Patent ID: 7430784

Claim:
A vacuum-cleaning apparatus for a stable, the apparatus adapted for being towed behind a powered vehicle having a power take off unit and comprising: (a) a two-wheel trailer; (b) a tank having an air-tight tank cavity, at least one cavity input port, a rear end, and a bottom side, and wherein the tank is mounted on the trailer; (c) a hydraulic pump connected to, and powered by, the power take off unit of the powered vehicle; (d) a debris-removing unit including: (1) an intake unit having a scoop element and a hand-operated handle pivotally connected to the scoop unit wherein the scoop unit includes rotating tines structured to lift and collect debris from a floor of a stable; the scoop unit having a hydraulic motor connected to, and powered by, the hydraulic pump, (2) a vacuuming unit having a vacuum input port and a conduit connecting the vacuum input to the air-tight tank cavity; the vacuuming unit also having a hydraulic motor connected to, and powered by the hydraulic pump; and (e) a debris-scattering unit including a belt conveyor spaced inside and along the bottom side of the tank cavity; the conveyor having a hydraulic motor connected to, and powered by, the hydraulic pump; the conveyor extending to an opening in the rear end of the tank; and (f) a hydraulically operated door having an open configuration wherein the conveyor can convey debris through the opening to thereby scatter debris rearwardly from the trailer as the trailer is being towed behind the powered vehicle, and a closed configuration wherein an air-tight seal is formed around the opening to thereby establish the air-tight feature of the tank cavity.