A blower apparatus is supported on a frame detachably mounted on the implement mounting plate for a skid steer loader. The blower is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader. The blower is mounted on the frame in a manner that orients the discharge spout upwardly to be directed at elevated structure within the chicken house. Re-orientation of the air stream from the blower can be affected by manipulating the tilt position of the implement mounting plate and by raising the boom arms of the skid steer loader to elevate the blower apparatus. By properly positioning and orienting the discharged air stream from the blower apparatus, the dirt and debris in elevated structure of the chicken house can be dislodged and removed from the chicken house to improve the health and environment for a subsequent flock of birds installed therein.

A blower apparatus is supported on a frame detachably mounted on the implement mounting plate for a skid steer loader. The blower is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader. The blower is mounted on the frame in a manner that orients the discharge spout upwardly to be directed at elevated structure within the chicken house. Re-orientation of the air stream from the blower can be affected by manipulating the tilt position of the implement mounting plate and by raising the boom arms of the skid steer loader to elevate the blower apparatus. By properly positioning and orienting the discharged air stream from the blower apparatus, the dirt and debris in elevated structure of the chicken house can be dislodged and removed from the chicken house to improve the health and environment for a subsequent flock of birds installed therein.

A litter conditioning vehicle has a drive system coupled to a chassis and configured to move the vehicle along a floor of an animal enclosure. A collection system is coupled to a front portion of the chassis and includes a flailer that can reduce a particle size of the litter as the collection system collects litter from the floor. A conditioning system is coupled along a length of the chassis and includes a drum and a conditioning element. The drum receives the collected litter and can be rotated to tumble the litter. The conditioning element can transfer energy such as, for example, microwave radiation to the litter being tumbled in the drum, thereby conditioning the litter. A dispersement system is coupled to a back portion of the chassis and is configured to disperse conditioned litter received from the conditioning system on the floor behind the vehicle.

An at least semi-autonomous litter conditioning vehicle has a chassis. A drive system is coupled to the chassis and can move the vehicle along a floor of an animal enclosure. A collection system is coupled to a front portion of the chassis and includes a flailer that can reduce a particle size of the litter as the collection system collects litter from the floor. A conditioning system is coupled along a length of the chassis and includes a drum that can receive the collected litter and can be rotated to tumble the litter. A heating element of the conditioning system can transfer thermal energy to the litter as it is tumbled in the drum. A dispersement system is coupled to a back portion of the chassis. The dispersement system can receive conditioned litter from the conditioning system and can disperse the conditioned litter on the floor behind the vehicle.

An at least semi-autonomous litter conditioning vehicle has a chassis. A drive system is coupled to the chassis and can move the vehicle along a floor of an animal enclosure. A collection system is coupled to a front portion of the chassis and includes a flailer that can reduce a particle size of the litter as the collection system collects litter from the floor. A conditioning system is coupled along a length of the chassis and includes a drum that can receive the collected litter and can be rotated to tumble the litter. A heating element of the conditioning system can transfer thermal energy to the litter as it is tumbled in the drum. A dispersement system is coupled to a back portion of the chassis. The dispersement system can receive conditioned litter from the conditioning system and can disperse the conditioned litter on the floor behind the vehicle.

A long-distance sampling device for feces in a poultry house is provided. The device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle body including a wireless controller, supporting feet arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body, and a sampling unit arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body for collecting fecal samples. The sampling unit further includes a sampling power portion arranged in the unmanned aerial vehicle body and a sampling portion arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body. The sampling portion further includes a cylindrical sampling tube and a sampling shaft rotatably connected to the sampling tube, spiral blades are fixedly connected to the sampling shaft, and the sampling power portion drives the sampling shaft to rotate. According to the device, it is convenient for workers to take samples in the poultry house, thereby the convenience of sampling is improved, and the workers do not need to get into the breeding areas.

A long-distance sampling device for feces in a poultry house is provided. The device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle body including a wireless controller, supporting feet arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body, and a sampling unit arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body for collecting fecal samples. The sampling unit further includes a sampling power portion arranged in the unmanned aerial vehicle body and a sampling portion arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle body. The sampling portion further includes a cylindrical sampling tube and a sampling shaft rotatably connected to the sampling tube, spiral blades are fixedly connected to the sampling shaft, and the sampling power portion drives the sampling shaft to rotate. According to the device, it is convenient for workers to take samples in the poultry house, thereby the convenience of sampling is improved, and the workers do not need to get into the breeding areas.

A poultry litter conditioner includes a motor, a shaft configured to be rotated by the motor, and a plurality of beater elements attached to the shaft, and a tunnel assembly that includes a hood, a left endplate, and a right endplate. The poultry litter conditioner also includes an attachment assembly that includes a mounting plate configured to attach to a skid steer, first and second lower support members and first and second upper support members, each coupled to the mounting plate and to the tunnel assembly. The first and second upper support members are respectively coupled to the tunnel assembly via respective ball-and-socket connections, where the respective ball-and-socket connections include a respective bolt and a respective bracket that defines a respective slot, where at least a portion of the respective bolt is slidably disposed within the respective slot. The respective brackets are attached to the tunnel assembly.

A poultry litter conditioner includes a motor, a shaft configured to be rotated by the motor, and a plurality of beater elements attached to the shaft, and a tunnel assembly that includes a hood, a left endplate, and a right endplate. The poultry litter conditioner also includes an attachment assembly that includes a mounting plate configured to attach to a skid steer, first and second lower support members and first and second upper support members, each coupled to the mounting plate and to the tunnel assembly. The first and second upper support members are respectively coupled to the tunnel assembly via respective ball-and-socket connections, where the respective ball-and-socket connections include a respective bolt and a respective bracket that defines a respective slot, where at least a portion of the respective bolt is slidably disposed within the respective slot. The respective brackets are attached to the tunnel assembly.

Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.