An agitation unit for use in a lawn spreader and other dispensing equipment, and oscillating agitation systems therefor comprising such an agitation unit. The agitation unit includes a hub, an arm extending from the hub, and an extension on the arm configured to project downwardly to an extent relative to the arm and the hub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageway of the hopper.

A spreader for spreading a material including at least one pair of rotating discs having a plurality of generally radially oriented blades attached thereon for disbursing the material in a pre-selected pattern. The discs are rotatably positioned below an end of a funnel unit to receive material passing through the funnel units. The material, as it passes through the funnel units, is directed to a predetermined impact region on each of the rotating discs by a corresponding pair of deflecting vanes integrally fit and movably attached within each funnel of the pair of funnel units. Each deflecting vane is selectably movable by a corresponding actuator from a first position to a second position while the spreader is operating.

An agricultural implement and a metering apparatus for the agricultural implement to deliver a material to a material depositing apparatus. The metering apparatus includes metering roller, an integrated motor operatively connected to the metering roller, and a motor drive operatively connected to the integrated motor. A controller is operatively connected to the integrated motor and to the motor drive wherein the controller transmits a drive signal to drive the integrated motor and receives a status signal from the integrated motor. The drive signals drives the motor, which includes the roller coupled to a motor spindle, at a variable rate of speed to reduce pulsing. In one embodiment, the agricultural implement is an air cart.

An agricultural implement and a metering apparatus for the agricultural implement to deliver a material to a material depositing apparatus. The metering apparatus includes metering roller, an integrated motor operatively connected to the metering roller, and a motor drive operatively connected to the integrated motor. A controller is operatively connected to the integrated motor and to the motor drive wherein the controller transmits a drive signal to drive the integrated motor and receives a status signal from the integrated motor. The drive signals drives the motor, which includes the roller coupled to a motor spindle, at a variable rate of speed to reduce pulsing. In one embodiment, the agricultural implement is an air cart.

A vehicle mounted spreader and components thereof. The material spreader includes a mount and a spreader assembly. The mount is mountable to a vehicle such as an ATV, UTV, truck, and/or the like. The spreader assembly is mountable to the mount thereon. A user may change the speed at which material is dispersed from the spreader assembly.

A system and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance of a lawn-care technician. A Technician Performance Module (TPM) is affixed to or embedded in a device or apparatus used by the technician, such as a sprayer or a spreader. The TPM comprises a plurality of sensors (e.g., GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, pedometer) which collect, store, and/or transmit an assortment of data as described below. The data may be transmitted wirelessly to a control box, which may be located in a nearby vehicle, such as a truck used by the technician at the site of the lawn-care services being provided. The data also may be transmitted wireless to a cellular or wireless gateway for transmission to system servers for storage and analysis.

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 work management system includes a generator attached to a structure body that is provided to a transmission case of a working machine, configured to be driven by power transmitted from a PTO shaft, and configured to transmit power to a working device provided in the working machine, an information obtaining portion configured to obtain operation information representing operation of the working device that is activated by the power from the generator, a work management portion configured to manage working of the working device based on the operation information obtained by the information obtaining portion, and a controller portion configured to control the working device based on the operation information obtained by the information obtaining portion.

A broadcast spreader, components thereof, and associated methods. The broadcast spreader includes a hopper, a spinner, a motor for turning the spinner, and a material feeder configured to feed granular material from the hopper to the spinner. The broadcast spreader includes a material feeder adjustment actuator, a spinner speed control actuator, and a motor on/off actuator. A harness wearable by a person is configured to carry the broadcast spreader. A kit of interchangeable battery adaptors enables use of different brands or models of batteries.

A distribution machine, in the form of a spreader or a seed drill, includes a container carried by a support frame for receiving pulverent or particulate material to be distributed. An outlet opening is arranged on a floor of the container. A metering member is arranged downstream of the outlet opening. A ground distribution member is arranged downstream of the metering member. A displaceable part, such as a metering slide of the metering member or a device, adjusts the delivery point of the material to be distributed onto the distribution member. The displaceable part is operatively connected to, and actuated by, an output shaft of an electromotive rotary drive, a servomotor or a transmission output shaft of a transmission, arranged downstream of the electromotive rotary drive such that the exclusively rotational movement of the output shaft or of the transmission output shaft is transmissible to the displaceable part.