Apparatus and method for dispensing and distributing loose particulate materials

An apparatus for dispensing and distributing loose particulate materials, the apparatus comprising:

• a container for holding the loose particulate material, the container including a movable floor that moves loose particulate material within the container into a feeder that regulates the flow of loose particulate material out of the container;
• one or more rotatable vertically oriented augers located above the feeder to move loose particulate material into the feeder;
• a drive system attached to the augers to rotate the augers to feed the loose particulate material into the feeder;
• a blower that produces an air stream that blows loose particulate material exiting the feeder through a hose coupled to the apparatus;
• control means for controlling the moveable floor and augers to provide a steady supply of loose particulate material to the feeder;
• and
• a water nozzle located to provide a stream of water to mix with the air stream and the loose particulate material exiting the feeder.

A method for dispensing and distributing loose particulate material, comprising the steps of:

• feeding loose particulate material from a container into a feeder using a moving floor and one or more vertically oriented augers;
• controlling the movement of the moving floor and augers in response to the amount of resistance to rotational movement of the augers produced by the loose particulate material;
• regulating the flow of loose particulate material into an air stream produced by a blower using the feeder;
• and
• blowing loose particulate material exiting the feeder through an attached hose.