US-20260123598-A1 - SELF-PROPELLED MANURE VACUUM WITH BOTTOM OR SIDE UNLOADING

US20260123598A1US 20260123598 A1US20260123598 A1US 20260123598A1US-20260123598-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a versatile vacuum truck system designed for efficient collection, transport, and unloading of organic matter. Different embodiments can support side, bottom, and front unloading or different combinations thereof, facilitated by a controllable auger. The truck can feature a side spreading system with a guillotine door and brass knife valve, allowing for precise material distribution. The system can be configured for bulk dumping or controlled spreading, making it adaptable to various agricultural tasks. The flexible design optimizes performance in diverse environments, from large-scale field applications to confined spaces, enhancing efficiency and operational control.

Inventors

Noah Mensch
Donald Mensch

Assignees

Mensch Manufacturing, L.L.C.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241104

Claims (19)

1 . A vacuum truck to collect organic matter by vacuum and unload the organic matter off the side of the vacuum truck, comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle including a frame; a storage tank mounted on the frame, the storage tank including a bottom outlet for unloading collected organic matter; a scraper mounted on the frame and defining a collection area for scraped organic matter; a suction line extending from the collection area to the storage tank; an auger in the storage tank that agitates and moves collected organic matter in the storage tank toward the storage tank bottom outlet; an exit chute extending from the bottom outlet of the storage tank to a side of the vacuum truck for unloading collected organic matter off the side of the truck; and a vacuum source operably connected to the collection area, the suction line, and the storage tank for creating suction to move the organic matter from the collection area along the suction line into the storage tank.
2 . The vacuum truck of claim 1 , wherein the auger includes two portions having opposed flighting, configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the front of the storage tank toward the middle of the storage tank and urge movement of collected organic matter near the rear of the storage tank toward the front of the storage tank.
3 . The vacuum truck of claim 1 , wherein the auger includes flighting in one direction, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the rear of the storage tank toward the bottom outlet and urge movement of collected organic matter near the middle of the storage tank toward the front of the storage tank, facilitating unloading through the bottom outlet and a front outlet.
4 . The vacuum truck of claim 1 , wherein the auger includes flighting in one direction, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the front of the storage tank toward the bottom outlet and urge movement of collected organic matter near the middle of the storage tank toward the rear of the storage tank, facilitating unloading through the bottom outlet and a rear outlet.
5 . The vacuum truck of claim 1 , wherein the exit chute includes a guillotine-style gate valve positioned near the outlet of the storage tank, the gate valve being operable to selectively seal or open the exit chute for controlled unloading of the organic matter.
6 . The vacuum truck of claim 5 , further comprising one or more hydraulic cylinders mounted on the guillotine-style gate valve, the one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to provide movement of the gate valve during unloading operations.
7 . The vacuum truck of claim 1 , further comprising a side spreading system operably connected to the exit chute, the side spreading system configured to either passively dump or actively spread the organic matter.
8 . A vacuum truck to collect organic matter by vacuum and unload the organic matter beneath the vacuum truck, comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle including a frame; a storage tank mounted on the frame, the storage tank including a bottom outlet; a scraper mounted on the frame and defining a collection area for scraped organic matter; a suction line extending from the collection area to the storage tank; an auger in the storage tank that agitates and moves collected organic matter in the storage tank toward the storage tank bottom outlet; an exit chute extending from the bottom outlet of the storage tank to a bottom of the vacuum truck for unloading collected organic matter beneath the truck; and a vacuum source operably connected to the collection area, the suction line, and the storage tank for creating suction to move the organic matter from the collection area along the suction line into the storage tank.
9 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , wherein the auger includes two portions having opposed flighting, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the front of the storage tank toward the middle of the storage tank and urge movement of collected organic matter near the rear of the storage tank toward the front of the storage tank.
10 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , wherein the auger includes flighting in one direction, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the rear of the storage tank toward the bottom outlet and urge movement of collected organic matter near the middle of the storage tank toward the front of the storage tank, facilitating unloading through the bottom outlet and a front outlet.
11 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , wherein the auger includes flighting in one direction, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the front of the storage tank toward the bottom outlet and urge movement of collected organic matter near the middle of the storage tank toward the rear of the storage tank, facilitating unloading through the bottom outlet and a rear outlet.
12 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , wherein the exit chute includes a guillotine-style gate valve positioned near the bottom outlet of the storage tank, the gate valve being operable to selectively seal or open the exit chute for controlled unloading of the organic matter.
13 . The vacuum truck of claim 12 , further comprising one or more hydraulic cylinders mounted, the one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to move the gate valve during unloading operations.
14 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , further comprising a bottom spreading system operably connected to the exit chute, the bottom spreading system configured to either passively dump or actively spread the organic matter beneath the truck.
15 . The vacuum truck of claim 8 , further comprising a sensor system configured to monitor the position and flow of organic matter within the storage tank and provide feedback to the operator via the user interface.
16 . A vacuum truck for collecting, unloading, and spreading organic matter, comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle including a frame; a storage tank mounted on the frame, the storage tank including a bottom outlet and a front outlet; a scraper mounted on the frame and defining a collection area for scraped organic matter; a suction line extending from the collection area to the storage tank an auger positioned within the storage tank, configured to agitate and move collected organic matter toward either the bottom outlet or the front outlet of the storage tank; a front exit chute extending from the front outlet of the storage tank to the front of the vacuum truck for unloading collected organic matter in front of the vacuum truck; a side exit chute extending from the bottom outlet of the storage tank to a side of the vacuum truck for unloading collected organic matter off the side of the vacuum truck; a side spreading system including a spreader head operably connected to the side exit chute, the spreader head configured to distribute the organic matter across a designated area to the side of the vacuum truck; a front unloading system operably connected to the front outlet of the storage tank, configured to discharge organic matter from the front of the vacuum truck; a control system operably connected to the auger, the front unloading system, and the side spreading system, the control system selectively switchable between directing organic matter to the front outlet for front unloading and directing organic matter to the side spreading system for side unloading or spreading; and a vacuum source operably connected to the collection area, the suction line, and the storage tank for creating suction to move the organic matter from the collection area along the suction line into the storage tank.
17 . The vacuum truck of claim 16 , wherein the control system further comprises a user interface in the vehicle cabin, the user interface configured to provide real-time feedback to the operator regarding the auger and the flow of organic matter within the storage tank.
18 . The vacuum truck of claim 16 , wherein the side spreading system includes adjustable settings for controlling the width and direction of the spread, allowing the operator to customize the distribution of organic matter.
19 . The vacuum truck of claim 16 , wherein the auger includes flighting in one direction, the auger configured to urge movement of collected organic matter near the rear of the storage tank toward the bottom outlet and urge movement of collected organic matter near the middle of the storage tank toward the front of the storage tank, facilitating unloading through the bottom outlet and the front outlet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to vacuum trucks configured for efficient collection and unloading of organic matter, such as manure, crop residues, and stall material (e.g., bedding materials such as straw, wood shavings, or sawdust), and unloading of same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained, self-propelled, steerable vacuum truck that can unload collected organic matter under or off the side of the truck. In modern large-scale animal, farming, and dairy operations, equipment is rugged, durable, and efficient to meet the demands of frequent and time-consuming tasks, such as the collection and unloading of organic matter from animal stalls. The maneuverability of vacuum trucks during the unloading process, particularly when approaching pits for front or rear unloading, presents significant operational challenges. Any unintended vehicle movement or brake failure during this process can result in the vacuum truck falling into the pit, leading to potential equipment damage and safety hazards. Additionally, rear unloading often involves the operator backing the vacuum truck up to the pit, making it challenging to monitor the process from the cab at the front of the vehicle. If organic matter becomes lodged during unloading, the operator may be unaware, leading to significant delays. In the case of front unloading, while monitoring from the cab is easier, the process often causes organic matter to splatter, obstructing the operator's view and necessitating more frequent cleanings to maintain clear visibility. Additionally, while unloading organic matter in front of the vehicle, the vehicle's wheels and undercarriage can interfere with the discharged material. This interference can cause the organic matter to become spread unevenly or trapped, leading to inefficiencies in the unloading process and potentially requiring additional cleanup or adjustments to the vehicle's positioning. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present disclosure, a manure vacuum truck with side or bottom unloading includes a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a frame. A storage tank and scraper are mounted on the frame or tank, the scraper defining a collection area for scraped organic material. A suction line connects the collection area to the storage tank. A vacuum source is operably connected to at least one of the collection area, the suction line, and the storage tank for creating suction to move the manure material from the collection area along the suction line into the storage tank. The storage tank includes an outlet opening for unloading the storage tank beneath the vehicle or off the side of the vehicle. The storage tank further can include an auger with opposed flighting sections to move the manure within the tank to the tank outlet for unloading. In embodiments that accommodate side or bottom unloading as well as front unloading or back unloading, the auger can include all forward flighting or all reverse flighting, depending on whether the second exit is at the front or rear of the truck. In some side unloading embodiments, the side unloading system can be configured with a side spreading system to either selectively passively dump or actively spread collected organic material from the side of the vehicle. These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a bottom unload vacuum truck embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a side unload vacuum truck embodiment of the pres