Apparatus and method for removing caked litter from a poultry facility
US5901911A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K31/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for cleaning litter in a poultry house by removing caked litter while leaving uncaked litter. The system comprises a separator that connects and disconnects to the front bucket of a skid-steer loader while the operator remains seated. The separator and bucket couple via a bucket and separator coupling. One coupling comprises two spaced apart parallel arms that insert into corresponding sleeves that form the other coupling. Connecting requires aligned forward loader movement with the separator on the ground while disconnecting requires reverse loader movement. The separator comprises a chassis supporting a blade that forces litter into the separator. A plurality of spikes on a rotating reel forcefully break the entering litter into smaller pieces as an integral ramp feeds the litter onto an upwardly moving conveyor. Several perforations in the plates comprising the conveyor permit uncaked litter to fall through onto a return chute while caked litter is retained by a plate lip until being deposited in the bucket. The separator is powered by a hydraulic motor assembly employing a quick-coupling split shaft with automatically mating halves. When removing caked litter, the oper…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.