Abstract: A multi-roller guide that includes a base plate, a cover plate, a plurality of spacers positioned perpendicularly between the base plate and cover plate, a plurality of spacer fasteners coupled to the spacers, and a plurality of roller assemblies secured between the base plate and cover plate and aligned along a roller assembly arc path. Each roller assembly includes a roller coupled to a roller bearing, with the roller bearing having a bearing center passage that receives therein an axle, and wherein the plurality of roller assemblies are secured between the cover plate and base plate via the axle, and wherein each roller is spool shaped including a core portion connecting upper and lower boundary walls, the upper and lower boundary walls extending radially outward from the core portion and including a space therebetween for receiving a portion of a tensile member.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.

Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed, a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element, a drive system having a plurality of drive system components, including the transmission, a torque sensor interconnected with at least one drive system component, a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the torque sensor, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and torque sensor, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.

Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed material, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed material; a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element; a control unit having a display and a plurality of control panel inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the sensors, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and sensors, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission, and wherein the control unit includes a processor, a memory, and a control program.

Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed material, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed material; a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element; a plurality of mixing chamber sensors positioned to sense at least one of the volume and the level of feed material in the mixing chamber; a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the sensors, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and sensors, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.

Abstract: An auger for a vertical feed mixer with a lifting surface that is upwardly angled from an inner edge toward an outer edge. A fliting portion to form a part of an auger for a vertical feed mixer, the fliting portion including an outer edge that is positioned higher than a radially positioned inner edge. An auger for a vertical feed mixer that in rotation defines an hourglass shape. A magnet is included within the tub of the mixer.

Abstract: Described herein is an exemplary torque sensing assembly for a feed mixer that includes, a frame of a feed mixer, the frame having a first frame portion and a second frame portion; a transmission having at least two speeds, a housing, an input shaft, and an output shaft, a load cell secured to a second frame portion of the frame; a mounting plate having a first side portion and a second side portion situated opposite the first side, the transmission secured by a plurality of fasteners to a top surface of the mounting plate, hinge rotatably connecting the first side portion to the first frame portion, and a load contact point situated in contact with the load cell, wherein a resultant torque is impartable to the housing to provide a downward force on the load cell, via the load contact point.

Abstract: An auger for a vertical feed mixer with a lifting surface that is upwardly angle from an inner edge toward an outer edge. A fliting portion to form a part of an auger for a vertical feed mixer, the fliting portion including an outer edge that is positioned higher than a radially positioned inner edge. An auger for a vertical feed mixer that in rotation defines an hourglass shape.

Abstract: Described herein is an exemplary feed mixer apparatus that includes a feed mixer apparatus that includes, a mixing chamber for receiving feed, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed, a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element, a drive system having a plurality of drive system components, including the transmission, a torque sensor interconnected with at least one drive system component, a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the torque sensor, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and torque sensor, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.

Abstract: Described herein is an exemplary feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed material, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed material; a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element; a plurality of mixing chamber sensors positioned to sense at least one of the volume and the level of feed material in the mixing chamber; a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the sensors, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and sensors, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.

Abstract: Described herein is an exemplary torque sensing assembly for a feed mixer that includes, a frame of a feed mixer, the frame having a first frame portion and a second frame portion; a transmission having at least two speeds, a housing, an input shaft, and an output shaft, a load cell secured to a second frame portion of the frame; a mounting plate having a first side portion and a second side portion situated opposite the first side, the transmission secured by a plurality of fasteners to a top surface of the mounting plate, hinge rotatably connecting the first side portion to the first frame portion, and a load contact point situated in contact with the load cell, wherein a resultant torque is impartable to the housing to provide a downward force on the load cell, via the load contact point.

Abstract: Described herein is an exemplary feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed material, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed material; a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element; a control unit having a display and a plurality of control panel inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the sensors, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and sensors, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission, and wherein the control unit includes a processor, a memory, and a control program

Abstract: A processor for use with a mixer, which includes a processor frame, mounted to the mixer tub, and a plurality of rotatable shafts, rotatably mounted to the processor frame. A plurality of processing elements is affixed to each of the rotatable shafts. A prime mover is connected to and drives at least one of the rotatable shafts, and at least one other rotatable shaft is rotated by being connected to the first rotatable shaft connected to the prime mover. Some of the processing elements on adjacent rotatable shafts overlap, and others do not. A structure may be provided to control the amount of contact between the processing elements and a material to be processed, which may include a grating above the rotatable shafts, and apparatus for raising and lowering the grating with respect to the processing elements.

Abstract: A chain tensioning apparatus for tensioning a chain of an agricultural barn cleaner. The barn cleaner chain is moved by a motor-driven drive sprocket mounted in a drive tower after contacting a first idler rotatably mounted to the drive tower. A second idler is mounted to the frame and positioned further away from the drive tower than the first idler such that, as the chain moves toward the drive tower, the chain contacts the second idler before contacting the first idler. A chain tensioning idler contacts the chain between the first idler and the second idler and is capable of movement in a direction transverse to the movement of the chain. A biasing member biases the chain tensioning idler toward a take-up position and away from a chain-taut position.

Abstract: A feed mixer with a vertical screw and one or more paddles that enhance mixing efficiency. Each of the paddles has a guide portion that extends below the flighting on the screw, and an attachment portion by which the paddle is connected to the screw. During rotation of the screw, the paddle both draws new material inward onto the flighting and helps retain material on the flighting.

Abstract: A chain tensioning apparatus for tensioning a chain of an agricultural barn cleaner. The barn cleaner chain is moved by a motor-driven drive sprocket mounted in a drive tower after contacting a first idler rotatably mounted to the drive tower. A second idler is mounted to the frame and positioned further away from the drive tower than the first idler such that, as the chain moves toward the drive tower, the chain contacts the second idler before contacting the first idler. A chain tensioning idler contacts the chain between the first idler and the second idler and is capable of movement in a direction transverse to the movement of the chain. A biasing member biases the chain tensioning idler toward a take-up position and away from a chain-taut position.