# US 4,393,704 A · Grain loss sampling device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,393,704 A - Document ID: US4393704A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/259,836 - Filed: 1981-05-04 - Granted: 1983-07-19 - Earliest claimed: 1981-05-04 - Inventors: Richard Bartko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393704A ## CPC - A01D 41/1273: {for measuring grain loss} - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract It is desirable to ascertain the amount of grain passing over the sieves and the like of a combine harvester so that adjustments can be made to reduce this loss to a minimum. Acoustic, electronic and other involved devices are available but these are relatively expensive, and, if faults occur, difficult to replace and/or repair, particularly in the field. The present device is basically mechanical and comprises a hinged frame under the harvesting machine just forwardly of the straw and chaff discharge with a cover plate hinged to it and a drop box detachably held in the frame. When in the closed position it is held by a latch which, when actuated, releases the frame and drops the rear end by gravity onto the ground and holds the cover up so that the drop box slides free of the frame onto the ground. When the straw and chaff discharge passes over the drop box, it collects a sample of grain discharged with the straw and chaff. A spring which holds the cover open as the frame drops, is strong enough to return the frame to the raised position once the weight of the drop box is removed. An indicating flag extends upwardly from the drop box to assist in locating same upon the stubble and straw of the field. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grain loss sampling device for selectively sampling the discharge of a grain harvesting machine, said machine having a straw and chaff discharge across the rear thereof and a supporting framework extending forwardly therefrom; said sampling device comprising in combination a support frame pivotally securable by one end thereof in trailing relationship to said supporting framework of said grain harvesting machine upon the underside thereof and forwardly of said straw and chaff discharge, means to detachably support the other end of said support frame in a nonoperating position and to release said support frame to the operating position, and a drop box detachably held by said support frame, said drop box including sides and a base, said drop box being detachable from said support frame on to the ground therebelow and passing under said discharge when said support frame is in the operating position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1 in which said means to detachably support the other end of said support frame includes a latch assembly, said latch assembly including a latch bar pivotable to said supporting framework, a latch secured thereto and detachably engaging said support frame when said support frame is in the nonoperating position, and solenoid means to selectively actuate said latch bar and remotely situated means operatively connected to said solenoid means to energize same when desired. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1 which includes a cover panel pivotally secured to said support frame to detachably cover said drop box when in said support frame and when said support frame is in the nonoperating position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The invention according to claim 2 which includes a cover panel pivotally secured to said support frame to detachably cover said drop box when in said support frame and when said support frame is in the nonoperating position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The invention according to claim 3 in which said cover panel is pivotally secured by one edge thereof to said support frame in trailing relationship thereto and upon the upper side thereof, and spring means extendable between said cover panel and said supporting framework to elevate said cover panel clear of said drop box when said support frame moves to the operating position, said spring means returning said support frame to the nonoperating position when said drop box has discharged from said support frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The invention according to claim 4 in which said cover panel is pivotally secured by one edge thereof to said support frame in trailing relationship thereto and upon the upper side thereof, and spring means extendable between said cover panel and said supporting framework to elevate said cover panel clear of said drop box when said support frame moves to the operating position, said spring means returning said support frame to the nonoperating position when said drop box has discharged from said support frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1 in which said support frame includes a pair of spaced and parallel drop box retaining members pivotally securable by the front ends thereof to said supporting framework in trailing relationship thereto, and a cross bar spanning the distal ends of said retaining members, said means to detachably support the other end of said support frame detachably engaging said cross bar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The invention according to claim 2 in which said support frame includes a pair of spaced and parallel drop box retaining members pivotally securable by the front ends thereof to said supporting framework in trailing relationship thereto, and a cross bar spanning the distal ends of said retaining members, said means to detachably support the other end of said latch detachably engaging said cross bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The invention according to claim 3 in which said support frame includes a pair of spaced and parallel drop box retaining members pivotally secured by the front ends thereof to said supporting framework in trailing relationship thereto, a cross bar spanning the distal ends of said retaining member, said means to detachably support the other end of said support frame detachably engaging said cross bar, and a cross member extending between said retaining members intermediate the ends thereof, said cover panel being pivotally secured to said cross member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The invention according to claim 4 in which said support frame includes a pair of spaced and parallel drop box retaining members pivotally secured by the front ends thereof to said supporting framework in trailing relationship thereto, a cross bar spanning the distal ends of said retaining member, said means to detachably support the other end of said support frame detachably engaging said cross bar, and a cross member extending between said retaining members intermediate the ends thereof, said cover panel being pivotally secured to said cross member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2, 3) The invention according to claims 1, 2 or 3 which includes a flexible indicating assembly secured to said drop box and extending upwardly therefrom, said flexible indicating assembly including a flexible wand secured by the lower end thereof to the base of said drop box and flag means on the upper end of said flexible wand. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4, 5, 6) The invention according to claims 4, 5 or 6 which includes a flexible indicating assembly secured to said drop box and extending upwardly therefrom, said flexible indicating assembly including a flexible wand secured by the lower end thereof to the base of said drop box and flag means on the upper end of said flexible wand. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7, 8, 9) The invention according to claims 7, 8 or 9 which includes a flexible indicating assembly secured to said drop box and extending upwardly therefrom, said flexible indicating assembly including a flexible wand secured by the lower end thereof to the base of said drop box and flag means on the upper end of said flexible wand. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The invention according to claim 10 which includes a flexible indicating assembly secured to said drop box and extending upwardly therefrom, said flexible indicating assembly including a flexible wand secured by the lower end thereof to the base of said drop box and flag means on the upper end of said flexible wand. ### Claim 15 A method of grain loss sampling of the discharge of a grain harvesting machine consisting of the steps of detachably holding an open topped drop box upon the underside of the harvesting machine just forwardly of the discharge thereof, selectively dropping the box upon the ground below the harvesting machine while the harvesting machine is operating, driving the machine forwardly over the drop box until the discharge has passed over the box and then evaluating the amount of grain deposited within the drop box from the discharge and maintaining the drop box covered until same is dropped upon the ground in order to prevent extraneous material from entering the drop box before same is dropped upon the ground.