Abstract:
An apparatus for uniformly planting seeds into the earth that can accommodate a even a small quantity of any size seed. An embodiment of the apparatus has a frame, at least one wheel affixed to the frame, and a conveyor belt mounted to the frame. The conveyor belt is connected to the wheel or wheels such that it moves in relation to the rate of rotation along the earth of the wheel or wheels. The conveyor belt has a surface on a top thereof suitable for receiving seeds. A seed box is hingedly affixed to the frame and is movable from a first position over the conveyor belt to a second position away from the conveyor belt. In the first position, the seed box allows seed and soil mixture to be uniformly placed on the conveyor belt.
Abstract:
Biodegradable solid soil amendment material such as poultry litter may be disposed of in soil using an apparatus which includes a soil cutter for cutting a trench and a dispenser for transporting the material and simultaneously grinding or shearing the material and distributing it to the trenches in the soil. The receptacle includes a plurality of troughs across its bottom surface, each having an outlet at one end thereof, and corresponding screw augers therein for distributing and transporting the material to the outlets. As the material is transported toward each of the outlets by the augers it is crushed or ground to a small size. This apparatus allows the material to be dispensed through the multiple outlets at a substantially steady, uniform rate.
Abstract:
A soil treatment device that reconditions topsoil by removing an amount of topsoil, treating the topsoil, placing bacteria and small organisms within the topsoil, and then returning the topsoil to the ground surface. The device removes the topsoil from a ground surface by a front-mounted set of cutter blades that remove topsoil down to a specific depth and places it on a conveyer belt. The belt then transports the topsoil into the device, where it is irradiated; seeded with bacteria, microorganisms, and seedlings; and then discharged back onto the ground surface.
Abstract:
A method of loading particulate matter into a transport container having at least one chamber with a peripheral region using an apparatus comprising a rotatable member configured to be positioned at least partially into an opening for the chamber. The method can include the acts of locating the apparatus adjacent the opening for the chamber by movement relative to the transport container, initiating a flow of particulate matter from the apparatus into the opening, rotating the rotatable member to facilitate the dispensing of particulate matter within the chamber, and engaging the rotatable member with particulate matter so that at least a portion of particulate matter that has been dispensed into the chamber is pushed into the peripheral region within the chamber.
Abstract:
A manually driven spreader for particulate material has two rotatable plates. The dispersed material from the spreader has an even dispense pattern without unwanted skewing found in prior art spreaders. The spreader covers greater area compared with single plate spreaders. The spreader has features that allow an operator to adjust the ports of the container during operation and also blocking/unblocking the ports without having to let go of the grip of the handle used to push the spreader.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to an improved broadcast deflector plate designed to create a cascade-like deflection of material over a series of angled tabs separated by open intervals where indirect flow is created. A first volume of material falls without deflection directly through the open intervals onto the spreader plate at a first position, and a second volume of material is deflected by the tabs to a preferential location closer to the center of the spreader plate at a second position, the presence of the openings between the tabs allowing for a third volume of material to cascade in all directions around the tabs and reach all intermediate positions on the spreader plate.
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:
Method and apparatus for dispensing aggregates for lawn improvement. Aggregates are delivered to the site in a primary dispensing vehicle, which is configured to allow a smaller secondary dispensing vehicle to be loaded with the aggregate directly from the primary vehicle. The process includes aerating the soil, distributing a variety of soil amendments evenly over the area to be treated and then dragging a unique drag mat over the area to make a smooth contour and to even the distribution of the aggregate.
Abstract:
A spreader assembly for spreading a material and for mounting to a bed of a truck is disclosed. The assembly includes a hopper and a frame having an upper rail for supporting the hopper in the bed of the truck. The frame includes a pair of front and rear posts extending downwardly from the upper rail and an upper rail extending in a cantilevered fashion from the rear posts to support the outlet spout outside the bed of the truck. A quick-release connector releasably engages the frame for preventing longitudinal movement within the bed of the truck. A spinner is rotatably attached and is moveable between an operating position and a storage position. The hopper includes a lower portion having a bottom with a first slanted portion having a first slope and a second slanted portion having a second slope with the first slope being different than the second slope.
Abstract:
A granular material spreader for a mower other a apparatus including a support column, having a support plate attached to its bottom, for supporting the spreader thereon, the spreader being mounted to the shaft of the motor which when energized turns the spreader for usage. A bracket attaching to the support column supports the hopper, for holding granular material, the bottom of the hopper including a series of apertures, and a control plate, to regulate the dispensing and spreading of granular material. A pivot lever energized to a solenoid initiates the dispensing, or containment, of spreading of granular material. The control plate includes an adjustment further regulating the amount of granular material dispensed from the hopper.