Abstract: A system and a method for tracking agricultural commodities, such as crop inventories, is based on measuring a flow of crop through an equipment unit during a period of time, and determining the flow of crop through the unit to be a transfer event. More particularly, there is measured a quantity of crop in a first equipment unit; followed by a detection of a presence of one or more additional equipment units proximate the first equipment unit; and by a determination of at least one crop transfer event between the first equipment and at least one of the additional equipment units based on a change in the quantity of crop in the first equipment unit and the detection of presence.

Abstract: A tilt bed trailer is provided with a latching system to secure the tilt bed in a transport position. The tilt bed trailer can have a frame with a first side rail and a second side rail. Ground wheels can be attached to the frame. A tilting bed portion can have a first pivoting rail and a second pivoting rail provided inside the first side rail and the second side rail and pivotally connected to the side rails so that the tilting bed portion can pivot relative to the frame around a pivot axis. A keeper can extend laterally from at least one of the pivoting rails. A latching assembly can include a rod extending between the side rails, a lever connected to the rod and at least one latching member engageable with the keeper. A biasing element can be provided to place a torsional force on the rod.

Abstract: An agricultural equipment drive system comprises a main drive shaft connectable to a power source, a first gear box, a second gear box and a second drive shaft. The first gear box has a first gear box input connected to the main drive shaft and a first gear box output at a first angle to the first gear box input. The second gear box has a second gear box input connected to the first gear box output and a second gear box output at a second angle to the second gear box input. The second drive shaft connects the first gear box output to the second gear box input.

Abstract: A compact quick coupling apparatus has a wedge movable between closed and open positions. A wedge spring extends in the opening direction from the wedge and urges the wedge in the closing direction. A latch spring urges a safety latch to a latched position to prevent the wedge from moving. A single acting hydraulic cylinder extends through the wedge and extends in the opening direction from the wedge. As the hydraulic cylinder extends it first moves the safety latch to the unlatched position, and then moves the wedge in the opening direction. When pressurized fluid is released from the hydraulic cylinder, it retracts and the wedge moves in the closing in response to the wedge spring until the wedge reaches the closed position, and then the hydraulic cylinder further retracts in response to the latch spring and the safety latch moves to the latched position.

Abstract: A compact quick coupling apparatus has a wedge movable between closed and open positions. A wedge spring extends in the opening direction from the wedge and urges the wedge in the closing direction. A latch spring urges a safety latch to a latched position to prevent the wedge from moving. A single acting hydraulic cylinder extends through the wedge and extends in the opening direction from the wedge. As the hydraulic cylinder extends it first moves the safety latch to the unlatched position, and then moves the wedge in the opening direction. When pressurized fluid is released from the hydraulic cylinder, it retracts and the wedge moves in the closing in response to the wedge spring until the wedge reaches the closed position, and then the hydraulic cylinder further retracts in response to the latch spring and the safety latch moves to the latched position.

Abstract: An agricultural equipment drive system comprises a main drive shaft connectable to a power source, a first gear box, a second gear box and a second drive shaft. The first gear box has a first gear box input connected to the main drive shaft and a first gear box output at a first angle to the first gear box input. The second gear box has a second gear box input connected to the first gear box output and a second gear box output at a second angle to the second gear box input. The second drive shaft connects the first gear box output to the second gear box input.

Abstract: A belt guide apparatus for attachment to a belt conveyor comprises top and bottom plates. Walls extend between the top and bottom plates. The plates and walls form a belt envelope that defines a belt opening that substantially corresponds to a cross-section of the endless belt such that the endless belt can slide freely through the belt opening yet is substantially prevented from moving laterally or vertically. A front entrance of the belt envelope is configured to funnel the endless belt into the belt opening, and when attached to the belt conveyor the belt envelope is oriented such that the right and left walls are aligned with a desired path of the endless belt, and the endless belt passes through the belt opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting separation of particles from a mixture of particles and gas, the apparatus comprises: a housing that defines therethrough a channel; an inlet in said housing to admit the mixture of particles and gas into the channel; a deflector in the channel; and a gas outlet port substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the channel and downstream of the deflector; wherein the deflector is shaped to direct the particles past the gas outlet port. A method of separation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A quick coupling apparatus for coupling a tool to a tool arm comprises a coupler member attached to the tool arm, and configured to engage a mounting bracket extending out from the tool. A wedge is mounted on the coupler member and is movable, when the coupler member and mounting bracket are engaged, from a closed position engaged in a groove on the mounting bracket to an open position where the wedge is removed from the groove. A wedge positioning mechanism selectively moves the wedge to the closed position and the open position. When the wedge moves into the groove and into the closed position, a remotely operated latch control moves a safety latch from an unlatched position to a latched position to prevent the wedge from moving toward the open position. The wedge positioning mechanism can be configured to utilize a single or double acting actuator.

Abstract: A belt guide apparatus for attachment to a belt conveyor comprises top and bottom plates. Walls extend between the top and bottom plates. The plates and walls form a belt envelope that defines a belt opening that substantially corresponds to a cross-section of the endless belt such that the endless belt can slide freely through the belt opening yet is substantially prevented from moving laterally or vertically. A front entrance of the belt envelope is configured to funnel the endless belt into the belt opening, and when attached to the belt conveyor the belt envelope is oriented such that the right and left walls are aligned with a desired path of the endless belt, and the endless belt passes through the belt opening.

Abstract: A quick coupling apparatus for coupling a tool to a tool arm comprises a coupler member attached to the tool arm, and configured to engage a mounting bracket extending out from the tool. A wedge is mounted on the coupler member and is movable, when the coupler member and mounting bracket are engaged, from a closed position engaged in a groove on the mounting bracket to an open position where the wedge is removed from the groove. A wedge positioning mechanism selectively moves the wedge to the closed position and the open position. When the wedge moves into the groove and into the closed position, a remotely operated latch control moves a safety latch from an unlatched position to a latched position to prevent the wedge from moving toward the open position. The wedge positioning mechanism can be configured to utilize a single or double acting actuator.

Abstract: An intake conduit apparatus comprises an intake conduit adapted at a downstream output end thereof for connection to an intake of a vacuum conveyor, and adapted at an upstream input end thereof to facilitate entry of granular material. Ramps slope inward and downstream from the interior wall of the intake conduit, and there is a vent hole through the wall of the intake conduit adjacent to a downstream end of each ramp such that air enters the intake conduit adjacent to the downstream end of each ramp.

Abstract: An intake conduit apparatus comprises an intake conduit adapted at a downstream output end thereof for connection to an intake of a vacuum conveyor, and adapted at an upstream input end thereof to facilitate entry of granular material. Ramps slope inward and downstream from the interior wall of the intake conduit, and there is a vent hole through the wall of the intake conduit adjacent to a downstream end of each ramp such that air enters the intake conduit adjacent to the downstream end of each ramp.

Abstract: A folding structure supports a duct in a generally horizontal orientation, and permits sweeping and serpentine movement of the duct. The structure is foldable for storage and transport. The structure comprises an array of panels hinged together, with the structure biased upward from its base to its free end for counteracting the weight of the loaded duct.

Abstract: For use with a road/rail vehicle that is convertible from a road mode for traveling on a road, to a rail mode for traveling on rails, an apparatus for mounting a rail wheel to the vehicle. The apparatus comprises an air bag bearing against the rail wheel and the vehicle frame such that the vehicle frame is supported on the rail wheel by the air bag and such that the vehicle frame can move up and down with respect to the rail wheel in response to motion of the vehicle along a set of rails. A stop mechanism is attached to the vehicle frame and to the rail wheel and is operative to allow the vehicle frame to move down with respect to the rail wheel only to a stopped position where adjacent road wheels of the vehicle are above the rails. A kit allows installation on existing road/rail vehicles.

Abstract: A conveyor transport apparatus comprises a main portable conveyor and a secondary conveyor releasably attached to the main conveyor frame. An actuator is operable to move the secondary conveyor from a ground position where the secondary conveyor is supported on the ground, to a transport position where the secondary conveyor is raised above the ground. The apparatus may be configured so that the secondary conveyor is supported on the ground and attached to the main conveyor when the main conveyor is in a raised position and the secondary conveyor is raised above the ground when the main conveyor is in a lowered position. The main conveyor can be attached to a towing vehicle for transport of the apparatus.

Abstract: A conveyor transport apparatus comprises a main portable conveyor and a secondary conveyor releasably attached to the main conveyor frame. An actuator is operable to move the secondary conveyor from a ground position where the secondary conveyor is supported on the ground, to a transport position where the secondary conveyor is raised above the ground. The apparatus may be configured so that the secondary conveyor is supported on the ground and attached to the main conveyor when the main conveyor is in a raised position and the secondary conveyor is raised above the ground when the main conveyor is in a lowered position. The main conveyor can be attached to a towing vehicle for transport of the apparatus.

Abstract: A belt conveyor for conveying granular material comprises a tube and a hopper. Guide members guide the belt from a flat orientation as the belt leaves the lower roller into a cupped orientation as the belt enters the hopper. The cupped orientation is maintained by sliding contact at an interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls as the belt passes through the hopper. Left and right baffle members are attached along the hopper side walls and thereby prevent the granular material from sliding down the hopper walls into contact with the interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls. The belt has a width that is substantially fully exposed to granular material entering the hopper. A method of increasing the capacity of a belt conveyor comprises reducing the width of the flashing covering belt side portions.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting grain or the like consists of three or more sections foldable about two axes of rotation displaced from each other. Separate retractors operate to fold the conveyor about the two axes. A link connecting the first and second retractors permits a single actuator to fully fold the conveyor about the two axes. The first and second axes may be rotationally displaced from each other by about 90.degree..