A method of establishing a system for gathering surveillance data in a hostile environment. The method comprises the steps of providing a movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer, and providing a drone which can be operated independently from the tractor. The trailer has a floor pan for supporting a relay sensor dispensing mechanism and a platform above the floor pan, with a hole for dispensing relay sensors therethrough. The relay sensor dispensing mechanism has an elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors, and elevating the relay sensors through the hole. The method comprises disposing at least one relay sensor in the elevator, elevating the relay sensor to a pickup position at or above the platform and retrieving the relay sensor with a drone for subsequent deposition in the hostile environment. The relay sensor then gathers and transceives surveillance data for use and interpretation by an operator. Optional a conveyor chute may replenish the elevator when it is depleted of relay sensors.

A method of establishing a system for gathering surveillance data in a hostile environment. The method comprises the steps of providing a movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer, and providing a drone which can be operated independently from the tractor. The trailer has a floor pan for supporting a relay sensor dispensing mechanism and a platform above the floor pan, with a hole for dispensing relay sensors therethrough. The relay sensor dispensing mechanism has an elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors, and elevating the relay sensors through the hole. The method comprises disposing at least one relay sensor in the elevator, elevating the relay sensor to a pickup position at or above the platform and retrieving the relay sensor with a drone for subsequent deposition in the hostile environment. The relay sensor then gathers and transceives surveillance data for use and interpretation by an operator. Optional a conveyor chute may replenish the elevator when it is depleted of relay sensors.

An illustrative embodiment of a vehicle having a cargo area and a cab area is provided, wherein the cargo area may include a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly may include a conveyor assembly section and a pivotable conveyor assembly section. The conveyor assembly section includes at least one conveyor shelf panel which includes a support surface. The pivotable conveyor assembly section may include a bracket that supports a pivotable conveyor panel.

A sod scrap collection apparatus is disclosed that enables pickup and collection of scraps of sod that have been discarded on the ground. The apparatus is pulled by a tractor and includes a pickup head followed by a dump bed. A pickup head conveyor moves pickup teeth along and over the ground at a particular distance in order to scrape up sod scraps and discard them into the dump bed where they are collected. A dump bed conveyor of the dump bed, which runs in the opposite direction as the pickup head conveyor, moves parallel spaced sweeping bars along a top of the sod scraps residing in the dump bed at an upward angle from front to back, so that the dump bed fills with the sod scraps efficiently from front to back.

A sod scrap collection apparatus is disclosed that enables pickup and collection of scraps of sod that have been discarded on the ground. The apparatus is pulled by a tractor and includes a pickup head followed by a dump bed. A pickup head conveyor moves pickup teeth along and over the ground at a particular distance in order to scrape up sod scraps and discard them into the dump bed where they are collected. A dump bed conveyor of the dump bed, which runs in the opposite direction as the pickup head conveyor, moves parallel spaced sweeping bars along a top of the sod scraps residing in the dump bed at an upward angle from front to back, so that the dump bed fills with the sod scraps efficiently from front to back.

A material placer having an augmented hopper, which can receive and convey concrete or other material at a greater rate than other material placers known in the industry. The augmented hopper has a relatively large volume, a bumper structure, a hinged flop gate, and a sliding gate plate that improves the process of receiving concrete or other discharged material from delivery trucks. The hinged flop gate and/or the sliding plate can optionally be vibrated to aid in moving concrete or other material into the trough of the augmented hopper. The material placer is further configured to have ease of access for cleaning and maintenance.

A material placer having an augmented hopper, which can receive and convey concrete or other material at a greater rate than other material placers known in the industry. The augmented hopper has a relatively large volume, a bumper structure, a hinged flop gate, and a sliding gate plate that improves the process of receiving concrete or other discharged material from delivery trucks. The hinged flop gate and/or the sliding plate can optionally be vibrated to aid in moving concrete or other material into the trough of the augmented hopper. The material placer is further configured to have ease of access for cleaning and maintenance.

A Trailer Loading/Unloading System may comprise a tilting flatbed trailer having one or more cross-supports and/or push bars configured to move along the surface of the trailer bed to push palletized cargo off the trailer, move palletized cargo back and forth on the trailer, and prevent rapid descent or undesirable slipping of palletized cargo. Each of the cross-supports may be secured between a chain on the left side of the trailer bed and a chain on the right side of the trailer bed. In one embodiment, the cross-supports may be sufficiently close to place a pallet or other item on top of the cross-supports. In an additional embodiment, a belting loop may cover the cross-supports, thereby allowing for handling of loose material, e.g., gravel, rocks, or soil.

A Trailer Loading/Unloading System may comprise a tilting flatbed trailer having one or more cross-supports and/or push bars configured to move along the surface of the trailer bed to push palletized cargo off the trailer, move palletized cargo back and forth on the trailer, and prevent rapid descent or undesirable slipping of palletized cargo. Each of the cross-supports may be secured between a chain on the left side of the trailer bed and a chain on the right side of the trailer bed. In one embodiment, the cross-supports may be sufficiently close to place a pallet or other item on top of the cross-supports. In an additional embodiment, a belting loop may cover the cross-supports, thereby allowing for handling of loose material, e.g., gravel, rocks, or soil.

An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a conveyor system arranged within its main cabin. The conveyor system includes attachment points for attaching transport bags to the conveyor system, and a motor to move the transport bags to different positions along the conveyor system. The AV includes a door that can open and close to provide access to the transport bags. The AV further includes a conveyor system controller that identifies a transport bag associated with a user and issues an instruction to the motor to move the transport bags along the conveyor system.