ES366996A1 - Improvements in or relating to distributors for distributing granular material over the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

A distributor for granular material comprises a hopper 10, and at least one boom 15 having discharge outlets for the granular material and being moveable between an aperture position and a transport position (dotted lines Fig. 1). The booms are of tubular cross-section and contain feed means 48 preferably in the form of an archimedian screw with the blades 49 formed from flexible filamentary material. The booms pivot about an axis which is transverse to the length of the boom, or upwardly or at some intermediate inclined position and the transmission driving the feed means is automatically disengaged when the booms are pivoted into the transport position. The feed means is arranged to advance material along the length of the boom and to lift material to the level of the discharge outlets 20. The openings to the booms are closeable to prevent the delivery of material when the booms are in the inoperative position and the rate of delivery of the material is selectively variable. The material is carried at least partially by gravity from the hopper 10 to the subordinate chamber 65 which has a series of openings similar to the openings in the booms. The material is then acted upon by the feed means, which, in the central portion of the subordinate chamber comprise a member 103a which has straight vanes. The member 103a is mounted co-axially, or approximately so, with the screw augers 48. The feeding members are arranged so as to be easily removeable. In an embodiment Fig. 9 (not shown) a return screw auger 130 is provided for each boom to return excess material from the ends of the conveyor to the hopper. In a further embodiment Fig. 10 (not shown) the feed means comprises an endless belt whose upper run carrier material along the booms and whose lower run returns the excess material to the hopper. Paddles are provided to lift the material to the outlet openings.