Inlet for particulate loader

A particulate loader for transferring particulates comprising:

• an air-particulates separating chamber for separating the particulates from an air stream caused by suction provided thereto;
• a suction mechanism connected to the air-particulates separating chamber for providing the suction thereto;
• a conveying mechanism for conveying the separated particulates from the air-particulates separating chamber to a remote location;
• a vacuum pickup hose or pipe configured to be in fluid communication with the air-particulates separating chamber for transmitting the air stream with the particulates therethrough;
• and,
• an inlet conduit connectable to the vacuum pickup hose or pipe at a first end and in fluid communication with the air-particulates separating chamber at a second end for transmitting the air stream with the particulates from the vacuum pickup hose or pipe to the air-particulates separating chamber, wherein the inlet conduit is elongated between the first end and the second end and wherein a diameter of a cross-section of the inlet conduit increases by at least one inch from a first cross-section at the first end to a second cross-section at the second end, the inlet port having an approximately constant cross section, wherein the air-particulates separating chamber comprises an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and wherein inlet port protrudes into the air-particulates separating chamber a predetermined distance.