An apparatus for broadcasting particulate or granular material over a ground surface involves a variable speed spinner and a material conveyor. The spinner is positioned generally horizontally below a discharge end of a material conveyor. The spinner has a disk having a generally radially disposed fin fixed to an upper side of the disk and radiating outwardly from a center of the disk. The spinner is positioned to receive material from the material conveyor at a location about half way along a length of the fin. In a method broadcasting particulate or granular material over a ground surface, the spinner is preferably rotated at a speed of 900-1000 rpm. The apparatus and method provide for distribution of material over greater distances and can do so without pulverizing the material, creating a uniform pattern of distribution over a 50% wider swath.

A control apparatus for a broadcast spreader includes a gate adjustment dial mounted on, and generally coaxial with, a handle portion of a handle assembly of the spreader. Rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a first direction causes an increase in a current maximum discharge rate of the spreader and rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a second direction causes a decrease in the current maximum discharge rate of the spreader.

A chest-mounted spreader system includes a hopper for receiving particulate material and a base assembly mounted to the hopper. The base assembly has a base unit having a base plate and rotatable shaft. An electric motor is coupled to the shaft to drive rotation of the shaft. An impeller is mounted on the shaft proximate the base plate. A shroud has a partial sidewall affixed to the base plate thereby defining an impeller cavity. The impeller cavity includes a discharge opening opposite the partial sidewall and the impeller is received within the impeller cavity. A shroud opening is in fluid communication with the hopper so that particulate matter passes from the hopper to the impeller. The electric motor is powered to rotate the shaft and the impeller to disperse the particulate matter through the discharge opening.

A friction driven beltless grain spreader system is presented that includes a spreader cone having a pulley and a grain deflector configured to disperse the flow of grain. A motor having a driven wheel and an idler wheel are pivotally connected to the spreader cone in operative engagement with the pulley such that the idler wheel is positioned between the driven wheel and the pulley. A tension member applies a force that pulls the driven wheel and intermediary wheel into the pulley. As the motor rotates the driven wheel rotates the idler wheel which rotates the pulley. When forces spike, such as when the motor is turned on or a heavy flow of grain hits the system, one or more of the driven wheel, intermediary wheel and/or pulley slip with respect to the other wheels thereby preventing breakage of the system.

A powered material broadcast spreader apparatus. The apparatus may include a granular material hopper having one or more upwardly extending walls that partially enclose an interior volume of the hopper. A first wall may define an opening passing outwardly from the interior volume. The apparatus may also include a motor surrounded by the one or more walls, and a motor cover having a contact surface congruent with a mating inner surface of the first wall. The motor cover is configured to form a motor compartment adapted to effectively isolate the motor from the interior volume, while permitting access to the motor from outside the hopper via the opening in the first wall.

A particulate material spreader for radially projecting granular material. The particulate material spreader comprises a hopper, a set of open wheels and a spreading assembly at least partially extending between the hopper and the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly is configured to radially project the particulate material through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly comprises a wheel axle extending between the open wheels and rotating along with the open wheels when the particulate material spreader is moved over a surface; a distribution shaft operatively connected to the wheel axle to rotate along therewith; and a distribution plate. The distribution plate is mounted to the distribution shaft, receives the particulate material from the hopper and radially projects the particulate material substantially through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels.

A particulate material spreader for radially projecting granular material. The particulate material spreader comprises a hopper, a set of open wheels and a spreading assembly at least partially extending between the hopper and the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly is configured to radially project the particulate material through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly comprises a wheel axle extending between the open wheels and rotating along with the open wheels when the particulate material spreader is moved over a surface; a distribution shaft operatively connected to the wheel axle to rotate along therewith; and a distribution plate. The distribution plate is mounted to the distribution shaft, receives the particulate material from the hopper and radially projects the particulate material substantially through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels.

A carrier mountable to a vehicle for carrying a conventional broadcast spreader features a mounting bar for coupling to the vehicle in a mounted condition and a holder arranged at an end of the mounting bar for supporting the spreader. The holder has a first portion which is in fixed relation to the mounting bar and a second portion which is pivotally coupled to the first portion so as to be movable from a storage position to a lowered position where a front end of the second portion is arranged at the ground. The holder includes a first receptacle for receiving a lower portion of the spreader and a pair of channels, one of which is supported on the second portion so as to be movable therewith and another one which is supported in fixed position on the first portion, which collectively form an enclosure for receiving the leg of the spreader in the storage position.

An aerial seeding system that may be installed in an aircraft in a modular form with minimal modification to the existing aircraft configuration, and, in particular, without any structural modifications that would adversely impact the integrity of the aircraft structure or its overall air worthiness. Exemplary embodiments include an active and controllable seed distribution mechanism to ensure continuously controllable and even distribution of seeds. Basic system components include a modular seed hopper, a seed broadcasting head and a hydraulic system driven by a pump connected to an aircraft accessory drive.

An aerial seeding system that may be installed in an aircraft in a modular form with minimal modification to the existing aircraft configuration, and, in particular, without any structural modifications that would adversely impact the integrity of the aircraft structure or its overall air worthiness. Exemplary embodiments include an active and controllable seed distribution mechanism to ensure continuously controllable and even distribution of seeds. Basic system components include a modular seed hopper, a seed broadcasting head and a hydraulic system driven by a pump connected to an aircraft accessory drive.