WO2021144631A1 - Auger assemblies, combine harvesters, and methods of transferring materials - Google Patents

Abstract

An auger assembly (110) includes a first tube (204), an inflow auger (214) rotatably disposed within the first tube, a second tube (206) coupled to the first tube at a ball joint, an outflow auger (216) rotatably disposed within the second tube, a non-load-bearing seal (220) between the first tube and the second tube, and an actuator (212) configured to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger. A combine harvester (100) includes a machine frame (102), a grain processing system (106) carried by the machine frame and configured to separate grain from material other than grain, a grain storage container (108) carried by the machine frame and configured to receive grain from the grain processing system, and a grain unloading auger assembly (110) coupled to the grain storage container. Methods of transferring grain are also disclosed.

Description

TITLE

AUGER ASSEMBLIES, COMBINE HARVESTERS, AND METHODS OF TRANSFERRING

MATERIALS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U. S. Provisional Patent Application 62/961,316, “Auger Assemblies, Combine Harvesters, and Methods of Transferring Materials,” filed January 15, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to material transfer systems for machines. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to grain-container filling augers for combine harvesters.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Agricultural harvesting machines, such as combine harvesters, can be complex machines with large and complex crop-processing systems. Various components of such systems may be adjusted to optimize any of various performance criteria. By way of example, combine harvesters may include one or more threshing and separating rotors, one or more concave grates associated with each of the one or more rotors, a stratification pan, a return pan and a fan for blowing air through the processing system to separate grain from chaff.

[0004] A combine harvester harvests crop and then unloads the harvested crop, such as grain, from a grain bin secured to a chassis of the combine harvester through an unloader tube and to the bed of a receiving vehicle, such as a truck or grain cart. Unloading systems on combine harvesters are continually being developed to unload grain faster. There are many perceived benefits to faster unloading, and consumers demand shorter times to empty grain bins to transport trucks or grain carts. A faster unload rate may help the entire harvesting operation run more efficiently because grain carts need not wait as long to be filled, which may enable the grain carts to decrease the time required to deliver loads between the combine harvester and the destination ( e.g ., a silo). [0005] The height of the unloading system of the combine harvester is important because various mobile grain carts may be used. The unloading system must be high enough to fill the grain carts in motion. However, if the unloading system is too high, some grain may fall outside the grain carts, particularly in windy conditions. Some combines have a flexible “sock” at the end of a grain diverter to help keep grain in a tight downward flow.

[0006] Height adjustment systems for grain transfer systems typically involve passing the grain through a pair of 90° elbows, and rotating the elbows with respect to each other to change the output height. However, grain can be damaged by impacting walls of the elbows.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] In some embodiments, a combine harvester includes a machine frame, a grain processing system carried by the machine frame and configured to separate grain from material other than grain, a grain storage container carried by the machine frame and configured to receive grain from the grain processing system, and a grain unloading auger assembly coupled to the grain storage container. The grain unloading auger assembly includes a first tube, an inflow auger rotatably disposed within the first tube, a second tube coupled to the first tube at a ball joint, an outflow auger rotatably disposed within the second tube, a non-load-bearing seal between the first tube and the second tube, and an actuator configured to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger.

[0008] An auger assembly may include a first tube, an inflow auger rotatably disposed within the first tube, a second tube coupled to the first tube at a ball joint, an outflow auger rotatably disposed within the second tube, a non-load-bearing seal between the first tube and the second tube, and an actuator configured to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger.

[0009] A method of transferring grain from a combine harvester includes rotating an inflow auger within a first tube and an outflow auger within a second tube and adjusting an actuator to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube and change a height of a distal end of the outflow auger. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger at a ball joint, and rotating the augers causes transfer of grain from a grain storage container through the first tube and the second tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of an example combine harvester;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a simplified view of a portion of an unloading auger assembly of the combine harvester shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0013] FIG. 3A. is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the unloading auger assembly;

[0014] FIG. 3B is a simplified front view of the combine harvester with the unloading auger assembly extended and in the position of FIG. 3 A;

[0015] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the unloading auger assembly in a lowered position;

[0016] FIG. 4B is a simplified front view of the combine harvester with the unloading auger assembly in the lowered position of FIG. 4A;

[0017] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the unloading auger assembly in a raised position; and

[0018] FIG. 5B is a simplified front view of the combine harvester with the unloading auger assembly in the raised position of FIG. 5 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0020] The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any combine harvester or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation. [0021] The following description provides specific details of embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a thorough description thereof. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all elements to form a complete structure or assembly. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional acts and structures may be used. Also note, the drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0022] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0023] As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other, compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0024] As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0025] As used herein, the singular forms following “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0026] As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “bottom,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element’s or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0028] As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0029] As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).

[0030] With reference to FIG. 1, a self-propelled combine harvester 100 includes a machine frame 102 configured to carry a header that cuts and gathers a strip of crop as the combine harvester 100 is driven across a crop field. A feederhouse 104 conveys the cut crop stream from the header into a crop processing apparatus 106 in the combine harvester 100. Clean grain separated from the crop stream is collected in a storage tank 108 carried by the machine frame 102, which is periodically emptied into a trailer or other vehicle or storage container via an unloading auger assembly 110. Residue material remaining from the crop stream, such as straw and chaff, is ejected from the rear of the combine harvester 100. The combine harvester 100 also typically includes an operator cab 112, a control system 114, an engine, and wheels 116 and/or tracks. The unloading auger assembly 110 may include a diverter 118 at an end distal from the machine frame 102 of the combine harvester 100. The diverter 118 may be, for example, an elbow that directs grain downward.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a simplified view of a portion of the unloading auger assembly 110. The unloading auger assembly 110 includes a rotating elbow 202 that rotates the entire unloading auger assembly 110 outward from the combine harvester 100 for unloading grain, and inward against the machine frame of the combine harvester 100 when not used for unloading grain. Movement of the unloading auger assembly 110 by rotating the elbow 202 is generally known in the art and not described in detail herein. For example, unloading auger assemblies are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0096782, “Control Method for a Pivoting Grain Unloading Spout for Use with Combine Harvesters,” published April 18, 2013. [0032] The elbow 202 supports a first tube 204 coupled to a second tube 206, which is in turn connected to an extension 208 configured to deliver grain from the combine harvester 100. The extension 208 may be several meters long, and may have a fixed or variable length. The connection between the first tube 204 and the second tube may be a ball joint. The second tube 206 can pivot with respect to the first tube 204 about a pivot axis 210 to raise and lower the distal end of the extension 208. An actuator 212 may be configured to pivot the second tube 206, moving the extension 208. For example, the actuator 212 may connect a bracket 214 connected to the first tube 204 to a bracket 216 connected to the second tube 206. The position of the actuator 212 may be controlled by the control system 114 of the combine harvester 100 (FIG. 1). The brackets 214, 216 may be connected to one another at the pivot axis 210. The pivot axis 210 may be an imaginary line passing through each of the first tube 204 and the second tube 206, such that the second tube 206 only rotates in dimension ( e.g ., up and down).

[0033] FIGS. 3A-5A are partial cross-sectional views of the first tube 204 and the second tube 206 showing the orientation of the second tube 206 when the actuator 212 is in different positions. FIGS. 3B-5B show the position of the unloading auger assembly 110 at each corresponding position of the actuator 212. In FIG. 3 A, the actuator 212 is in an intermediate position, such that the second tube 206 is generally aligned with first tube 204 (i.e., having a common longitudinal axis with the first tube 204). As shown in FIG. 3 A, an inflow auger 214 is rotatably disposed within the first tube 204, and an outflow auger 216 is rotatably disposed within the second tube 206. The outflow auger 216 is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger 214 at a joint 218. The joint 218 may be a universal joint, a set of gears, or any other mechanism selected to transfer rotational force from the inflow auger 214 to the outflow auger 216.

[0034] A non-load-bearing seal 220 may be disposed between the first tube 204 and the second tube 206. For example, the first tube 204 may have a male (exterior) mating surface, and the second tube 206 may have a female (interior) mating surface. The mating surfaces of the first tube 204 and the second tube 206 may each correspond to portions of spheres, similar to the mating surfaces of a ball valve. That is, the mating surface of the first tube 204 may be a portion of an exterior of a sphere, and the mating surface of the second tube 206 may be a portion of an interior of a larger sphere.

[0035] The seal 220 may be in the form of a ring between the two mating surfaces, and may also have surfaces that are portions of spheres. In some embodiments, the seal 220 may be a split ring, such that the seal 220 may be installed and removed without disconnecting the joint 218. The seal 220 may limit or prevent the flow of grain and dust in or out between the surfaces. The seal 220 may include a polymer material, such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, Teflon, or any other selected material.

[0036] FIG. 4A depicts the first tube 204 and the second tube 206 when the actuator 212 is in a compressed position, such that the second tube 206 is generally angled downward from the first tube 204. Thus, the height h2 of the diverter 118 (FIG. 4B) is lower when the actuator 212 is in this position than the height hi of the diverter 118 (FIG. 3B) when the actuator 212 is in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3 A.

[0037] FIG. 5A depicts the first tube 204 and the second tube 206 when the actuator 212 is in an extended position, such that the second tube 206 is generally angled upward from the first tube 204. Thus, the height h3 of the diverter 118 (FIG. 5B) is higher when the actuator 212 is in this position than the height hi of the diverter 118 (FIG. 3B) when the actuator 212 is in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3A. Thus, controlling the position of the actuator 212 may enable an operator of the combine harvester 100 to control the height at which crop material is dispensed from the diverter 118.

[0038] The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first tube 204 and the longitudinal axis of the second tube 206 may vary by any selected amount, such as within 3°, within 5°, or within 10°. For an extension 208 that is 10.6 m (meters) long, a change of 5° at the joint 218 corresponds to a difference of 0.81 m in the height of the diverter 118. Thus, if the joint 218 can change by ±5°, the difference between the lowest and highest points (h2 and h3, respectively) of the diverter 118 may be about 1.6 m.

[0039] Though the actuator 212 in FIG. 2 is depicted as acting on the brackets 214, 216 below the pivot axis 210, the actuator 212 may alternatively be configured to act on brackets above the pivot axis 210. In such embodiments, the positions shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, and 5B-5B would correspond to an intermediate actuator position, an extended actuator position, and a compressed actuator position, respectively. Fikewise, the first tube 204 could be configured to have a female mating surface, and the second tube 206 could be configured to have a male mating surface.

[0040] The adjustable height of the diverter 118 shown in FIGS. 3B, 4B, and 5B may enable the combine harvester 100 to more effectively transfer grain from the storage tank 108 to a mobile grain cart because the height of the diverter 118 can be tailored to the particular grain cart. By keeping the diverter 118 close to the top of the grain cart, losses due to wind or natural spreading of the grain flow can be limited or eliminated. This may eliminate the need to use an exit “sock” or other flexible material to direct grain flow into the grain cart. Furthermore, grain may be unloaded from the combine harvester 100 in a wider range of conditions ( e.g ., while the combine harvester 100 is in motion, while wind is blowing, etc. ) if the height of the diverter 118 is adjustable. The actuator 212 may be controlled by the control system 114, and therefore may be adjusted by an operator of the combine harvester 100, and/or operator of a grain cart, as well as by a remote operator or an automated algorithm.

[0041] Because the diverter 118 may be raised higher than an unloading auger assembly 110 lacking a height adjustment, the combine harvester 100 may deliver grain to grain carts that have higher sidewalls.

[0042] Furthermore, the first tube 204 and the second tube 206 may form a simple assembly that may be retrofitted to existing combine harvesters to enable automating and a wider range of output heights. That is, in an existing combine harvester, the extension 208 and auger therein may be removed from the elbow 202, and the first tube 204 and second tube 206 may be installed on the elbow 202. The auger may be reinstalled with the joint 218, and the extension 208 may also be reinstalled. The actuator 212 may be electrically connected to the control system 114 of the combine harvester.

[0043] The unloading auger assembly 110 may enable changing the height of the distal end of the outflow auger (i.e., the diverter 118) without changing a horizontal position of the distal end of the outflow auger with respect to the combine harvester 100. This may simplify filling grain carts because the height is adjustable separate from the horizontal position (which may be controlled by moving the combine harvester 100 and/or the grain cart). Furthermore, the actuator 212 may be used to adjust the height of the diverter 118 while grain is being transferred through the unloading auger assembly 110. In some embodiments, the actuator 212 may be adjusted in response to information about the fill level of the receiving grain cart, so that the diverter 118 can be kept near a top surface of grain, and to avoid excessive dispersion. Thus, the actuator 212 can be used to increase control over how the grain cart is filled, but without passing the grain through a pair of 90° bends, as in some conventional unloading augers. Note that the combine harvester 100 nonetheless includes the elbow 202 to enable the unloading auger assembly 110 to swing inward for transport or outward for unloading.

[0044] The unloading auger assembly 110 described herein may be used for processing any material, and may be beneficial for various agricultural or industrial processes. The unloading auger assembly 110 may be used in any mobile or stationary system, and may be particularly beneficial for solids that are difficult to move around 90° bends.

[0045] Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are described below.

[0046] Embodiment 1 : An auger assembly comprising a first tube, an inflow auger rotatably disposed within the first tube, a second tube coupled to the first tube at a ball joint, an outflow auger rotatably disposed within the second tube, a non-load-bearing seal between the first tube and the second tube, and an actuator configured to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger;

[0047] Embodiment 2: The auger assembly of Embodiment 1, wherein the actuator is configured to change the orientation of the second tube by ±5°.

[0048] Embodiment 3: The auger assembly of Embodiment 2, wherein the actuator is configured to change the orientation of the second tube by ±10°.

[0049] Embodiment 4: The auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 3, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the second tube about pivot axis passing through the first tube and the second tube.

[0050] Embodiment 5: The auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 4, wherein the outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger by a universal joint.

[0051] Embodiment 6: The auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 4, wherein the outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger by gears.

[0052] Embodiment 7: The auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 6, wherein the first tube defines a first mating surface having a shape corresponding to a portion of a first sphere, and wherein the second tube defines a second mating surface having a shape corresponding to a portion of a second sphere.

[0053] Embodiment 8: The auger assembly of Embodiment 7, wherein the seal is disposed between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. [0054] Embodiment 9: The auger assembly of Embodiment 7 or Embodiment 8, wherein the first mating surface has a shape corresponding to an interior portion of the first sphere, and wherein the second mating surface has a shape corresponding to an exterior portion of the second sphere.

[0055] Embodiment 10: The auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 9, wherein the seal comprises a polymer material.

[0056] Embodiment 11 : A combine harvester comprising a machine frame, a grain processing system carried by the machine frame and configured to separate grain from material other than grain, a grain storage container carried by the machine frame and configured to receive grain from the grain processing system, and the auger assembly of any one of Embodiment 1 through Embodiment 10 coupled to the grain storage container.

[0057] Embodiment 12: The combine harvester of Embodiment 11, wherein a change in the orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube corresponds to a change in a height of a distal end of the outflow auger.

[0058] Embodiment 13: The combine harvester of Embodiment 11 or Embodiment 12, further comprising a diverter coupled to the second tube at a distal end of the outflow auger.

[0059] Embodiment 14: A method of transferring grain from a combine harvester. The method comprises rotating an inflow auger within a first tube and an outflow auger within a second tube, and adjusting an actuator to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube and change a height of a distal end of the outflow auger. The outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger at a ball joint, and rotating the augers causes transfer of grain from a grain storage container through the first tube and the second tube.

[0060] Embodiment 15: The method of Embodiment 14, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing the height of the distal end of the outflow auger without changing a horizontal position of the distal end of the outflow auger with respect to the combine harvester.

[0061] Embodiment 16: The method of Embodiment 14 or Embodiment 15, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises adjusting the actuator while transferring grain through the tubes.

[0062] Embodiment 17: The method of any one of Embodiment 14 through Embodiment 16, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises adjusting the actuator responsive to a fill level of a container receiving the grain. [0063] Embodiment 18: The method of any one of Embodiment 14 through Embodiment 17, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing an orientation of the outflow auger to be within ±10° of an orientation of the inflow auger.

[0064] Embodiment 19: The method of Embodiment 18, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing an orientation of the outflow auger to be within ±5° of an orientation of the inflow auger.

[0065] Embodiment 20: The method of any one of Embodiment 14 through Embodiment 19, further comprising transferring grain from the inflow auger to the outflow auger without passing a 90° bend.

[0066] While the present disclosure has been described herein with respect to certain illustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents thereof. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope as contemplated by the inventors. Further, embodiments of the disclosure have utility with different and various machine types and configurations.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An auger assembly, comprising: a first tube; an inflow auger rotatably disposed within the first tube; a second tube coupled to the first tube at a ball joint; an outflow auger rotatably disposed within the second tube, wherein the outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger; a non-load-bearing seal between the first tube and the second tube; and an actuator configured to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube.

2. The auger assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to change the orientation of the second tube by ±5°.

3. The auger assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator is configured to change the orientation of the second tube by ±10°.

4. The auger assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the second tube about pivot axis passing through the first tube and the second tube.

5. The auger assembly of any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein the outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger by a universal joint.

6. The auger assembly of any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein the outflow auger is rotatably coupled to the inflow auger by gears.

7. The auger assembly of any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein the first tube defines a first mating surface having a shape corresponding to a portion of a first sphere, and wherein the second tube defines a second mating surface having a shape corresponding to a portion of a second sphere.

8. The auger assembly of claim 7, wherein the seal is disposed between the first mating surface and the second mating surface.

9. The auger assembly of claim 7, wherein the first mating surface has a shape corresponding to an interior portion of the first sphere, and wherein the second mating surface has a shape corresponding to an exterior portion of the second sphere.

10. The auger assembly of any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein the seal comprises a polymer material.

11. A combine harvester, comprising: a machine frame; a grain processing system carried by the machine frame and configured to separate grain from material other than grain; a grain storage container carried by the machine frame and configured to receive grain from the grain processing system; and the auger assembly of any one of claim 1 through claim 4 coupled to the grain storage container.

12. The combine harvester of claim 11, wherein a change in the orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube corresponds to a change in a height of a distal end of the outflow auger.

13. The combine harvester of claim 11, further comprising a diverter coupled to the second tube at a distal end of the outflow auger.

14. A method of transferring grain from a combine harvester, the method comprising: rotating an inflow auger within a first tube and an outflow auger within a second tube, the outflow auger rotatably coupled to the inflow auger at a ball joint, wherein rotating the augers causes transfer of grain from a grain storage container through the first tube and the second tube; and adjusting an actuator to change an orientation of the second tube with respect to the first tube and change a height of a distal end of the outflow auger.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing the height of the distal end of the outflow auger without changing a horizontal position of the distal end of the outflow auger with respect to the combine harvester.

16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises adjusting the actuator while transferring grain through the tubes.

17. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises adjusting the actuator responsive to a fill level of a container receiving the grain.

18. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing an orientation of the outflow auger to be within ±10° of an orientation of the inflow auger.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein adjusting the actuator comprises changing an orientation of the outflow auger to be within ±5° of an orientation of the inflow auger.

20. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising transferring grain from the inflow auger to the outflow auger without passing a 90° bend.