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.

An asphalt paving machine includes a drive system, an asphalt receiving hopper and a distributing auger. A hopper conveyor, which is adapted to transport asphalt paving material from the receiving hopper to the distributing auger, includes a hopper conveyor motor and a speed sensor. A vertically-adjustable flow gate defines the size of the gate opening from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, and a flow gate position sensor is adapted to determine the vertical position of the flow gate. A controller includes a timer and is operatively connected to the drive system for the paving machine, the speed sensor for the hopper conveyor motor and the flow gate position sensor. The controller uses a machine speed signal, a conveyor speed signal and a flow gate signal to measure the amount of asphalt paving material delivered to the distributing auger per unit of time.

A spreader assembly may include a hopper configured for receiving a spreadable material, a removable cartridge configured for sliding engagement with the hopper and having a material transportation mechanism configured for receiving the spreadable material from the hopper, and a spreader configured for receiving the spreadable material from the material transportation mechanism and spreading the spreadable material onto a target surface. One of the hopper and the cartridge may include a roller having a roller surface, and the other of the hopper and the cartridge may include a bearing surface configured for rolling engagement with the roller surface. The cartridge may have one or more pull bars to facilitate removal of the cartridge from the hopper. Related methods are described.

An asphalt paving machine includes a drive system that is operated to move the paving machine across a surface to be paved, an asphalt receiving hopper which is adapted to receive asphalt paving material and a distributing auger. A hopper conveyor, which is adapted to transport the asphalt paving material from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, includes a hopper conveyor motor and a speed sensor that is associated with the hopper conveyor motor. A vertically-adjustable flow gate that is associated with the hopper conveyor defines the size of the gate opening from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, and a flow gate position sensor is adapted to determine the vertical position of the flow gate. A controller includes a timer and is operatively connected to the drive system for moving the paving machine, to the speed sensor for the hopper conveyor motor and to the flow gate position sensor. The controller uses a machine speed signal, a conveyor speed signal and a flow gate signal to measure the amount of asphalt paving material delivered to the distributing auger per unit of time.