto, or readily removed, as required. These include tubular mounting brackets, that may secure, normally, permanently to the structural framework of the chassis, and accept the mounting thereto of the framework of any accessory, when installed in preparation for usage, or quickly removed, when no longer required. In addition, this invention provides mechanism for controlling the operations of the pivotal gate used in conjunction with, more specifically, a fertilizer spreader, and electrifies its functioning, so that the spreader can be initiated and applied through the application of a single ignition switch, which may be operated by the hand, or ever as a foot lever, to commence the operations of the spreader, or to immediately shut it off, as required by the operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.

Abstract: An agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering metered agricultural particulate material to a growing medium includes first and second compartments adapted to contain different agricultural particulate materials, a material meter having an interior and a flow switching mechanism between the first and second compartments and the meter. The flow switching mechanism is actuatable between a first position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the first compartment to the interior of the meter, a second position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the second compartment to the interior of the meter and a third position in which the flow switching mechanism stops the supply of material from both the first and second compartments to the interior of the meter.

Abstract: A stone slinger option for a standard dump truck includes a swing arm pivotally connectable to the truck's chassis, an elongated frame pivotally connected to the swing arm and mounting an endless conveyor belt therein, and drive means for independently moving the swing arm and the frame. The frame can be moved from a stowed travel position adjacent the truck's chassis, below the dump body, to a rearwardly extending position in which it can receive material from the dump body for delivery to a dump site remote from the truck. The truck can operate in its standard dump mode or as a stone slinger, reducing costs at construction sites since additional, specialized stone slinger delivery vehicles will not be required.

Abstract: An elongated particulate material spreader hopper is provided for detachable mounting on the back end of a conventional sand/salt hopper truck to allow its use in summer for spreading of gravel and other particulate material in road building and resurfacing applications. Hydraulically powered screw conveyors are provided to distribute the material evenly across the full width of the spreader approximating a driving lane on a major highway. Doors or gates are provided to control the amount and width of the discharge of particulate material to the highway surface.

Abstract: The spreader comprises at least one caster group (10) including at least two cylindrical rollers (11, 13) which are externally tangent to one another and define between them a spout (15, 16) for projecting the sheet of granular products flowing from a hopper (1). After being speeded-up and forcibly projected between the two rollers (11, 13), the projected sheet is taken-up a distribution device, with horizontal" (15) or vertical deflector, or with clusters of distribution tubes. Each caster group may comprises injection means, with at least two rollers which are externally tangent to one another to increase the flow of projected products.

Abstract: A support arm has an inner section connected to the three-point hitch of a tractor and an outer section positioned at the side of the tractor carrying a spreader which can spread ground over which the tractor cannot be driven. The spreader may be raised or lowered to reach ditches, side slopes or terraces. A support arm may be converted into a tongue for pulling the spreader behind the tractor when a cart is provided at the outer end, and a hitch is provided on the inner end for being connected to the draw bar of a tractor.

Abstract: A concrete bucket assembly which is rigidly mounted for vertical, tilting, and rotational movement to a forklift vehicle. The concrete bucket is provided with upper and lower ball and socket assemblies. The lower ball and socket assembly secures the bucket to the extending fork of the vertically movable frame of the forklift truck. The upper ball and socket assembly secures the bucket, at the top thereof, to an arm which extends from and is pivotally secured to the vertically movable frame of the forklift vehicle. The hydraulic system of the vehicle is used to move a closure member at the funnel-shaped bottom of the bucket and to also control movement of a chute at the bottom of the bucket.

Abstract: An air fertilizer spreader mounted on a truck chassis, the truck chassis carrying a granular or pulverized fertilizer application machine. Right and left booms swing from a midship position between a truck cab and fertilizer box back towards the rear of the truck chassis. Each boom includes a plurality of boom tubes with deflectors. Rear boom tubes are also provided at the rear of the truck chassis. A screw conveyor carries fertilizer from the fertilizer transport box to an area forward of the fertilizer transport box where the fertilizer falls into opposing metering assemblies for the right and left boom. Air, acting through particle accelerators carries the fertilizer from the metering assembly to the entrance of the boom tubes, and a second particle accelerator provides additional air flow to carry the fertilizer down the length of each of the boom tubes to the point of discharge.

Abstract: The spreading apparatus has a main hopper and at least one extension hopper, each having a discharge roller for flowable material such as chippings for road surfacing. The extension hopper is mounted adjacent the main hopper and movable longitudinally to enable variation of the combined width of the hoppers. A baffle cuts off communication between the discharge roller of the extension hopper and the major part of the interior of the extension hopper over a width corresponding to the longitudinal overlap between the main hopper and the extension hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for field application of particulate solids from an elongated boom carried on a self-propelled vehicle wherein the discharge rate of the particulate solids is accomplished through the utilization of a metering control system. The metering control monitors the rotation of a delivery screw for controlled application rate with the application rate being proportional to vehicle speed, and wherein the application rate is rapidly responsive to changes in rate of speed of the vehicle. A variable capacity fluid pump is driven from the vehicle final drive shaft, with the pump supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor providing the energy for driving the metering screw. The variable capacity pump is preferably an axial piston pump having a variably positionable swash plate.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for distributing a substance (18) from a container (16) among a plurality of delivery channels (22) is disclosed. Apparatus (10) includes an auger (20) for moving a stream of substance (18) upwardly for outward centrifugal deflection by paddles (44) into a plurality of distributor pockets (60). Substance (18) which impacts and is retained in distributor pocket areas falls gravitationally into delivery tubes (22) for subsequent movement by pressurized air to outputs (26).

Abstract: Granular spreader apparatus for easy attachment to, and detachment from, a truck equipped with a hopper bed, including dual troughs that each house a continuous conveyor belt that overlies a slotted trough which permits granular material of dissimiliar size and weight, such as fertilizer, herbicide, limestone, and other agricultural particulates of dissimiliar size and weight, to be substantially uniformly distributed from the initial point of deposit at the inboard end of the conveyor belt to the outboard extremity of the conveyor belt.

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: Apparatus for distributing chopped straw substantially uniformly including a wheeled carriage, a supporting frame disposed on the wheel carriage, and a straw distributing assembly, the straw distributing assembly including a trough section extending from one side of the supporting frame to the other, the trough section including panels affixed to the supporting frame, the bottom edges of the panels being spaced from one another to form a slot opening therebetween, the straw distributing assembly including an auger member disposed in a generally horizontal position above the slot opening, a roll member disposed in a generally horizontal position below the slot opening with a portion of the roll member extending into the slot opening, the roll member having an irregular outer surface, the roll member and the auger member being disposed with their axes generally parallel and their peripheries adjacent to each other, and drive mechanism for rotating the auger member and the roll member in the same direction at co

Abstract: A high capacity pneumatic spreader including a frame carried by wheels and a hopper carried by the frame with the hopper having an elevational profile defined in part by a pair of opposite lateral sides and at least one spreader bar carried by the frame, the spreader bar being movable between a first generally horizontal position projecting laterally from the frame beyond one of the sides and a second generally vertical position between the lateral sides, an end of the spreader bar adjacent the hopper being connected by a horizontal pivot to an arm which is in turn connected by a vertical pivot to the frame, and the vertical pivot being disposed between the hopper sides whereby the spreader bar can be disposed generally vertically and within the profile of the hopper between the sides thereof.

Abstract: A spreader for granular or powdery material such as fertilizer having three conveyors extending transversally from each side of a hopper for the material, the hopper having two funnels and two discharge ports, one for each funnel, each discharge port being disposed above the inboard ends of a corresponding group of conveyors with each conveyor in each group having different lengths and terminating outboard in a rotary disc spreading member, such spreading members being spaced apart about 2 meters in the two groups of conveyors which are aligned. The conveyors each comprise an endless belt which, through further belts, rotate the spreader members about vertical axes. Disposed between each spreader and the end of the corresponding conveyor is a guide hood which guides the flow of material to the rotary disc behind its flat ejector blades which are biased 60.degree. from a radial line intercepting the inward edge of the blade, so that at design speed the material is ejected through an arc of about 180.degree..

Abstract: A spreading implement has laterally extending conveyors of different lengths that form a boom to each side of a hopper. At the outer ends of the conveyors, rotatable spreading discs are mounted spaced apart from one another and each conveyor is an endless belt in a channel shaped guide. A slideable flow control is positioned beneath a port in the bottom at each side of the hopper to regulate the amount of material fed to the conveyors. Driving means, including a power take-off connection and a belt and pulley transmission move the conveyors and rotate the discs. At the end of each conveyor, a downwardly extending guide allows material to flow to a lower disc. Each boom is pivoted to the implement frame with a latch and pivot connection to be displaceable about a vertical axis to a rearwardly extending transport position. Also, each boom is comprised of spaced apart beams that are comprised by two portions that are interconnected with a further pivot and a latch connection.

Abstract: A marker in combination with a material spreader having a hopper and a plurality of conveyor belts leading to aligned material spreading members which rotate and broadcast the material to the underlying ground, the markers being connected by chains to carriers mounted outboard of the outboard spreading members to demarcate the outboard limits of material broadcast from the outboard spreaders. Each marker has a V-shaped stabilizing member with a rod rigidly connected to the apex of the stabilizing member to bisect the angle of said apex which is about 60.degree. and to extend between the arms of the stabilizing member so that the longitudinal axes of the arms and the rod fall in the same plane. The arms are of equal lengths and are shorter than the rod which has on its outer end a pair of plates extending perpendicular to the aforesaid plane, the plates being trapazoid-shaped as seen from the side and adapted to penetrate the underlying ground.

Abstract: A spreader implement attachable to the rear of a tractor has a container with two side by side funnel shaped sections. A port in the bottom of each section allows material to pass to conveyor belts that extend laterally to each hopper side. A flow control member is slideably positioned below each port with one or more openings that correspond to each belt, which openings can be more or less exposed by an adjusting device. The conveyor belts are supported on a foldable boom at each lateral side of the container and each belt leads to a respective rotating spreading disc and the belts extend for different distances so that material is spread over a very broad path. Each spreading boom includes beams and supporting guides for the upper and lower runs of the belts. Guide members are positioned below the flow members to direct material to the upper conveyor runs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically spreading a particulate substance for treating the ground. The particulate substance is blown from a hopper through tubes to distribution points. A nozzle is received on the outlet end of each tube. The flow is divided in the nozzle into several parts which are concentrated in inverted chutelike of different lengths and then sprayed towards the ground, perpendicular thereto in the central zone and progressively more obliquely towards the marginal zones. The central zones are covered with a uniform amount of particulate substance which decreases in the marginal zones stepwise or uniformly. The marginal zones of consecutive adjacent passes overlap each other. Various ways of decreasing the distribution of the particulate substance in the marginal zones are described.