Abstract: A ground-conforming portable truck scale which may be positioned on uneven ground for weighing a truck comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side truss members having a center cross-beam pivotally secured thereto and extending therebetween, a plurality of cross-beams loosely connected to the side truss member and extending therebetween, a front ramp pivotally secured to the forward ends of the side frame members, and a rear ramp pivotally secured to the rearward ends of the side truss members. Weigh cells are provided between the ends of the side truss members and the front and rear ramps.

Abstract: An amusement ride (100) is disclosed which includes first and second vehicles (128, 130) which are supported in a cantilevered manner off cantilever beams (124, 126) from the stationary supporting track (102) to provide the occupants with the impression of being unsupported. The vehicles (128, 130) are floorless to enhance the effect for the passengers. A coaster style floorless amusement ride (150) is provided. A second embodiment of the amusement ride (200) has a floor style vehicle (202, 204). It can also be a coaster style amusement ride (220). A hubless and spokeless Ferris wheel (10) is also provided.

Abstract: An amusement ride (100) is disclosed which includes first and second vehicles (128, 130) which are supported in a cantilevered manner off cantilever beams (124, 126) from the stationary supporting track (102) to provide the occupants with the impression of being unsupported. The vehicles (128, 130) are floorless to enhance the effect for the passengers. A coaster style floorless amusement ride (150) is provided. A second embodiment of the amusement ride (200) has a floor style vehicle (202, 204). It can also be a coaster style amusement ride (220). A hubless and spokeless Ferris wheel (10) is also provided.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including a feed hopper having a sloped front wall and a sloped back wall with the sloped walls being substantially parallel to one another to reduce or prevent bridging of the material in the hopper.

Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including density control cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine and including means for anchoring the opposite ends of the density control cables. The machine also includes a cable rewind spool which is mounted on one end of the rotor of the machine to enable each of the density control cables to be pulled from the tunnel after the bag has been filled.

Abstract: A compost bagging machine is described including a wheeled frame having a tunnel mounted thereon which is adapted to receive the opened mouth of a clear and transparent bag. The inside surface of the tunnel is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart flutes which create air channels in the material within the bag. An elongated perforated pipe is also positioned within the material in the bag and the bagging machine moves relative to the bag during the bagging operation. The presence of air in the channels created by the flutes and the air present in the perforated pipe ensures that sufficient air will be present in the mass to achieve complete decomposition of the material. The method of composting material within the clear and transparent bag is also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine comprising a pair of criss-crossed cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine. One of the cables is stationary while the other of the cables is adjustable so that the width of the adjustable cable may be varied to increase or decease the resistance of the cable to the feedstuffs passing through the tunnel.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including a wheeled frame having an upstanding face panel to which multiple size tunnels may be attached.

Abstract: A bag pan is provided for an agricultural bagging machine wherein the bag pan includes a support which is pivotally secured to the axle of the machine and which is adapted to have various sizes of bag pans removably positioned thereon. A handle extends forwardly from the bag pan support towards the forward end of the machine. When the handle is in its upper position, the bag pan rests on the ground so that the bag may be loaded thereonto. When the handle is in its lower and locked position, the folded bag is supported on the bag pan with the proper amount of clearance being provided between the bag pan and the tunnel floor.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine having a pair of bag retainers secured to the top wall of the tunnel to prevent the folded bag from being pulled from the tunnel at a rate greater than is necessary. When large agricultural bags are being employed, the bag retainers are mounted on a cradle which may be lifted and positioned on the top wall of the tunnel.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: A conveyor for an agricultural feed bagging machine is disclosed and includes a double-bottom auger trough which extends upwardly and rearwardly over the upper end of the front hopper panel of the hopper on the machine. A pair of elongated augers are mounted in the double-bottom trough and have flighting thereon which are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The augers are rotated in opposite directions so that the feed is conveyed upwardly towards the upper end of the hopper. The front auger has flighting thereon which terminates at approximately where the front auger intersects the upper end of the front panel. The back auger has flighting thereon which terminates at approximately where the back auger intersects or passes over the front wall of the hopper panel. Projections are provided on the upper ends of each of the augers above the flighting thereon.

Abstract: A tilting reversible belt transfer mechanism includes a cradle frame pivotally mounted across a conveyor frame and having belt supporting sheaves on opposite sides, an idler sheave at one end, and a drive sheave at the other end. A diverter belt is supported on the sheaves with transfer portions extending along upper edges of the frame sides. A conveyor roller is geared to the drive sheave and engaged by a power takeoff belt engaging a line shaft of the conveyor. As the drive sheave rotates, the transfer portions of the belt travel in opposite transverse directions. A linear motor arrangement is connected between the cradle frame and the conveyor frame and is operated to pivot the cradle frame in opposite directions about a non-divert position to lift a respective one of the belt transfer portions above the conveyor surface plane to engage and article and move it in an associated transverse direction.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor and an article retarder for slowing or stopping articles on the conveyor. The retarder comprises a trigger, a first switch engageable b the trigger when the trigger is struck by an article, a second switch connected to the first switch and to an actuator and a brake engaged by activation of the actuator. The first and second switch include a time delay such that, when triggered, the actuator engages the brake and after a predetermined period of time, the actuator disengages the brake thereby allowing the article to continue along the conveyor at a reduced speed.

Abstract: A diverter assembly is provided for preferential use with a line-shaft powered roller conveyor. The diverter assembly includes a diverter mechanism having a plurality of transfer loops thereon which may be recessed between rollers of the main conveyor or raised thereabove during diversion. The transfer loops are oriented for diversion generally transversely of a path of conveyance of the main conveyor. The diverter mechanism, including the transfer loops, is mounted upon a frame lift portion of the assembly which moves during selected actuation through a vertical, arcuate pathway relative to a line-shaft in the main conveyor. Rotational power for the transfer loops is derived from the line-shaft of the main conveyor. This is achieved by means of a powered drive wheel mounted on the line-shaft and a power transfer wheel mounted in the frame lift portion.

Abstract: A twisted flat belt drive arrangement transfers rotation between nonparallel shafts. A toothed pulley or gear is affixed to each shaft, and a pair of smooth surfaced idler rollers are mounted to rotate independently on an idler shaft positioned between the two shafts. An endless, flat, toothed belt has end loops meshed with the gears and middle portions twisted to contact a smooth outer surface of the belt with the idler rollers. The twisted flat belt drive arrangement is applied to transferring rotation from a main conveyor line shaft to a line shaft of a branch conveyor intersecting the main conveyor. The arrangement is also applied to providing driving rotation to diverter rollers of a diverter mechanism through an intermediate transmission shaft parallel to the main line shaft. The drive arrangement may be implemented for both purposes on the same conveyor to power diverter rollers of a mechanism which diverts articles onto a branch conveyor which is also powered from the main conveyor line shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable anchor wing is provided for an agricultural bagging machine which not only acts as an anchor against premature movement of the machine as the bag is being filled, but also controls the density of the material being packed in an agricultural bag. The adjustable wing is supported by a pair of longitudinally movable cables with the cables being connected to the wing to enable the wing to be moved from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position.