Fine material distributor

Abstract

A fine material distributing machine having a container adapted to be movable over the ground, a conveyor at least partially housed within the container to be cooperable therewith to move fine material reposed within the container toward a discharge opening in the container, and a brush-type distributing mechanism positioned at the discharge opening to engage material conveyed thereto by the conveyor to effect a discharge thereof from the container to the surface of the ground, is disclosed wherein the brush-type distributing mechanism has resilient bristles which engage a structural member to cause a deflection thereof counter to the direction of rotation of the distributing mechanism as the bristles are engaging material conveyed thereto for enhancing the discharge of material from the container. The machine is also provided with a metering device to control the flow of fine material to the distributing mechanism and a dispersing panel for directing the discharged material into a spread pattern wider than the overall width of the machine. The dispersing panel is pivotally mounted to be selectively engageable with the cylindrical brush to effect a deflection of the bristles and to project upwardly extending dispersal fins into engagement with the rotating brush.