Abstract: A metering unloader (29) of the present invention is for use in a tower grain dryer (T). The tower dryer has a grain drying path (11) and the latter has a grain outlet (27) at the lower end thereof, and the tower has at least one discharge outlet (15) in the lower portion thereof. The metering unloader is rotatably mounted within the lower portion (23) of the tower for rotation about a vertical axis (39) and the unloader is powered by a motor (41) for rotatably driving the metering unloader about the vertical axis. The metering unloader is in communication with the grain outlet of the grain drying path and it substantially uniformly removes dried grain from all regions of the lower portion of the dryer upon each revolution of the metering unloader and delivers the dried grain to the discharge outlet for the tower dryer. A method for metering the unloading of grain from the dryer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A feed conveying apparatus is disclosed for use in a poultry or livestock feeding system (503). The feed conveying apparatus has a housing (509) having a feed inlet (515) which receives feed from, a feed supply (BFT) and a feed outlet (517). A feed conveyor (508) extends through the housing. The conveyor has a conveyor tube (511) with a feed auger (513) therein. The feed auger has a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights (62) and is driven within the conveyor tube for picking up feed from the housing and for conveying it through the conveyor tube. A regulator (521 ) is provided for regulating the amount of feed within the conveyor tube downstream from the housing to an amount less than will totally fill the conveyor tube so as to form a partial void (V) within the conveyor tube and to prevent overcompaction of the feed within the conveyor tube.

Abstract: A feed intake cup (14) is for use in a poultry feeding system (10) for transferring feed from a feed intake hopper (12) to a conveyor by which the feed is delivered to feed stations (22) spaced along the conveyor. A cup housing (24) has an inlet (I) and an outlet (O). The inlet is connected to the feed intake hopper for feed to flow from the hopper into the housing. A feed convey (16) is connected to the housing outlet. Feed flows through the housing and into the conveyor through the outlet. A feed transport auger (18) is positioned in the conveyor. The auger is movable through the conveyor to convey feed to the feeding stations. A ball (144) with extension (164), gear (58), or a multiple diameter tube (300), a combination of these elements, may be positioned in the housing and is cooperable with the auger moves to agitate or churn the feed as the auger moves feed through the conveyor.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (10) comprising a generally vertically disposed feed tube (18) adapted to be installed on a generally horizontal feed conveyor tube (14) for receiving feed from the feed conveyor tube. The feed tube has an upper portion (26) fixed with respect to the feed conveyor tube and a lower portion (27) movable axially with respect to the upper portion between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a collapsed position (FIG. 6). A feed pan (23) is disposed below the bottom end of the feed tube for receiving feed.

Abstract: The flame cone of the present invention is intended to be used with a heater for a grain bin or the like. The heater comprises a housing having one or more housing walls and having an inlet end and an outlet end. A blower is provided for forcefully moving air from the inlet end through the housing and out of the outlet end. A burner is provided within the housing for heating air moving through the housing. A flame diverter is positioned within the housing downstream from the burner for diverting the flame outwardly from the burner toward the walls of the housing. The diverter comprises a cone-shaped structure having a plurality of spaced slats diverging outwardly from the burner and toward the walls of the housing. More specifically, the improvement of this invention comprises a burner cone having an apex and an outer base spaced axially from the apex with the slope of the burner cone being generally similar to the slope of the diverter.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (10) comprising a generally vertically disposed feed tube (18) adapted to be installed on a generally horizontal feed conveyor tube (14) for receiving feed from the feed conveyor tube. The feed tube has an upper portion (26) fixed with respect to the feed conveyor tube and a lower portion (27) movable axially with respect to the upper portion between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a collapsed position (FIG. 6). A feed pan (23) is disposed below the bottom end of the feed tube for receiving feed.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a top bin lid from below such that, when in the fully opened position, the lid will not extend above the plane of the opening. The apparatus utilizes an elongated lever arm pivotally mounted on the pivot axis of the bin lid. A flexible linkage, such as a chain extends from below, over the lever arm and is connected to a gravity biased latch system which holds the lid in the closed position until the chain is pulled from below. After the latch is released, further drawing of the chain will pivot the lid and arm about their common pivot axis until the arm is obstructed from further movement by the bin. Continued pulling of the chain will draw the lid toward the lever arm against spring pressure until the lid has been pivoted approximately 180.degree. from its closed position.

Abstract: An improved latching apparatus for an access opening cover member or door on a grain bin. When locked closed, the cover member engages the adjacent wall of the grain bin to integrate the cover member with the grain bin wall to thereby enable hoop stresses caused by the weight of grain being stored in the bin to pass through the cover member. Typically, a series of pins carried by the door frame engages openings in the edges of the cover member or door to structurally integrate the door into the bin. The integration of the cover member with the bin wall provides a greater structural integrity of the bin and cover member; however, due to the stresses placed upon the cover member and bin wall, the pins tend to bind, making it difficult to disengage and open the cover member.

Abstract: A roof vent (or other opening closure means) for a grain bin is disclosed. Generally, a grain bin has a cylindrical bin body and a conical roof. The roof includes a plurality of wedge-shaped panels secured together in side-to-side relation and often one or more of these panels has an opening therein for accommodating a roof vent. A flange is provided on the roof panel defining an opening in the roof panel with the flange being sealably (preferably integrally) formed with the roof panel. The flange extends outwardly so as to prevent water flowing down the slope of the roof from entering into the opening.

Abstract: A floor system for grain bins or the like in which free-standing support legs are positively connected without mechanical fasteners to interlocking, channel-shaped floor members so as to substantially prevent lateral and vertical relative movement between the floor members and the support legs.

Abstract: A subsoil plow having a plurality of forwardly facing C-shaped plow teeth arranged on a rigid frame in a generally V-shaped array. Each plow tooth has an upper portion, a curved shank portion, and a bottom tip and is mounted on the frame by a so-called pivot bolt located directly above the tip of the tooth and by a shear bolt spaced from the pivot bolt, the shear bolt being adapted to fail in shear upon application of a predetermined load to the plow tooth, such as may be occasioned upon the tooth striking an underground object as the plow is pulled through the field, so as to release the tooth and to permit it to swing upwardly and rearwardly about the pivot bolt without the tip of the tooth digging deeper into the ground.Also disclosed is a hitch which enables the plow to readily be coupled to a tractor equipped either with a category 2 or 3N or a category 3 three point hitch with or without an automatic coupler.

Abstract: A floor system for grain bins or the like in which freestanding support legs are positively connected without mechanical fasteners to interlocking, channel-shaped floor members so as to substantially prevent lateral and vertical relative movement between the floor members and the supports legs.