A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

The disclosure shows an exemplary system for unloading and distributing bulk materials. In one embodiment, a powered conveyor system including a conveyor belt is coupled with the bed of a truck. There may be one or more wings attached to the truck bed for directing the flow of a bulk material from the truck with the conveyor system. Various other embodiments implement different types of vehicles for transporting bulk material.

A system and method of automatically adjusting an amount of agricultural granular material delivered to a field in response to vehicle steering activities. The system includes a sensor that is associated with a steering system of a vehicle configured to apply the material to a field. The sensor is connected to a controller that is configured to determine a deviation value associated with discrete turning activities. The controller is configured to manipulate operation of a first commodity delivery system and a second commodity delivery system such that different amounts of the agricultural material can be delivered to alternate lateral sides of the vehicle in response to turning activities.

A manually operable spreader which can be moved from behind on a surface is especially suitable for distributing salt and other particulate materials which tend to conglomerate or clump in a hopper of the spreader. Wheels are mounted to a frame also support the hopper. A horizontal drive shaft between the wheels is coupled to rotate a vertical shaft. A distributor below the hopper rotates with vertical shaft rotation to distribute particulate material which drop via openings in the bottom of the hopper. The vertical shaft extends via a hole in bottom of hopper and carries at the top thereof an auger having a helical vane. The auger is rotatable with the vertical shaft as the spreader is moved on its wheels. The auger circulates the particulate material in the hopper as the spreader moves while directing material in the hopper towards the bottom thereof.

A spreader with a material divider that is adjustable from side to side so as to change a percentage of a stream of material which flows through portions of the material divider and also supports and moves laterally with a spinner while the spinner is adjustable longitudinally. The geometry of spread patterns can be adjusted by laterally manipulating the location of the material divider.

A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.

A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.

A spreader assembly for spreading sand or salt comprised of a molded, double-walled hopper having a bin portion and leg portions. The hopper has an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall has a front end section and opposing side sections. The end sections and the side sections define a media-holding chamber within the bin portion of the hopper. The chamber has a generally rectangular upper portion, a funnel-shaped lower portion and a bottom having an opening extending through the bin portion. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the chamber slopes toward the opening. The outer wall of the hopper defines the leg portions, and the leg portions are dimensioned to extend below the opening in the bin portion.

A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

A uniform spreading control system includes a control module, which includes a basic controller and a uniform spreading controller, and connected to a vehicle speed detector, a material transferring device, and a material spreading device. The uniform spreading controller is configured to obtain a vehicle speed from the vehicle speed detector, and control a material transferring speed of the material transferring device and/or a material spreading speed of the material spreading device. The uniform spreading controller is configured to enable an ultra-low speed pulsation mode when the vehicle speed is lower than a vehicle speed lower limit.