Manure handling system for use in barns
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a manure handling cart that includes a bin to collect manure and a first conveyor belt to transfer manure into the bin. The cart includes a bin to collect manure and wheels with an electric motor for propulsion. A first conveyor belt mounts to the cart to convey manure into the bin. The bin has a bottom opening and second conveyor belt to discharge manure. The first conveyor belt has four configurations: manure pickup resting on the floor, manure discharge from the second belt, centered storage, and side not in use. The first conveyor belt is mounted to an articulated frame that slides and pivots to adjust the first conveyor belt configuration. A piston pivots the frame at pivot points to configure the first belt. Brackets secure the first conveyor belt in the side storage and centered storage configurations.
1 . A manure cart handling system comprising:
a cart including two side panels and two end panels defining a manure collection bin for collecting unprocessed manure;
a first conveyor belt system for transferring unprocessed manure directly into the bin, the first conveyor belt system comprising an articulated frame extending parallel to the side panels and a first conveyor belt supported by the articulated frame;
a set of caster wheels attached to the cart for stability;
a steering mechanism connected to the set of caster wheels; wherein the steering mechanism is at one end of the cart and an unprocessed manure discharge end is at an opposite end of the cart;
a second conveyor belt positioned beneath an opening in a bottom of the bin for discharging unprocessed manure from the bin for external disposal; wherein the articulated frame is configured to slide and pivot to allow the first conveyor belt system to be extended, retracted, and swung into different configurations; and
wherein the different configurations include a manure pickup configuration wherein the first conveyor belt is positioned to collect manure from a barn floor, a manure disposal configuration wherein the first conveyor belt is positioned to receive manure from the second conveyor belt at the discharge end of the cart, a centrally located storage configuration, and a side storage configuration.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor belt system is powered by an electric motor drawing power from a battery.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second conveyor belt is powered by a combination electric motor and gearbox.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the articulated frame comprises a piston and torsion spring mechanism configured to facilitate movement of the articulated frame between the different configurations.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to also transport and unload new bedding into stalls using the first conveyor belt system for loading the bedding into the bin and the second conveyor belt for unloading the bedding into the stalls.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one side panel of the two side panels is pivotally openable for discharging unprocessed manure from the bin.
7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a pair of side panel pistons and pivot arms for the operation of the pivotally openable side panel.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are configured to assist in opening the at least one pivotally openable side panel.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the system is configured to also transport and unload new bedding into stalls using the pivotally openable side panel for loading and unloading the bedding into the stalls.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising support brackets configured to stabilize the first conveyor belt system in at least one of the centrally located storage configuration and the side storage configuration.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein sliding and pivoting of the articulated frame allows lateral swinging movement and extension or retraction movement of an outlet end of the first conveyor belt system relative to an inlet end of the first conveyor belt system.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the caster wheels allow omnidirectional movement of the manure cart.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the articulated frame is configured such that the first conveyor belt system can be positioned in each of the different configurations without disassembly of components.