Floating manure agitator with multidirectional agitator nozzles

Abstract

An aquatic floating manure agitator vessel including a plurality of remotely controlled above-surface agitator nozzles which are visibly positioned on the vessel and hydraulically movable about multiple axes to facilitate effective pond agitation and directional control of the floating agitator. The floating agitator includes a vertically adjustable hydraulic undercarriage and hitch mechanism to facilitate ease of maneuverability during launching and removal of the floating agitator, and for probing the pond bottom for excess sludge build-up. The floating agitator also includes hydraulically folding side wings or pontoons mounted on each side of the vessel to further enhance ease of maneuverability and storage of the vessel.

Claims

1. A remotely controllable floating aquatic manure agitator, comprising: (a) an aquatic vessel being constructed to float upon a reservoir of manure effluent, said vessel having a deck with outer confines defining a bow end and a stern end, a starboard side and a port side, and an upper surface supported above said reservoir; (b) a plurality of agitator nozzles mounted on the upper surface of said vessel deck, each of said agitator nozzles being configured for pivotal movement about multiple axes relative to said deck, and for rotational movement beyond said outer confines of one of said bow end and said stern end of said deck, and at least one of said starboard side and said port side of said deck; (c) a hydraulically controlled actuating mechanism connected to each of said agitator nozzles for controlling movement thereof about each of said multiple axes; (d) a handheld user remote control unit controllably linked to said hydraulically controlled actuating mechanism for each of said agitator nozzles for remotely controlling the operation thereof; (e) a fluid pump mounted on said deck of said vessel, said pump being configured to extract said manure effluent from said reservoir and pump said manure effluent through said agitator nozzles in order to agitate said manure effluent and manage directional control of said vessel; and (f) each of said agitator nozzles being readily viewable above said upper surface of said deck for ease of managing agitation of said manure effluent and directional control of said vessel.

2. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit has joystick controls for controlling movement of said agitator nozzles from a location remote of said deck.

3. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein each of said agitator nozzles is constructed to be pivotal substantially 180 degrees about a vertical axis.

4. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein each of said agitator nozzles includes a terminal end portion that is constructed to be vertically movable more than 90 degrees relative to a horizontal axis.

5. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein a pair of said agitator nozzles is mounted one each upon opposing aft corner portions of said deck, and another of said agitator nozzles is mounted upon a bow portion of said deck.

6. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 5, wherein said agitator nozzles are operable from a location remote of said deck via the use of a hand-held joystick control module, and each of said agitator nozzles are separately operable with independent joystick controls.

7. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein said vessel includes a hydraulically operable hitch for connecting to a vehicle to facilitate launching and removal of said vessel from said reservoir of manure effluent.

8. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein said vessel includes a pair of floatation devices connected one each adjacent opposing sides of said deck to support said deck in floating relation upon said manure effluent, said floatation devices being retractable to an upright position for ease of transporting said vessel out of said reservoir of manure effluent.

9. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 1, wherein said deck includes an extendable probe mechanism for probing a bottom area of said reservoir to determine the extent of sludge build-up and need for agitation of said bottom area, said probe being cantilevered from an elongated frame which is pivotally mounted to said deck at a point generally central distance between said bow end and said stern end of said deck, and extending rearward therefrom to a point adjacent said stern end of said deck.

10. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 9, wherein said probe is configured to elevate a portion of said vessel relative to an upper surface of said reservoir upon which said vessel floats when sludge build-up is detected at said bottom area of said reservoir being probed.

11. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 9, wherein said probe mechanism is comprised of an undercarriage having wheels for assisting in removal of said vessel from said reservoir of manure effluent.

12. A remotely controllable floating aquatic manure agitator, comprising: (a) an aquatic vessel being constructed to float upon a reservoir of manure effluent, said vessel having a deck with outer confines defining a bow end and a stern end, a starboard side and a port side, and an upper surface supported above said reservoir; (b) a pair of hydraulically operable agitator nozzles mounted one each on opposing aft corner portions of said upper surface of said deck, and another hydraulically operable agitator nozzle mounted upon a bow portion of said upper surface of said deck; (c) each of said agitator nozzles mounted on said aft corners of said deck being configured for directional movement beyond said outer confines of said stern end of said deck and one of said starboard side and said port side of said deck, and said agitator nozzle mounted on said bow portion of said deck being configured for directional movement beyond said outer confines of said bow end of said deck and both said starboard side and said port side of said deck, and each of said agitator nozzles being pivotal substantially 180 degrees about a vertical axis and more than 90 degrees about a horizontal axis; (d) a handheld user remote control unit controllably linked to said hydraulically operable agitator nozzles for remotely controlling the operation thereof; (d) a fluid pump mounted on said deck of said vessel, said pump being configured to extract said manure effluent from said reservoir and pump said manure effluent through said agitator nozzles in order to agitate said manure effluent and manage directional control of said vessel; and (e) each of said agitator nozzles being readily viewable above said upper surface of said deck for ease of managing agitation of said manure effluent and directional control of said vessel.

13. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 12, wherein said remote control unit includes joystick controls for operating said agitator nozzles, and said agitator nozzles that are mounted upon said aft corner portions of said deck are controlled by separate joystick controls than said agitator nozzle mounted upon said bow portion of said deck.

14. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 12, wherein said vessel includes a hydraulically operable hitch connected to said bow portion of said deck which is remotely controllable upward and downward for connecting to a transport vehicle to facilitate launching and removal of said vessel from said reservoir of manure effluent without manual manipulation.

15. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 12, wherein said vessel includes a pair of floatation devices connected one each adjacent opposing sides of said deck to support said deck in floating relation upon said manure effluent, said floatation devices being retractable to an upright position for ease of transporting said vessel out of said reservoir of manure effluent.

16. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 12, wherein said deck includes an extendable probe mechanism for probing a bottom area of said reservoir to determine the extent of sludge build-up and need for agitation of said bottom area, said probe being cantilevered from said deck at a point about central distance between said stern end and said bow end thereof, and extending rearward therefrom to a point adjacent said stern end of said deck.

17. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 16, wherein said probe is configured to elevate a portion of said vessel relative to an upper surface of said reservoir upon which said vessel floats when sludge build-up is detected at said bottom area of said reservoir being probed.

18. The floating aquatic manure agitator of claim 16, wherein said probe mechanism is comprised of an undercarriage having wheels for assisting in removal of said vessel from said reservoir of manure effluent.

19. A remotely controllable floating aquatic manure agitator, comprising: (a) an aquatic vessel being constructed to float upon a reservoir of manure effluent, said vessel having a deck with outer confines defining a bow end and a stern end, a starboard side and a port side, and an upper surface, said deck being supported above said reservoir by a pair of retractable flotation devices; (b) a plurality of agitator nozzles mounted on the upper surface of said vessel deck, each of said agitator nozzles being configured to pivot around multiple axes relative to said deck, and for rotational movement beyond said outer confines of one of said bow end and said stern end of said deck, and at least one of said starboard side and said port side of said deck; (c) a retractable undercarriage attached to said aquatic vessel; (d) a transport hitch pivotally mounted upon said aquatic vessel; (e) a hydraulically controlled actuating mechanism connected to each of said agitator nozzles, said floatation devices, said undercarriage and said hitch for controlling movement thereof; (f) a handheld user remote control unit controllably linked to all of said agitator nozzles, said floatation devices, said undercarriage and said hitch for controlling remote operation thereof; (g) a fluid pump mounted on said deck of said vessel, said pump being configured to extract said manure effluent from said reservoir and pump said manure effluent through said agitator nozzles in order to agitate said manure effluent and manage directional control of said vessel; and (h) each of said agitator nozzles being readily viewable above said upper surface of said deck for ease of managing agitation of said manure effluent and directional control of said vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a floating manure agitator vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one of the multi-axis above-surface agitator nozzles utilized for pond agitation and directional control of the floating agitator vessel;

(4) FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the rear agitator nozzles mounted on the stern portion of the floating agitator vessel;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side elevation view showing the hydraulically adjustable undercarriage which raises the stern of the floating vessel to facilitate launching and removal of the vessel from a manure pond;

(6) FIG. 5 is a close-up side elevation view showing the operation of the hydraulic hitch of the floating manure vessel, which facilitates ease of connecting the floating vessel to a transport vehicle;

(7) FIG. 6 is a close-up top plan view of the hand-held joy stick controller used to control operation of the floating manure agitator vessel; and

(8) FIG. 7 is diagrammatic view showing the manner in which an operator may control the manure agitator vessel remotely using the hand-held joy stick controller shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) With reference to FIG. 1, a floating aquatic manure agitator vessel 1 is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the main body or deck 3 of the vessel is flanked on each side by a large wing 5 which functions to maintain the vessel 1 afloat in the manure pond upon launching same. Each wing 5 of the vessel extends substantially the entire length of the vessel 1 and is preferably comprised of a pair of integrally connected laterally juxtaposed pontoons. As will be described in more detail hereafter, each wing 5 is pivotally adjustable upwardly and downwardly to facilitate ease of transporting the manure agitator vessel 1. The deck 3 further includes an undercarriage system 7 with wheels to facilitate launching and removal of the vessel from the manure pond, as well as transportability and storage of the vessel.

(10) Mounted atop of the deck 3 of the vessel 1 is a low pressure, high-volume PTO pressure pump 9 which draws effluent from the pond to feed a plurality of above-surface high pressure agitator nozzles 11. As shown generally in FIG. 1 and described hereafter, all agitator nozzles 11 are mounted atop the vessel deck 3 and constructed and arranged for multi-axis pivotal movement. This facilitates maximum versatility and reach for agitating the pond slurry, and for maintaining directional control of the vessel 1. In a preferred embodiment, the use of an 8 Houle vertical super pump manufactured by GEA Farm Technologies (with a 26% reducing gearbox) is contemplated for use in feeding the agitator pressure nozzles 11. While any suitable motor 13 is contemplated for powering the effluent pump 9 for its desired purpose, in a preferred embodiment, the pump 9 is preferably powered by a 240 HP CNH drive motor, or equivalent, with a 2:1 gear reducing gearbox. Although not shown in the drawings, the PTO drive shaft extending from the 2:1 reducing gearbox to the pump 9 is preferably configured with shear pins to prevent damage to the pump 9 in the event of a jam.

(11) As noted above and shown throughout the drawings, each of the agitator nozzles 11 that are fed by pump 9 is an above-surface nozzle, i.e., mounted atop the vessel deck 3 so as to be readily visible by the vessel operator at all times. Each nozzle 11 is comprised essentially of a tubular pipe member 19 connected to pump 9 via a piping system 21. The pipe member 19 of each nozzle 11 is rotationally connected to the piping system 21 at joint 23, where it is permitted to rotate substantially 180 degrees about a generally vertical axis. From Joint 23, pipe member 19 extends upwardly and then elbows 90 degrees outward toward a nozzle terminal end portion 25. Linkage 27 provides flexibility between pipe member 19 and the terminal end portion 25 of each nozzle 11, allowing the terminal end portion 25 to move upward and downward relative to a horizontal axis through a range of motion exceeding 90 degrees.

(12) As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, for optimum mobility, each nozzle 11 is equipped with separate hydraulic actuator mechanisms 15 and 17 to cause movement about multiple axes. Hydraulic actuator 15 is connected between pipe member 19 and linkage 27 of the nozzle 11, and extends and retracts to cause pivotal movement of the terminal end portion 25 of nozzle 11 generally in the vertical direction. Hydraulic actuator 17, on the other hand, is connected adjacent the rotatable joint 23 of pipe member 19, and is configured to cause rotational movement of each nozzle 11 substantially 180 degrees about a generally vertical axis. By way of example, in FIG. 3, the agitator nozzles 11 are shown with hydraulic actuators 15 retracted, so the terminal end portions 25 thereof will point downward into the manure pond. In FIG. 4, however, the nozzles 11 are depicted with the hydraulic actuators 15 fully extended, such that the terminal end portions 25 thereof point generally upward and outward to an elevated position above horizontal. In FIG. 4, the rotational actuator 17 on each stern nozzle 11 is also shown in a position rotating the stern nozzles 11 outwardly away from and beyond the outer confines of the vessel 1 to cause the pond effluent to be pump toward the sides of the vessel.

(13) As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, multiple above-surface nozzles 11 are strategically positioned and highly visible on the top surface of deck 3 of the floating vessel 1 to facilitate effective pond agitation and directional control of the vessel. In a preferred embodiment, two nozzles 11 are positioned on the stern or aft-most portion of the vessel 1, with one additional nozzle 11 positioned toward the bow. The stern nozzles 11 are preferably positioned one each adjacent each rear corner of the vessel 1, with the nozzle at the bow being centrally located between the opposing front corners thereof. As noted above, for maximum versatility and reach, each pressure nozzle is constructed for multi-axis pivotal movement, capable of substantially 180 degree rotation about a vertical axis and vertically pivotal more than 90 degrees about a horizontal axis. Consequently, with the enhanced mobility of nozzles 11, a vessel operator may effectively agitate the manure pond and simultaneously maintain accurate and easy directional control of the vessel 1 solely through the thrust of the readily visible above-surface high pressure jet nozzles 11. This is particularly beneficial when operating the floating manure agitator 1 remotely, which will be described in more detail hereafter.

(14) As shown best in FIG. 4, the floating agitator vessel 1 includes a hydraulically powered undercarriage system 7 which is vertically adjustable to facilitate ease of maneuvering the vessel 1 in and out of a manure pit. As shown, the wheels of the undercarriage system 7 are position near the stern of the vessel 1, with the supporting undercarriage frame being cantilevered to the vessel deck 3 more toward the center of the vessel 1. During operation of the agitator 1 in a manure pond, the undercarriage is usually retracted, as shown in FIG. 1. However, when launching or removing the vessel from a manure pond or lagoon, it is beneficial to lower the undercarriage 7 to raise the stern of the vessel 1, thus avoiding potential damage to the vessel 1 resulting from loading ramps having steep grades or rough terrain. Upon actuation of the system hydraulics, the frame of the undercarriage 7 will pivot downwardly from the vessel deck 3, thereby causing the undercarriage wheels to engage the ground and raise the stern of the vessel 1 upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, the aft end of the vessel 1 will be elevated well off the ground for clearance and safe transport of the vessel.

(15) During operation of the manure agitator in a manure pond, it is also possible for the operator to use the undercarriage system 7 as a tool to help determine whether there is accumulated sludge at the bottom of the manure pit that requires agitation and mixture with the remaining pond liquids. By lowering the undercarriage 7 within the manure pond, the wheels extend downward, thus probing the bottom of the pit to determine the existence of undue sludge accumulation in the immediate area of the floating vessel 1. If significant accumulation exists, the aft end of the vessel 1 will rise due to the undercarriage 7 engaging the floor of the manure pit, thereby signaling the operator of the need to agitate that area of the pit more aggressively.

(16) As shown best in FIG. 5, to further facilitate maneuverability and transportation of the floating agitator, a remote-controlled hydraulically pivotal hitch 29 is also provided to allow an operator to connect and disconnect the floating vessel 1 from a transport vehicle (not shown) without the need for manual manipulation. Significant time is lost when an operator must continually climb in and out of a transport vehicle to hitch and unhitch the floating vessel 1. As part of the present invention, the hitch 29 is pivotally connected via a pivotal coupling 31 to the deck 3 of the floating vessel 1. One end 35 of a hydraulic operating cylinder 33 is pivotally connected to a bracket 37 mounted adjacent the center of hitch 29, with the opposite end 39 being pivotally connected to an upper portion of the vessel deck 3.

(17) Consequently, upon actuation of hydraulic cylinder 33, the hitch 29 is configured to pivot up and down about a horizontal axis extending through the pivotal coupling 31. In this manner, the terminal end 41 of the hitch 29 may be moved up and down for coupling with the corresponding connector (e.g., ball hitch) of the transport vehicle. The operator may simply align the transport vehicle adjacent the vessel hitch 29 and lower the hitch via remote control to connect the vessel 1 to the transport vehicle. Similarly, upon launching the vessel 1, the hitch 29 may be easily disconnected remotely by simply actuating hydraulic cylinder 33, thereby raising the adjustable hitch to disengage the hitch 29 from the transport vehicle. No need for manual manipulation of the hitch 29 is required; therefore, the operator spends less time climbing in and out of the transport vehicle, with less opportunity for operator injury.

(18) Such a hydraulically operable hitch 29 also has the benefit that it can be used an ice-breaking mechanism during winter. Oftentimes during cold periods of winter, manure ponds can become at least partially covered with ice, causing jams and obstructing the ability of the floating vessel 1 to maneuver within the pond. During operation, the hydraulically pivotal hitch 29 can be alternatively used as a striking tool to help break up sections of ice that may be obstructing and limiting the maneuverability of the vessel. By simply actuating hydraulic cylinder 33 back and forth, the hitch 29 can be manipulated upward and downward with a striking force that can help break up ice and facilitate maneuverability.

(19) As noted previously, another aspect of the present invention includes folding wings or pontoons 5 mounted on opposite sides of the floating agitator vessel 1. These wings 5 are also hydraulically operated, and can be raised and lowered via remote control. Consequently, for travel and storage, the wings 5 can be hydraulically lifted to an upright position, thereby significantly reducing the width of the vessel 1 for ease in road travel and passage through tight areas, such as gates, etc. For launching the vessel 1, the wings 5 are simply lowered for floatation.

(20) As an optional feature, it is also contemplated that the boat may be outfitted with lights for nighttime operation; such lighting may be mounted upon the deck 3 or separately on each of the nozzles 11. With all pressure nozzles 11 for agitation and directional control of the vessel 1 being above-surface and highly visible, nighttime operation of the floating manure agitator with appropriate lighting is readily available, if desired.

(21) With reference now being made to FIGS. 6 and 7, it is noted that, in a preferred embodiment, all hydraulic applications, including operation of the multi-axis pressure nozzles 11, and the hydraulic undercarriage 7, hitch 29 and side wings 5, are remotely controllable through the use of a user-friendly handheld control unit 43. As best shown in FIG. 7, the operator may control all hydraulic applications using the handheld control unit 43 from a location remote of the deck of the manure agitator 1. For ease of operating the multi-axis rotating pressure nozzles 11, the control unit 43 incorporates separate joystick controls (45, 47, 49) for each, such that the operator can easily maneuver each of the nozzles at will with full view of the nozzle's positioning at all times. Consequently, there is no guesswork involved as to where the nozzles 11 are being pointed for agitation and directional control purposes.

(22) Accordingly, it can be seen that the system and methods of the present invention readily achieve the advantages and objectives discussed above as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein for the purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and sequence thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention herein, which comprises the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.