Manure spreader

Claim 2

A wheeled vehicle for distributing material comprising: a. an open-topped container for accommodating the material, b. means for pivotably mounting said container about a pivot axis located intermediate the top and bottom thereof, c. said pivot axis being substantially horizontal and passing through a normally vertical axis of the container which in turn passes in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the container, d. power means operable to control tipping of the container about the pivot axis, and e. support means for engaging the container in a rest or upright position thereof so that the weight of the container is taken by the support means, thereby relieving stress on the pivots which normally take the weight of the container in various other positions of the latter.

Claim 3

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pivot axis is located substantially midway between the top and bottom of the container.

Claim 4

A vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the pivot axis is located rearwardly of the normally vertical axis of the container.

Claim 5

A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the pivot axis is located parallel to, and vertically above, a rear axis of the vehicle.

Claim 6

A vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the container is pivotable about the pivot axis to a position in which said normally vertical axis is at an angle of approximately 55* to the horizontal.

Claim 7

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container has a substantially hemispherical lower portion and an integral generally cylindrical upper portion.

Claim 8

A vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein the overall height of the container is greater than the width of the container.

Claim 9

A vehicle as set forth in claim 7 wherein the overall height of the container is greater than the length of the container.

Claim 10

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means further comprises a chassis formed by a plurality of beams, one or more of the beams engaging the container in said rest or upright position.

Claim 11

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top edge of the container, which is lowered during tipping movement, is provided with a rotatable material distributor.

Claim 12

A vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the distributor is in the form of a beater having a plurality of flails, the outer ends of which are arranged to pass adjacent to the edge of the container.

Claim 13

A wheeled vehicle for distributing material comprising: a. an open-topped container for accommodating the material, b. a material distributor mounted in the vicinity of the top of said container, c. means for pivotably mounting said container about a pivot axis located intermediate the top and bottom thereof, d. said pivot axis being substantially horizontal and passing through a normally vertical axis of the container which in turn passes in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the container, e. power means operable to control tipping of the container about the pivot axis, and f. means to control said power means in a predetermined maNner to effect even distribution of the material from the container under conditions where said container is tipped and said material engages said material distributor.

Claim 14

A wheeled vehicle for distributing material comprising: a. an open-topped container for accommodating the material, b. a material distributor mounted in the vicinity of the top of said container, c. means for pivotably mounting said container about a pivot axis located intermediate the top and bottom thereof, d. said pivot axis being substantially horizontal and passing through a normally vertical axis of the container which in turn passes in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the container, e. power means operable to control tipping of the container about the pivot axis, and f. means to control said power means in a predetermined maNner to effect even distribution of the material from the container under conditions where said container is tipped and said material engages said material distributor.

Claim 15

A vehicle as set forth in claim 12 wherein operation of the power means is synchronized with the forward speed of the vehicle.

Claim 16

A vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein said material distributor is rotatably mounted at the top edge of the container, which is lowered during tipping movement.

Claim 17

A vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the material distributor is in the form of a beater having a plurality of flails, the outer ends of which are arranged to pass adjacent to the edge of the container.

Claim 18

A vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein said material distributor means is driven by a two part chain drive, the transition between the one part and the other part being at the pivot axis, whereby drive to the distributor is not affected by tilting of the container about the pivot axis.