IE55474B1 - Syringe spreader - 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> [GB2144611A]

Description

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

It is particularly, but not exclusively, envisaged 5 that the apparatus is used on farms.

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

The present invention accordingly provides a 10 transportable apparatus for handling material such as slurry, manure and the like, comprising an elongate container of uniform cross-section, the container having an inlet at or adjacent one end, a piston which forms a seal with the inner surface of the container, and power means 15 for moving the piston in each axial direction, selectively, in the container.

Preferably, the container is cylindrical.

The power means suitably comprises a hydraulic ram extending along the axis of the 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 25 of the 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 adjacent the other end of the .container.

- Preferably, an adjustable spreader means is 30 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 3 the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the container; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of Figure 1 taken through line X-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 of the transportable 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 container x 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 B and C are provided to move the piston A in either direction axially in the container. A pair of guide bars F are provided to support the piston A as it moves in the container X.

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

Part of the container X is in the form of a loading door P for loading solid material. The loading door P is operated by two hydraulic rams and M2· A further Opening in the form of an adjustable door Q (Figs. 4 and 5) for discharging solids is provided at the 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 Q 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 4 be fitted 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 means of a 5 power take-off from a tractor via a chain R which extends between sprockets H and S (Fig. 3). The container X is mounted on a trailer Y which can be hitched to a tractor.

In use, when spreading liquid material such as 10 slurry, the container X is prepared for filling 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 15 tractor hydraulics which moves the piston A towards the front of the container X and the slurry is sucked into the container. The container X is filled very quickly and suction is restricted by an overload valve (not shown) on the piston ram. When the container is 20 filled the inlet valve W is closed and the hose is disconnected. The trailer Y is hitched to 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 25 towards the rear of the container X thereby forcing 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 30 A is positioned at the rear of the container X. The loading door P is opened by means of hydraulic rams and M2 and the container X is filled by a loader. When the container X is full, the loading door P is closed and the trailer is hitched to a tractor to be taken to 35 the desired field. When spreading the manure, the 5 spread is set by means of a ram N on the adjustable door Q at the side of the rotary chopper. The power take-off is engaged to operate the chopper. The piston A forces the manure forward into the rotary chopper 5 which throws the manure out of the 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.

For the farmer who only wishes to handle liquids, the apparatus may be manufactured without the rotary chopper at the front.

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 (10)

1. 6

2. 1. A transportable apparatus for handling material such as slurry, manure and the like, comprising an elongate container of uniform cross-section, the container having an inlet at or adjacent one end, a piston 5 which forms a seal with the inner surface of the container, and power means for moving the piston in each axial direction, selectively, in the container.

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

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

5. 4. The apparatus of any preceding claim including an outlet, separate from the inlet, at said one end 15 provided with liquid spreading means.

6. 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, in which part of the container is in the form of a door for loading solid material, and a further opening for discharging solids is provided adjacent the other 20. end of the container.

7. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which an adjustable spreader means is provided at said further opening.

8. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said adjustable spreading means comprises a rotary chopper 25 within the container operating in conjunction with an adjustable door.

9. 8. A transportable apparatus .according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the drawings. Dated this the 3rd day of August, 1984. F. R. KfitLY, SC0>i BY; _EXECUTIVE

10. 27 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANT.