Abstract: A series of pipe manipulating tools having an elongated handle and a pipe engaging portion that grips a pipe when a force in a single direction is applied to the handle. A pipe engaging portion of a first pipe rotating tool has a first pivotally mounted arcuate jaw with a hand grip secured thereto, and a second arcuate jaw fixedly mounted to the handle. A spring biases the jaw members into clamping engagement with a pipe during use. Pipe engaging portions of second, third, fourth, and fifth pipe turning tools each have an arcuate member fixed to a handle, and at least one engagement tooth fixed at an end of the arcuate member for engaging a hook-receiving recess or protrusion on a bell end of an irrigation pipe. A pipe engaging portion of a sixth pipe tool includes an engagement tooth extending axially from a handle to engage a groove recess on a bell end of an irrigation pipe. The sixth pipe tool can be used to pull apart irrigation pipelines without gripping the bell end of the pipe by hand.

Abstract: An irrigation booster pump assembly that includes a frame assembly, a power supply supported by the frame assembly, a vertical drive shaft rotatably supported by the frame assembly, and a propeller. The vertical drive shaft has an upper end drivingly connected to an output shaft of the power supply. A propeller is mounted on a lower end of the vertical drive shaft. The propeller has blades or vanes pitched for pushing water in a downward direction away from the power supply during normal operation of the power supply. The pump assembly further includes a cylindrical member disposed concentrically about the propeller, the cylindrical member rotatably supporting a lower end portion of the vertical drive shaft. The cylindrical member is connected to the frame assembly by a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated rods, each rod having one end fixed to the frame assembly and another end fixed to the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A pipe manipulating tool having an elongated handle and a pipe engaging portion that grips a pipe when a unidirectional force is applied to the handle. A pipe engaging portion of a first pipe rotating tool has a first arcuate jaw pivotally mounted to the handle and a second arcuate jaw fixedly mounted to the handle. A spring biases the jaw members into clamping engagement with a pipe during use. A pipe engaging portion of a second pipe rotating tool has an arcuate member fixed to the handle with an engagement tooth fixed at a free end of the arcuate member for engaging a hook-receiving recess of a bell end of an irrigation pipe. A pipe engaging portion of a third pipe tool includes an engagement tooth extending axially from the handle to engage in a groove recess of a bell end of an irrigation pipe. A stabilizing member is also fixed to the handle so that the tool can be used to pull apart irrigation pipe without gripping the bell end of the pipe by hand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material transfer assembly usable with a pneumatic grain handling system to transfer granular material from a storage bin to a transport truck. The material transfer assembly is connected to a discharge side of the pneumatic grain handling system and includes a discharge joint assembly mounted between an inlet tube assembly and a discharge tube assembly. The discharge joint assembly is provided with a ball sleeve assembly mounted about a ball joint to provide for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis through a tube actuator assembly. The inlet tube assembly is provided with telescopingly mounted first and second tube members operable wherein the second tube member is selectively secured in a desired rotational position about a vertical axis by a lock arm assembly.

Abstract: A rotary screen assembly for a pneumatic grain handling device is described which is comprised of a perforated cylindrical screen member rotatably driven by a propeller means which is placed in the airstream of the device. The screen assembly includes a cut-off plate positioned at the bottom inside surface of the screen member for interupting airflow through a portion of the screen member thereby creating a continuous cleaning action of the screen assembly. The screen assembly is particularly useful for preventing abrasive airborne particles from entering into and damaging the blower components.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ground actuated lid operating system including (1) a pressure release lid apparatus operable to selectively open and close a pressure lid member to release fluid pressure from the interior of a silo structure; and (2) an entrance lid closure apparatus operable to open and close a closure lid member without leaving the area of the support surface adjacent the silo structure. The pressure release lid apparatus has the pressure lid member biased to a closed positive seal condition and opened through the use of a lid actuator assembly and lid linkage assembly which is operable from a position adjacent to a side wall of the silo structure not requiring the climbing thereof. The entrance lid closure apparatus is provided with an axially movable closure lid member which is movable from the open condition to add granular materials to the silo structure and laterally and subsequently downwardly to a positive sealed position about a silo entrance opening.

Abstract: This invention is an improved breather bag apparatus used with a sealed storage bin such as a silo allowing for expansion and contraction of the air within the sealed structure due to changes in the air temperature in the sealed storage bin. As a material with a high moisture content is normally being stored, the connector pipe between the improved breather bag structure is inclined back into the storage bin for any condensed fluid to flow back into the storage bin to keep the stored material moist. This improved breather bag apparatus is mountable on the sidewall of an existing silo within a protector shell member and having a bag member that is readily observable from adjacent the silo to ascertain whether such is operating properly and having a drain valve to release fluid from the bag member. The protector shell member is provided with a bottom wall with an access door to allow one entrance to the drain valve for operation thereof.

Abstract: This invention is a breather bag apparatus used with a sealed storage bin such as a silo allowing for expansion and contraction of the air within the sealed structure. This breather bag apparatus is mountable on the sidewall of an existing silo and having a bag member that is readily observable from adjacent the silo to ascertain whether such is operating properly.