Abstract: A chip sampling device comprising a sampling probe including an outer rotatable tube having an inner tube positioned therein. The upper end of the inner tube is in communication with a source of vacuum so that chips will be drawn into the lower end of the inner tube. The lower end of the inner tube is provided with serrations provided at the lower end thereof while the lower end of the outer tube is provided with serrations and inwardly extending fingers. The rotation of the outer tube and the action of the various serrations and fingers prevents the chips from plugging the lower end of the outer tube or from plugging the lower end of the inner tube.

Abstract: A self-cleaning en-masse conveyor comprising an elongated conveyor housing having a removable bottom panel which defines an arc of approximately 90.degree.. Vertically disposed wall sections extend upwardly from the upper edges of the bottom panel and have a lid or cover extending across the upper ends thereof. A conveyor chain is mounted in the conveyor and includes a plurality of flat flights positioned thereon which have a rounded edge which conforms in shape to the cross-section of the bottom panel.

Abstract: A sampler apparatus includes a housing which is adapted for mounting on pressurized conveying lines and a remotely mounted control unit. The housing includes a sampling probe which is extended from the housing to enter the conveying line and collect a sample of material flowing in the conveying line and then is retracted into the housing. An auger is provided to clean out the sampling probe when in the retracted position and force the sampled materials into a discharge tube. The control unit controls the timing of the extension and the retraction portion of the operating cycle.

Abstract: A wood chip sampler is provided which is capable of extracting a repeatable and reliable sample of wood chips or similar particulate material from a product stream. The apparatus includes a sampling probe which has a slot which allows the product to enter the sampling probe. The probe is driven into the product stream with the slot in a six o'clock position, rotated through the twelve o'clock position to allow the product to enter the sampling probe, and then rotated to place the slot in a three o'clock position, and then retracted from the product stream into a housing. Once retracted, the probe is again rotated to place the slot on a six o'clock position, allowing the sampled material to be discharged by gravity into a hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of the quality parameters of granular materials includes a loader assembly which delivers precise volume samples of granular material to a meter assembly which measures the moisture content. The apparatus also includes a sieve assembly which separates the samples into fractions according to kernel size. A scale assembly weighs the fractions and feeds this information to a computer which controls the apparatus and calculates the moisture content, density and percentage of foreign material contained in the granular material.