Grain spreader for storage bin

A grain spreader for a storage bin that receives grain from a spout through a bin inlet, the grain spreader having a hopper that receives grain from the spout and a plurality of spreader arms extending generally radially from the hopper configured to distribute the grain in the storage bin, the hopper having a body forming a constricted outlet at a bottom end of the hopper body, the grain spreader comprising:

• a spreader cone, wherein grain received in the hopper is directed to the plurality of spreader arms through the outlet with a spreader cone, the spreader cone having an upper portion comprising a convergent cone and lower portion comprising a divergent cone connected at a middle union, the spreader cone being positioned partially within the body of the hopper such that an upper rim of the convergent cone is within and coaxially aligned with the hopper body, and a bottom or distribution end of the divergent cone is suspended below the outlet of the hopper, wherein the spreader cone has a center opening between the convergent cone and divergent cone that allows a first portion of the grain collecting in the convergent cone to pass through the interior of the spreader cone and fall through the underside of the divergent cone, and wherein a second portion of the grain collecting in the convergent cone spills over the rim of the convergent cone and onto an upper surface of the divergent cone;
• a plurality of support springs configured to move the spreader cone up and down in the outlet of the hopper, wherein the support springs are biased to lift the spreader cone upwards into the hopper when the spreader cone is empty to lightly loaded;
• a center flow choke configured to selectively throttle the center flow of grain through the center opening to partially close the center opening when the support springs lift the spreader cone in low grain flow conditions, wherein the center flow choke is mounted to the hopper body such that up and down movement of the spreader cone moves the center opening into or out of engagement with the center flow choke;
• and
• an intermediate funnel inside the hopper body and positioned between the convergent cone and the hopper body, wherein the intermediate funnel is positioned concentric with the convergent cone and the hopper body, and as the second portion of the grain spills over the rim of the convergent into a second flow zone located radially outside the convergent cone but inside the intermediate funnel.