Variable mulch handling and dispersing apparatus

A mobile variable mulch handling and dispersing apparatus comprising a mobile longitudinal frame having a first end and a second end and further comprising a main drive engine coupled thereto and a hydraulic pump coupled to said main drive engine, an input section mounted at said first end for receiving bales, a beater section mounted adjacent said input section, and a blower section mounted adjacent said beater section at said second end;

• said input section further comprising a primary conveyor assembly driven by said main drive engine for continuously conveying said bales from said input section toward said beater section;
• said beater section further comprising at least three rotatable shafts disposed horizontally in spaced-apart relationship wherein a first shaft is disposed above a second shaft and slightly closer to said first end than is said second shaft and wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are rotatable in opposite directions creating a pinch point and wherein a third shaft is horizontally disposed closer to said first end than both said first shaft and said second shaft such that said bales contact said third shaft before contacting said first shaft and said second shaft as said bales are continuously conveyed into said beater section from said input section, said bales being divided into constituent materials as said bales pass through said beater section;
• and said blower section comprising an entrance and an exit, said blower section further comprising a fan disposed near said entrance of said blower section generating high velocity of air within said blower section to facilitate dispersal of said constituent materials through said exit of said blower section.

A mobile variable mulch handling and dispersing apparatus for continuously receiving bales of nearly any size and shape and capable of being towed on highways without an oversize permit comprising:

• a mobile longitudinal frame having a first end and a second end, said first end connectable with a tow vehicle, said second end being fitted with a main drive engine, said main drive engine further coupled to at least one hydraulic pump for operating hydraulic equipment;
• an input section having an entrance toward said first end, and an exit, said input section further comprising a primary conveyor assembly driven by said main drive engine for conveying said bales at a feed rate from said entrance of said input section to said exit of said input section;
• a beater section having an entrance adjacent said exit of said input section, and an exit, said entrance of said beater section receiving said bales from said exit of said input section, said beater section further comprising at least two rotatable beater shafts driven by said main drive engine disposed in spaced-apart parallel relationship, said at least two rotatable beater shafts further comprising a first shaft having a first diameter and a first centroidal axis therealong and a second shaft having a second diameter and a second centroidal axis therealong, said first shaft further comprising an inner cylindrical core and a plurality of paddles disposed substantially spirally about said inner cylindrical core, and said second shaft further comprising an inner drum and a plurality of teeth disposed substantially spirally about said inner drum;
• and said beater section further comprising at least one rotatable metering shaft having a third diameter and a third centroidal axis therealong, wherein said third diameter is substantially less than said second diameter, said at least one metering shaft disposed closer to said entrance of said beater section and in spaced-apart parallel relationship to said first shaft and said second shaft, said first shaft and said second shaft rotatable in opposite directions about said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis, and wherein said bales enter said beater section from said input section and are divided into constituent materials by said at least two rotatable beater shafts and said at least one metering shaft;
• and
• a blower section adjacent said second end, said blower section further comprising a blower entrance adjacent said exit of said beater section, a blower fan, and a blower exit, said blower entrance receiving said constituent materials from said exit of said beater section and mixing said constituent materials with air from said blower fan to convey said mixture through said blower exit.