Abstract: The present invention relates to a granular material transport mechanism for a sand truck. The material mechanism is arranged in granular material flow communication with a granular material hopper, and is disposed on its lower side thereof, for distribution of said granular material from a spreader on the truck. The mechanism comprises an elongated containment housing for enclosing a rotary feed shaft. The rotary feed shaft has longitudinal ends that extend beyond the housing. A plurality of spaced-apart semicircular plates are disposed on the shaft. A bearing support for the feed shaft is arranged adjacent each longitudinal end of the feed shaft and outside of the containment housing. An opening on a rear lower side of the containment housing for permits the communication the granular material to the spreader arranged therebeneath.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. An auger arrangement is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the auger arrangement for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: A truck trailer for hauling gravel, sand and other particulate materials includes a trailer body having a first conveyor extending along the bottom of the trailer, and a second conveyor that extends upwardly at an angle with respect to the first conveyor for conveying the gravel toward the rear or discharge end of the trailer. A movable tailgate assembly is mounted at the discharge end of the trailer and is movable between a lowered, non-engaging position to enable the gravel to be discharged from the trailer in discrete piles, and raised spreading positions for spreading the gravel across a prescribed area.

Abstract: A rear mounted spreader having a horizontal auger. The spreader is ideally suited to spread bulk salt and sand, but can effectively be used to spread any spreadable material. The spreader is mounted to a vehicle and the auger is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The spreader includes a flow plate to facilitate proper material flow. The spreader also includes a vehicle-mounted control that can independently control the auger and spinner and can control the vibrator.

Abstract: A hand-held, pneumatically propelled, metering dispenser for powdered or granular products such as pesticides, the dispenser having a manually operated pneumatic pump, a product canister, a metering scoop insertable into the product canister in operative alignment with the pneumatic pump, and a discharge line into and through which powder or granules supported in the scoop are blown by operation of the pneumatic pump.

Abstract: A truck having a material spreader and a control mechanism to regulate the velocity of materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader includes a material guider to guide the trajectory of substantially all the materials in a direction substantially opposite the direction of forward movement of the truck. The control mechanism includes a velocity sensor adapted to detect the velocity of the truck and to send a signal indicative of the truck velocity to a velocity controller. The velocity controller sends a signal to the material spreader which is dependent on the truck velocity to control the velocity of the materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader is mounted to the truck to allow the material spreader to be moved between a non-operational and operational position. The material spreader is also mounted to allow for lateral and/or upward movement upon encountering a predetermined force.

Abstract: A hollow, upright hopper to receive particulate material, means operable to discharge material outwardly from the hopper in one direction or in an opposite direction and control means to control the amount, the direction, and the velocity of the discharged material, so as to direct the material into a cattle feeding trough or to a cattle bedding area, for example.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes an adjustable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. An auger arrangement is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the auger arrangement for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus is disclosed for discharging materials from a container onto an open area such as a field. The apparatus includes a power discharge device which is disposed adjacent to a discharge outlet defined by the container. The arrangement is such that when the apparatus is being used to spread the materials onto the open area such as the field, the materials move from the container through the outlet towards the power discharge device for discharging the materials at a location on the field. A power source is drivingly connected to the power discharge device for rotating the power discharge device. A power sensor is provided for sensing the power supplied by the power source which is approximately the power used by the power discharge device, the power sensor generating a first signal which is correlated to the spread rate of the materials discharged.

Abstract: A bin for a sand spreading vehicle is provided with curved lower sidewalls that deliver sand to a central conveyor. The curvature of the sidewalls lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle for a given load; or permits carriage of a greater load for a given height for the center of gravity of the loaded bin.

Abstract: A system for discharging material, having a material holding container, a first material transport device, to transport material from the material holding container, a second material transport device, to deliver material from the first material transport device to a desired location remote from the vehicle and a material hold-down device arranged on the second material transport device. The material hold-down device is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and holds material securely on the second material transport device until the material has been accelerated up to the desired travel speed. The material hold-down device has a first wheel shaft with a first wheel and a second wheel, a second wheel shaft with a third wheel and an endless belt running from the first wheel shaft to the second wheel shaft and resting upon the first wheel, the second wheel and the third wheel. The first and second wheel shafts are connected by a frame device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mobile bin device having a mobile bin with a first conveyor extending along the bottom of the bin beneath a bin opening to convey material in the bin to one end of the bin. A second belt conveyor has one end pivotally mounted to the one end of the bin to pivot relative to the bin upward and downward and to one side or the other. The second conveyor is slidably mounted in its pivotal mounting to side longitudinally in the mounting to along the one end of the bin beneath the one end of the first conveyor to shorten or lengthen the distance from the outer end of the first conveyor to the outlet end of the second conveyor at the one end of the bin. Power devices are provided to power the upward and downward movement of the second conveyor and the longitudinal movement of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A versatile and easily serviceable material spreading apparatus of the type for movement over a ground surface while broadcasting a material along a path on the ground surface. The apparatus includes a belt cartridge which can be slid into or pulled out of a chassis compartment having ledges for supporting the cartridge. The belt cartridge provides an upper flight on which material is carried from a hopper supported on the chassis to a broadcasting unit carried at one end of the chassis. A plurality of broadcasting units each of which has an attachment component, which in combination with a mating attachment component carried by the chassis, permits quick fastening and removal of each unit relative to the chassis. One of the broadcasting units mounts an elongated rotatable member below a drop-off end of the upper flight of the belt cartridge, and the rotatable member is driven in a direction so that the upper rotating periphery of the rotating member propels the material upward and away from the chassis.

Abstract: A truck having a material spreader and a control mechanism to regulate the velocity of materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader includes a material guider to guide the trajectory of substantially all the materials in a direction substantially opposite the direction of forward movement of the truck. The control mechanism includes a velocity sensor adapted to detect the velocity of the truck and to send a signal indicative of the truck velocity to a velocity controller. The velocity controller sends a signal to the material spreader which is dependent on the truck velocity to control the velocity of the materials ejected from the material spreader. The material spreader is mounted to the truck to allow the material spreader to be moved between a non-operational and operational position. The material spreader is also mounted to allow for lateral and/or upward movement upon encountering a predetermined force.

Abstract: The invention is a mobile bin with two conveyors with each mounted on a main frame and with the main frame having wheels for rotatably supporting the vehicle along the ground. The bin has an opening along its bottom and the first belt conveyor is mounted beneath the opening in the bin and its remote ends extend to the opposite ends of the bin.

Abstract: A rolling floor for a truck or trailer box for hauling, then unloading objects. The rolling floor for a truck or trailer box includes a floor portion and a pair of wall portions upwardly extending from lateral sides of said floor portion. The floor portion has a plurality of rollers extending thereacross. An endless belt wraps around the floor portion and rests on the rollers of the floor portion. A drive mechanism drives the belt.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A bin for a sand spreading vehicle is provided with curved lower sidewalls that deliver sand to a central conveyor. The curvature of the sidewalls lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle for a given load; or permits carriage of a greater load for a given height for the center of gravity of the loaded bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning and dispensing a mixture of wet and dry insulation material is provided. The apparatus includes a hopper with a partition disposed in the hopper so as to define a wet material receiving compartment and a dry material receiving compartment. A plurality of shafts are rotatably and longitudinally supported in the hopper. The shafts are provided with helically arranged spikes which serve to incorporate the wet and dry insulation material together, as well as condition the insulation material. A lower shaft acts to convey the wet insulation material to an air lock while a pair of upper shafts function to incorporate the dry insulation material into the wet insulation material at various points.

Abstract: A top dresser (10) includes a spinner assembly (40) removably connected by clips (44) to a cross beam (20) of the frame (12) mounting a hopper (30). The first and second sides (36) of the hopper (30) slope downwardly and inwardly to a conveyor (140) formed by sheeting (70) in the form of an endless belt having a relatively smooth outer surface. The valve (84) for the hydraulic motor (164) of the conveyor (140) is in series downstream of the valve (78) for the hydraulic motors (56) for the spinners (54) of the spinner assembly (40). Thus, it is not possible to mistakenly run the conveyor (140) without the spinners (54) operating. Therefore, the top dresser (10) is able to spread extremely minimal amounts of material evenly and without clumping or bunching.

Abstract: A composted waste spreading (distributing) method and apparatus is disclosed. A storage hopper having a floor drag chain is employed to remove the composted material from the bottom of the hopper and push it out of the hopper through an opening. A unidirectional conveyor pushes the composted material into an air supplied airlock. The airlock has a flexible air conduit connected thereto for distributing the composted waste which is entrained into the airstream passing through the airlock under the force of a compressor. The airlock, conveyor and floor chain are driven by hydraulic motors and are either controlled manually or alternatively by an automatic controller.

Abstract: A multiple purpose dump unit designed to be mounted on a vehicle for hauling, dumping, spreading and the collection of refuse as well as for distributing salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit has a single dump body with a sloping, fixed endgate and a longitudinally extending conveyor along the open bottom of the dump body, and the unit is provided with a spreader mechanism at the exit gate from the conveyor to facilitate spreading of salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit is pivotally mounted near its rear end so that it can be lifted by hydraulic cylinders for dumping, spreading aggregate, asphalt, etc. The dump unit can be sized so that the vehicle can navigate narrow streets and alleys and is mounted at a height and with sides of a height to meet the requirements for manual refuse loading.

Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. A control circuit operates with the ejector motor to automatically move the ejector through eject and return cycles. The ejector includes a speed control for operating the motor and the ejector at different speeds.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing salt granular materials upon a highway pavement at practical speeds. The deposition forms two narrow bands of the salt through utilization of two impeller-based mechanisms which are canted downwardly at an acute angle toward the pavement. The dump bed of trucks utilizing the apparatus is maintained in a down orientation through the utilization of a salt transport mechanism implemented as dual augers extending the length of the truck bed. Two embodiments of the apparatus are described each being self-contained and mountable upon a truck bed with relative ease. In one embodiment, a brine formation tank of generally triangular cross-sectional configuration is combined with a brine holding tank to form the sides of a V-box hopper structure. The brine formation tank is charged with salt and water to form a saturated brine which is permitted to migrate through a baffling system to the brine holding tank.

Abstract: A spinner spreader machine has a product conveyor assembly that efficiently and accurately spreads either lime or fertilizer products, or combinations thereof. The versatility of the machine is enhanced with a plurality of conveyor belt assemblies configured to overcome the self-cohesive characteristics of certain products such as lime. The versatility of the machine is further enhanced when the conveyor apparatus provides a substantially constant volumetric distribution of product to the spinner mechanism.

Abstract: A materials spreader for a plant for the continuous deposition of conveyable material, the substructure of which is supported on three support points and has a discharge jib. The support points of its substructure are designed as pontoons resting on the ground. A transport vehicle is provided underneath the substructure for moving the spreader. This transport vehicle is not permanently connected to the substructure.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes a rotatable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The rotatable feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the rotatable feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates. The rotatable feedgate design includes a rotatable feedgate position for open mode hauling whereby the feedgate is repositioned in the rear of the dump body. An opening plate is also provided to be used to provide an alternative arrangement for sealing the tailgate opening while the rotatable feedgate is attached or detached from the dump body.

Abstract: A motorized spreader for dispersing granular and other material, such as fertilizer, seed, and salt, or the like, provides improved uniform control of the flow of the material from the spreader. The motorized spreader includes a frame and drive train supporting the frame. A hopper for holding granular material is also supported on the frame and includes a dispensing opening for directing the flow of granular material from the hopper onto the ground. An agitator is positioned in the hopper for urging the granular material in the hopper toward the dispensing opening so that the flow of the granular material from the hopper is controlled. The drive train includes first and second wheels, with each wheel including an axle. A differential drivingly couples the axles of the wheels together and includes a first drive sprocket and a second drive sprocket, the first drive sprocket coupling to a motor to drive the motorized spreader at a ground speed.

Abstract: A self-loading vehicle for moving cotton modules or bulk materials such as compost or cotton burrs. The vehicle utilizes a chain conveyor system on a tiltable bed. Long conveyor bars or lugs are attached horizontally to the chains to aid in gripping the material being moved. The chains lie in valleys in the bed, and are separated by ridges. The ridges and valleys help to channel loose bulk material toward the moving chains. Vanes or scrapers on the bottom of the horizontal bars assist in scraping small portions of loose bulk material out of the vehicle. A multi-position spreader on the rear of the bed may be moved down into a position to disperse bulk material, such as fertilizer or compost being spread onto an agricultural field. The spreader is moved up and out of the way for loading bulk material. The vehicle with spreader removed or positioned in its uppermost position is also utilized as a vehicle for transportation of cotton modules.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. A conveyor is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for conveying the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the conveyor for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: A spreader mechanism having a rear operating position for spreading the material discharged from the truck body at the rear end of the truck body and a forward storage position clear of the rear end of the truck body. According to the invention, the spreader support has at least one longitudinally extending leg support mounted on the truck frame for longitudinal movement of the spreader between the rearward operating position and a forward storage position forward of the tailgate of the truck body.

Abstract: A manure spreader has a tank with endwalls including guides for receiving opposite ends of a rotating auger shaft thus permitting a change of position of the rotating auger in the tank relative to the manure. The auger may change position in response to the condition of the manure or may be a controlled change in response to actuation of fluid powered pistons.

Abstract: A dump truck having a longitudinally extending conveyor structurally integrated into the bottom structure of the dump body of the truck. A hydraulic drive system is selectively operable for running the conveyor in each direction for dispensing the material contents of the dump body at the front and rear ends of the dump body. Front and rear spreaders are mounted on the truck frame at the front and rear ends of the conveyor for spreading the dispensed material onto the roadway in front: of and rearwardly of the rear wheels of the truck.

Abstract: A spreader for granular material such as sand comprises a trailer adapted to be pulled behind a vehicle such as a tractor or other utility vehicle. A frusto-conical bin forms a hopper for a granular material to be dispensed and directs the material into a spreader housing where the material is impelled outwardly through a discharge opening by a rotating impeller. The impeller and an orbital rotating bin sweep arm are driven by coaxial drive shafts via a belt and pulley mechanism. A frictional tire engages the upper rim of the bin and propels the sweep arm in an orbital path. The material discharge rate and discharge pattern are controllable by a slide gate and interchangeable cover plates which vary the size of the discharge opening. The impeller and bin sweep assembly may be driven by an internal motor or from the towing vehicle by a power take-off drive.

Abstract: A dump truck having a longitudinally extending conveyor structurally integrated into the bottom structure of the dump body of the truck. A hydraulic drive system is selectively operable for running the conveyor in each direction for dispensing the material contents of the dump body at the front and rear ends of the dump body. Front and rear spreaders are mounted on the truck frame at the front and rear ends of the conveyor for spreading the dispensed material onto the roadway in front of and rearwardly of the rear wheels of the truck.

Abstract: A top dresser (10) is disclosed in a first preferred form including a discharge gate (56) of a pusher (44) movably mounted in a hopper (30) for forcing material forward towards a rotating, cylindrical, dispensing drum (66) as the top dresser (10) is being pulled forward. The pusher (44) is slideably mounted by slides (50) secured to ears (48) extending between the sides (36) and the bottom (34) of the hopper (30) and slideable on tubular rails (52) positioned on the outside of the hopper (30). The pusher (44) is moved by expandable and contractable actuators (58, 60) pivotally mounted by their opposite ends to the frame (12) and the pusher (44) in a non-parallel, crossing manner. The drum (66) includes corrugated sheeting (70) around its periphery for gripping the material in the hopper (30) and drawing it under a metering gate (72) and a rotating brush (74) which propels the material onto the ground.

Abstract: A system and method for loading particulate material into a dispenser. This system includes a dispenser for receiving and dispensing particulate material, and a deflection assembly to deflect particulate material fed into the dispenser. The deflection assembly is located adjacent an inlet of the dispenser, and includes a deflection cone and a plurality of outside fins or ribs. In use, a supply of a particulate material is directed onto the deflection cone, and this cone and the ribs connected thereto then direct that material outward and around the interior of the dispenser.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a generally V-shaped hollow body, or hopper, disposed on a movable frame and having a side discharge rotary expeller for spreading the manure over a wide area as the spreader is displaced. A conveyor auger within a lower portion of the V-shaped body moves the manure toward a forward discharge aperture disposed adjacent the expeller for discharge. A pair of hydraulic cylinders move the rotating auger from a lower portion of the V-shaped body upward along an inclined body wall, maintaining an essentially fixed, close spacing between the conveyor auger and the expeller and also maintaining a working relationship between the conveyor auger and the body wall. The upward displacement of the conveyor auger loosens and breaks bridge formations of the manure above the conveyor auger, while continuing to convey the material in all positions of elevation.

Abstract: A manure spreader has a tank with endwalls including guides for receiving opposite ends of a rotating auger shaft thus permitting a change of position of the rotating auger in the tank relative to the manure. The auger may change position in response to the condition of the manure or may be a controlled change in response to actuation of fluid powered pistons.

Abstract: A three-wheeled machine carries a hopper positioned to receive paving material from a dump truck immediately in front of the machine, the hopper being emptied by a conveyor oriented transversely to the path of the machine. A left front wheel, a left rear wheel and a right side wheel support the machine and are so connected to the machine and to actuating mechanisms as to lift or lower the left and right sides of the machine in a selective manner, and thereby enable the machine to be elevated or lowered in level fashion, or to be inclined either toward the left or toward the right. The left rear wheel and the right wheel are independently driven and thus afford "skid steer" capability.

Abstract: A conversion kit for converting a lightweight dump truck into a sand and salt spreader, wherein a compact second dump body is provided which can be inserted in the first dump body. The second dump body has a first sub-frame overlying the floor of the first dump body and a second sub-frame pivotable about a longitudinal axis over the first sub-frame having a side wall along one edge and a conveyor extending along the hinge axis. A first piston and cylinder extends between the edge of the first sub-frame and the upper edge of the side wall of the second sub-frame to initiate the pivoting travel of the second sub-frame. The second piston and cylinder extends between a median point of the first sub-frame and the outer edge of the second sub-frame to continue the pivoting travel of the second sub-frame.

Abstract: A rotor for spreading a particulate product into a fluid bed comprises a shaft or core member defining an axis of rotation. Peripherally spaced spreading members extend outwardly from the shaft or core member, and the radial extensions of peripherally adjacent spreading members are different viewed in transverse sections of the rotor. The spreading members may form vanes or wings extending axially along the shaft or core member, and the spacing of the free edge of each vane or wing from the axis of rotation may vary along the length of the rotor.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a box carried by a base frame for holding and transporting manure. The box has a floor made up of a plurality of individual boards preferably formed of plastic material such as polyethylene. A conveyor moves manure along the floor toward one end of the box where a distributor mechanism is mounted. Clips flastened to rearward ends of the floor boards slidably engage a cross frame member of the base frame, and an end cap slidably receives forward ends of the floor boards. Fasteners such as bolts securely fasten the floor boards to the base frame intermediate their forward and rearward ends. The clips and the end cap permit lengthwise expansion and contraction of the floor boards to insure that the floor maintains an even surface for the conveyor to travel across.

Abstract: A transmission is provided for selectively redirecting motive power for operating material handling equipment and, in particular, agricultural implements such as manure spreaders or the like. An operator may selectively redirect power from a single input to one or both of two driven outputs. The transmission is contained in a compact, substantially sealed housing or gearbox containing a power train for each of the two output shafts and includes at least a pair of clutches, the axis of rotation of the clutches being substantially coaxial about the input shaft. The output of one of the clutches is transferred through a two speed gear to a transfer output shaft that is spaced apart from and parallel to the input shaft. A single shift linkage or operating control is provided whereby the operator may selectively redirect the input power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly dispensing particles of a seasoning material continuously deposits seasoning material at a controlled rate onto a seasoning drop point of an oscillating spreading conveyor. The oscillating spreading conveyor spreads seasoning material in a zig-zag pattern over a receiving area on the top surface of a transfer conveyor, that in turn transfers seasoning to an elongate trough of a seasoning applicator disposed beneath the transfer conveyor. The trough has a screened bottom and includes rotating bars within the trough for fluffing seasoning in the trough and for promoting uniform dispensing of the seasoning through the screened bottom of the trough. The dispensing rate of the seasoning through the screened bottom is controlled by varying the rotational speed of the bars to maintain a desired amount of seasoning material within the trough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic spreader for distributing materials stored in bulk supply in a hopper. The hopper includes an opening for discharging the materials into the upper portion of a chamber which includes a metering roller. A lower portion of the chamber is connected to a forced air supply and includes a distribution channel defining a plurality of flow paths. Nozzles receiving metered material are placed in the distribution panel, with one nozzle corresponding to a particular flow path. Material exits the nozzle immediately adjacent the flow path defined by the distribution panel. Forced air fluidizes the material as it enters the distribution panel in the desired direction of the flow path. Flexible tubing sections defining major portions of the flow panel are connected to the distribution panel. Ends of the flexible tubing sections remote from the distribution panel discharge the material. The free ends of the tubing sections are arranged along a boom to form a preselected pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading manure comprises an elongate hopper 12 mounted on a mobile frame. An axial feed rotor 18 runs along the inside of the base of the hopper and urges manure forwardly to a transfer rotor 25 which pushes the material sideways through an opening 21 to an overshot impeller 23 which throws the manure sideways from the apparatus. On the axial feed rotor 18 are blades 19 extending outwardly from the axis of the rotor and inclined in such a manner as to push the material along the direction of the axis. The blades 19 are positioned on a reverse helical path around the rotor axis, the sense of the reverse helical path being opposite to the sense of inclination of the individual blades. In this arrangement the efficiency of axial delivery of the rotor 18 is substantially lower than if the blades were positioned along a helical path around the rotor axis having the same sense as the inclination of the individual blades.

Abstract: The invention provides an asphalt patching device capable of single-handed operation, reducing the time and expense of conventional asphalt patching. The device comprises an auger, a hopper with an associated spreader, a conveyor to transport asphalt from the auger to the hopper, and an operator's station. This device, exclusive of the hopper, is mounted to a wheeled frame which is pulled behind a dump truck carrying the asphalt. The frame is provided with wheels which permit the device to rotate substantially 180.degree. side-to-side behind the truck in order to effect asphalt patches on a roadway.