A method of operating a stacking head of a sod harvester includes: (a) repeatedly transferring sod slabs from a transfer station located along a conveyor assembly of the sod harvester to a pallet station of the sod harvester to form a loaded pallet at the pallet station; (b) during replacement of the loaded pallet with an empty pallet, forming a stack of slabs at the transfer station; and (c) transferring the stack of slabs from the transfer station to the pallet station for deposit on the empty pallet when received at the pallet station, and repeating (a) to (c) in a continuous sod harvesting process.

A method of operating a stacking head of a sod harvester includes: (a) repeatedly transferring sod slabs from a transfer station located along a conveyor assembly of the sod harvester to a pallet station of the sod harvester to form a loaded pallet at the pallet station; (b) during replacement of the loaded pallet with an empty pallet, forming a stack of slabs at the transfer station; and (c) transferring the stack of slabs from the transfer station to the pallet station for deposit on the empty pallet when received at the pallet station, and repeating (a) to (c) in a continuous sod harvesting process.

A method and system for metering proppant discharged from a storage container is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method may comprise loading a known amount of a first proppant type into a storage container, detecting proppant at or adjacent to a discharge outlet of the storage container via one or more sensors coupled to the storage container, operating a metering device at a predetermined speed, wherein the metering device may be coupled to the discharge outlet of the storage container, and wherein the metering device may comprise one or more pockets for receiving the first proppant type. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise dispensing a known amount of the first proppant type from the storage container via the metering device, wherein an encoder coupled to the metering device may emit pulses during the dispensing. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise determining an amount of the first proppant type dispensed by at least one pocket of the one or more pockets of the metering device based at least in part on the pulses and determining a relationship between the known amount of the first proppant type dispensed by each pocket and a speed of the metering device.

A loose component supply device provided with component supply apparatus that stores multiple components, frame to which the component supply apparatus is detachably attached, claw member for locking the component supply apparatus to the frame, and a component support member that supports multiple component in a scattered state, the components having been ejected from an entrance of the component supply apparatus that is attached to the frame; the locking of the component supply apparatus to the frame is released by an operator grasping grip of the component supply apparatus. The component supply apparatus is swung, and with the swinging linking mechanism is operated such that shutter rotates downwards. That is, with the releasing of the locking of the component supply apparatus, the entrance of the component supply apparatus is covered by the shutter.

A loose component supply device provided with component supply apparatus that stores multiple components, frame to which the component supply apparatus is detachably attached, claw member for locking the component supply apparatus to the frame, and a component support member that supports multiple component in a scattered state, the components having been ejected from an entrance of the component supply apparatus that is attached to the frame; the locking of the component supply apparatus to the frame is released by an operator grasping grip of the component supply apparatus. The component supply apparatus is swung, and with the swinging linking mechanism is operated such that shutter rotates downwards. That is, with the releasing of the locking of the component supply apparatus, the entrance of the component supply apparatus is covered by the shutter.

A system for transporting material is provided. The system includes a container and a robot having a material-handling device for inserting the material into the container and removing the material from the container. The system also includes a track assembly having a track and at least one platform on which the robot and the container are mounted such that the robot and the container are movable along the track via the at least one platform.

Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

A vented end cap for an outlet gate comprises a generally cylindrical body, a disc-shaped end wall with at least one flow aperture; a vent hood on the exterior of the end wall defines an air flow passage having an inlet opening and communicates with the flow aperture; a filter support housing on the interior surface of the end wall, defines an air flow chamber having an exit opening communicating with the flow aperture, and with the interior of the vented end cap. A filter media is supported on filter support housing between the flow aperture and the exit opening. A railroad car outlet gate includes one of the vented end caps at each end of a discharge tube with outlet openings at each end. A method includes removal of one vented end cap and applying a vacuum to the uncovered discharge opening. In one form, a filter clean seal is disposed at each outlet opening.

A vented end cap for an outlet gate comprises a generally cylindrical body, a disc-shaped end wall with at least one flow aperture; a vent hood on the exterior of the end wall defines an air flow passage having an inlet opening and communicates with the flow aperture; a filter support housing on the interior surface of the end wall, defines an air flow chamber having an exit opening communicating with the flow aperture, and with the interior of the vented end cap. A filter media is supported on filter support housing between the flow aperture and the exit opening. A railroad car outlet gate includes one of the vented end caps at each end of a discharge tube with outlet openings at each end. A method includes removal of one vented end cap and applying a vacuum to the uncovered discharge opening. In one form, a filter clean seal is disposed at each outlet opening.