Abstract: A method for controlling the advancement of a grain bin sweep into a grain pile in a grain bin comprises monitoring the amperage of the auger drive and controlling the sweep drive motor based on the amperage load of the auger drive. The speed and direction of the sweep is controlled to maintain the load on the auger drive in a desired range. Hence, the speed of the sweep is slowed if the amperage load on the auger drive exceeds a desired maximum set point by a first amount; the direction of the sweep is reversed if the load on the auger drive exceeds the maximum set point by a second amount which is greater than the first amount; and the forward speed of the sweep is increased if the load on the auger drive falls below a minimum.

Abstract: A plank (10) used to construct a platform such as a catwalk (C3, C4) extending about the exterior or interior of a building (B) includes first and second generally horizontal sections (12, 24). The second generally horizontal section of the plank extends from one side of the first section. During construction of the platform, the first section of one plank overlaps the second section of an adjacent plank. A third generally vertical section (52) of the plank extends generally perpendicularly from one side of the second section and includes lips (58, 60) at its inner and outer ends for attaching the plank to toe boards (40,44) to secure the plank to the frames. When installed, the planks extend from a side of the building. The resulting catwalk extends either in a straight line, or is curved, depending upon the amount of overlap the first and second sections of the respective planks.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

Abstract: An impactor is externally securable to a container of flowable material to break up bridging or clumping of the material in the container. The impactor comprises a strike plate mountable to an outlet hopper or the like and a drive which axially reciprocally moves the hammer, such that operation of the drive causes the hammer to impact the strike plate to thereby pass vibrations into the container.

Abstract: A feed level sensor for a poultry feeding system is positioned within the drop tube of a control feeder of the feeding system. The sensor comprise a first light emitter/light detector pair to detect when the level of feed in the drop tube falls below a predetermined “empty” level and a second light emitter/light detector pair to detect when feed in the drop tube is at a predetermined “full” level in the drop tube. The sensor emits a “start” signal to activate a drive to deliver feed to the feeders along a feed line when it is detected that feed in the control feeder drop tube falls below the “empty” level and emits a “stop” signal to deactivate the drive when it detects that feed within the drop tube is at the “full” level.

Abstract: A combined plenum divider/hopper is provided for a grain drying tower. The divider/hopper is positioned in the drying tower proximate the heater for the drying tower and is operable to adjust the ratio of the length of the heating portion of the plenum to the length of the cooling portion of the plenum.

Abstract: A corner assembly for a tube conveyor system comprises a housing defining a wheel receiving area and a flow path with ports at opposite ends of the flow path. A wheel rotatably received in the wheel receiving area comprises a rim having an upper surface and a lower surface; a pair of spaced apart channels formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the rim; and at least one flapper pivotally mounted to the wheel inside of the rim. The flapper is freely movable between a position in which it is aligned with a wall of one of the channels and a position in which it is aligned with a wall of the other of the channels. Thus, when the wheel rotates, the flapper will sweep any material in the wheel receiving area towards and through one of the channels and into the flow path.

Abstract: A corner assembly for a tube conveyor system comprises a housing defining a wheel receiving area and a flow path defining an angle and having ports at opposite ends of said flow path. A wheel is rotatably received in the wheel receiving area. The wheel comprises a rim having an upper surface and a lower surface; at least one pair of spaced apart channels formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the rim; and at least one flapper pivotally mounted to said wheel inside of said rim. The flapper is freely movable between a first position in which the flapper is aligned with a wall of one of the channels and a second position in which the flapper is aligned with a wall of the other of the channels. Thus, when the wheel rotates, the flapper will sweep any material in the wheel receiving area towards and through one of the channels and into the flow path.

Abstract: A sampler improves sampling and moisture measurements by reducing the introduction of fines, providing a more representative grain sample, and improving the ability to make consistent moisture measurements. The sampler has a body positioned to receive grain from a grain flow path. A primary auger positioned within the body has a shaft and a fin configured to lift and propel a portion of the grain up to and through a sampling opening. A sensor assembly operatively connected to the body and in communication with the sampling opening is configured to receive the portion of grain indicate the moisture content of the portion of grain.

Abstract: A control assembly for use in a feed delivery assembly comprises a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber between said inlet and outlet. The chamber is opened in a plane parallel, but radially offset from, an axis of the inlet and outlet. A tube member is removably receivable in the chamber. The removable tube member includes a tube having a length sufficient to span a distance between the inlet and outlet tubes. At least one infrared emitter and at least one infrared receiver are mounted on the tube member tube and are positioned to be opposed to each other such that the receiver will receive and detect light from the emitter. The emitter and receiver are operatively connected to a controller. The controller emits a signal when it is determined that the light from the emitter to the receiver is interrupted.

Abstract: A grain for the storage of grain millions of bushels of grain comprises a floor, a peripheral wall and a flexible covering. The grain bin includes an unloading system which enables the grain to be unloaded from the grain bin without the need to remove the covering and which substantially reduces the dust typically produced during unloading of currently used temporary grain bins.

Abstract: A combined plenum divider/hopper is provided for a grain drying tower. The divider/hopper is positioned in the drying tower proximate the heater for the drying tower and is operable to adjust the ratio of the length of the heating portion of the plenum to the length of the cooling portion of the plenum.

Abstract: A control assembly for use in a feed delivery assembly comprises a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber between said inlet and outlet. The chamber is opened in a plane parallel, but radially offset from, an axis of the inlet and outlet. A tube member is removably receivable in the chamber. The removable tube member includes a tube having a length sufficient to span a distance between the inlet and outlet tubes. At least one infrared emitter and at least one infrared receiver are mounted on the tube member tube and are positioned to be opposed to each other such that the receiver will receive and detect light from the emitter. The emitter and receiver are operatively connected to a controller. The controller emits a signal when it is determined that the light from the emitter to the receiver is interrupted.

Abstract: A corner assembly for a tube conveyor system comprises a housing defining a wheel receiving area and a flow path defining an angle and having ports at opposite ends of said flow path. A wheel is rotatably received in the wheel receiving area. The wheel comprises a rim having an upper surface and a lower surface; at least one pair of spaced apart channels formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the rim; and at least one flapper pivotally mounted to said wheel inside of said rim. The flapper is freely movable between a first position in which the flapper is aligned with a wall of one of the channels and a second position in which the flapper is aligned with a wall of the other of the channels. Thus, when the wheel rotates, the flapper will sweep any material in the wheel receiving area towards and through one of the channels and into the flow path.

Abstract: A material level detection sensor (10) having a continuous ultrasonic sensor (12) and a capacitive proximity sensor (13). The capacitive proximity sensor detects the material only when the material is at or within the dead zone (15) of the ultrasonic sensor, at which point it switches the ultrasonic sensor off. The ultrasonic sensor transmits a level detection output signal until it is turned off by the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor transmits a level detection output signal only when it detects the material, and it will switch the ultrasonic sensor on when it does not detect the material. The material level detection sensor transmits only a single level detection output signal at any given time, providing an accurate and reliable estimate of material level. The device is particularly useful for measuring inventory and consumption of particulate solids and powders in bins or silos (11).