Broadcast spreader with a directional control assembly

A broadcast spreader, comprising:

• a hopper adapted to store granular material and including a discharge port through a surface thereof;
• a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular material passing from the hopper through the discharge port;
• a first plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper, the first plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein movement of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a shifting of the pathway for the granular material;
• and
• a second plate secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper and the first plate, wherein the second plate is in a stacked relationship with respect to the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate is independent of movement of the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate selectively opens or closes the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, and wherein the first plate moves in a first direction, and the second plate moves in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• wherein said second plate has a generally C-shape with a rear opening, such that, in an open position, the rear opening is in registry with the discharge port defined by the hopper and the opening defined by said first plate to allow for the passage of the granular material from the hopper, through the discharge port and the opening defined through said first plate, through the rear opening defined by said second plate, and onto the fan.

A broadcast spreader, comprising:

• a hopper adapted to store granular material and including a discharge port through a surface thereof;
• a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular material passing from the hopper through the discharge port in a predetermined distribution pattern;
• and
• a directional control assembly, including
• a first plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper, the first plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein movement of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern, and
• a second plate secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper and the first plate, wherein the second plate is in a stacked relationship with respect to the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate is independent of movement of the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate selectively opens or closes the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein the first plate moves in a first direction, and the second plate moves in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• wherein said first plate defines first and second longitudinal slots along one edge, and further defines third and fourth longitudinal slots along an opposite edge.

A broadcast spreader, comprising:

• a hopper adapted to store granular material and including a discharge port through a surface thereof;
• a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular material passing from the hopper through the discharge port in a predetermined distribution pattern;
• and
• a directional control assembly, including
• a first plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper, the first plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein movement of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern, and
• a second plate secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper and the first plate, wherein the second plate is in a stacked relationship with respect to the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate is independent of movement of the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate selectively opens or closes the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein the first plate moves in a first direction, and the second plate moves in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• wherein said second plate has a generally C-shape with a rear opening, such that, in an open position, the rear opening is in registry with the discharge port defined by the hopper and the opening defined by said first plate to allow for the passage of the granular material from the hopper, through the discharge port and the opening defined through the first plate, through the rear opening defined by said second plate, and onto the fan.

A broadcast spreader, comprising:

• a hopper adapted to store granular material and including a discharge port through a surface thereof;
• a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular material passing from the hopper through the discharge port;
• a first plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper, the first plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein movement of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a shifting of the pathway for the granular material;
• and
• a second plate secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate selectively opens or closes the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan;
• wherein said first plate moves in a first direction, and said second plate moves in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• and
• wherein said first plate defines first and second longitudinal slots along one edge, and further defines third and fourth longitudinal slots along an opposite edge.