A self-loading manure spreader is claimed which possesses a scraper blade affixed to the front end of the spreader hopper so that as the front end is lowered the scraper blade scoops manure into the hopper as the spreader is pulled forward across a manure supply. The hopper floor is the carrying surface of a conveyor belt which is loaded as the scraper blade scoops up manure. The loading is further assisted by a continuously looping sweeper blade line which clears the top surface of the scraper blade by pushing or sweeping accumulated manure into the hopper. The manure is conveyed to the rear of the spreader where it is broken up by a clod breaker and then propelled into a deflector to increase the distribution width.

A pump is provided for immersion in a fluid reservoir, such as a pit or lagoon containing liquid manure, from a position at an edge of the reservoir. The pump may be adapted for connection to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, positioned at the edge of the reservoir. The pump comprises an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive means in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump may comprise a housing with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing may direct fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing.

A pump is provided for immersion in a fluid reservoir, such as a pit or lagoon containing liquid manure, from a position at an edge of the reservoir. The pump may be adapted for connection to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, positioned at the edge of the reservoir. The pump comprises an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive means in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump may comprise a housing with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing may direct fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing.

A spreader for solid manure and other particulate material includes upright rotational beaters having paddles to dispense product from the rear of a wagon onto an agricultural field. The paddles on the beaters overlap along a midpoint between the beaters to improve product distribution on the field. The perimeter edges of the paddles are in close proximity to the side edges of the beater frame to facilitate product sheer, and thus improved distribution. The paddles on each beater are vertically and radially offset, and at least some of the paddles are spring-loaded.

A spreader for solid manure and other particulate material includes upright rotational beaters having paddles to dispense product from the rear of a wagon onto an agricultural field. The paddles on the beaters overlap along a midpoint between the beaters to improve product distribution on the field. The perimeter edges of the paddles are in close proximity to the side edges of the beater frame to facilitate product sheer, and thus improved distribution. The paddles on each beater are vertically and radially offset, and at least some of the paddles are spring-loaded.

A distributor device for solids-containing liquids includes a distribution chamber with an inlet opening which leads to a chamber interior space of the distribution chamber, wherein the distribution chamber has a first end wall with several connection ports and a first side wall arranged laterally to the end wall. The distributor device also includes a connecting part connecting the rotor and the blade drive shaft, which connecting part is detachably connected to the rotor and/or to the blade drive shaft, wherein a movement of the rotor is guided by the connecting part relative to the first perforated blade disk. The distribution chamber has at least one closable opening which is located in the first side wall, wherein the opening is designed at least so large that the rotor is removable from the distribution chamber through the opening.

A distributor device for solids-containing liquids includes a distribution chamber with an inlet opening which leads to a chamber interior space of the distribution chamber, wherein the distribution chamber has a first end wall with several connection ports and a first side wall arranged laterally to the end wall. The distributor device also includes a connecting part connecting the rotor and the blade drive shaft, which connecting part is detachably connected to the rotor and/or to the blade drive shaft, wherein a movement of the rotor is guided by the connecting part relative to the first perforated blade disk. The distribution chamber has at least one closable opening which is located in the first side wall, wherein the opening is designed at least so large that the rotor is removable from the distribution chamber through the opening.

A method and an apparatus for receiving manure from a vacuum truck, as that manure is collected from alleys of a dairy barn, includes receiving the manure in a mixing basin. The received manure is diluted in the mixing basin with a jet of water discharging a sufficient volume of water to form a sand-laden manure flow having a velocity of over 3 feet per second and dilute the received manure into a sand-laden manure suspension of less than seven percent manure solids. The resulting sand laden manure suspension is conducted into a vestibule of a sand settling lane to slow the flow of the sand laden manure suspension to enter a sand settling lane at a velocity of less than 1.25 feet per second. Sand is collected in the sand settling lane. Gravity urges the sand from the sand-laden manure suspension as it flows through the sand settling lane.

A method and an apparatus for receiving manure from a vacuum truck, as that manure is collected from alleys of a dairy barn, includes receiving the manure in a mixing basin. The received manure is diluted in the mixing basin with a jet of water discharging a sufficient volume of water to form a sand-laden manure flow having a velocity of over 3 feet per second and dilute the received manure into a sand-laden manure suspension of less than seven percent manure solids. The resulting sand laden manure suspension is conducted into a vestibule of a sand settling lane to slow the flow of the sand laden manure suspension to enter a sand settling lane at a velocity of less than 1.25 feet per second. Sand is collected in the sand settling lane. Gravity urges the sand from the sand-laden manure suspension as it flows through the sand settling lane.

An agricultural spreader is disclosed. The spreader comprises a holding box for containing a spreadable load to be spread; and a beater section in communication with the holding device for outputting the spreadable load. The beater section comprises an upright beater having flighting depending therefrom including a spinner deck defining substantially a bottom flight thereof, the spinner deck comprising a plurality of paddles oriented for throwing the spreadable load during operation of the beater, a beater tray situated at the bottom of the upright beater with the upright beater mounted thereon and having a front side facing the holding box. The beater tray comprises a floor and a front wall rising therefrom for at least partially blocking the spreadable load from being thrown toward the holding box. The front wall comprises a soft/flexible section shaped to substantially correspond with a front portion of the footprint of the spinner deck.