Abstract: A grain loading and spreading device has a tapered housing with a grain flow restrictor valve assembly that will cause a uniform discharge of grain around the perimeter of a lower discharge opening. The valve assembly has upper and lower cam elements on a downwardly extending motor drive shaft. The lower cam element is fixed to the shaft, and the upper cam element is not fixed to the shaft. The cam elements are releasably engaged with each other. A horizontal plate with vertical baffles on the upper surface is secured to the upper cam element. When grain flow restricts the rotation of the plate and baffles, the upper cam element will be moved upwardly with respect to the lower cam element, to enlarge the width of the grain passageway between the perimeters of the plate and the side wall of the tapered housing.

Abstract: The grain spreading device of this invention comprises an inverted conically-shaped hopper having an open upper end and a smaller open lower end. A variable speed motor is mounted within the hopper, and has an output power shaft which extends downwardly through the open lower end thereof. An elongated sleeve embraces the lower end of the power shaft, and the sleeve is operatively connected to the power shaft by a series of vertically disposed cam members which embrace the shaft within the sleeve. A resilient spring is mounted within the lower end of the sleeve around the lower end of the shaft and supports the lower cam member to which the sleeve is attached. The upper cam member is rigidly secured to the shaft and rotational power is imparted to the sleeve from the shaft through the cam members. The vertical position of the sleeve with respect to the shaft is dictated by the spring.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of an apparatus for cleaning particulate material, particularly grain, wherein the grain is comprised of relatively heavy whole grain particulates and relatively lightweight fine grain particles and foreign material. An upstanding vertically disposed housing has upper and lower ends with upper and lower vertically spaced hoppers having upper and lower ends mounted therein. Vibrating screen members of a frusto-conical shape are mounted on the upper ends of the hoppers. The hoppers are laterally spaced from the housing to create a substantially continuous vertical air conduit from the lower to the upper end of the housing. A centrifugal fan is mounted on the top of the housing to move air upwardly through the air conduit. A second air conduit connects the lower ends of the hoppers and the upper end of the housing, and is operable so that suction is imposed by the fan on the second air conduit.