194 FARM MACHINERY 



which, when the machine is in forward motion, moves by a 

 suitable gearing slowly to the rear, thus propelling the material 

 that may be loaded in the vehicle against a rotating toothed 

 drum, which pulverizes and evenly spreads the load on the 

 ground behind." 



A spreader with a solid bottom to the box over which the 

 manure was drawn by chains with slats across and attached 

 to an end board, appeared in 1884. Variable-speed devices for 

 varying the rate of distribution were provided at the same time. 



An endless apron machine appeared in 1900, with hinged slats 

 which overlapped while traveling rearward, and which hung 

 downward while traveling ahead on the under side, making 

 an open apron. There is a tendency on the part of endless apron 

 machines to become fouled by the manure which passes through 

 the apron on the upper side and lodges on the inside of the 

 lower half. 



It would be impracticable to mention all of the improvements 

 to manure spreaders along the line of return motions, variable- 

 feed devices, safety end boards, and almost countless details 

 in the construction of bed, apron, and beater. 



THE MODERN SPREADER 



The modern manure spreader consists essentially in 

 (a) a box with flexible apron for a bottom, (b) gearing 

 to move the apron to the rear at a variable speed, and 

 (c) a toothed drum or beater to pulverize and spread the 

 manure evenly behind. 



269. Aprons. Three types of aprons or box bottoms 

 are to be found in use on the modern spreader: 

 (a) a return apron (Fig. 146), with an end board which 

 pulls the load to the beater by being drawn under the 

 box; (b) the endless apron (Fig. 147), which is com- 

 posed of slats or bats passing continuously around reels 

 at each end of the box ; and (c) bars or a push board, 

 moved by chains, thus moving the load to the beater 

 over a solid floor. 



