Patent ID: 6336600
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: A01C

Abstract:
A self-propelled spreader comprising:a frame having a front portion, a rear portion, and oppositely-disposed side portions; a motor mounted to the frame; wheels mounted to the frame, at least one of the wheels being driven by the motor; a platform secured to the rear portion of the frame for supporting an operator in a standing position, the platform enabling the operator to selectively step onto the platform to ride the self-propelled spreader and to step off of the platform to walk behind the self-propelled spreader; means for controlling and varying the ground speed of the self-propelled spreader, the speed controlling and varying means defining at least two forward speeds for the self-propelled spreader, at least a first of the forward speeds enabling the operator to walk behind the self-propelled spreader and at least a second of the forward speeds being faster than the first forward speed; a material storage compartment mounted to the frame for containing a material, the material storage compartment having an outlet through which the material exits the material storage compartment; means for dispensing the material away from the side portions of the frame; means for delivering the material from the material storage compartment to the dispensing means; and means for controlling material flow from the material storage compartment to the dispensing means, the material flow control means providing at least two flow rates of the material to the delivering means, the material flow control means synchronizing the at least two flow rates with the at least two forward speeds of the self-propelled spreader so that the self-propelled spreader dispenses the material to achieve an approximately constant application rate per unit area at the at least two forward speeds.