GB2144611A - Transportable apparatus for handling slurry, manure and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a cylindrical tank X on a wheeled trailer. Liquids and semi-liquids can be loaded into and discharged from the tank X by a piston A movable in syringe fashion by rams B,C. In a preferred form, solids can be loaded via a top door P and the apparatus includes a rotary chopper D,K for spreading solids. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Syringe spreader The present invention relates to transportable apparatus for handling materials such as slurry, manure and the like.

It is particularly, but not exclusively, envisaged that the apparatus is used on farms.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide apparatus which can spread solids, semi-solids and liquids onto a field.

The present invention accordingly provides atransportable apparatusfor handling material such as slurry, manure and the like, comprising an elongate container of uniform cross-section, the container having an inlet adjacent one end, a piston which forms a seal with the inner surface of the container, and power means for moving the piston in either direction axially in the container.

Preferably, the container is cylindrical.

The power means suitably comprises a hydraulic ram extending along the axis ofthe container.

Said inlet may also be used as an outlet. Preferably however, a separate outlet is provided at said one end, and may suitably be provided with liquid spreading means.

According to a particularly preferred feature ofthe invention, part of the container is in the form of a door for loading solid material, and a further opening for discharging solids is provided adjacentthe other end ofthe container.

Preferably, an adjustable spreader means is provided at said further opening, suitably in the form of a rotary chopper within the container operating in conjunction with an adjustable door.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a sectional view ofthe container; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of Figure 1 taken through lineX-X; Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the transportable apparatus; Figure 4 shows an end view of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a rear elevation ofthetransportable apparatus; and Figure 6 shows an end view of Figure 5.

With reference to Figure 1, the transportable apparatus of the present invention comprises an elongate containerX of uniform cross-section. The container has an inlet (Fig. 5) adjacent one end and a piston A which forms a seal L with the inner surface of the container X. Two telescopic hydraulic rams BandC are provided to move the piston A in either direction axially in the container. A pair of guide bars Fare provided to supportthe piston Aas it moves in the container X.

An outlet is provided (Figs 3 and 5) adjacent the inlet for discharging liquids. Aspreader plate V is provided to spread the liquid as it is discharged from the outlet Valves are provided at both the inlet and the outlet to facilitate the intake and discharge of liquid mate- rials.

Part ofthe container Xis intheform of a loading door Pfor loading solid material. The loading door P is operated bytwo hydraulic rams M1 and M2. Afurther opening in the form of an adjustable door 0 (Figs 4 and 5) for discharging solids is provided atthe end of the container X opposite the inlet and outlet. The adjustable door Q is operated by a hydraulic ram N.

An adjustable spreader means is provided at the adjustable door 0 in the form of a rotary chopper within the container. The rotary chopper is supported by an X-Frame and comprises a plurality of paddles D, which may befitted with a cutting edge, and rubber blades K. Sealed bearings J are provided to prevent material from passing between the hydraulic ram C and the X-Frame G. The rotary chopper is driven by meansof a powertake-offfrom atractorvia a chain R which extends between sprockets H and S (Fig. 3). The containerX is mounted on a trailer Ywhich can be hitched to a tractor.

In use, when spreading liquid material such as slurry, the containerX is prepared forfilling by positioning the piston A at the rear of the container. A hose is connected to the inlet and the inlet valve W is opened. The loading door P and the adjustable door Q remain closed. The spreader is filled by operating the tractor hydraulics which moves the piston Atowards thefrontofthe containerXandthe slurry is sucked into the container. The containerX is filled very quickly and suction is restricted by an overload valve (not shown) on the piston ram. When the container isfilled the inlet valve W is closed and the hose is disconnected. The trailer\/ is hitched two a tractor and taken to a desired field.

The procedure is reversed when spreading slurry.

The outlet valve is opened and the piston A is moved towards the rear of the containerXtherebyforcing the slurry at a set delivery speed, controlled by a flow tap (not shown) on the supply pipe, resulting in a controlled spread of slurry via spreader plate V.

When spreading solids, such as manure, the piston A is positioned at the rear of the container X. The loading door P is opened by means of hydraulic rams M1 and M2 and the containerXis filled bya loader.

WhenthecontainerXisfull,the loading door P is closed and the trailer is hitched to a tractor to betaken to the desired field. When spreading the manure, the spread is set by means of a ram N on the adjustable door Oat the side of the rotary chopper. The power take-off is engaged to operate the chopper. The piston Aforces the manure forward into the rotary chopper whichthrowsthe manure out ofthe door Q.

The apparatus may be manufactured to suit the customer's needs. The apparatus may be manufactured as described above for the farmer who wishes the benefits of handling both solids and liquids.

Forthefarmerwho only wishes to handle liquids, the apparatus may be manufactured without the rotary chopper at the front Similarly, for the farmer who only handles solids, the apparatus would have the rotary chopper at the front and the piston.

However, a strong container is not required since there would be no suction involved.

The apparatus can also be used to spread semisolids, e.g. a mixture of slurry sludge and straw; and can be used for other purposes such as transporting granular materials.

Claims (8)

1. Atransportable apparatus for handling material such as slurry, manure and the like, comprising an elongate container of uniform cross-section, the container having an inlet adjacent one end, a piston which forms a seal with the inner surface ofthe container, and power means for moving the piston in either direction axially in the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the container is cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 of claim 2, in which the power means comprises a hydraulic ram extending along the axis of the container.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim including an outlet, separate from the inlet, at said one end provided with liquid spreading means.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, in which part ofthe container is in the form ofadoorforloading solid material, and afurtheropeningfordischarging solids is provided adjacent the other end of the container.

6. The apparatus of claim Sin which an adjustable spreader means is provided at said further opening.

7. The apparatus of claim6, in which said adjustable spreading means comprises a rotary chopper within the container operating in conjunction with an adjustable door.

8. Atransportable apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the drawings.