CA2462001C - Loading conveyor with folding hopper for agricultural commodity carts - Google Patents
Loading conveyor with folding hopper for agricultural commodity carts Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2462001C CA2462001C CA002462001A CA2462001A CA2462001C CA 2462001 C CA2462001 C CA 2462001C CA 002462001 A CA002462001 A CA 002462001A CA 2462001 A CA2462001 A CA 2462001A CA 2462001 C CA2462001 C CA 2462001C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hopper
- conveyor
- tube
- hydraulic cylinder
- auger
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Fee Related
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000013070 direct material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000012773 agricultural material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010899 nucleation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000271566 Aves Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 101000939500 Homo sapiens UBX domain-containing protein 11 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100029645 UBX domain-containing protein 11 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C15/00—Fertiliser distributors
- A01C15/003—Bulk fertiliser or grain handling in the field or on the farm
Abstract
An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor mounted to an agricultural commodity cart. A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the hopper. The hopper pivots from an extended position to a folded position. In the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper is in the extended position. Hydraulic cylinders can be provided to facilitate use with larger conveyors.
Description
LOADING CONVE~.'GR Zi'ITA TOLDING HOPPER 1608 AGRICULTURAL
C~.lMlvxUri;IT~t' CARTS
This invention is in the field of air seeders such as are used in agric~xlture for seeding, fertilizing, and the like, and in particular with canveyc~rs such as are mounted on agricultural commodity carts of such air seeders to transfer sE:ed, fertilizer, and. the like from a transport vehicle to tanks on the cart.
I~AC>KGROUND
Air seeders are known in the agricultural industry for planting and fertilizing crops. A
. . . apical air seeder comprises a frame for m.ountiz~g a plurality of furrow openers and an . . . . . .. ..
agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one, and cam~xnanly two, three or more tanks for carrying various agricultural products like seed and fertilizer.
Although not always present, commonly there is a conveyor mounted ore the cart for transferring agricultuxal products from transport vehicles into the tanks. 1t is commonly seen as more convenient to mount a conveyor on the cart rather than an each transport vehicle, or maneuver a portable conveyor as a separate implement altogether.
2Q The conveyor is typically mounted on a pivot mechanism ecrnfigured to allow it to be moved from a transport position, where the bottom end of the conveyor is raised for transport, to an operating position where the bottom end is lowered to receive agricultural -material from the transport vehicle, anal is typically resting an the ground.
The pivot ' mechanism also allows the eonvcyor to be maneuvered so that a spout on the upper discharge end of the conveyor can be maneuvered to direct a;~ricultural product from the conveyor into the filling hatch for each tank.
Cart loading conveyors commonly include a hopper at the bottom intake end to receive agricultural product from the transport vehicle. Conventional cart conveyors typically comprise sizx~pty a straight teebe with an auger inside to cc>nvey the produet, and the hopper is simply zx~ounted on the Ipwer end. With hopper--bottom trailers such as are increasingly being used to caz~ry agricultural pxoducta to air seeders, it is difficult to position aconventional 'hopper under the discharge clmte lxated ~ in the centerw of the' ~ ~ ~ ~ w trailer.
Canadian 1?ateut Applicatirn~ 2~Tur-nber 2,257,048 to Lisafel~d discloses an agricultural commodity cart having an auger cozzveyor with az~ auger extension and happen that extends horizontally under such a hopper-bottom trailer when the auger conveyor is in an operating position. Thus the hopper can be positioned under- the discharge chute of the trailer to receive agricultural product. The length of the conveyor is increased by addition of the auger extension, such that the conveyor extends signifeantly beyond its original position. In some oases this can make it impractical to use the auger extension since it can interfere with other operations. 'fhe added weight of the auger extension further makes it more difficult to maneuver the conveyor manually into a desired position.
Xt is generally desirable to clean out the hopper on such conveyors when changing from one agricultural product to another in order to minimiLe contamination of tire tanks with different agricultural products. On conventional cart conve;yarn, it is often possible to simply rotate the hopper on the conveyor tube such tlxat the hopper is oriented downward.
The auger can then be rotated in reverse so that material izz the tube falls out of the lower 1 CI end of the tube and into the inverted hopper and onto the growzd.
. . .. .. .. ..~~il~.ly in the apparatus ~of Lisafeld; while the hopper carmot be rotatcd~ on the anger ~ . ... ...,. . .. .. ..... .
tube, a cleanout port is provided in the bottom of the hoppa~r so that the auger can be reversed and the majority of zz~ateri.al will fall out the ale~~nout port.
Some manual pushing of material is required to completely clean out the hopper.
As agricultural equipment grows larger, it is desired. to provide larger conveyors ft~r loading agricultural commodity carts. Such carts are xaow available that will carry SOCI
bushels or more of various agricultural products, and so the corwentional seven and eight 2p inch diameter auger conveyors take a significant amount of time to transfer a full load of - Pale 5 -product firom tlxe transport vehicle to the tanks. Ten inch augC;r conveyors would be much faster, however the large size makes it difficult to zzaaz~euver such conveyors.
The intake for an auger co~~.veyor must be screened or ,guarded to protect personnel in the vicinity of the intalte from accidentally coxitactang the auger azxd suffering iz~juzy. ~"Ixis protective screen has a mesh sized to prevent passage of bodLy parts through the screen, az~d so also somewhat inhibits the flow of agricultural products through the screen and into the augex intake. When increasing the capacity of the auger conveyor provision must also be made to provide a larger area of screen that will allow the agricultural products to flow into the intake at the requixed increased rate. With conventionally configured hoppers this eau be problematic since the coz~ventioz~al hopper is inclined alr~ng tl~e . .. . , . . .. . . ._ . length of..~e conveyor'; 'and so°the upper portion of the screen and hopper may not-be~ in' ... ...... _ .. . _..... .. , contact with the a~:ricnltural products flowing into the hopper. Thus the hopper must be made wider, which can interfere with ready storage in the transport position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVEN'TI~N
It is an object of the present iz~vex~ti.on to provide an agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor that overcomes prablcms in the prior art. It is a fi.~r~her object of the present invention to provide such a cozweyor that coax~.ptise5 a conveyor extension wi.thixt a hopper extending at an angle from the intake end of the conveyor to facilitate receiving l?a~G ~ -agricultural nrzaterials from hopper bottom transport vehicles,, and facilitate providing a larger screened intake to satisfactorily feed a conveyor with increased capacity, and yet is more compact than prior ark coxzveyors. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a conveyor apparatus that includes a pivoting hopper that can be faldec~ to reduce the length of the apparatus.
The present invention provides, in a first embodiment, an a;~ricultu.ral commodity cart loadizzg conveyor apparatus comprising an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart. A
conveyox comprising a conveyor tube is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be rrxoved from a transport position wherein a lower and of the eonvc;yar tube is raised off the _ .. .. .., _ . .. ~~d, to an operatingpasition wherein-a lower end-of the conveyor tube is~substanti~ally -.. . . ... . ... . ,.. . , on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward suclx that an upper discharge end of the conveyer tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch.
A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the happen The hopper cazz pivot from an extended position to a folded positiozz, azzd in the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position., azzd in the extended position the hopper is ~U connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering flee hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube fan conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the .hopper is in the extended position.
'floe present invention provides, in a second embadirnent, an agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprising an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart. A
conveyor comprising an auger inside a conveyor tube is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein the convc;yor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end crf the conveyor tube is substantially on tb.e ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the contveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch, ~.~ .._.... _...w ......_.. _.. A hopp~er~is°pivotallyattachadwtci the-LowGx'ez~d~afthe canveyoz-tubewabout~a hopper~pivot..,... .:. .. . . .., .._.....;
axis located above the conveyor and oriented substantially horizontally and.
perpendicular to the conveyor tube, and an auger extension is rotatably mounted along a bottom of the hopper. A tube iransitian section extends from a rear and of tlhe hopper at an angle to the auger extension. 'floe hopper can pivot from an extended position wherein the tube transition section is aligned with the conveyor tube and the; hopper extends along the grouzzd when the conveyor is in the operating position, to a folded position.
An auger section inside the tube transition section is connected at one end to an inner end of the auger extension and adapted at an opposite end to releasably engage a lower end of the augur of the conveyor when the hopper is in the extended position such that rotation of -Page$-the auger rotates the auger c~tension and such that the ltoppcr can be pivoted to disengage the auger and auger extension and rntwe the hopper into the folded posi.tian. .~, lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
Conveniently, the apparatus izxcludes hydrauiic cylinders to fbld and unfold the hopper, and also to raise and lower the conveyor, and to swim the conveyor laterally, thereby facilitating the use of larger diameter conveyors with higher capacity than those cornmon in the prior art. Such a hopper can also be of a suflicicnt length to provide a screened 1 C? intake far an auger canrreyor that will allow for flaw of agric~~ltural products at an.
increased rate to feed a conveyor with an increased capacity.
L1ESCRIP'TION OF THE DRAWINGS:
i 5 While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hert:af, preferred embodiments are provided in the.accampanying detailed description which may be best understood in i conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like pau~tss in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
20 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the conveyor in the transport position, and the hopper in the folded p~asition;
- Pa.gc 9 -Fig. 2 is a perspecCive view of an embodiment of the invention with the conveyor .
in the operating position, aa~d the .hopper iz~ tb.e oxtende~d position;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the hopper in the folded pasitioz~;
Fig. 4 is a side view of l;lte embodiment of Fig. 1 with. the hopper in the extended position;
i0 Fig. S is a perspective; view of the hooks and crossbar of the lock engaged to lock . . _.... . . .. . .,tee crnveyor tube and hopper together; . . . .. . . .
.... . . . ., .. ...... .. ... .. .. , ., .
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the .hooks and cac~ssbar of the lock disengaged to IS allow the hopper to be folded;
Fig. '7 is a pexspectave view of the hopper hydraulic cylinder attached to the hopper pin, 20 Fig. $ is a perspective view of the attachment of the c~anvcyor to the cart, with the intake end of the conveyor near the ground;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment of the conveyor to the cart, with the lower end of the conveyor tube on the gxound, and the discharge end of the conveyor in position to discharge into a hll hatch.
Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a belt conveyor of the invention in the extended position;
Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the belt conveyor of Fig. lU in the folded position.
. , .. . , ... .... .. DETAILED DESCRiPTI~N OF THE ~Lt,,~IST~tATED
EIVrvBOb>l~N'~"~: ~ - ~ . . . . . . . , , . .. ,.
Figs. I - 9 illustrate an agricultural commodity cart loading s;onveyox appaxatus 2 of the ~ 5 invention. The apparatus 2 comprises an agricultural commodity cart 4 comprising a plurality of tanks 6. each tank 6 has a fill hatch S located ai: a top lrortion of the cart ~.
The cart 4 is typically attached to a seeding tool bay (not illustrated} that is opexative to receive the agricultural commodities carried in the tanks 8 through a system of air ducts, and deposit the material in the soil. Such carts axe typically pulled either directly behind ox sometimes directly ahead of such a tool bar.
In the embodiment of Figs. 1 - 9 the conveyor 10 comprises an auger 12 inside a conveyor tube 14 as illustrated in Fig. 4, As described. below, Figs. 10 and Il schezr~.atically illustrate an alternate embodiment in use with a belt conveyor.
The con~reyor 10 is mounted to the cart 4 such that the conveyor 10 caz~ be moved from a transport position TP wherein the conveyor is raised off the ground 16 for transport as illustrated in Fig. l, to an operating position t7P as illustrated in Fig. 2 for transferring agricultural materials from a transport vehicle to one of the: tanks 6. In the operating position OP the lower end 18 of the conveyor tube I4 is substantially an the grouzzd 1d and an upper discharge end 20 is oriented to direct material discharged into one of the fill hatches 8, typically through a chute 22 or the like.
1n order to facilitate transfezxarxg agricultural. materials from hopper-bottom trailers and like transport vehicles, the invention provides a hopper 24 pivotally attached to the Icwer end 18 of the conveyor tuba 14. A hopper conveyor section comprises an auger extension 26 rotatably mounted along the bottom of the hopper 24, as illustrated in Fig. 4.
In the extended position XP of Figs. 2 and 4 the hopper 24 ins oriented at an ayagle to the conveyor tube 14 such that the hopper 24 extends along the ground when the conveyor I 0 is in the operating position OP, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The a~agle N
in the illustrated embodiment between the auger extension 26 and the conveyor tube I4 is about 40°, and can be modified to suit the particular coz~~guration.
In the extended position XP the hopper 24 adds significantly to the length of the conveyor 1 d, such that it could interfere with access to ladder's and the like on the cart 4, or contact the tool bar and cause damage. To avoid these problems, the hopper 24 can pivot from the extended position XP to a folded position FP wherein the hopper 24 is above the conveyor tube 14 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment the hopper 24 is folded over on top of the conveyor tube 14 so as to be oriented above and substantially aligned with the conveyor tube 14, nuakin~ fer the most compact folded position that is least likely to interfere with vperatians of the air seeder.
It is . .. . contemplated that~the hopper 24 could be folded 'beside the conveyor tixbe ~ 14 a~s~ well, ~or . ,. . . . ,. , .. "
in some other manner that reduced the interference caused. by the. hopper 24 in the conditions encountered in a particular application, In the illustrated embodiment, a tube transition section 32 ext~~z~ds from a rear end of the hopper 24 at an angle to the auger extension 26 such that the i:ube transition section 32 is aligned with the tube 14 of the conveyor 10 when the hopper 24 is in the extended position ~. ~,n auger section 3~4 inside the tube transition section 32 is connected at one end to an inner end 36 of the auger extension 26 by a universal joint, flexible shaft, gear box, or the like. The opposite end of the auger section 34 is a.daptcd to engage the lower - Fage X3 -end 38 of the auger 12 of tt~e conveyor 10_ In the illustrated embodiment the shaft 40 of thc~ auger 12 is hollow, and the end of the auger section 34 extends somewhat into the shaft 4fJ to align the auger section 34 with the auger 12, and a pin 42 on the auger section 34 engages the end of the flightiz~g or a like protrusion on the l4wer end 3F3 of the auger 12 sa ths~,t rotation of the auger 12 causes rotation of the auger section 34 and the auger extension 2G. Thus the hopper conveyor section conveys mai:erial entering the hopper 24 into the lower ezzd 18 afthe conveyor tube 14 for conveyance up the conveyor tube 14.
To prevent accidental separation. of the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 during operation, 1U a lock SD is operative to leak the hopper 24 az~d conveyor tube 14 together when flee hopper 24 is in the extended position ~~.P.
Tlae illustrated apparatus 2 is designed far use with a relatively large conveyor 10, such as one having, for example a tube 14 with a diameter of ten inches. The corresponding IS hopper 24 is about 42 inches long. The hopper is covered by a protective screen 25 as ilhistrated in Fig. '7 that has a mesh size small enough to prevent an operator frown contactxxag tb.e auger extension. The screen 25 wise som~cwhat inhibits #hc flow of agricultural products through the screen 25 weed into flee hopper 24. When increasing the size of the auger cortve~or to ten inches the area of they screen 25 must be made 20 sufficiently large to allow the agricultural products to flow iyo flee intake at tire required increased rate to allow the conveyor to operate at full capacity The length of the hopper 24 is of such a size to provide sufficient screen area, as well as to readily extend under hopper-bottom trailers and the like. The hopper 24 thus beco~nnes too large and too heavy tv conveniently pivot rnannally.
The illustrated embodiment of Figs. 1 - 9 therefore provides azn extendable hopper actuator comprising a hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 attached at one end to the conveyor tube 14 and attached at an opposite end to the hopper 24. A hopper control, typically a convez~tiozzal hydraulic valve A.~, is operative to selectively extend the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 to move the hopper 24 to the extended pcrsitioa ~P and retract the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 to move the hopper 24 to the folded posiaion FP.
The hopper 24 is pivotally attached to the lower end 1$ of th.e conveyor~tube I4 about a ~ ~ ~ ~ .. .
hopper pivot axis HPA located above the conveyor tube 14a and oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the conveyor tube 14. The hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is attached to the hopper 24 at a location above the hopper pivot a~cis HPA. A
hopper bracket 54 is attached to the hopper 24 and the hopper k~ydraullic cyliz~dex 52 as attached to the hopper 24 by attachment to a hopper pin 56 extending through a hopper slot defined by the hopper bracket 54.
Figs. 5 - 7 illustrate a look 54. to the illustrated embodiment the lock 50 ig configured to lock the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 together when the hopper hydraulic cylinder S2 - Pale T 5 -is extended to a maximum position and to unlock the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 when the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is retracted from. the maximum position.
The illustrated lock 5(? comprises a pair of hooks GO pivotall~r attached to the hopper 24 about a hook pivot axis KPA. As illustrated the pair of hooks GO are canvexriently pivotally attached to the hopper 24 by pivotal attachment to lower portions of the hopper brackets 54 next to the tube transition section 32. Tho pair of hooks 50 is linked to the hopper t,ydraulic cylinder 52 by a release rod 62 on each side of the conveyor tube 14 linking the hopper pin 56 and the hooks G0. Thus movement of the hopper hydraulic I O cylinder 52 moves the hopper paz~ 5G which moves the release rods 62 and thus the hooks 60.
The lock 50 further comprises a crossbar 64 fixed to the conveyor tube 14 and configured suah that the hooks GO engage the crossbar 54 to lock the hopper 24 and conveyor tuba I4 together. A~ bias element, illustrated as springs f6, urges the hooks to pivot upward to engage the crossbar ~4. When the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is extended to the maximum position as illustrated in Fig. 5 the hopper pin 56 moves to a first end of the hopper slot 58, and the release .rod 62 moves dawn samewhal: allowing the hook tt~ move into engagement with the crossbar in response to a bias force exerted by the bias element.
i 20 This mechanism 'better assures engagement of the hooks 60 on the crossbar 64,. since it is not the force of the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 that holds the hooks in engagcrnent with the crossbar 64, but the bias force exerted by the springs E~6. An accidental loss of hydraulic pressure, or creeping of the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 will thus not cause the lock 50 to disengage.
When the hopper hydraulic cylinder ~2 is retracted from the maximum position the hopper pin 56 rz~aves along the hopper slot 5$ ~ozn the first ezzd toward the opposite second end, drawing the release rods C~2 up as the hopper pin 5b moves along the hopper slot S8, and thereby moving the hooks ~0 against the bias force exerted by the springs 66 and out of engagement with the crossbar 64. When the hopper pin S6 reaches the second end of the hopper slot 58, in the position illustrated in Fig. 6, the hooks 60 are disengaged from the crossbar 64, and the hopper pin 56 then bears against the second end of the . hopper slot 58 to raise the hopper 24. .. . . . ~.. . . . . . ..... . . ..
.,.. . . .. .
Figs. 8 and S~ illustrate an attaehn:xent of the conveyor 10 to th.e cart 4 that is particularly advantageous t='or maneuvering larger ten inch. diameter auger conveyors. A
mounting bracket 70 is attached to the cart 4 and deFnes a mounting slot 72: The conveyor 10 is mounted to the cart by a conveyor pin 74 tkirough the mounting slot 72. A
conveyor hydraulic cylinder 75 is pivotally attached to the cart 4 at one end and to the conveyor tube 14 at an opposite end. 1n the illustrated embodiment the conveyor hydraulic eylindc,~r 7b is pivotally attached to the cart 4 by pivotal attachment to the mounting bracket 7U, which in turn is attached to the cart 4 by pivotal attachment to the second swing bracket 83.
The conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 and the motFntirig slot 72 are oriented such that moving the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 in a first direction X raises the lower end 18 of tlae cozxveyor tube 14 to the traiasport position TP with the conveyor pin 74 bearing against one end of the mounting slot 72. Moving the conveyor hydraWic cylinder 76 in an opposite second direction Y i~rst lowers the lower end 18 of the conveybr tube 14 to rest on the ground in the operating position, and then further movement of the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 in the second direction Y raises the discharge en.d of the conveyor tube 14 and causes the conveyor pin 74 to move along the mouzlting slot 72, as illustrated .. . ... ,. . . .in. Fig. 9.~ The mounting slot 72 allows the coraveyor~ tube 14~ to ~be~ ~raised~ and lowered . . .. . ... . .;
without risk of exextizzg a bendizzg force on the conveyor tube 14 that could be caused by the lower end 18 bearing against the ground and resisting :movement of the c4nveyor hydraulic cylinder 76, possibly thereby bending the conveyor tube 1.4.
To facilitate handling of a large conveyor, the illustrated ezrzbodimcut further comprises a swing hydraulic cylinder 8U attached between the cart 4 and the conveyor tube 14 and operative to move the conveyor tube 14 laterally about a substantially vertical swing axis.
Zx~ the illustrated eznbodizz~ez~t, a i'~rst swing bracket 82 is pivotally attached to the cart 4 about a substantially vertical i"trst swing axis SAI, and a second swing bracket 83 is pivotally attached to the first swing bracket 82 about a substantially vertzcal second swing axis SA2. The mounting bracket 70 is pivotally attached to the second swing bracket 83 about a substantially vertical third swing axis SA3. The conveyor tube 14 is attached to the mounting bracket 70 as desenbed above. 'Fhe sve~ing hydraulic cylinder $0 is attached to the cart 4 at one end anti to the first swing bracket 82 at the opposite end.
Convexrtivnal hydraulic valves 4G, as illustrated iu fig. 3, are conveniently located to control the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 7d, the swing hydraulic cylinder 80, and the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 so that the operator can maneuver the conveyor 1 D between the transport position and operating positions that will allow the conveyor 10 to discharge . . ... . . agricultural materials into any of the fill hatches S. . .. ... .
... - . . . . . . .. . , , . . . , . . , .. , . . , Figs, l 0 and I I schematicatty illustrate an embodiment in use with a belt conveyor 110.
The belt conveyor 110 comprises a belt 112 inside the conveyor tube 1 i 4 for conveying material from the lower end i 18 through the conveyor iubc 114. The belt 112 extends through the conveyor tube 1 I 4 and along the bottom of the hs~pper '124, passing around a configuration of rollers 140 configured such that the hopper 124 ca;n pivot up from the extended position XF illustrated in Fig. 10 to the folded position FP
illustrated in Fig. I 1.
- Page '19 -Thus the belt 112 extends through the hopper conveyor section and eonyeys material e~utering the hopper 124 into the lower end of the conveyor tube 114 for conveyance up the conveyor tube 114.
~'he embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11 also shows the use of an electric screw type extendable hopper actuator 152 ixastead of a hydraulic a~linder to fold the hopper 12~..
Such an actuator 152 is not susceptible to creeping like a hydraulic cylinder, and so when extended could also serve as the lock.to maintain the k~opper 124 azad conveyor cube I 14 in position with the hopper 124 in the extended position. other mechanisms could, also be used that would serve to extend the hopper 24 and lock it in the extended position without risk of the hoppear 24 creeping or moving out of position.
in embodin2ents for use with a srnatler conveyor, it is contemplated flint the hopper could be folded manually, and a conventional lock zziechanism used tQ releasably loch the hopper and conveyor tube together for operation in the extended position of the hopper.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the i~nventic~n t4 the exact coctstruetiori and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure oz' operation which may be resorted to are intended to Fall within the scope of the claimed invantio~x.
C~.lMlvxUri;IT~t' CARTS
This invention is in the field of air seeders such as are used in agric~xlture for seeding, fertilizing, and the like, and in particular with canveyc~rs such as are mounted on agricultural commodity carts of such air seeders to transfer sE:ed, fertilizer, and. the like from a transport vehicle to tanks on the cart.
I~AC>KGROUND
Air seeders are known in the agricultural industry for planting and fertilizing crops. A
. . . apical air seeder comprises a frame for m.ountiz~g a plurality of furrow openers and an . . . . . .. ..
agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one, and cam~xnanly two, three or more tanks for carrying various agricultural products like seed and fertilizer.
Although not always present, commonly there is a conveyor mounted ore the cart for transferring agricultuxal products from transport vehicles into the tanks. 1t is commonly seen as more convenient to mount a conveyor on the cart rather than an each transport vehicle, or maneuver a portable conveyor as a separate implement altogether.
2Q The conveyor is typically mounted on a pivot mechanism ecrnfigured to allow it to be moved from a transport position, where the bottom end of the conveyor is raised for transport, to an operating position where the bottom end is lowered to receive agricultural -material from the transport vehicle, anal is typically resting an the ground.
The pivot ' mechanism also allows the eonvcyor to be maneuvered so that a spout on the upper discharge end of the conveyor can be maneuvered to direct a;~ricultural product from the conveyor into the filling hatch for each tank.
Cart loading conveyors commonly include a hopper at the bottom intake end to receive agricultural product from the transport vehicle. Conventional cart conveyors typically comprise sizx~pty a straight teebe with an auger inside to cc>nvey the produet, and the hopper is simply zx~ounted on the Ipwer end. With hopper--bottom trailers such as are increasingly being used to caz~ry agricultural pxoducta to air seeders, it is difficult to position aconventional 'hopper under the discharge clmte lxated ~ in the centerw of the' ~ ~ ~ ~ w trailer.
Canadian 1?ateut Applicatirn~ 2~Tur-nber 2,257,048 to Lisafel~d discloses an agricultural commodity cart having an auger cozzveyor with az~ auger extension and happen that extends horizontally under such a hopper-bottom trailer when the auger conveyor is in an operating position. Thus the hopper can be positioned under- the discharge chute of the trailer to receive agricultural product. The length of the conveyor is increased by addition of the auger extension, such that the conveyor extends signifeantly beyond its original position. In some oases this can make it impractical to use the auger extension since it can interfere with other operations. 'fhe added weight of the auger extension further makes it more difficult to maneuver the conveyor manually into a desired position.
Xt is generally desirable to clean out the hopper on such conveyors when changing from one agricultural product to another in order to minimiLe contamination of tire tanks with different agricultural products. On conventional cart conve;yarn, it is often possible to simply rotate the hopper on the conveyor tube such tlxat the hopper is oriented downward.
The auger can then be rotated in reverse so that material izz the tube falls out of the lower 1 CI end of the tube and into the inverted hopper and onto the growzd.
. . .. .. .. ..~~il~.ly in the apparatus ~of Lisafeld; while the hopper carmot be rotatcd~ on the anger ~ . ... ...,. . .. .. ..... .
tube, a cleanout port is provided in the bottom of the hoppa~r so that the auger can be reversed and the majority of zz~ateri.al will fall out the ale~~nout port.
Some manual pushing of material is required to completely clean out the hopper.
As agricultural equipment grows larger, it is desired. to provide larger conveyors ft~r loading agricultural commodity carts. Such carts are xaow available that will carry SOCI
bushels or more of various agricultural products, and so the corwentional seven and eight 2p inch diameter auger conveyors take a significant amount of time to transfer a full load of - Pale 5 -product firom tlxe transport vehicle to the tanks. Ten inch augC;r conveyors would be much faster, however the large size makes it difficult to zzaaz~euver such conveyors.
The intake for an auger co~~.veyor must be screened or ,guarded to protect personnel in the vicinity of the intalte from accidentally coxitactang the auger azxd suffering iz~juzy. ~"Ixis protective screen has a mesh sized to prevent passage of bodLy parts through the screen, az~d so also somewhat inhibits the flow of agricultural products through the screen and into the augex intake. When increasing the capacity of the auger conveyor provision must also be made to provide a larger area of screen that will allow the agricultural products to flow into the intake at the requixed increased rate. With conventionally configured hoppers this eau be problematic since the coz~ventioz~al hopper is inclined alr~ng tl~e . .. . , . . .. . . ._ . length of..~e conveyor'; 'and so°the upper portion of the screen and hopper may not-be~ in' ... ...... _ .. . _..... .. , contact with the a~:ricnltural products flowing into the hopper. Thus the hopper must be made wider, which can interfere with ready storage in the transport position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVEN'TI~N
It is an object of the present iz~vex~ti.on to provide an agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor that overcomes prablcms in the prior art. It is a fi.~r~her object of the present invention to provide such a cozweyor that coax~.ptise5 a conveyor extension wi.thixt a hopper extending at an angle from the intake end of the conveyor to facilitate receiving l?a~G ~ -agricultural nrzaterials from hopper bottom transport vehicles,, and facilitate providing a larger screened intake to satisfactorily feed a conveyor with increased capacity, and yet is more compact than prior ark coxzveyors. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a conveyor apparatus that includes a pivoting hopper that can be faldec~ to reduce the length of the apparatus.
The present invention provides, in a first embodiment, an a;~ricultu.ral commodity cart loadizzg conveyor apparatus comprising an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart. A
conveyox comprising a conveyor tube is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be rrxoved from a transport position wherein a lower and of the eonvc;yar tube is raised off the _ .. .. .., _ . .. ~~d, to an operatingpasition wherein-a lower end-of the conveyor tube is~substanti~ally -.. . . ... . ... . ,.. . , on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward suclx that an upper discharge end of the conveyer tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch.
A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the happen The hopper cazz pivot from an extended position to a folded positiozz, azzd in the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position., azzd in the extended position the hopper is ~U connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering flee hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube fan conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the .hopper is in the extended position.
'floe present invention provides, in a second embadirnent, an agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprising an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart. A
conveyor comprising an auger inside a conveyor tube is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein the convc;yor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end crf the conveyor tube is substantially on tb.e ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the contveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch, ~.~ .._.... _...w ......_.. _.. A hopp~er~is°pivotallyattachadwtci the-LowGx'ez~d~afthe canveyoz-tubewabout~a hopper~pivot..,... .:. .. . . .., .._.....;
axis located above the conveyor and oriented substantially horizontally and.
perpendicular to the conveyor tube, and an auger extension is rotatably mounted along a bottom of the hopper. A tube iransitian section extends from a rear and of tlhe hopper at an angle to the auger extension. 'floe hopper can pivot from an extended position wherein the tube transition section is aligned with the conveyor tube and the; hopper extends along the grouzzd when the conveyor is in the operating position, to a folded position.
An auger section inside the tube transition section is connected at one end to an inner end of the auger extension and adapted at an opposite end to releasably engage a lower end of the augur of the conveyor when the hopper is in the extended position such that rotation of -Page$-the auger rotates the auger c~tension and such that the ltoppcr can be pivoted to disengage the auger and auger extension and rntwe the hopper into the folded posi.tian. .~, lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
Conveniently, the apparatus izxcludes hydrauiic cylinders to fbld and unfold the hopper, and also to raise and lower the conveyor, and to swim the conveyor laterally, thereby facilitating the use of larger diameter conveyors with higher capacity than those cornmon in the prior art. Such a hopper can also be of a suflicicnt length to provide a screened 1 C? intake far an auger canrreyor that will allow for flaw of agric~~ltural products at an.
increased rate to feed a conveyor with an increased capacity.
L1ESCRIP'TION OF THE DRAWINGS:
i 5 While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hert:af, preferred embodiments are provided in the.accampanying detailed description which may be best understood in i conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like pau~tss in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
20 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the conveyor in the transport position, and the hopper in the folded p~asition;
- Pa.gc 9 -Fig. 2 is a perspecCive view of an embodiment of the invention with the conveyor .
in the operating position, aa~d the .hopper iz~ tb.e oxtende~d position;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the hopper in the folded pasitioz~;
Fig. 4 is a side view of l;lte embodiment of Fig. 1 with. the hopper in the extended position;
i0 Fig. S is a perspective; view of the hooks and crossbar of the lock engaged to lock . . _.... . . .. . .,tee crnveyor tube and hopper together; . . . .. . . .
.... . . . ., .. ...... .. ... .. .. , ., .
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the .hooks and cac~ssbar of the lock disengaged to IS allow the hopper to be folded;
Fig. '7 is a pexspectave view of the hopper hydraulic cylinder attached to the hopper pin, 20 Fig. $ is a perspective view of the attachment of the c~anvcyor to the cart, with the intake end of the conveyor near the ground;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment of the conveyor to the cart, with the lower end of the conveyor tube on the gxound, and the discharge end of the conveyor in position to discharge into a hll hatch.
Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a belt conveyor of the invention in the extended position;
Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the belt conveyor of Fig. lU in the folded position.
. , .. . , ... .... .. DETAILED DESCRiPTI~N OF THE ~Lt,,~IST~tATED
EIVrvBOb>l~N'~"~: ~ - ~ . . . . . . . , , . .. ,.
Figs. I - 9 illustrate an agricultural commodity cart loading s;onveyox appaxatus 2 of the ~ 5 invention. The apparatus 2 comprises an agricultural commodity cart 4 comprising a plurality of tanks 6. each tank 6 has a fill hatch S located ai: a top lrortion of the cart ~.
The cart 4 is typically attached to a seeding tool bay (not illustrated} that is opexative to receive the agricultural commodities carried in the tanks 8 through a system of air ducts, and deposit the material in the soil. Such carts axe typically pulled either directly behind ox sometimes directly ahead of such a tool bar.
In the embodiment of Figs. 1 - 9 the conveyor 10 comprises an auger 12 inside a conveyor tube 14 as illustrated in Fig. 4, As described. below, Figs. 10 and Il schezr~.atically illustrate an alternate embodiment in use with a belt conveyor.
The con~reyor 10 is mounted to the cart 4 such that the conveyor 10 caz~ be moved from a transport position TP wherein the conveyor is raised off the ground 16 for transport as illustrated in Fig. l, to an operating position t7P as illustrated in Fig. 2 for transferring agricultural materials from a transport vehicle to one of the: tanks 6. In the operating position OP the lower end 18 of the conveyor tube I4 is substantially an the grouzzd 1d and an upper discharge end 20 is oriented to direct material discharged into one of the fill hatches 8, typically through a chute 22 or the like.
1n order to facilitate transfezxarxg agricultural. materials from hopper-bottom trailers and like transport vehicles, the invention provides a hopper 24 pivotally attached to the Icwer end 18 of the conveyor tuba 14. A hopper conveyor section comprises an auger extension 26 rotatably mounted along the bottom of the hopper 24, as illustrated in Fig. 4.
In the extended position XP of Figs. 2 and 4 the hopper 24 ins oriented at an ayagle to the conveyor tube 14 such that the hopper 24 extends along the ground when the conveyor I 0 is in the operating position OP, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The a~agle N
in the illustrated embodiment between the auger extension 26 and the conveyor tube I4 is about 40°, and can be modified to suit the particular coz~~guration.
In the extended position XP the hopper 24 adds significantly to the length of the conveyor 1 d, such that it could interfere with access to ladder's and the like on the cart 4, or contact the tool bar and cause damage. To avoid these problems, the hopper 24 can pivot from the extended position XP to a folded position FP wherein the hopper 24 is above the conveyor tube 14 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment the hopper 24 is folded over on top of the conveyor tube 14 so as to be oriented above and substantially aligned with the conveyor tube 14, nuakin~ fer the most compact folded position that is least likely to interfere with vperatians of the air seeder.
It is . .. . contemplated that~the hopper 24 could be folded 'beside the conveyor tixbe ~ 14 a~s~ well, ~or . ,. . . . ,. , .. "
in some other manner that reduced the interference caused. by the. hopper 24 in the conditions encountered in a particular application, In the illustrated embodiment, a tube transition section 32 ext~~z~ds from a rear end of the hopper 24 at an angle to the auger extension 26 such that the i:ube transition section 32 is aligned with the tube 14 of the conveyor 10 when the hopper 24 is in the extended position ~. ~,n auger section 3~4 inside the tube transition section 32 is connected at one end to an inner end 36 of the auger extension 26 by a universal joint, flexible shaft, gear box, or the like. The opposite end of the auger section 34 is a.daptcd to engage the lower - Fage X3 -end 38 of the auger 12 of tt~e conveyor 10_ In the illustrated embodiment the shaft 40 of thc~ auger 12 is hollow, and the end of the auger section 34 extends somewhat into the shaft 4fJ to align the auger section 34 with the auger 12, and a pin 42 on the auger section 34 engages the end of the flightiz~g or a like protrusion on the l4wer end 3F3 of the auger 12 sa ths~,t rotation of the auger 12 causes rotation of the auger section 34 and the auger extension 2G. Thus the hopper conveyor section conveys mai:erial entering the hopper 24 into the lower ezzd 18 afthe conveyor tube 14 for conveyance up the conveyor tube 14.
To prevent accidental separation. of the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 during operation, 1U a lock SD is operative to leak the hopper 24 az~d conveyor tube 14 together when flee hopper 24 is in the extended position ~~.P.
Tlae illustrated apparatus 2 is designed far use with a relatively large conveyor 10, such as one having, for example a tube 14 with a diameter of ten inches. The corresponding IS hopper 24 is about 42 inches long. The hopper is covered by a protective screen 25 as ilhistrated in Fig. '7 that has a mesh size small enough to prevent an operator frown contactxxag tb.e auger extension. The screen 25 wise som~cwhat inhibits #hc flow of agricultural products through the screen 25 weed into flee hopper 24. When increasing the size of the auger cortve~or to ten inches the area of they screen 25 must be made 20 sufficiently large to allow the agricultural products to flow iyo flee intake at tire required increased rate to allow the conveyor to operate at full capacity The length of the hopper 24 is of such a size to provide sufficient screen area, as well as to readily extend under hopper-bottom trailers and the like. The hopper 24 thus beco~nnes too large and too heavy tv conveniently pivot rnannally.
The illustrated embodiment of Figs. 1 - 9 therefore provides azn extendable hopper actuator comprising a hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 attached at one end to the conveyor tube 14 and attached at an opposite end to the hopper 24. A hopper control, typically a convez~tiozzal hydraulic valve A.~, is operative to selectively extend the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 to move the hopper 24 to the extended pcrsitioa ~P and retract the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 to move the hopper 24 to the folded posiaion FP.
The hopper 24 is pivotally attached to the lower end 1$ of th.e conveyor~tube I4 about a ~ ~ ~ ~ .. .
hopper pivot axis HPA located above the conveyor tube 14a and oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the conveyor tube 14. The hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is attached to the hopper 24 at a location above the hopper pivot a~cis HPA. A
hopper bracket 54 is attached to the hopper 24 and the hopper k~ydraullic cyliz~dex 52 as attached to the hopper 24 by attachment to a hopper pin 56 extending through a hopper slot defined by the hopper bracket 54.
Figs. 5 - 7 illustrate a look 54. to the illustrated embodiment the lock 50 ig configured to lock the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 together when the hopper hydraulic cylinder S2 - Pale T 5 -is extended to a maximum position and to unlock the hopper 24 and conveyor tube 14 when the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is retracted from. the maximum position.
The illustrated lock 5(? comprises a pair of hooks GO pivotall~r attached to the hopper 24 about a hook pivot axis KPA. As illustrated the pair of hooks GO are canvexriently pivotally attached to the hopper 24 by pivotal attachment to lower portions of the hopper brackets 54 next to the tube transition section 32. Tho pair of hooks 50 is linked to the hopper t,ydraulic cylinder 52 by a release rod 62 on each side of the conveyor tube 14 linking the hopper pin 56 and the hooks G0. Thus movement of the hopper hydraulic I O cylinder 52 moves the hopper paz~ 5G which moves the release rods 62 and thus the hooks 60.
The lock 50 further comprises a crossbar 64 fixed to the conveyor tube 14 and configured suah that the hooks GO engage the crossbar 54 to lock the hopper 24 and conveyor tuba I4 together. A~ bias element, illustrated as springs f6, urges the hooks to pivot upward to engage the crossbar ~4. When the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 is extended to the maximum position as illustrated in Fig. 5 the hopper pin 56 moves to a first end of the hopper slot 58, and the release .rod 62 moves dawn samewhal: allowing the hook tt~ move into engagement with the crossbar in response to a bias force exerted by the bias element.
i 20 This mechanism 'better assures engagement of the hooks 60 on the crossbar 64,. since it is not the force of the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 that holds the hooks in engagcrnent with the crossbar 64, but the bias force exerted by the springs E~6. An accidental loss of hydraulic pressure, or creeping of the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 will thus not cause the lock 50 to disengage.
When the hopper hydraulic cylinder ~2 is retracted from the maximum position the hopper pin 56 rz~aves along the hopper slot 5$ ~ozn the first ezzd toward the opposite second end, drawing the release rods C~2 up as the hopper pin 5b moves along the hopper slot S8, and thereby moving the hooks ~0 against the bias force exerted by the springs 66 and out of engagement with the crossbar 64. When the hopper pin S6 reaches the second end of the hopper slot 58, in the position illustrated in Fig. 6, the hooks 60 are disengaged from the crossbar 64, and the hopper pin 56 then bears against the second end of the . hopper slot 58 to raise the hopper 24. .. . . . ~.. . . . . . ..... . . ..
.,.. . . .. .
Figs. 8 and S~ illustrate an attaehn:xent of the conveyor 10 to th.e cart 4 that is particularly advantageous t='or maneuvering larger ten inch. diameter auger conveyors. A
mounting bracket 70 is attached to the cart 4 and deFnes a mounting slot 72: The conveyor 10 is mounted to the cart by a conveyor pin 74 tkirough the mounting slot 72. A
conveyor hydraulic cylinder 75 is pivotally attached to the cart 4 at one end and to the conveyor tube 14 at an opposite end. 1n the illustrated embodiment the conveyor hydraulic eylindc,~r 7b is pivotally attached to the cart 4 by pivotal attachment to the mounting bracket 7U, which in turn is attached to the cart 4 by pivotal attachment to the second swing bracket 83.
The conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 and the motFntirig slot 72 are oriented such that moving the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 in a first direction X raises the lower end 18 of tlae cozxveyor tube 14 to the traiasport position TP with the conveyor pin 74 bearing against one end of the mounting slot 72. Moving the conveyor hydraWic cylinder 76 in an opposite second direction Y i~rst lowers the lower end 18 of the conveybr tube 14 to rest on the ground in the operating position, and then further movement of the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 76 in the second direction Y raises the discharge en.d of the conveyor tube 14 and causes the conveyor pin 74 to move along the mouzlting slot 72, as illustrated .. . ... ,. . . .in. Fig. 9.~ The mounting slot 72 allows the coraveyor~ tube 14~ to ~be~ ~raised~ and lowered . . .. . ... . .;
without risk of exextizzg a bendizzg force on the conveyor tube 14 that could be caused by the lower end 18 bearing against the ground and resisting :movement of the c4nveyor hydraulic cylinder 76, possibly thereby bending the conveyor tube 1.4.
To facilitate handling of a large conveyor, the illustrated ezrzbodimcut further comprises a swing hydraulic cylinder 8U attached between the cart 4 and the conveyor tube 14 and operative to move the conveyor tube 14 laterally about a substantially vertical swing axis.
Zx~ the illustrated eznbodizz~ez~t, a i'~rst swing bracket 82 is pivotally attached to the cart 4 about a substantially vertical i"trst swing axis SAI, and a second swing bracket 83 is pivotally attached to the first swing bracket 82 about a substantially vertzcal second swing axis SA2. The mounting bracket 70 is pivotally attached to the second swing bracket 83 about a substantially vertical third swing axis SA3. The conveyor tube 14 is attached to the mounting bracket 70 as desenbed above. 'Fhe sve~ing hydraulic cylinder $0 is attached to the cart 4 at one end anti to the first swing bracket 82 at the opposite end.
Convexrtivnal hydraulic valves 4G, as illustrated iu fig. 3, are conveniently located to control the conveyor hydraulic cylinder 7d, the swing hydraulic cylinder 80, and the hopper hydraulic cylinder 52 so that the operator can maneuver the conveyor 1 D between the transport position and operating positions that will allow the conveyor 10 to discharge . . ... . . agricultural materials into any of the fill hatches S. . .. ... .
... - . . . . . . .. . , , . . . , . . , .. , . . , Figs, l 0 and I I schematicatty illustrate an embodiment in use with a belt conveyor 110.
The belt conveyor 110 comprises a belt 112 inside the conveyor tube 1 i 4 for conveying material from the lower end i 18 through the conveyor iubc 114. The belt 112 extends through the conveyor tube 1 I 4 and along the bottom of the hs~pper '124, passing around a configuration of rollers 140 configured such that the hopper 124 ca;n pivot up from the extended position XF illustrated in Fig. 10 to the folded position FP
illustrated in Fig. I 1.
- Page '19 -Thus the belt 112 extends through the hopper conveyor section and eonyeys material e~utering the hopper 124 into the lower end of the conveyor tube 114 for conveyance up the conveyor tube 114.
~'he embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11 also shows the use of an electric screw type extendable hopper actuator 152 ixastead of a hydraulic a~linder to fold the hopper 12~..
Such an actuator 152 is not susceptible to creeping like a hydraulic cylinder, and so when extended could also serve as the lock.to maintain the k~opper 124 azad conveyor cube I 14 in position with the hopper 124 in the extended position. other mechanisms could, also be used that would serve to extend the hopper 24 and lock it in the extended position without risk of the hoppear 24 creeping or moving out of position.
in embodin2ents for use with a srnatler conveyor, it is contemplated flint the hopper could be folded manually, and a conventional lock zziechanism used tQ releasably loch the hopper and conveyor tube together for operation in the extended position of the hopper.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the i~nventic~n t4 the exact coctstruetiori and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure oz' operation which may be resorted to are intended to Fall within the scope of the claimed invantio~x.
Claims (27)
We claim:
1. An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprising:
an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart;
a conveyor comprising a conveyor tube and mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is substantially on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the conveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch;
a hopper pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube;
a hopper conveyor section mounted along a bottom of the hopper;
wherein the hopper can pivot from an extended position to a folded position, and wherein in the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and in the extended position the hopper is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube;
a lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart;
a conveyor comprising a conveyor tube and mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is substantially on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the conveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch;
a hopper pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube;
a hopper conveyor section mounted along a bottom of the hopper;
wherein the hopper can pivot from an extended position to a folded position, and wherein in the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and in the extended position the hopper is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube;
a lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
2. The apparatus,of Claim 1 wherein the conveyor is a belt conveyor comprising a belt inside the conveyor tube for conveying material through the conveyor tube from the lower end to the discharge end.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein a conveyor belt extends through the conveyor tube and along the bottom of the hopper.
4. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the conveyor is an auger conveyor comprising an auger inside the conveyor tube for conveying material through the conveyor tube from the lower and to the discharge end, and wherein the hopper conveyor section comprises an auger extension that is coupled to a lower end of the auger when the hopper is in the extended position.
5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the auger extension is coupled to the lower end of the auger by an auger section connected at one end to an inner end of the auger extension and adapted at an opposite end to releasably engage the lower end of the auger.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 further comprising a tube transition section extending from a rear end of the hopper at an angle to the auger extension such that the tube transition section is aligned with the conveyor tube when the hopper is in the lowered position, and wherein the auger section is located inside the tube transition section.
7. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 - 6 wherein the hopper, when in the folded position, is above and substantially aligned with the conveyor tube.
8. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 - 7 further comprising:
an extendable hopper actuator attached at one end to the conveyor tube and attached at an opposite end to the hopper;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the extended position and retract the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the folded position.
an extendable hopper actuator attached at one end to the conveyor tube and attached at an opposite end to the hopper;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the extended position and retract the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the folded position.
9. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the lock is provided by the hopper actuator.
10. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the hopper actuator comprises a hopper hydraulic cylinder and wherein the lock comprises a hook pivotally attached to the hopper about a hook pivot axis and linked to the hopper hydraulic cylinder, and a crossbar fixed to the conveyor tube and configured such that the hook engages the crossbar to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to a maximum position and such that the hook disengages the crossbar to unlock the hopper and conveyor when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position.
11. The apparatus of Claim 10 further comprising a bias element urging the hook to pivot in a direction to engage the crossbar, and wherein when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to the maximum position the hook is allowed to move info engagement with the crossbar in response to a bias force exerted by the bias element, and wherein when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position the hook is moved against the bias force to disengage the crossbar.
12. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein the hopper is pivotally attached to the conveyor tube about a hopper pivot axis located above the conveyor tube and oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveyor tube and wherein the hopper hydraulic cylinder is attached to the hopper at a location above the hopper pivot axis.
13. The apparatus of Claim 12 further comprising a hopper bracket attached to the hopper and wherein the hopper hydraulic cylinder is attached to the hopper by attachment to a hopper pin extending through a hopper slot defined by the hopper.
bracket; and further comprising a release rod linking the hopper pin and the hook.
bracket; and further comprising a release rod linking the hopper pin and the hook.
14. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein the hopper pin is located substantially at a first end of the hopper slot when the hopper hydraulic, cylinder is extended to the maximum position, and wherein the hopper pin moves along the hopper slot when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position, thereby moving the hook out of engagement with the crossbar, and wherein the hopper pin bears against a second end of the hopper slot to raise the hopper.
15. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 - 14 further comprising a mounting bracket attached to the cart and defining a mounting slot, and wherein the conveyor is mounted to the cart by a conveyor pin through the mounting slot; and further comprising a conveyor hydraulic cylinder pivotally attached to the cart at one end and to the conveyor tube at an opposite end; and wherein the conveyor hydraulic cylinder and the mounting slot are oriented such that moving the conveyor hydraulic cylinder in a first direction raises the lower end of the conveyor tube to the transport position, and such that moving the conveyor hydraulic cylinder in an opposite second direction lowers the lower end of the conveyor tube to rest an the ground in the operating position, and such that further movement of the conveyor hydraulic cylinder in the second direction raises the discharge end of the conveyor and causes the conveyor pin to move along the mounting slot.
16. The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the conveyor hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the cart by pivotal attachment to the mounting bracket.
17. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 - 14 further comprising a swing hydraulic cylinder attached between the cart and the conveyor and operative to move the conveyor laterally about a substantially vertical swing axis.
18. The apparatus of any one of Claims 15 and 16 further comprising a swing hydraulic cylinder attached between the cart and the conveyor and operative to move the conveyor laterally about a substantially vertical swing axis.
19. The apparatus of Claim 18 further comprising a first swing bracket pivotally attached to the cart about a substantially vertical first swing axis, a second swing bracket pivotally attached to the first swing bracket about a substantially vertical second swing axis, and the mounting bracket is pivotally attached to the second swing bracket about a substantially vertical third swing axis, and the swing hydraulic cylinder is attached to the cart at one end and to the first swing bracket at the apposite end.
20. An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprising:
an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart;
a conveyor comprising an auger inside a conveyor tube wherein the conveyor is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein the conveyor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is substantially on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the conveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch;
a hopper pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube about a hopper pivot axis located above the conveyor and oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the conveyor tube;
an auger extension rotatably mounted along a bottom of the hopper;
a tube transition section extending from a rear end of the hopper at an angle to the auger extension;
wherein the hopper can pivot from an extended position wherein the tube transition station is aligned with the conveyor tube and the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, to a folded position;
an auger section inside the tube transition section and connected at one end to an inner end of the auger extension and adapted at an opposite end to releasably engage a lower end of the auger of the conveyor when the hopper is in the extended position such that rotation of the auger rotates the auger extension and such that the hopper can be pivoted to disengage the auger and auger extension and move the hopper into the folded position; and a lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
an agricultural commodity cart comprising at least one tank having a fill hatch located at a top portion of the cart;
a conveyor comprising an auger inside a conveyor tube wherein the conveyor is mounted to the cart such that the conveyor can be moved from a transport position wherein the conveyor tube is raised off the ground, to an operating position wherein a lower end of the conveyor tube is substantially on the ground and the conveyor tube is inclined upward such that an upper discharge end of the conveyor tube is oriented to direct material discharged there-from into a fill hatch;
a hopper pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube about a hopper pivot axis located above the conveyor and oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the conveyor tube;
an auger extension rotatably mounted along a bottom of the hopper;
a tube transition section extending from a rear end of the hopper at an angle to the auger extension;
wherein the hopper can pivot from an extended position wherein the tube transition station is aligned with the conveyor tube and the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, to a folded position;
an auger section inside the tube transition section and connected at one end to an inner end of the auger extension and adapted at an opposite end to releasably engage a lower end of the auger of the conveyor when the hopper is in the extended position such that rotation of the auger rotates the auger extension and such that the hopper can be pivoted to disengage the auger and auger extension and move the hopper into the folded position; and a lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
21. The apparatus of Claim 20 wherein the hopper, when in the folded position, is above and substantially aligned with the conveyor.
22. The apparatus of any one of Claims 20 and 21 further comprising:
a hopper bracket attached to the hopper;
an extendable hopper actuator attached at one end to the conveyor tube and attached at an opposite end to the hopper bracket;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the extended position and retract the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the folded position;
wherein the hopper actuator when extended provides, the lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
a hopper bracket attached to the hopper;
an extendable hopper actuator attached at one end to the conveyor tube and attached at an opposite end to the hopper bracket;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the extended position and retract the hopper actuator to move the hopper to the folded position;
wherein the hopper actuator when extended provides, the lock operative to lock the hopper and conveyor tube together when the hopper is in the extended position.
23. The apparatus of any one of Claims 20 and 21 further comprising:
a hopper bracket attached to the hopper and defining a hopper slot;
a hopper hydraulic cylinder attached at one end to the conveyor and attached at an opposite end to a hopper pin extending through the hopper slot;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper hydraulic cylinder to move the hopper to floe extended position and retract the hopper hydraulic cylinder to move the hopper to the folded position;
wherein the lock is configured to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to a maximum position and to unlock the hopper and conveyor when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position.
a hopper bracket attached to the hopper and defining a hopper slot;
a hopper hydraulic cylinder attached at one end to the conveyor and attached at an opposite end to a hopper pin extending through the hopper slot;
a hopper control operative to selectively extend the hopper hydraulic cylinder to move the hopper to floe extended position and retract the hopper hydraulic cylinder to move the hopper to the folded position;
wherein the lock is configured to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to a maximum position and to unlock the hopper and conveyor when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position.
24. The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein the lock comprises a crossbar fixed to the conveyor and a hook pivotally attached to the tube transition suction about a hank pivot axis and configured such that the hook engages the crossbar to lock the hopper and conveyor together, and wherein the hook is linked to the hopper hydraulic cylinder by a release rod attached to the hopper pin such that when the hopper pin moves in the hopper slot the release rod causes the hook to pivot about the hook pivot axis to engage and disengage the crossbar.
25. The apparatus of Claim 24 further comprising a bias element urging the hook to pivot in a direction to engage the crossbar, and wherein when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to the maximum position the hook is allowed to move into engagement with the crossbar in response to a bias force exerted by the bias element, and wherein when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position the hook is moved against the bias force to disengage the crossbar.
26. ~The apparatus of Claim 25 wherein the hopper pin is located substantially at a first end of the hopper slot when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is extended to the maximum position, and wherein the hopper pin moves along the hopper slot when the hopper hydraulic cylinder is retracted from the maximum position, thereby moving the hook out of engagement with the crossbar, and wherein the hopper pin bears against a second end of the hopper slot to raise the hopper.
27. The apparatus of any one of Claims 20 - 26 wherein the auger and conveyor tube have a diameter substantially equal to or greater than ten inches, and further comprising a protective screen covering the hopper and sized to allow passage of agricultural products therethough at a rate sufficient to allow the auger conveyor to operate at substantially full capacity.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002462001A CA2462001C (en) | 2004-03-23 | 2004-03-23 | Loading conveyor with folding hopper for agricultural commodity carts |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002462001A CA2462001C (en) | 2004-03-23 | 2004-03-23 | Loading conveyor with folding hopper for agricultural commodity carts |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2462001A1 CA2462001A1 (en) | 2005-09-23 |
| CA2462001C true CA2462001C (en) | 2006-10-17 |
Family
ID=35006122
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002462001A Expired - Fee Related CA2462001C (en) | 2004-03-23 | 2004-03-23 | Loading conveyor with folding hopper for agricultural commodity carts |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2462001C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110326408B (en) * | 2019-08-22 | 2024-05-07 | 江西农业大学 | City micro-agricultural robot |
-
2004
- 2004-03-23 CA CA002462001A patent/CA2462001C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2462001A1 (en) | 2005-09-23 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
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