A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a grain bin. The processor is further configured to direct traversal, by the robot, of a landing zone portion of a surface of a pile of the grain during load-in of the grain to disperse broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion. The landing zone portion is located in a center of the grain bin where the grain lands as it is augured into the grain bin during load-in. The dispersal is affected in part by rotation of augers of the auger-based drive system.

A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a grain bin. The processor is further configured to direct traversal, by the robot, of a landing zone portion of a surface of a pile of the grain during load-in of the grain to disperse broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion. The landing zone portion is located in a center of the grain bin where the grain lands as it is augured into the grain bin during load-in. The dispersal is affected in part by rotation of augers of the auger-based drive system.

An apparatus comprises a hopper housing, a first auger, a second auger, a dividing panel, and a motor. The hopper housing holds a bulk material, with the hopper housing including a first end at which the bulk material is added to the hopper housing and a second end comprising a discharge opening at which the bulk material exits the hopper housing. The first auger is disposed proximate to the discharge opening. The second auger is disposed between the first end of the hopper housing and the first auger. The dividing panel is disposed between the first auger and the second auger and the dividing panel is coupled to the hopper housing at the first side thereof and forming a panel opening between the hopper housing and the second side thereof. The motor rotates the first auger and the second auger to move the bulk material into the discharge opening.

An apparatus comprises a hopper housing, a first auger, a second auger, a dividing panel, and a motor. The hopper housing holds a bulk material, with the hopper housing including a first end at which the bulk material is added to the hopper housing and a second end comprising a discharge opening at which the bulk material exits the hopper housing. The first auger is disposed proximate to the discharge opening. The second auger is disposed between the first end of the hopper housing and the first auger. The dividing panel is disposed between the first auger and the second auger and the dividing panel is coupled to the hopper housing at the first side thereof and forming a panel opening between the hopper housing and the second side thereof. The motor rotates the first auger and the second auger to move the bulk material into the discharge opening.

A seed containing and dispensing system may include a mobile base, a primary hopper on the mobile base with an interior to hold particulate material and having a dispensing opening, and a conveyor to transfer particulate material received by the conveyor from the hopper. The conveyor may rotatable with respect to the primary hopper about a rotation axis to at least two positions. The system also including a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a substance into the particulate material conveyed by the conveyor, and the dispensing apparatus may be configured to move with the conveyor as the conveyor rotates with respect to the primary hopper to permit dispensing of the substance at each of the at least two positions.

A seed containing and dispensing system may include a mobile base, a primary hopper on the mobile base with an interior to hold particulate material and having a dispensing opening, and a conveyor to transfer particulate material received by the conveyor from the hopper. The conveyor may rotatable with respect to the primary hopper about a rotation axis to at least two positions. The system also including a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a substance into the particulate material conveyed by the conveyor, and the dispensing apparatus may be configured to move with the conveyor as the conveyor rotates with respect to the primary hopper to permit dispensing of the substance at each of the at least two positions.

Systems and methods for silica dust reduction at well sites are described herein. The system can include a blower, a transfer hose having a first end connected to the blower, a second end connected to a hopper containing a granular material, and an interior volume. The system can also include a supply of dust suppression solution in fluid communication with the interior volume of the transfer hose.

An ozone treatment apparatus for grain uses first and second storage bins and an auger conveyor for conveying the grain from a first end in communication with the bottom of the first bin to a second end that can be directed into either one of the top of the first bin or the top of the second bin. An ozone injector injects ozone into the auger conveyor for mixing with and treating the conveyed grain. In a first mode, the conveyor discharges the grain from the second end of the conveyor through a first discharge outlet into the first storage bin to recycle the grain during treatment. In a second mode, the conveyor discharges the grain through a second discharge outlet into the second storage bin once treatment is complete.

A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.

A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.