Method and apparatus for spreading a liquid slurry

Abstract

A trailer vehicle for distributing a fertilizing manure slurry to a field which includes a slurry distribution assembly mounted to the tear of the vehicle having four slurry distribution units, each with three plow teeth and a slurry distribution nozzle associated with the teeth for feeding the slurry at root level in the soil. The distribution assembly includes an elongated manifold with four flexible conduits extending from the manifold to each nozzle on the distribution units. The manifold communicates with the slurry tank. The trailer vehicle can also have a special suspension to maintain the tank relatively level. The trailer has three sets of wheels which are articulated in tandem, and the rear wheels of the trailer can be steered in the arc traced by the motive vehicle pulling the trailer. The tank includes an annular wall defining an impeller pump area and a door is hinged to the annular wall. An impeller pump wheel is mounted on the door in the pump area which pumps slurry to the distribution assembly.

I claim:  
     
       1. In an apparatus for spreading fertilizer slurry, including a vehicle and a holding tank mounted on the vehicle, wherein the holding tank includes at least a front wall and an opening located on the front wall near the bottom of the holding tank, and an annular wall defining an impeller pump area surrounds the opening and a door is hinged to the annular wall and closes on the annular wall surrounding the opening, an impeller pump wheel mounted on the door in the pump area facing the opening and an outlet pipe communicating through the annular wall with the impeller pump area such that slurry in the holding tank can be pumped through the outlet pipe by rotating the impeller pump wheel in the door. 
     
     
       2. In an apparatus for spreading fertilizer  a liquid, including a vehicle and a holding tank mounted on the vehicle, wherein the holding tank includes at least a wall and an opening located on the wall near the bottom of the holding tank, an annular flange defining an impeller pump area surrounds the opening and a door closing on the annular flange surrounding the opening, an impeller pump wheel mounted on the door in the pump area facing the opening and an outlet pipe communicating through the annular flange with the impeller pump area such that the liquid in the holding tank can be pumped through the outlet pipe by rotating the impeller pump wheel on the door, and further as defined in  claim 1 ,  wherein the door is hinged to the annular wall  flange and a handle including a cam member is pivotally mounted to the annular wall  flange diametrically opposite the hinge portion of the door, and the cam member of the handle is adapted to engage the door when it is closed in order to firmly close the door against the annular wall  flange and thereby seal the tank and the impeller pump area. 
     
     
       3. In an apparatus for spreading a liquid, including a vehicle and a holding tank mounted on the vehicle, wherein the holding tank includes at least a wall and an opening located on the wall near the bottom of the holding tank, an annular flange defining an impeller pump area surrounds the opening and a door disposed on the annular flange surrounding the opening, an impeller pump wheel mounted on the door in the pump area facing the opening and an outlet pipe communicating through the annular flange with the impeller pump area such that the liquid in the holding tank can be pumped through the outlet pipe by rotating the impeller pump wheel on the door, and further wherein the door includes a handle comprising a cam member pivotally mounted to the annular flange, wherein said cam member is adapted to engage the door when it is closed in order to firmly close the door against the annular flange and thereby seal the tank and the impeller pump area. 
     
     
       4. In an apparatus for spreading a liquid, including a vehicle and a holding tank mounted on the vehicle, wherein the holding tank includes at least a wall and an opening located on the wall near the bottom of the holding tank, an annular flange defining an impeller pump area surrounds the opening and a swingable door disposed on the annular flange surrounding the opening, and impeller pump wheel mounted on the door in the pump area facing the opening and an outlet pipe communicating through the annular flange with the impeller pump area such that the liquid in the holding tank can be pumped through the outlet pipe by rotating the impeller pump wheel on the door.