Abstract: A spout assembly and related method of regulating the flow of particulate material. The spout assembly includes a chute, at least first and second plates, and a counterbalance mechanism. The first and second plates are positioned downstream from the chute, the lower ends of the first and second plates defining an opening with an area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the chute so that the material may accumulate prior to passing through the opening. The counterbalance mechanism produces a biasing force on the first and second plates toward the centerline to adjust the area of the opening, and permits the first and second plates to move outwardly away from the centerline in response to the weight of the accumulated material. The counterbalance mechanism includes at least a first separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to the first plate and a second separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to a second plate.

Abstract: A spout assembly and related method of regulating the flow of particulate material. The spout assembly includes a chute, at least first and second plates, and a counterbalance mechanism. The first and second plates are positioned downstream from the chute, the lower ends of the first and second plates defining an opening with an area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the chute so that the material may accumulate prior to passing through the opening. The counterbalance mechanism produces a biasing force on the first and second plates toward the centerline to adjust the area of the opening, and permits the first and second plates to move outwardly away from the centerline in response to the weight of the accumulated material. The counterbalance mechanism includes at least a first separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to the first plate and a second separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to a second plate.

Abstract: A spout controls grain or other particulate material falling through and being discharged from a conduit. An array of plates is mounted at the discharge end of a chute to control the flow of the particulate material there from. A counterbalance mechanism is coupled to each of the plates and can be precisely adjusted to provide the appropriate counterbalancing force on the plates to control the particulate material flow without damage to the particulate material and to minimize the dust generated in the flow of the material. A divider is mounted in the stream of material flowing to the array of plates to reduce the dust escaping the flowing material.

Abstract: A receiving pit has a grid covering an uppermost opening through which grain or other material is deposited into the pit. The grid including a series of generally parallel and spaced bars and a dust control device according to this invention includes a number of flights each adapted to be positioned beneath the grid. The dust control device includes a number of generally vertically extending bulkheads each adapted to be positioned beneath the grid and juxtaposed to a free end of one of the flights to thereby inhibit the escape of dust from the receiving pit. Each flight includes a series of blades capable of independently deflecting in response to an amount of material deposited through the grid and onto the blade. The dust control device also includes a release mechanism coupled to each of the flights to manually deflect at least selected blades and allow material remaining atop the blade to fall into the receiving pit.

Abstract: A variable accumulator or regulator controls grain or other particulate material falling through and being discharged from a conduit. An array of blades are mounted at the discharge end of the accumulator to control the flow of the particulate material therefrom. A counterbalance mechanism is coupled to each of the blades and can be precisely adjusted to provide the appropriate counterbalancing force on the blades to control the particulate material flow without damage to the particulate material.