Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a speed changing apparatus having a housing mounting a plurality of inwardly directed, circumferentially disposed teeth, preferably in the form of a ring gear. The housing has a hub that rotatably receives at least a first shaft that in turn eccentrically mounts a plurality of elongate follower arms. Each follower ann is mounted at one end to the shaft with the other end having at least one tooth configured to engage the circumferentially disposed teeth. The housing further includes a base plate that is rigidly attached to the second shaft. Rotary motion is transferred between the first shaft and a second rotatable member by apparatus that includes a base pin that is rigidly attached to the base plate, an arm pin rigidly attached to a follower ann and a linking ann pivotally attached at opposite ends to the base pin and the arm pin. The second rotatable member may be a second shaft, the housing, or the base plate.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a mechanical drive system for driving first and second screw conveyors from a single power source. This system includes a primary drive providing power to the first conveyor from the power source and a secondary drive that includes a pair of gear boxes and that supplies power to the second conveyor from the primary drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for supportably elevating and lowering material handling apparatus having an elongate member includes two arms radiating upwardly from a base. A lower undercarriage arm is pivotably attached to the elongate member, and the lift arm is attached to a roller support which moves along a rail on the elongate member. The roller support and attached lift arm arm moved by a winch-drawn cable. At least one pair of spaced support sheaves is mounted on the elongate member, and the cable passes under the sheaves. At least one riser post extends upwardly from the base and is attached to the lower undercarriage arm so that it intersects the cable between the spaced support sheaves. A sheave mounted on the riser arm intersects and supports the cable when the elongate member is lowered. As the elongate member is lowered, the riser post supports an increasing portion of the downward load.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing animal feeds and the like comprises a rotor having two opposing end assemblies connected by a center shaft for rotation within a mixer box. A flighted outer auger is mounted in the terminal portion of each set of corresponding radial arms of each end assembly, parallel to the center shaft. Each outer auger is rotated by drive means within the first hollow rotor end assembly, powered by a high speed drive shaft, and the entire apparatus is rotated by a low speed drive shaft. The drive shafts extend from opposing end assemblies and are coaxial to the center shaft. An optional center auger or optional intermediately spaced augers, parallel to the center shaft, are rotated by drive means within the second end assembly, driven by one or more outer augers.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting particulate material from directly underneath the discharge outlet of a vehicle includes a collection chamber for receiving the particulate material. An auger is provided to convey particulate material from the collection chamber to an auger chamber for subsequent discharge of the particulate material into a receiving hopper. An extension mechanism is provided which permits telescopic extension of the collection chamber and auger chamber so that the collection chamber may be placed directly underneath the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A vertical positioning mechanism is also provided which allows the collection chamber to be raised from a lowered position to closely abut the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A swivel base mount is further provided so that the collection chamber and auger chamber may be selectively rotated between a position generally parallel to the vehicle and a collecting position under the vehicle.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for grain and like particulate material utilizing a rotatably driven separator bowl having an outwardly inclined peripheral wall, in combination with a vibrator. Vibration and centrifugal force acting on material deposited in the rotating bowl cause it to move outwardly towards the bowl periphery and up the aforesaid inclined wall for selective discharge of relatively heavy and light particles at vertically spaced exit zones formed by a guide baffle assembly adjacent the upper periphery of the inclined wall.

Abstract: A grain bin loading and unloading system has a vertical auger located in the center of the bin, the vertical auger being in communication with a horizontal auger disposed beneath the floor of the bin. The novel sweep auger drive has a double row sprocket rotatably mounted about the center auger column. The sweep auger proper is rotatably mounted about the center column and is driven at its inner end by a gearbox which is also rotatably mounted. The input shaft of the gearbox extends vertically downwardly and has a sprocket located thereon. That sprocket is connected to one row of the double row sprocket located about the center column such that when the double row sprocket is driven the sweep auger assembly will rotate about the center column as well as be driven so as to transport the grain to be unloaded radially inwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling and feeding large hay bales comprising the separable, cooperative, combination of a coupler unit adapted to be attached to a three-point lift hitch on a tractor, and a lift fork unit which can be readily converted into a bale feeding container by removably securing a pair of upright wall assemblies to its opposite sides. The wall assemblies have feeding spaces therein through which livestock may project their heads to reach a large hay bale supported inside the container on the lift arms of the lift fork unit. A latch device on the coupler unit is releasably engaged with coupling means on the lift fork unit in such a way that the operator of a tractor on which the coupler is mounted may actuate controls to release the latch from the tractor operator's seat.

Abstract: A livestock feeder having a plurality of animal feeding openings includes feed-holdback apparatus for preventing unnecessary waste of feed. The feeder comprises a support frame having a floor surface and at least one vertically extending side wall comprised of elongated upwardly extending pipe segments. A feedreceptive enclosure is defined between the side wall and the floor surface and is accessible to the livestock through a plurality of animal feed openings disposed within the vertical walls between the pipe segments therein. The holdback means comprises substantially C-shaped brackets which include an upper and lower horizontal portion and an integral vertical portion extending between the horizontal portions. The horizontal portions of the holdback structures include means for attaching same to the vertical segments of the side walls. The holdback apparatus defines a feeding compartment into which livestock may extend their heads for eating feed within the apparatus.

Abstract: A drawbar on a trailer is provided with a pair of vertically extending coupling arms which are notched at their bottom ends to fit around a round coupling bar mounted for revolving movement in a horizontal plane on a base plate affixed to the rear end of a towing vehicle. The coupling bar is affixed across a mounting ring rotatably supported within a circular opening of a base plate by circular bars bearing against the base plate.

Abstract: A chassis and tilt bed support structure for a tilt bed trailer, with the chassis being comprised of a pair of elongated frame beams widely spaced apart at their rear ends by a distance substantially coinciding with the axle length and bent inwardly towards each other at their forward ends to provide a pair of relatively closed spaced, parallel, front beam segments on which the front ends of a pair of parallel, truck body support beams are supported. The body support beams are pivotally mounted on the rear end of the chassis; and a single pole drawbar and trailer hitch assembly is rigidly secured to the forward end of the closely spaced, front beam segments of the chassis.