Method and apparatus for conditioning the litter on the floor of a poultry rearing facility
US4854507A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K31/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for reconditioning the floor of a poultry rearing area includes a housing and frame adapted to be attached to a three-point hitch of a tractor so that the device is propelled and powered by the tractor. The device further includes a rotating shaft having a plurality of flail elements comprising straight bar members of 10 inches or longer are pivotally attached about the circumference of a rotating shaft for pulverizing poultry litter by rotating closely adjacent a contoured bed in the housing shaped to have an arcuate shape following the arc scribed by the swing of the flail elements through at least 40.degree. of arc. A hinged top cover permits access to the flail elements and rotating shaft and a hinged rear deflector forms with the contoured bed and outlet that ensures that the reconditioned litter is deposited evenly on the floor. Further, a sprocket and chain assembly used to power the rotating shaft is interposed between an angle gear box attached to the power take-off of a tractor and the rotating shaft so that the strain of the rotating shaft is not directed on the angle gear box.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.