Grain spreader for loading grain bin
AssigneeExtron Company
InventorsRandall G. Honeck, Dustin D. Paloranta, Greggory C. Phelps
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.
Claims14
A grain spreader assembly, the assembly defining a vertical axis, and comprising:
- a leveling component configured to spread grain radially away from a center of the leveling component;
- a hopper positioned above the leveling component along the vertical axis and configured to direct grain into the leveling component;
- a plurality of chutes positioned below the leveling component and extending away from the leveling component radially and downwardly, the plurality of chutes being positioned to receive grain spread by the leveling component radially away from the leveling component;
- a chute angle adjustment assembly configured to adjust an angle of the plurality of chutes relative to the vertical axis;
- and
- a hanger assembly including legs coupled to the hopper at coupling locations, the elongate members extending vertically above and vertically below the coupling locations,
- wherein the legs of the hanger assembly are adjustable to vertically raise and vertically lower the leveling component;
- and
- wherein a height of the entire leveling component relative to the hopper is adjustable parallel to the vertical axis between an upper position of the leveling component and a lower position of the leveling component parallel to the vertical axis.
A grain spreader assembly, the assembly defining a vertical axis, and comprising:
- a leveling component configured to spread grain radially away from a center of the leveling component;
- a hopper positioned above the leveling component along the vertical axis and configured to direct grain into the leveling component;
- a plurality of chutes positioned below the leveling component and extending away from the leveling component radially and downwardly, the plurality of chutes being positioned to receive grain spread by the leveling component radially away from the leveling component;
- a plurality of elongate members coupling the leveling component to the hopper, elongate dimensions of the elongate members being oriented vertically;
- a chute angle adjustment assembly configured to adjust an angle of the plurality of chutes relative to the vertical axis;
- and
- a hanger assembly including legs coupled to the hopper at coupling locations, the elongate members extending vertically above and vertically below the coupling locations,
- wherein the legs of the hanger assembly are adjustable to vertically raise and vertically lower the leveling component;
- wherein a height of the entire leveling component relative to the hopper is adjustable parallel to the vertical axis between an upper position of the leveling component and a lower position of the leveling component;
- and
- wherein the elongate members are configured to adjust and set, without rotating the leveling component about the vertical axis:
- i) a roll of the leveling component relative to the hopper about a first horizontal axis;
- and
- ii) a pitch of the leveling component relative to the hopper about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.