Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movements and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: A track assembly includes an elongated main frame supported for pivotal movement on a transverse axis and having opposite end portions supporting a set of end wheels. An endless flexible belt extends around the end wheels and has an upper run and a lower run for engaging the ground. A plurality of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels are positioned below the main frame and engage the lower run of the belt. The bogie wheels are carried by bogie frames supported for vertical movement and also for tilting movement relative to a plane defined by the axes of the end wheels. The bogie frames are urged or biased downwardly against the lower run of the belt by compression members extending from the main frame and preferably in the form of annular rubber spring members.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: A track assembly includes an elongated main frame supported for pivotal movement on a transverse axis and having opposite end portions supporting a set of end wheels. An endless flexible belt extends around the end wheels and has an upper run and a lower run for engaging the ground. A plurality of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels are positioned below the main frame and engage the lower run of the belt. The bogie wheels are carried by bogie frames supported for vertical movement and also for tilting movement relative to a plane defined by the axes of the end wheels. The bogie frames are urged or biased downwardly against the lower run of the belt by compression members extending from the main frame and preferably in the form of annular rubber spring members.

Abstract: A grain cart includes a lower auger conveyor section and an upper auger conveyor section pivotally movable relative to the lower auger conveyor section between a first position and a second position. The lower auger conveyor section further includes an auger feed gate movable between a closed position and an open position. The grain cart further includes a movement actuator adapted to move the upper auger conveyor section between the first position and the second position. The grain also includes a control system including an auger feed gate position sensor operatively coupled to the movement actuator and functioning to control the movement actuator based on input from the auger feed gate position sensor to provide a lock out function preventing the movement actuator from moving the upper auger conveyor section towards the first position only when the auger feed gate is in the open position.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus includes a first main wing and at least one wheel on one side and a second main wing and at least one wheel on an opposite side. The first and second main wings are pivotable about respective axes of rotation between extended positions in which the first and second main wings extend laterally outward from respective opposite sides of the frame structure, and retracted, storage positions in which the first and second main wings extend generally along a length of the frame structure for shipping or transport. The first and second main wings include respective raised sections each configured to extend over a respective wheel on a corresponding side of the frame structure in the storage position. The raised sections each include a frame having a generally concave shape receiving a portion of one of the first and second wheels in the storage position.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: A grain cart includes a lower auger conveyor section and an upper auger conveyor section pivotally movable relative to the lower auger conveyor section between a first position and a second position. The lower auger conveyor section further includes an auger feed gate movable between a closed position and an open position. The grain cart further includes a movement actuator adapted to move the upper auger conveyor section between the first position and the second position. The grain also includes a control system including an auger feed gate position sensor operatively coupled to the movement actuator and functioning to control the movement actuator based on input from the auger feed gate position sensor to provide a lock out function preventing the movement actuator from moving the upper auger conveyor section towards the first position only when the auger feed gate is in the open position.

Abstract: A track assembly includes an elongated main frame supported for pivotal movement on a transverse axis and having opposite end portions supporting a set of end wheels. An endless flexible belt extends around the end wheels and has an upper run and a lower run for engaging the ground. A plurality of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels are positioned below the main frame and engage the lower run of the belt. The bogie wheels are carried by bogie frames supported for vertical movement and also for tilting movement relative to a plane defined by the axes of the end wheels. The bogie frames are urged or biased downwardly against the lower run of the belt by compression members extending from the main frame and preferably in the form of annular rubber spring members.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: A track assembly includes an elongated main frame supported for pivotal movement on a transverse axis and having opposite end portions supporting a set of end wheels. An endless flexible belt extends around the end wheels and has an upper run and a lower run for engaging the ground. A plurality of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels are positioned below the main frame and engage the lower run of the belt. The bogie wheels are carried by bogie frames supported for vertical movement and also for tilting movement relative to a plane defined by the axes of the end wheels. The bogie frames are urged or biased downwardly against the lower run of the belt by compression members extending from the main frame and preferably in the form of annular rubber spring members.

Abstract: An auger conveyor for granular material or grain has a discharge outlet portion which pivotally supports a tubular inner spout section of a telescoping spout assembly. The inner spout section is pivoted by a remotely controlled actuator between an outwardly projecting upper discharge position and a downwardly projecting lower discharge position. The assembly includes an outer tubular spout section supported by the inner spout section for telescoping movement on the inner spout section, and an actuator in the form of an elongated link member pivotally connects the outer spout section to the conveyor outlet portion to produce the telescoping movement of the outer spout section in response to pivoting of the inner spout section. The spout assembly maintains a substantially constant vertical height while moving between the upper and lower discharge positions to avoid interference with a container receiving the grain.

Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported container with an inclined auger unloading conveyor having an inclined lower section positioned to receive grain from the container and an upper section supported for folding movement between a stored position adjacent the container and an inclined discharge position projecting upwardly, forwardly and laterally outwardly from the left side wall of the container. The upper section of the auger conveyor has a tubular housing with an askewed discharge spout supporting a pivotable flow control spout for tilting movement on a horizontal axis extending parallel to the left side wall of the container for discharge of grain laterally across an open top rectangular semi-trailer within a vertical plane perpendicular to the left side wall of the cart. The flow control spout is tilted by a remotely controlled actuator for filling and topping off the semi-trailer including all four corner portions of the trailer.

Abstract: A belt conveyor for transferring a granular material has an elongated cylindrical housing having opposite ends connecting an inlet end portion to an outlet end portion with each end portion supporting a roller for receiving a flexible endless belt. The belt has a width greater than the diameter of the housing causing the belt to curve upwardly within the housing for form a trough for receiving and transferring the material. To maintain alignment of the belt on the rollers and within the housing, an inner surface of the belt has a continuous flexible guide rib, and each roller has a circumferential groove for receiving the guide rib. To extend the life of the belt and the guide rib, the belt is tensioned by adjusting one of the rollers to space the guide rib above the inner surface of the housing when material is being transferred within the housing.

Abstract: An elongated trailer has a frame with longitudinally extending frame members connected by front and rear cross frame members, and a pair of wheels are pivotally connected to opposite ends of each of the front and rear cross frame members. A steering system includes a front steering crank member connected to a tow bar and supported by the front cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis, and a rear steering crank member is supported by the rear cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A set of tie rods pivotally connect the front and rear crank members to the corresponding front and rear wheels. An elongated link member or rod connects the front and rear crank members and extends longitudinally of the frame substantially above the bottom surfaces of the frame members to protect the steering system from projecting objects on the ground.

Abstract: A method to connect piping and a piping connection, having the features of a ring connector configured to snugly fit around an external diameter of a pipe; and a piping shield connected to the ring connector, the piping shield having at least one observation window cut into the shield, wherein the piping shield covers an abutment end of the pipe to be connected, wherein a joint between the ring connector and the piping shield forms a connection.

Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame with a tow hitch, and the frame supports a hopper or container having front and rear walls connected by opposite side walls to define a chamber, and the walls incline downwardly and inwardly to a grain removal zone. Wheel well covers project into the chamber through openings in the inclined walls and have outwardly projecting elongated flanges adjacent the inclined walls. The flanges and the inclined walls have spaced aligned holes which receive fasteners or bolts for attaching the wheel well covers to the walls after components of the grain cart have been shipped to a destination. Each wheel well cover preferably has a generally vertical flat inner wall connected to a curved cover wall, and the flanges project from the inner and cover walls. The wheel well covers are formed to fit over the wheels for shipping efficiency.

Abstract: An elongated trailer has a frame with longitudinally extending frame members connected by front and rear cross frame members, and a pair of wheels are pivotally connected to opposite ends of each of the front and rear cross frame members. A steering system includes a front steering crank member connected to a tow bar and supported by the front cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis, and a rear steering crank member is supported by the rear cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A set of tie rods pivotally connect the front and rear crank members to the corresponding front and rear wheels. An elongated link member or rod connects the front and rear crank members and extends longitudinally of the frame substantially above the bottom surfaces of the frame members to protect the steering system from projecting objects on the ground.

Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame on which is mounted an open top container having inclined bottom walls and including a discharge auger conveyor having a lower section extending from a sump for the container adjacent a front left inclined corner portion of the container. The auger conveyor has an extended upper section supported by a hinge assembly having a pivot axis offset and askewed at an acute angle from the auger axis. The hinge assembly provides for pivoting the upper conveyor section between an inclined grain discharge position projecting upwardly, laterally outwardly and forwardly from the container and a stored position inclined downwardly at a substantial angle from the hinge assembly in front of the container. In the stored position, the grain discharge outlet is located lower than the top surfaces of the wheels.

Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame on which is mounted an open top container having inclined bottom walls and including a single discharge auger conveyor having a lower section extending from a sump for the container adjacent a front left inclined corner portion of the container. The auger conveyor has an extended upper section supported by a hinge assembly having a pivot axis offset and askewed at an acute angle from the auger axis. The hinge assembly provides for pivoting the upper conveyor section between an inclined grain discharge position projecting upwardly, laterally outwardly and forwardly from the container and a stored position inclined downwardly at a substantial angle from the hinge assembly in front of the container. In the stored position, the grain discharge outlet is located lower than the top surfaces of the wheels.