Abstract: An auger airlock assembly and end dump housing having a spring loaded bottom for use in a bulk loader which utilizes a source of negative pressure to create a suction air stream that draws particulate materials into the loader for transfer, via the auger assembly, to a location remote of the loader. Materials exiting the auger assembly accumulate within the housing to a point wherein, once the accumulated material has acquired a certain weight, the bottom of the housing is forced open to permit discharge of the material, and, once the material is removed, and is not present in enough quantity to maintain the bottom of the housing to remain open, the spring loaded connection biases the bottom back into a position sealably closing the housing. The bottom of the housing may also be opened by the auger feeding more material into an already full housing, whereby the material is compressed so as to force the door open.

Abstract: A dust management device for a harvester, including ducting in secure engagement with the harvester and adapted to receive air, airborne harvest dust and other materials discharged from the harvester. The dust management device further includes a diffuser-separation chamber, in secure engagement with the harvester, in engagement with the ducting, and adapted to receive air, airborne harvest dust and other materials from the ducting. The diffuser-separation chamber redirects air and airborne harvest dust back into the harvester and discharges other material from the harvester.

Abstract: A high capacity particulate loader having an intake hose on one sidewall thereof which communicates with a source of negative pressure formed by a multi-stage suction mechanism, to create a high suction, high volume and high speed air stream that draws particulate materials through the hose and propels them into a separation chamber where they separate from the air stream and are directed into a discharge auger assembly on the opposite sidewall of the loader. The multi-stage suction mechanism communicates with a separation chamber and/or a settling chamber, the settling chamber providing an area where dust or fine chaff from the suctioned particulate materials, which may be present in the air stream, can settle, through gravity, on a bottom surface of the settling chamber, thus avoiding contact with the blowers so as to prevent clogging of the blowers and rotor wear thereof.

Abstract: An auger latch for securing an auger assembly of a bulk loader, and having a mounting plate with a locking pin thereon for attachment to the loader. The latch features spaced apart guide plates, which define a longitudinally extending opening for receiving the locking pin. A latch plate is pivotally secured to and positioned between the guide plates, the latch plate having a handle portion at one end thereof and a pin engaging portion at an opposite end. When the latch plate is in an unlocked position, the pin engaging portion extends into the opening defined by the guide plates. When the auger assembly is to be moved from a working position to a stowed position adjacent a sidewall of the loader, the locking pin is inserted into the opening of the guide plates to initially engage the pin engaging portion, and, as the locking pin continues to be inserted into the opening, the pin engaging portion biasingly retracts, permitting the locking pin to be inserted fully into the opening.

Abstract: An intake hose on one sidewall of the machine communicates with a source of negative pressure to create a powerful suction air stream that draws particulate materials through the hose and propels them into a chamber where they separate from the air stream and charge by their own momentum directly into a discharge auger assembly on the opposite sidewall of the machine. The auger assembly joins with the sidewall of the machine at an upwardly and outwardly inclined attitude for elevating the materials into a suitable receiving truck or trailer alongside of the machine, and a lower longitudinal portion of the assembly which adjoins the sidewall is open along its length to facilitate the unimpeded reception and entry of particulate materials from the hose directly into the auger.

Abstract: A particulate vacuum collector device comprises a generally closed housing 74 including a bottom portion 140 particulate material and air inlet 90 and an air outlet 84, the inlet and outlet being above the bottom portion and the air outlet being adapted to be connected with an air suction generator 40. A perforated drum 160 within the housing screens air flow between the inlet and the air outlet while particulate material gravity falls to the bottom portion. A particulate material outlet 220 is separate from the inlet and is associated with the bottom portion of the collector.