Grain tank unloader and clean out control

A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor of an agricultural combine, the grain tank conveyor being disposed for conveying grain into an inlet end of the unloader conveyor, comprising:

• at least one unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;
• a device controllably operable in a first operating mode for connecting the unloader drive in rotatably driving relation to the grain tank conveyor, and in a second operating mode for disconnecting the unloader drive from the grain tank conveyor;
• and
• a controller operably connected to the unloader drive and to the device and operable when a first input is received for automatically first initiating operation of the unloader drive such that the unloader conveyor will begin moving grain from the inlet end thereof toward an outlet end thereof and then automatically initiating operation of the device in the first mode for moving grain in the grain tank conveyor into the inlet end, and when a second input is received initiating operation of the device in the second mode for ceasing movement of grain into the inlet end and then ceasing operation of the unloader drive after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end.

A method for unloading grain from a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongate unloader conveyor including an enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, an opposite outlet end including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged, an elongate unloader conveyor element extending through the housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening, the unloader conveyor being pivotable between a stored position beside the combine and an unloading position extending sidewardly therefrom in cantilever relation thereto, and an unloader drive operably controllable for operating the conveyor element;
• providing an elongate grain tank conveyor disposed in a bottom region of the grain tank operable for conveying grain therefrom into the opening of the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, and a device operably controllable for operating the grain tank conveyor;
• providing a controller operable for controlling the unloader drive and the device;
• when the unloader conveyor is in the unloading position and an input is received by the controller to unload, automatically initiating operation of the unloader drive such that the unloader conveyor will commence conveying grain away from the inlet end so as provide capacity in the inlet end for a smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer to enter the inlet end then automatically initiating operation of the device for operating the grain tank conveyor for conveying grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor;
• and then
• when a second input is received by the controller, automatically controlling operation of the device so as to cease feeding of grain into the inlet end and then automatically ceasing operation of the unloader drive after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end such that the unloader conveyor will be lighter when subsequently moved from the unloading position to the stored position.

A method of operation of an unloader for unloading grain from a grain tank of an agricultural combine, the unloader including an elongate unloader conveyor including a tubular housing having an enclosed inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged, an elongate unloader conveyor element extending through the tubular housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the tubular housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening, a grain tank conveyor extending into the inlet opening from a bottom region of the grain tank and operable for conveying grain from the grain tank into and through the inlet opening into the tubular housing, and a controller for controllably operating the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, the method comprising the steps of:

• when an unload command is received by the controller, automatically initiating operation of the unloader conveyor to commence conveying grain in the inlet end thereof toward the outlet end sufficiently to provide capacity in the inlet end for smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer into the inlet end, then automatically initiating operation of the grain tank conveyor for moving grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor;
• and
• when a clean out command is received by the controller during operation of the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, automatically ceasing operation of the grain tank conveyor, then, after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end, automatically ceasing operation of the unloader conveyor.

A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

• an unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;
• a grain tank drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the grain tank conveyor;
• and
• apparatus operably connected to the unloader drive and to the grain tank drive and automatically operable when operation of the drives is commenced for allowing initiating operation of the unloader drive and then after a time delay sufficient for conveyance of grain from an inlet region of the unloader conveyor for allowing a smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyor into the unloader conveyor, initiating operation of the grain tank drive.

A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

• an unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;
• a grain tank drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the grain tank conveyor;
• and
• apparatus operably connected to the unloader drive and to the grain tank drive and automatically operable during operation of the drives for discontinuing operation of the grain tank drive if the unloader conveyor becomes clogged.