Abstract: A metering valve assembly is provided with a valve stem having one or more tapered channels formed therein for selective engagement with a valve seat to provide incremental regulation of fluid flow through a valve housing. An adjustment knob provides one manner of reciprocal movement of the valve stem within the valve housing. Alternatively, the valve stem can be directly engaged for rotational reciprocal movement within the valve housing. Different embodiments of the valve stem are provided for alternate fluid flow regulation requirements. The metering valve assembly is comprised of a limited number of component parts for ease of manufacture as well as the replacement and exchange of component parts in the field.

Abstract: A long tube serves both as a handle for the probe and a means by which a grain sample can be collected at the lower end of the tube just above the penetrating nose thereof. A laterally disposed port in the tube above the nose provides an entry way for grain into the interior chamber of the tube during taking of the sample, and opening and closing of such port is controlled by a free-sliding sleeve that, when disposed against an upper stop, closes the port and when disposed against a lower stop, opens the port. When the probe is shoved nose-first down into the grain supply, the resistance of the grain surrounding the probe immediately slides the sleeve up against the upper stop so as to maintain the port closed until the probe reaches the desired testing depth, whereupon a slight upward jerk on the probe will cause the grain to shove the sleeve down against the lower stop and thereby open the port and permit a sample of grain to enter the same.