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 fine material distributing machine having a container adapted to be movable over the ground, a conveyor at least partially housed within the container to be cooperable therewith to move fine material reposed within the container toward a discharge opening in the container, and a brush-type distributing mechanism positioned at the discharge opening to engage material conveyed thereto by the conveyor to effect a discharge thereof from the container to the surface of the ground, is disclosed wherein the brush-type distributing mechanism has resilient bristles which engage a structural member to cause a deflection thereof counter to the direction of rotation of the distributing mechanism as the bristles are engaging material conveyed thereto for enhancing the discharge of material from the container.

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 portable distributor has a handle coupled to a body by a rod. A tank is disposed on the body for storing seeds to be distributed. An aperture is formed in the upper portion of the body. An opening is formed in said body. A stirrer which is located in the opening is fixed to a shaft. The stirrer is driven by a motor in order to distribute the seeds which flow into the opening via the aperture.

Abstract: The machine comprises a hopper supported on a frame, having a horizontal portion supporting a centrifugal spreader below the hopper and an upright portion, upwardly supporting a U-shaped element and laterally supporting wings. The U-shaped element is connected to the hopper and the wings are rigidly associated with upwardly inclined arms which are in turn externally connected to the hopper at diametrically opposite points defined thereon. A pre-mixer is arranged inside the hopper, and a reinforcement element is located above the pre-mixer inside the hopper. The reinforcement element is rigidly associated with end plates which are connected to the diametrically opposite points at the inside of the hopper.

Abstract: A sliding gate type outlet port for a semi-liquid manure spreader is presented. The spreader with which the gate is used has an open topped tank of triangular cross section supported on a tractor drawn trailer. The power takeoff from the tractor is coupled to a shaft extending internally the length of the tank near the bottom. At the rear wall of the tank the shaft is coupled to a centrifugal pump which communicates with the tank and flings manure received therefrom in an arc away from a discharge opening in the pump housing. A hydraulically actuated flow regulating gate slides fore and aft across the pump exit port. The horizontal movement of the gate in a support structure allows an opening of constant height to be maintained while varying the area of the discharge opening, thus providing constant spread width under various settings of deposition density.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for storing tobacco or the like in high stacks and discharging the same, in which tobacco is charged into and stored in a plurality of vertically elongated storage chambers arranged side by side. The tobacco is discharged to fall onto a discharging conveyor arranged horizontally beneath the storage chambers, while changing the orientation of the tobacco layer from a horizontal to a vertical direction. The tobacco layer oriented in a vertical direction is transported by the discharging conveyor. Completion of the discharge is detected and then discharging the tobacco of the next chamber is started. Separating doffers are provided for cooperation with the discharging conveyor.

Abstract: Improved control over the distribution pattern and the amount of fertilizer, grass seed or the like dispensed by a broadcast spreader is accomplished by mounting a variable rate control device in a material directing chute secured below a basin wall of a hopper. A web or ramp portion of the chute is spaced below a discharge port in the hopper, and the rate control device is rotatably mounted in a housing formed in the rear of the chute to engage a shutter that is slidably mounted under the discharge port.

Abstract: A guard apparatus is provided for a rotatable, side discharge material distribution spinner having a given circumference and height and a predetermined lateral discharge area. The guard apparatus comprises an upper guard ring and a lower guard ring each defining an outer periphery at least as great as the circumference of the spinner. Coupling brackets are provided for coupling the upper and lower guard rings together in assembled condition in substantially parallel planes and spaced apart by an amount at least as great as the given height of the spinner. A mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the assembled guard rings respectively above and below the spinner so as to respectively overlie the outer circumference thereof while leaving the lateral discharge area thereof unobstructed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for evenly loading each level of a bed catalyst in a reactor vessel. A cylindrical flow of catalyst particles is divided into one or more annular flow and a smaller cylindrical flow. Each portion of the divided flow is distributed simultaneously to a different radial distance from the center of the vessel so that the catalyst bed is evenly filled at each level. In the apparatus embodiment, a distributor rotor includes a plurality of discs driven by a common drive shaft. Each upper disc is formed with a hub that is radially displaced from the shaft sufficiently to intercept one annular portion of the divided catalyst flow. The upper discs are in each case greater in diameter than the next lower disc so that the peripheral velocity of the disc and the catalyst distributed thereby is greater than the next lower disc. In this way two or more areas are simultaneously filled at each level.

Abstract: A device for unrolling a round bale of hay when being discharged upon the ground from a hay carrying vehicle, said device including a mechanism in which a plurality of rollers form a cradle upon which the hay bale is rested, the rollers being power rotated so as to unroll the hay bale as it sits in the cradle so that a mat of hay is spread on the ground.

Abstract: A powdered material hopper or container is mounted in an airplane with a downwardly facing discharge opening positioned immediately above a centrifugal material discharge wheel driven by a hydraulic motor positioned in the outer end of a pivotal support in the form of a pivotal hollow housing. The pivotal hollow housing can be pivoted between a first position in which the centrifugal material discharge wheel is adjacently facing the discharge opening of the container and a second position remote therefrom for permitting a rapid emergency dumping of all material from the container. Movement of the pivotal support means is effected by a hydraulic cylinder connected to the pivotal support means and a lug extending from the lower end of the container which also provides pivotal support for the pivotal support means.

Abstract: The manure spreader includes a wheeled, V-shaped body having a longitudinally positioned impeller rotatively carried near the bottom of the V-configuration. The impeller blades are positioned on a multi-sided body and are arranged in oppositely generated helices to urge the manure both from the rear of the body and from the front of the body toward an outlet gate which is positioned in the body intermediate its ends. A rotary spinner is carried outwardly of the body in position to receive the effluent from the outlet gate and a suitable drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spinner at many times the rotative speed of the impeller. The spinner and the impeller are simultaneously rotated by a common drive, which may be a tractor PTO, and an adjustable deflector is provided in effluent path from the spinner to easily vary the spray pattern.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder includes a cylindrical feeder disc having an upwardly inclined uniform surface which is designed to expel particles placed thereon in a predetermined fashion by centrifugal force. The upwardly inclined surface of the disc may be designed to have a first predetermined expulsion rate which is the initial speed at which the disc must be rotated to expel any of the particles from the surface thereof. The disc also may be designed to have a final expulsion rate at which all particles placed on the surface thereof are expelled. The disc is rotated at a controlled rate of speed and at a controlled rate of change of speed to expel the particles in the manner desired in a linear or non linear fashion. The feed or expulsion rate of the particles is determined by the design of the disc and the rotation speed of the disc and essentially is independent of the size and density of the particles and the viscosity of the surrounding fluid in which the disc is rotated.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted broadcaster or spreader for granular materials includes a rotary spreader disc and an adjustable gate valve means above the disc and at the outlet of the material hopper. A power cylinder attached to a special support on the hopper operates a rocker arm which in turn is connected with a push-pull cable operatively connected with the movable gate valve element. By this means, the tractor operator inside of the tractor cab can remotely control the discharge of material on to the broadcasting or spreader disc with precision.

Abstract: A device adapted for operational mounting upon a ground-level superior, moving, and dirigible platform, which device distributes individualized members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern selectively controllable with respect to distribution frequency and locational placement of the individualized members.Claimed also is a sequence of operations method for distributing members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern which ground pattern is selectively controllable with respect to member distribution frequency and locational placement.