A manually controlled and operable self-propelled seed bed sterilization system and method is provided for preventing weeds from growth in seed beds. The system includes a wheel driven shuttle vehicle having a hot water reservoir, a hot water applicator manifold housing, a dual-function pump and a controllable valve. A self-contained mobile hot water supply vehicle accompanies the shuttle vehicle and has a water heater with hose connections to the reservoir of the shuttle vehicle to provide a continuous water flow path. The burner of the water heater is controlled to heat the water in the range of about 205-207 degrees F. but below the boiling point of water not to create steam. The shuttle vehicle is displaced over the seed bed at a constant drive speed by an electric motor driven by a gas generator. An operator person guides the shuttle vehicle over the seed bed.

A radiator containment bag includes a bag section configured as a container and sized and shaped so that in use at least the lower end of a radiator fits within and is retained by the bag section. The bag section is formed at least partly from a waterproof material so that liquid in the bag section will be retained within the bag section. At least one containment strap is connected to the bag section and is configured to pass over and around the top of a radiator located in the bag section in use to hold the radiator in the bag section. A plurality of grab handles extends from the bag section and are configured to allow a user or users to grasp the handles to lift the

A manually controlled and operable self-propelled seed bed sterilization system and method is provided for preventing undesirable weeds from growth in the seed bed. The system includes a wheel driven shuttle vehicle having a hot water reservoir, a hot water applicator manifold housing, a dual-function pump and a controllable valve. A self-contained mobile hot water supply vehicle is further provided for use in combination with the shuttle vehicle and has a water heater with inlet and outlet hose connections to permit water flow from the reservoir of the shuttle vehicle to the water heater and back to the reservoir in a continuous flow path. The burner of the water heater is controlled to heat the water to a high temperature in the range of about 205-207 degrees F. but below the boiling point of water not to create steam. The shuttle vehicle is self-contained and is displaced over the seed bed at a constant drive speed by an electric motor driven by a gas generator. One operator guides the shuttle vehicle over the seed bed and displaces the vehicle when required to be positioned over other seed beds by the use of handle bars.

A device to assist in moving a water heater is provided. The device comprises at least one socket having a threaded portion configured to be received by a corresponding threaded portion of at least one of an inlet nozzle or an outlet nozzle of the water heater. The at least one socket comprises the threaded portion formed on an external surface of the socket or an internal surface of the socket. Further, the device comprises a handle integrally formed with the at least one socket and configured to receive a hand of a user, to allow the user to grasp the device for moving the water heater. The handle is fabricated to have a rectangular shape, a semi-circular shape or a semi-hexagonal shape. Moreover, the handle comprises a cavity for receiving the hand of the user to allow the user to grasp the device.

Device for lifting a water heater includes a strap configured to loop around a vertical cross-section of the water heater. Handles extending from opposing sides of the strap when the strap is looped around the water heater are provided along with a plurality of selectively placeable cushions configured to be positioned between the strap and corners of the water heater. The device further includes a ratchet attached to the strap, the ratchet configured to tighten the strap looped around the water heater.

A movable fluid fuel heater to heat air and to introduce it into an environment to be heated. The heater includes a flow rate variator device for varying the flow rate of oxidizing air introduced in the combustion chamber by a forced ventilation device between a minimum flow rate value and a maximum flow rate value. The heater also includes a reference device comprising a plurality of reference values of a parameter representative of the pressure and a plurality of reference temperature values of the environmental air upstream of the combustion chamber. The reference device is configured to suggest an optimal setting value to set the flow rate variator device, at each pair of values formed by a value of the plurality of reference values of a parameter representative of the pressure and a value of the plurality of reference temperature values.

Device for lifting a water heater includes a strap configured to loop around a vertical cross-section of the water heater. Handles extending from opposing sides of the strap when the strap is looped around the water heater are provided along with a plurality of selectively placeable cushions configured to be positioned between the strap and corners of the water heater. The device further includes a ratchet attached to the strap, the ratchet configured to tighten the strap looped around the water heater.

A heating assembly can include a switching valve which can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel. The valve can be used with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first. The valve can become locked or be held in either the first or the second position. For example, a set fuel pressure can cause the valve to move to a closed position and the valve can become locked or held in that position. If the pressure decreases, the valve can remain in the locked position. Actuation of a reset switch can allow the valve to move to a new position, such as an open position.

A heating assembly can include a locking valve with a reset switch which can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel. The valve can be used with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first. The valve can become locked or be held in either the first or the second position. For example, a set fuel pressure can cause the valve to move to a closed position and the valve can become locked or held in that position. If the pressure decreases, the valve can remain in the locked position. Actuation of the reset switch can allow the valve to move to a new position, such as an open position. The locking valve can be linked to additional valves to lock them in position as well.

A surface heater automatically adjusts the supply of fuel and/air to the burner in order to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio despite changes in ambient air temperature and/or pressure. The adjustment may be performed on a periodic or continuous basis and on either an open-loop basis or a closed-loop basis. The adjustment includes actuating one or more control devices that control the flow of air and/or fuel to the burner. If the adjustment is performed on a closed-loop basis, signals from a sensor can be used as feedback to control the flow of air and/or fuel into the burner to maintain a setpoint of a controlled parameter. The controlled parameter may include one or more of air mass flow rate, an intake O.sub.2 concentration, an exhaust O.sub.2 concentration, an exhaust gas composition, and an exhaust gas temperature.