Live bottom trailer effectively having extendible rear end via outward pivoting doors

A material transport apparatus adapted to be mobilized by a vehicle for transporting material, comprising:

• a hopper structure supported on wheels such that the hopper is adapted to be mobile, the hopper structure including an open top for receiving material dumped therethrough and spaced apart sidewalls converging inwardly toward an open bottom, the sidewall extending rearwardly from a front end to a first rear end;
• an endless conveyor positioned generally in the open bottom of the hopper comprising an endless belt entrained around spaced apart sprockets, the endless belt being operative to convey material from the hopper structure to the rear end of the hopper structure;
• and
• a pair of extensions, one for each side wall, the extensions being positionable to project rearwardly from the respective sidewalls and the first rear end to establish a second extended rear end located rearwardly of the first rear end such that the discharge area is effectively located further rearwardly.

A method of discharging material from the rear end of a live bottom material transport apparatus, the transport apparatus comprising a hopper structure carrying loose material and supported on wheels such that the hopper is adapted to be mobile, the hopper including a conveyor adapted to transport material from the hopper toward a discharge area of the hopper, comprising:

• providing a pair of doors at the discharge area, each door being hinged to the hopper such that the doors pivot horizontally outwardly away from one another, the doors having a closed position in which the discharge area is closed;
• pivoting the doors horizontally outwardly away from each other to a position in which the discharge area has an discharge opening;
• operating the conveyor to expel material rearwardly through the discharge opening;
• and
• maintaining the doors in a position in which the doors project rearwardly from the discharge area in a position to engage and direct the expelled material further rearwardly from the discharge area.