A system to drive vacuum equipment on a truck having an engine and a transmission includes a power take-off (PTO) unit configured to be coupled to a PTO port located on a side of the transmission. The system also includes a PTO shaft coupled to the PTO unit, vacuum equipment mounted to the truck, and a first gear box coupled to the PTO shaft and the first gear box configured to transfer power to the vacuum equipment. In addition, the system includes at least one belt coupled to the gear box, where the at least one belt drives additional auxiliary equipment. The additional auxiliary equipment comprises at least one of a water pump and a hydraulic pump, where the hydraulic pump is configured to stop and reverse a flow of hydraulic fluid to stop and reverse a rotational direction of air through the blower.

A system to drive vacuum equipment on a truck having an engine and a transmission includes a power take-off (PTO) unit configured to be coupled to a PTO port located on a side of the transmission. The system also includes a PTO shaft coupled to the PTO unit, vacuum equipment mounted to the truck, and a first gear box coupled to the PTO shaft and the first gear box configured to transfer power to the vacuum equipment. In addition, the system includes at least one belt coupled to the gear box, where the at least one belt drives additional auxiliary equipment. The additional auxiliary equipment comprises at least one of a water pump and a hydraulic pump, where the hydraulic pump is configured to stop and reverse a flow of hydraulic fluid to stop and reverse a rotational direction of air through the blower.

An apparatus and method are provided for offloading cargo from a tank trailer, which has at least interior compartments, to one or more discharge points. The apparatus includes two or more T-connectors each of which is connected, via a valve, to an outlet of a respective one of the interior compartments of the tank trailer. Each T-connector has an axis defined by a pair of opposing arms and, contrary to conventional apparatus and methods, the T-connectors are positioned with their axes oriented perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. Additionally, for each T-connector, a discharge conduit is connected to one of the opposing arms so that all of the discharge conduits extend from the same side of the tank trailer, perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. A blower conduit is also connected to each T-connector, to the other of the pair of opposing arms, and extend from the other side the tank trailer, opposite the discharge conduits. The blower conduits are also connected to at least one blower which provides air flow and pressure. The method involves providing power to the blower(s), and opening the valves to cause the cargo to flow from each of the interior compartments and form multiple flow streams which flow concurrently, along multiple flow paths, to the one or more discharge points. This apparatus and method reduce the time necessary to accomplish offloading the cargo, among other advantages.

An apparatus and method are provided for offloading cargo from a tank trailer, which has at least interior compartments, to one or more discharge points. The apparatus includes two or more T-connectors each of which is connected, via a valve, to an outlet of a respective one of the interior compartments of the tank trailer. Each T-connector has an axis defined by a pair of opposing arms and, contrary to conventional apparatus and methods, the T-connectors are positioned with their axes oriented perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. Additionally, for each T-connector, a discharge conduit is connected to one of the opposing arms so that all of the discharge conduits extend from the same side of the tank trailer, perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. A blower conduit is also connected to each T-connector, to the other of the pair of opposing arms, and extend from the other side the tank trailer, opposite the discharge conduits. The blower conduits are also connected to at least one blower which provides air flow and pressure. The method involves providing power to the blower(s), and opening the valves to cause the cargo to flow from each of the interior compartments and form multiple flow streams which flow concurrently, along multiple flow paths, to the one or more discharge points. This apparatus and method reduce the time necessary to accomplish offloading the cargo, among other advantages.

An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.

An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.

An unloading apparatus is coupled to a dump truck loaded with dry bulk material to quickly unload the truck for return to service. The unloading apparatus is coupled to the outlet of the truck carrying its dry material load, and coupled to a receiver which receives the dry material discharged from the auger as the truck load bed is raised. Compressed air is delivered to the load bed along the sides and outlet to force the dry material dust to the outlet and out of the truck. A vibrator is coupled to the bed of the truck to aid in the discharge of the dry material load.

An unloading apparatus is coupled to a dump truck loaded with dry bulk material to quickly unload the truck for return to service. The unloading apparatus is coupled to the outlet of the truck carrying its dry material load, and coupled to a receiver which receives the dry material discharged from the auger as the truck load bed is raised. Compressed air is delivered to the load bed along the sides and outlet to force the dry material dust to the outlet and out of the truck. A vibrator is coupled to the bed of the truck to aid in the discharge of the dry material load.

A pneumatic tank trailer is described. A front end cover is positioned over a front portion of the pneumatic tank trailer. The front end cover partially covers and attaches to a front end cone of the tank. The front end cover also covers plumbing and fittings for a pressurization system of the pneumatic tank trailer. The front end cover improves the aerodynamics of the trailer by providing a smooth surface with a large radius transition from the front cover to the tank.

A tank and a method of carrying a load and discharging a load therefrom. The tank includes a body having a first wall that bounds and defines a first compartment for carrying a load therein and a second wall spaced outwardly from at least a portion of the first wall; wherein a second compartment is defined between the first wall and the second wall. An air piping system is selectively actuated to place the first compartment and the second compartment under substantially similar or substantially equal air pressure. In one example the air piping system pumps air into the first compartment and the second compartment. In another example the air piping system evacuates air from the first and second compartments.