NZ789168A - A trailer for distributing aggregate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a small trailer bearing a hopper for distribution of aggregate required for the construction and/or maintenance of walking, cycle, and access tracks in nature reserves or rural settings. The trailer is articulated with a main portion provided with a hopper and pivotally connected to a dolly portion. A lever is operative on a cover provided to the base of the hopper in order to allow aggregate therein to exit and be deposited on the area being worked. The trailer is particularly suitable for use with small vehicles, such as a compact track-loader or an all-terrain vehicle.

Description

The invention is a small trailer bearing a hopper for distribution of ate ed for the construction and/or maintenance of walking, cycle, and access tracks in nature reserves or rural settings. The trailer is articulated with a main portion provided with a hopper and pivotally connected to a dolly portion. A lever is operative on a cover provided to the base of the hopper in order to allow aggregate therein to exit and be deposited on the area being worked. The r is particularly suitable for use with small vehicles, such as a compact track-loader or an all-terrain vehicle.

NZ 789168 James & Wells ref: 315041 A TRAILER FOR DISTRIBUTING AGGREGATE Statement of Corresponding Applications This application is based on New Zealand Patent Application No. 776881, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of Invention The invention relates to a trailer for distributing aggregate. The invention has particular application to a r that includes a hopper for the aggregate and which is suitable for towing by small vehicles.

Background to the Invention Popular recreational activities for many people are hiking, g, running and cycling, and nature reserves often include walking and/or cycle tracks for this purpose. Furthermore, in many rural areas, such as farms, access tracks to utility structures, water and sea ways, tracks for access on foot and by small vehicles are place.

For all-year-round usage, it is common practice for these tracks to include a top layer of aggregate, made up of gravel and/or fragments of stones and rock matter. Th e use of aggregate helps to protect the underlying ate and provides a more suitable surface for walking or driving, particularly in wet conditions.

Tracks with a layer of aggregate requires regular upkeep otherwise, over time, water runoff and people and vehicles traversing the track will strip and scatter at least some of the protective ate. This exposes the ying substrate, which can quickly become waterlogged during and after inclement weather. Without aggregate in place, a track can quickly become muddy and ult to traverse, even for all-terrain es. In such conditions, the health and safety risk to persons using the track is increased.

The construction and/or maintenance of a track requires a significant amount of ate to be deposited and spread across its surface. This aggregate needs to be transported to the track being worked.

This may not be an issue for tracks that are sufficiently large enough to take a conventional vehicle, such as a heavy or light truck with a bed on which aggregate may be carried. However, many tracks are in areas that are ult or impossible for conventional trucks to use. This complicates the construction and/or maintenance of such tracks requiring aggregate.

James & Wells ref: 315041 In some instances, power barrows may be used. r, this type of equipment, similar to a motorised arrow, can be slow and have d load carrying capacity. Furthermore, the distribution of the aggregate is relatively rolled, such that there can be uncontrolled spillage off the track.

In other instances, the aggregate may be manually hauled to the section of the track requiring work.

Such an approach is labour intensive and requires considerable manpower. Furthermore, it is clearly impractical for longer or remote tracks.

It is more practical in many instances to transport aggregate by helicopter to the desired location. This can add significant expense to the construction and/or maintenance of the track and in addition, this work is constrained by the availability of helicopters. Furthermore, once ted, the aggregate still needs to be distributed across the track, which involves a certain amount of manual labour to achieve.

These issues increase the costs of track uction and maintenance.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a trailer for distributing aggregate, where the trailer is able to be towed by a small vehicle, such as a compact track-loader or rrain vehicle.

Alternatively, it is an object to provide a trailer for distributing ate, where the trailer is relatively cost effective to manufacture and .

Alternatively, it is an object to provide a r for distributing aggregate, where the aggregate is deposited from the trailer in a relatively controlled and consistent manner.

Alternatively, it is an object to provide a trailer for distributing aggregate, where the axle track of the trailer is able to be increased and/or decreased as required.

Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer for buting aggregate, the trailer ing a chassis, wherein the chassis is configured with: a main portion, wherein the main portion includes: a first pair of wheels; and a cradle; a dolly portion, wherein the dolly portion is pivotally connected to the main portion via a tion, and wherein the dolly portion includes: James & Wells ref: 315041 a second pair of wheels; and a hitch configured to engage with and connect to a towing vehicle; a hopper configured to be received by the cradle of the main portion, wherein the hopper includes: an opening at the base of the hopper for distributing aggregate; a cover configured to be movable from a first position, closing the opening, to a second position, exposing the opening; and a user-operable means to configured to move the cover from the first position to the second on.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using a trailer for distributing aggregate, the trailer substantially as described above, the method including the steps of: • engaging the hitch of the dolly portion with a towing vehicle; • loading the hopper with aggregate to be buted; • driving the trailer to the area requiring aggregate; and • operating the user-operable means to move the cover thereby allowing the aggregate to exit the hopper.

The invention should be understood to be a small r bearing a hopper for distribution of aggregate required for the construction and/or maintenance of g, cycle, and access tracks in nature reserves or rural settings. The trailer is lated with a main portion provided with a hopper and pivotally connected to a dolly portion. A lever is ive on a cover provided to the base of the hopper in order to allow aggregate therein to exit and be deposited on the area being . The trailer is particularly suitable for use with small vehicles, such as a compact track-loader or an all-terrain vehicle.

Preferably, the first pair of wheels of the s are configured such that their axle track may be increased or decreased as required.

Preferably, the first pair of wheels is configured as a first pair of wheel assemblies, each assembly including a RHS member which is slidably ed within a housing.

Preferably the g is a RHS member complementary to that of each wheel assembly of the first pair of wheels.

James & Wells ref: 315041 Preferably, the second pair of wheels of the chassis are configured such that their axle track may be increased or decreased as ed.

Preferably, the second pair of wheels is configured as a second pair of wheel assemblies, each assembly including a RHS member which is slidably disposed within a housing.

Preferably the housing is a RHS member mentary to that of each wheel assembly of the second pair of wheels.

Preferably, at least one of the first or second pair of wheels is provided with a brake system that is communicative with the towing vehicle.

Preferably, the brake system is also operative when not communicative with the towing vehicle.

Preferably, the hitch of the dolly portion is part of a ball and socket arrangement. In this embodiment, the dolly portion includes a coupling configured with a socket that engages with a tow ball ed to the towing vehicle.

Preferably, the main portion includes a hitch configured to engage with and connect to a towing vehicle, such that the trailer may be towed in reverse. Alternatively, the hitch of the main portion may be configured to engage with a second trailer for distributing aggregate. ably, the hitch of the main portion is part of a ball and socket arrangement. In th is embodiment, the main portion includes a tow ball that s with a coupling configured with a socket and provided to the second trailer.

Preferably, the connection n the main portion and the dolly portion is a te joint. atively, the connection may be a universal-joint or ball and socket arrangement.

The hopper will be understood to be substantially rectangular in a plan view, having a length dimension and a width dimension, and narrows from its open, upper side, to its base. The hopper es the aggregate to be distributed and it will be appreciated that the hopper acts as a funnel for the aggregate deposited therein.

Preferably the length dimension of the hopper is longer than the width dimension.

Preferably, the length dimension is substantially transverse to the orientation of the axles of the chassis.

The base of the hopper will be understood to be substantially rectangular in a plan view, having a length dimension and a width ion. The base is open and serves as a mouth through which aggregate is able to exit the hopper. Having the entire base open allows for the complete emptying of the hopper.

James & Wells ref: 315041 However, in ative embodiments, the base is configured with an opening which is smaller than the area of the base and which serves as the mouth.

Preferably, the base is provided with one or more flaps which serve to define the dimensions of the mouth.

Preferably, the one or more flaps provided to the base of the hopper may be adjustable to allow the mouth to be partially occluded. This can be helpful for controlling the rate of bution of aggregate.

For relatively fine aggregate, the flaps may be adjusted to reduce the effective size of the mouth. For relatively coarse aggregate, the flaps may ed so that the mouth is opened to its fullest extent.

Preferably, the length dimension of the base of the hopper is longer than the width dimension and is substantially transverse to the orientation of the axles of the chassis. Alternatively, the width ion is longer than the length dimension and is substantially transverse to the length dimension of the hopper.

The hopper will be tood to include a cover for the mouth. When the cover is in place, covering the base, the hopper is closed and any ate retained therein. When the cover is moved such that it no longer closes the mouth of the hopper, ate is able to exit and be deposited onto the substrate.

Preferably, the cover is positioned beneath the base of the hopper.

Preferably, the cover is pivotally mounted to an exterior surface of the hopper.

Preferably, the cover pivots about an axle aligned with the length dimension of the trailer. ably, the user-operable means is an elongate lever mounted to, or otherwise connected to, the axle.

In some embodiments of the invention, the trailer may be provided with a vibrating mechanism. This may be in the form of an electric motor or the like, which is provided with an eccentric or unbalanced weight on its rotating shaft. It will be appreciated that this generates a vibration force in use. ably, the vibrating mechanism is mounted or ise fixed to the trailer such that the vibration force is delivered to the hopper. Even more preferably, the vibration mechanism is mounted to the walls or base of the hopper. This may help with the emptying of the hopper in use, particularly for aggregate that may collect or otherwise cling to the walls of the hopper.

Preferably, the main portion of the chassis is provided with a foot platform at its rear.

Preferably, the main portion of the chassis is provided with a levelling bar that is towed by the trailer in James & Wells ref: 315041 Preferably, the towing vehicle is a compact track-loader. atively, the towing vehicle may be a small utility vehicle, such as all-terrain vehicle.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become nt to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without ing to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trailer according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main portion of the chassis of the trailer of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hopper of the trailer of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a top view of the trailer of Figure 1.

Detailed ption of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The invention is a trailer (generally ted by arrow 100) for distributing aggregate and which is suitable for towing by a small vehicle (not shown), such as a compact track-loader like those manufactured by the Bobcat Company, which e excavation s, or a ly-powered quad bike.

Reference to front and back should be tood to be in reference to a direction of travel when the trailer 100 is in d motion. This means that in use, the front end of the trailer is the end closest to the towing vehicle.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, the trailer 100 includes an articulated chassis 102, having a main portion 102a, which mounts a hopper 103, and a dolly portion 102b; the dolly portion forms or is otherwise associated with the front end of the trailer.

The lation of the chassis 102 of the trailer 100 is such that the dolly portion 102b is able to pivot relative to the main portion 102a. This allows t he operator of the towing vehicle to adjust the turning radius of the trailer when in use.

The trailer 100 has an overall length and width dimension and is provided with wheels 104, arranged substantially at each corner of the trailer. The front wheels are part of the dolly portion 102a while the rear wheels are mounted to the main portion 102a. Note that for sake of clarity, the right-side wheels of the trailer have been omitted.

James & Wells ref: 315041 It will be seen that the dolly portion 102b is provided with a complementary connection t 106 which engages with that of the main portion 102a. This links the dolly portion to the main portion of the chassis 102.

The respective connection brackets 106 are arranged as a revolute joint, allowing pivotal movement about a vertical axis; this type of joint is preferred for its ease of manufacture but for greater flexibility, particularly when g over uneven ground, a universal-joint or ball and socket arrangement may be used instead.

The connection brackets 106 confer the trailer 100 with a degree of articulation which as previously noted allows for a tighter turning radius compared to a tional trailer. This can be useful when g on uted and/or narrow walking tracks.

Turning now to the dolly portion 102b, this is made up of a plurality of appropriately engineered steel rectangular hollow n (RHS) members and T- and/or L-shaped steel profiles. At its front end 108, these are arranged to extend forwards.

Although not shown here, a hitch is mounted to the front end 108 of the dolly portion 102b.

Conventional s, such as those in the form of a ng that engages with the tow ball of the towing vehicle, will be readily sourced by a d addressee.

Each wheel 104 of the trailer is mounted to a stub axle 110 or the like, welded, bolted or otherwise fixed to a RHS member. This forms a wheel assembly 112. Preferably RHS is used for the member but s skilled in the art will appreciate that a square hollow section may also be suitable, depending on availability. Circular hollow sections could be used, but this may complicate manufacture of the chassis The wheels 104 are paired; the main portion 102a of the chassis 102 has a first pair of wheels and the dolly portion 102b has a second pair of wheels. However, depending on the size of the hopper 103, in some embodiments of the invention, not shown here, the main portion may be provided with an additional pair of wheels. The presence of additional wheels may depend on the size of the hopper to be d by the main portion of the chassis.

Both the main portion 102a of the chassis and the dolly portion 102b are provided with a transverse RHS member 114, spanning substantially the width dimension of the trailer 100. This transverse RHS , which is substantially complementary to the RHS member of the wheel assembly, forms a housing into which the RHS member of the wheel assembly 112 is fitted such that it is able to slide in and out of the housing. To better facilitate ease of sliding movement, the respective contact surfaces of James & Wells ref: 315041 the wheel assembly and housing may be lined with plastics material or the like, having a low co-efficient of friction.

This arrangement allows the axle track, the distance between the stub axles 110 of the wheels 104 of each pair of , of the trailer 100 to be adjusted if necessary, to better suit the track being worked.

This is , for example, when the track may be relatively uneven or contoured across the width dimension of the trailer. In these s ituations, an sed axle track may be desirable to lower the overall centre of gravity of the trailer when the hopper 103 is fully loaded. This reduces the risk of the trailer tipping, particularly when it is fully loaded.

The RHS of the wheel assembly 112 is provided with a series of apertures, each corresponding to a given axle track. Similarly, the RHS of the housing 114 is provided with at least one aperture therethrough.

When the tive apertures are in alignment, bolts (not shown) or the like may be passed through to secure and lock the wheel assembly at a given axle track.

The main portion 102a of the chassis 102 is shown in isolation in Figure 2, and as can be seen is formed from a plurality of appropriately engineered steel rectangular hollow section (RHS) members and T- and/or L-shaped steel profiles.

A series of paired uprights 116, which are angled outwards along a portion of their length, are provided along the length of the main n 102a of the chassis 102. These upr ights define a cradle which, in use, receives the hopper (not shown in this view). Although two pairs are shown here, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that further paired uprights may be ed depending on the size of the hopper.

In the rated example, the angled portion of the uprights 116 is at about 28° from the al.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and a greater angle may be employed if preferred, although it will be appreciated that in use, this could affect the rate of distribution of the aggregate as it is deposited from the hopper (not shown).

The front end 118 of the main portion 102a of the chassis 102 is configured as an RHS member extending longitudinally ds. This provides a e which to a connection bracket (not shown in Figure 2) is provided. As previously noted in respect of Figure 1, the connection bracket allows the main portion to be connected to the dolly n 102b in such a way as to allow articulated movement of the trailer.

The transverse RHS member 114 of the main n 102a of the chassis 102, which receives the rear wheel assemblies (not shown in Figure 2), is more easily seen in this view. Extended rearwards from the transverse RHS member is a tab 120 which bears the weight of a user platform (not shown in this view, James & Wells ref: 315041 but 122 in s 1 and 4). This provides a surface on which a worker may stand while the trailer 100 is being towed.

Although not shown here, the transverse RHS member 114 may also be provided with a hitch, preferably of the tow ball variety. This allows the r 100 to be connected to a second trailer such that both are towed in a tandem arrangement. It will be appreciated that this would require the towing vehicle to be sufficiently powered to achieve this.

Turning now to the hopper 103, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, this is constructed from appropriately engineered steel framing of RHS section and T- and/or L-shaped steel profiles to which suitably engineered steel sheets or the like are affixed to form the walls 123 of the enclosure 124 of the hopper.

In use, this enclosure receives the aggregate (not shown) to be distributed by the r 100.

About the upper edges 126 of the enclosure 124, a number of upright s 128 are provided. These may be used with appropriately dimensioned lengths of timber (not shown) to increase the height of the enclosure, and therefore overall potential capacity and volume of the hopper 103. The presence of the timber may also help minimise or eliminate spillage of aggregate over the sides of the hopper if it shifts about as the trailer 100 is in motion.

In the illustrated e, the upper side of the hopper 103 is dimensioned approximately 1000 mm across its width ion and approximately 1500 mm along its length dimension. The walls of the hopper taper inwardly s its base 130. The base, which is an opening, is dimensioned approximately 200 mm across its width dimension and approximately 500 mm along its length dimension.

Preferably, the depth of the hopper 103 is approximately 1000 mm; thus , the example illustrated can contain approximately a cubic metre of aggregate, which can weigh as much as 1.5 to 2.0 tonnes. The volume may potentially be more when the timber is used to extend the overall height of the hopper.

The inventors have found that the recited dimensions offer a good compromise between the volume of aggregate to be transported with the trailer and the power of the red towing vehicle, a compact loader. However, it should be clear that the recited ions are given only by way of e and divergence away from these are envisaged, depending on the capacity of the towing vehicle and the nature of the aggregate to be distributed.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown here, a portion of the walls 123 are angled or otherwise tapered outwards from the base at about 28° from the vertical. As will be apparent from the discussion of Figure 2, the angle of the walls of the hopper 103 substantially corresponds to those of the uprights 116.

James & Wells ref: 315041 The ed angle for the walls 123 se the rate of flow of the ate as it exits the hopper 103 when the trailer 100 is being towed. If the flow rate is too high, then it may mean that the aggregate is distributed too thickly across the track surface. Consequen tly, more manual work will be required to better spread the aggregate across the track. Conversely, if the flow rate is too low, the aggregate may be distributed too thinly, with an insufficient amount distributed across the track. A further pass with a loaded hopper may be required to achieve the desired coverage.

In Figure 3, it can be seen that the exterior of the walls 123 of the hopper 103 are provided with paired flanges 132; these co-operate with the paired uprights 116 of the main portion 102a of the chassis 102, as rated in Figure 2, providing surfaces with which appropriate ers, such as nuts and bolts, may be used to secure the hopper in place. Also visible in Figure 3 is the exterior portion of the axle 134, about which the cover (137 in Figure 1) that occludes the base 130 of the hopper pivots. The exterior portion of the axle extends forward from the hopper.

As can be seen in Figure 4, a top view of the hopper 103, the axle 134 also extends through the interior of the hopper. The axle spans the mouth 136 that defines the opening at the base 130 of the hopper.

The mouth 136 of the hopper 103 is orientated such that its longest dimension is in line with the length dimension of the trailer 100. However, in some examples not illustrated, the mouth may be orientated such that its longest dimension is transverse to the length dimension of the trailer. This may be preferred when the longest dimension of the mouth approximates the overall width of the track. It will be appreciated that this means that the aggregate is deposited across the width of the track. Potentially the need for the ted aggregate to be manually worked to better ensure coverage of the track may be minimised.

The cover 137 for the mouth 136 of the hopper 130 is able to be moved by articulating the lever 138 that is visible in Figure 1. This is an elongate structure, which is mounted to the axle 134 of the hopper 103 partway along its length. The cover is ted to the lever at its end. As previously noted in the sion for Figure 3, a portion of the axle s from the exterior of the hopper at its front end.

Although not shown here, it can also, or alternatively, extend from the exterior of the hopper at its rear end. A second lever may be provided to the rear of the hopper. Thus, both levers are operative on the cover to allow discharge of the aggregate contained within the hopper.

The opening 136 of the hopper 103 at its base 130 is arranged with an arcuate profile, as best seen in Figure 3. It will be appreciated that this substantially corresponds with the e path taken by the cover 137 as it pivots about the axle 134 when the lever 138 is operated.

James & Wells ref: 315041 The opening of the hopper 103 may be altered through the use of flaps (not shown). These are plates of suitably engineered steel which may used to partially e the opening, thereby narrowing it. This can be helpful in lling the rate of bution of relatively fine aggregate, which can flow much more easily than coarser aggregate. The flaps may be positioned through the use of complementary apertures and appropriate fasteners, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art.

In some ments not shown here, the trailer may be provided with a levelling bar mounted to the main portion and extending rearwards. When the towing vehicle is in forward motion, this levelling bar can act against the aggregate and assist in its even spreading across the track.

It will be appreciated that once loaded, the hopper 103 acts as a funnel, with aggregate deposited therein allowed to exit via the opening 136 at the base 130 when the cover 137 no longer seals the opening.

In use, prior to being loaded, the operator of the trailer 100 sets the desired axle track by removing the bolt g the through the RHS members of the wheel assemblies 112 and housing 114 and sliding the former an riate distance outwards (or inwards as the case may be). The bolt is then re-engaged to secure the wheel assemblies relative to the housing.

The hopper 103 can then be filled with the aggregate to be distributed; this may be through the use of a compact loader, the preferred towing vehicle. Alternatively, the likes of an excavator may be used.

The trailer 100 is transported to the track requiring attention. When travelling along the track in motion at slow speeds of up 10 to 15 tres per hour, the illustrated trailer, if fully loaded, deposits ient aggregate to cover around 15 metres of a track that is approximately 1.5 metres.

Although reference is made throughout the ication to the invention being used with aggregate, it may also be suitable for transporting other granular materials, such as dirt, sand or the like.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising",and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not d to".

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above, if any, are herein incorporated by nce.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common l knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

James & Wells ref: 315041 The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements, characteristics and features referred to or indicated in the ication of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements, characteristics or features.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined herein.

Where in the foregoing description nce has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and cations to the tly preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and cations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be ed within the present invention.

James & Wells ref: 315041

Claims (24)

Claims

1. A trailer for distributing aggregate, the trailer ing a chassis, n the chassis is configured with: a main portion, wherein the main n includes: a first pair of wheels; and a cradle; a dolly portion, wherein the dolly portion is pivotally connected to the main portion via a connection, and wherein the dolly portion includes: a second pair of ; and a hitch configured to engage with and connect to a towing vehicle; a hopper ured to be received by the cradle of the main portion, wherein the hopper has a base and includes: an opening at the base of the hopper for distributing aggregate; a cover configured to be movable from a first position, closing the opening, to a second position, exposing the opening; and a user-operable means to configured to move the cover from the first position to the second position.

2. The trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pair of wheels of the chassis have an axle track, and wherein the first pair of wheels are configured such that the axle track may be increased or decreased.

3. The trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first pair of wheels is configured as a first pair of wheel assemblies, each assembly including a RHS member which is slidably disposed within a housing to increase or decrease the axle track.

4. The trailer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing is a RHS member complementary to that of each wheel assembly of the first pair of wheels.

5. The r as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second pair of wheels of the chassis have an axle track, and wherein the second pair of wheels are configured such that the axle track may be increased or decreased. James & Wells ref: 315041

6. The trailer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second pair of wheels is configured as a second pair of wheel assemblies, each assembly including a RHS member which is slidably disposed within a housing to increase or decrease the axle track.

7. The r as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing is a RHS member complementary to that of each wheel assembly of the second pair of wheels.

8. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one of the first or second pair of wheels is ed with a brake system.

9. The r as d in claim 8, wherein the brake system is communicative with the towing vehicle.

10. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hitch of the dolly portion is part of a ball and socket ement.

11. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the main portion includes a hitch configured to engage with and connect to a vehicle.

12. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hopper has a length dimension and a width dimension, wherein the length dimension of the hopper is longer than the width dimension.

13. The trailer as claimed in claim 12, n the length dimension of the hopper is substantially transverse to the orientation of the axles of the chassis.

14. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, n the g of the hopper has a length dimension and a width dimension, wherein the length dimension of the opening is longer than the width dimension.

15. The trailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the length dimension of the opening hopper is ntially transverse to the ation of the axles of the chassis.

16. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the base is provided with one or more adjustable flaps configured to partially occlude the opening of the hopper.

17. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cover is positioned beneath the base of the hopper.

18. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the cover is pivotally mounted to an exterior surface of the hopper. James & Wells ref: 315041

19. The trailer as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cover pivots about an axle aligned with the length dimension of the trailer.

20. The r as claimed in claimed in claim 19, wherein the user-operable means is an elongate lever mounted to, or otherwise connected to, the axle.

21. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the connection between the main portion and the dolly portion is one of: • a revolute joint; or • sal-joint; or • ball and socket arrangement.

22. The trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the main portion of the chassis is provided with: • a foot platform; and/or • a levelling bar that is towed by the trailer in use; and/or • a vibrating mechanism for the hopper.

23. A method of using a trailer for distributing aggregate, the trailer as claimed in claim 1, the method including the steps of: • ng the hitch of the dolly portion with a towing vehicle; • loading the hopper with ate to be distributed; • driving the trailer to the area ing aggregate; and • operating the user-operable means to move the cover thereby allowing the aggregate to exit the .

24. The method of using a trailer as claimed in claim 23, wherein the towing vehicle is a compact track-loader. 128 103 110 123 130 102 114