Abstract: An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first track to mount on a container along a first side of the container opening. The apparatus further includes a second track to mount on the container along a second side of the container opening. The first side is opposite the second side. In addition, the apparatus includes a frame engaged with the first track and the second track. The frame is to move along the first track and the second track between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus also includes a first panel to mounted on the frame to cover a first portion of the container opening. The apparatus further includes a second panel to mounted on the frame to cover a second portion of the container opening. The first panel is to overlap the second panel by a distance.

Abstract: A belt or auger conveyor is rotatably mounted on the frame of a seed cart or tender. The conveyor is mounted on a bracket, which in turn is mounted on the housing of a brake assembly. The brake assembly is rotatably mounted on a spindle fixed to a carriage, which is rollably mounted on tracks of the frame. The carriage allows the inlet of the roller to be longitudinally positioned for receiving seed or grain from a hopper or bulk container, while the spindle allows the outlet end of the conveyor to be rotated approximately 180° for positioning above a planter, truck or other receptacle. The brake assembly allows the rotational position of the conveyor to be infinitely adjusted without limitation to preset positions.

Abstract: A motorized lid assembly is provided on the roof opening of a grain bin. The assembly includes a ring attached to an upstanding collar of the roof opening, with a lid pivotally secured to the ring for movement between a closed position over the roof opening and an open position away from the roof opening. A motor is mounted to the ring and connected to the lid to pivot the lid between the open and closed positions. The motor is actuated remotely by a person on the ground. In the open position, the lid allows 360° access to the roof opening for discharging seed or grain into the bin.

Abstract: A belt conveyor and an auger conveyor are interchangeably mountable on a seed cart or tender. A mounting bracket slidably receives the lower end of the selected conveyor, which is hooked into position at the lower end of the bracket. A removable pin is inserted through the upper end of the bracket and the conveyor to retain the conveyor on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be moved on a carriage along tracks on the frame of the seed cart or tender to position the inlet of the conveyor to receive seeds from bulk seed boxes or a hopper. The conveyor can be rotated to an infinite number of positions along a 180° radius to discharge seed in a desired location.

Abstract: A belt or auger conveyor is rotatably mounted on the frame of a seed cart or tender. The conveyor is mounted on a bracket, which in turn is mounted on the housing of a brake assembly. The brake assembly is rotatably mounted on a spindle fixed to a carriage, which is rollably mounted on tracks of the frame. The carriage allows the inlet of the roller to be longitudinally positioned for receiving seed or grain from a hopper or bulk container, while the spindle allows the outlet end of the conveyor to be rotated approximately 180° for positioning above a planter, truck or other receptacle. The brake assembly allows the rotational position of the conveyor to be infinitely adjusted without limitation to preset positions.

Abstract: A belt conveyor and an auger conveyor are interchangeably mountable on a seed cart or tender. A mounting bracket slidably receives the lower end of the selected conveyor, which is hooked into position at the lower end of the bracket. A removable pin is inserted through the upper end of the bracket and the conveyor to retain the conveyor on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be moved on a carriage along tracks on the frame of the seed cart or tender to position the inlet of the conveyor to receive seeds from bulk seed boxes or a hopper. The conveyor can be rotated to an infinite number of positions along a 180° radius to discharge seed in a desired location.

Abstract: A seed cart has a trailer with the hopper cantilevered over the trailer. The trailer includes a track extending along the left and side and rear end. A conveyor is mounted on a carriage for movement along the track, such that the conveyor can extend from the left side of the trailer or from the rear end of the trailer. The conveyor is pivotal for approximately 180°. The conveyor inlet and outlet can be positioned for loading and unloading the hopper, and can be spaced from the hopper for loading and unloading two separate containers.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly.

Abstract: A manipulator is provided for the discharge conveyor of an agricultural seed cart. The manipulator allows the conveyor to be pivoted between a storage and transport position along the top of the cart and adjacent one side of the cart, and a use position extending from the rear of the cart. The manipulator also allows the conveyor to be swung approximately 180° to either side of the cart for discharge of seed to desired locations during use of the conveyor. The manipulator includes multiple actuators for the pivoting and sliding movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt is provided for use in a tubular conveyor. The belt includes a plurality of cleat sets extending at a non-perpendicular angle across the axis of the belt. Adjacent cleat sets are offset with respect to one another, such that the axis of adjacent cleat sets are non-parallel. Each cleat set includes a plurality of spaced apart, upstanding cleat members. The orientation of the cleat sets helps maintain material toward the center of the belt, while the orientation of the cleat members eliminates vacuum behind the cleat members.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt is provided for use in a tubular conveyor. The belt includes a plurality of cleat sets extending at a non-perpendicular angle across the axis of the belt. Adjacent cleat sets are offset with respect to one another, such that the axis of adjacent cleat sets are non-parallel. Each cleat set includes a plurality of spaced apart, upstanding cleat members. The orientation of the cleat sets helps maintain material toward the center of the belt, while the orientation of the cleat members eliminates vacuum behind the cleat members.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: A manipulator is provided for the discharge conveyor of an agricultural seed cart. The manipulator allows the conveyor to be pivoted between a storage and transport position along the top of the cart and adjacent one side of the cart, and a use position extending from the rear of the cart. The manipulator also allows the conveyor to be swung approximately 180° to either side of the cart for discharge of seed to desired locations during use of the conveyor. The manipulator includes multiple actuators for the pivoting and sliding movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: A collapsible bulk container for dry, flowable particulate material is provided with a frame to support a bottom wall having a discharge opening and a gate moveable between opened and closed positions relative to the discharge opening. Four side walls are pivotally connected to the frame, with the pivot axes being at different elevations, such that the side walls can be folded between an upright use position and a substantially flat storage position. A lid is pivotally connected to opposite side walls for moving between an open position adjacent the connected side wall and a closed position over the bottom wall. Multiple containers can be stacked one upon another in both the use and storage positions. The base or frame of the container can receive forks from a lift truck on all four sides of the container.

Abstract: A collapsible bulk container for dry, flowable particulate material is provided with a frame to support a bottom wall having a discharge opening and a gate moveable between opened and closed positions relative to the discharge opening. Four side walls are pivotally connected to the frame, with the pivot axes being at different elevations, such that the side walls can be folded between an upright use position and a substantially flat storage position. Lid panels are pivotally connected to opposite side walls for moving between an open position adjacent the connected side wall and a closed position over the bottom wall. Multiple containers can be stacked one upon another in both the use and storage positions.