US 4,359,117 AGranted

Auger assembly moving device

OwnerHugh R. Vaughaninventor

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Abstract

Relatively heavy and large auger assemblies often used in present day farming are difficult to move and manoeuver around a farmyard or the like and it is not always convenient to hitch a tractor to such auger assemblies for relatively short distance moving. This invention includes a small electric or gasoline motor or engine which can be operatively connected to a small wheel which is mounted within a frame secured to the auger assembly framework and which engages the ground. Means are provided so that this small wheel can be rotated in either direction. A small castoring wheel assembly supports the rear end of the auger assembly and when the small wheel is operatively connected to the motor, the wheel may be rotated slowly thus enabling the auger assembly to be moved as desired. Directional control is by steering the rear end of the auger assembly manually.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A drive attachment for auger assemblies which include supporting structure, a pair of ground engaging wheels mounted upon a transverse axle and supporting an auger tube and flight assembly;

said drive attachment comprising in combination a frame secured to said supporting structure, a ground engaging drive wheel, a drive wheel axle spanning said frame and being journalled for rotation within said frame, said drive wheel being secured to said drive wheel axle, gear means operatively connected to said drive wheel axle, drive means for said gear means selectively connectable to a source of power and means associated with said drive means to rotate said drive wheel selectively in either direction, means to engage and disengage said drive means from the source of power, said last mentioned means including a belt pulley driven by the source of power, a drive pulley on said frame operatively connected to said drive means and a belt extending around said pulleys, a belt tightening device mounted on said supporting structure selectively tightening and loosening said belt thereby engaging and disengaging the belt pulley with said drive pulley, said belt tightening device including an idler pulley mounted on said supporting structure, one run of said belt passing around said idler pulley, an arm pivoted to said supporting structure, said arm being movable from one position to another position and vice-versa, a further idler pulley journalled for rotation on the distal end of said arm, and engaging the other run of said belt and a tension spring urging said further pulley into engagement with said other run when said arm is in said one position and holding said arm over center and operatively disengaged from said other run, when said arm is in the other position.

A drive attachment for auger assemblies which include supporting structure, a pair of ground engaging wheels mounted upon a transverse axle and supporting an auger tube and flight assembly;

said drive attachment comprising in combination a frame secured to said supporting structure, a ground engaging drive wheel a drive wheel axle spanning said frame and being journalled for rotation within said frame, said drive wheel being secured to said drive wheel axle, gear means operatively connected to said drive wheel axle, drive means for said gear means selectively connectable to a source of power and means associated with said drive means to rotate said drive wheel selectively in either direction, said drive means including a drive pulley on said frame, a lay shaft assembly in said frame, said lay shaft assembly including a hollow shaft journalled for rotation within said frame, a shaft within said hollow shaft also journalled for rotation within said frame independently of said hollow shaft, a pulley secured to said hollow shaft, a further pulley secured to said shaft within said hollow shaft, in side by side relationship with said first mentioned pulley, an adjustable idler pulley journalled for rotation in said frame between but spaced from said last mentioned pulleys and at right angles thereto, an endless belt extending around said drive pulley on said frame, around said pulley on said shaft, around said idler pulley in said frame, and around said pulley on said shaft within said hollow shaft, and back to said drive pulley, whereby said pulley on said hollow shaft is rotated in the opposite direction to said pulley on said shaft within said hollow shaft, and selectively connectable means between said hollow shaft and said gear means and between said shaft within said hollow shaft and said gear means, thereby allowing rotation of said drive wheel in either direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.