Abstract: The cage comprises a metal support framework and plastic panels that define trays for containing live-poultry. Horizontal floor panels of the trays are domed and slitted to prevent pooling of water. Vertical fence panels are formed as open lattice boxes, combining good containment with good ventilation. Openable doors for the trays have a double-detent camming action, whereby the doors snap to open or snap to closed, whichever is closer. The cage is lifted on/off a truck with a fork lift.

Abstract: This invention related to a bearing for the drive ring of a ring drive of a silo reclaimer wherein the bearing is mounted on the drive ring for bearing relation with bearing surface of the ring drive and is made of a plastics bearing material. The plastics bearing material has a coefficient of friction on its bearing surface so as to operate without lubrication in use.

Abstract: An integral one piece injection molded drawer for carrying live poultry on a road vehicle, having side walls and end walls, formed integrally together and meeting at radiused corners, and a floor formed integrally with the side walls and end walls, and intersecting ribs extending downwardly from the floor and extending from end to end and side to side of the drawer and defining generally rectangular spaces there between, and a plurality of intersecting bars located within the rectangular spaces, defining together an integral generally honeycomb floor structure the floor being shaped with a generally shallow upwardly convex profile, extending upwardly between the side and end walls.

Abstract: Silo unloading apparatus of the bottom unloading type is provided, wherein an auger is mounted for rotation on its own axis and for arcuate sweeping motion across the floor of the silo, conveying silage toward a central opening, and a single drive is provided for driving a central shaft that both rotates the auger about its own axis, and which rotates an intermediate mechanism that transfers relatively uniform rotational motion from the shaft into an intermittent rotational motion whereby a ring gear located beneath the center of the silo and which carries the mount for the auger, may be engaged by push-pull mechanisms that function as force or torque multipliers. The ring gear, upon being engaged and moved, caused the incremental sweeping motion of the auger across the floor. A manual adjustment is provided for interrupting the advancing motion of the auger, if desired.

Abstract: Silo unloading apparatus of the bottom unloading type is provided, wherein an auger is mounted for rotation on its own axis and for arcuate sweeping motion across the floor of the silo, conveying silage toward a central opening, and a single drive is provided for driving a central shaft that both rotates the auger about its own axis, and which rotates an intermediate mechanism that transfers relatively uniform rotational motion from the shaft into an intermittent rotational motion whereby a ring gear located beneath the center of the silo and which carries the mount for the auger, may be engaged by push-pull mechanisms that function as force or torque multipliers. The ring gear, upon being engaged and moved, caused the incremental sweeping motion of the auger across the floor. A manual adjustment is provided for interrupting the advancing motion of the auger, if desired.

Abstract: A storage silo, for agricultural products and the like is provided, particularly adapted for use with silos of the bottom unloader type, and which are filled through a fill pipe extending from about ground level, to the upper end of the silo. A particularly unique connection is provided between the top and bottom of the silo, for substantially eliminating a pressure differential between the top and bottom that could otherwise have adverse affects on the silage upon filling at the side. The interconnection between the top and the bottom is through the silo fill pipe, and a vent line, and additionally may be provided for including silage gas bags in common interconnection with the fill pipe. The bottom end of the fill pipe is telescopically extendable for attachment to a silage blower, and a closure for the bottom end of the fill pipe is adapted to sealingly close the fill pipe with the telescopically extendable member within the fill pipe.

Abstract: Silo unloading apparatus of the bottom unloading type is provided, wherein an auger is mounted for rotation on its own axis and for arcuate sweeping motion across the floor of the silo, conveying silage toward a central opening, and a single drive is provided for driving a central shaft that both rotates the auger about its own axis, and which rotates an intermediate mechanism that transfers relatively uniform rotational motion from the shaft into an intermittent rotational motion whereby a band located in the silo floor and spaced from the center of the silo is incrementally driven preferably by means of a toothed wheel, for incrementally sweeping the auger across the silo floor. The band is carried in a generally circular track in the floor of a silo and a cover for the opening into the track is provided, carried by the band for movement therewith.

Abstract: In the silo unloader art, wherein a bottom unloader is used, and specifically an unloader of the generally central discharge type, wherein an auger delivers silage to the central zone of a silo, as the auger rotates on its own axis, and sweeps across the bottom of a silo, to a passageway through the floor of the silo, generally at the center of the silo, an openable closure is provided for the silo, for controlling the flow of silage through the passageways. Particularly, when the silo is closed down for the night, and when the silage is of the dry, granular, readily flowable type, the openable closure allows the passageways to be closed so as not to allow silage to build up and become compacted in the passageway area beneath the silo floor and around the silo exit auger.

Abstract: An openable discharge closure is provided, for silo bottom unloaders, in which the closure comprises a door-like member that is moved vertically downwardly and transversely away from the discharge opening. A sweeper or broom may be mounted for engagement by the upper surface of the closure as it moves laterally away from the opening. The motion of the closure is controlled by a single drive mechanism that provides both vertical and pivotal movement, with the vertical movement enabling the door to move upwardly or downwardly, and the pivotal movement enabling the door or closure to move transversely.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a silo unloader, in which a generally radially disposed auger at the bottom of a silo, both rotates about its own axis, and sweeps across the bottom of the silo floor. A sweeping movement is provided by a hydraulic drive. The rotation of the auger about its own axis is provided by an electric mmotor drive that traverses a silage dischargeway disposed at the general center of the silo, and that drives the auger from its radial inner end. A protective covering is provided for part of a drive chain that connects an electric motor drive disposed outside the dischargeway with a portion of the drive train located inside the dischargeway.

Abstract: Blades are provided for an auger type silo unloader, wherein the blades are arranged to function with respect to the silage that is to be unloaded, such that they plow through the silage during normal operation of the silo, rather than cutting the silage. To this end, the blades are oriented to bluntly engage silage, or may even have a leading edge angularly directed forwardly for facilitating the plowing function, rather than being backwardly raked such as would facilitate a cutting function.

Abstract: A silo unloader is provided, of the bottom unloader type, wherein an auger type conveyor is utilized for cutting silage and delivering it generally radially inwardly, with one or more auxiliary augers being provided. The auger is supported at its radial outermost end and is intermittently driven in a sweeping motion. Particularly novel driving apparatus is provided, for causing such a sweeping motion of the auger, as well as systems for lubricating various components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A center discharge mechanism is provided for a silo bottom unloader, wherein an auger sweeps across the floor of the silo while rotating, and conveys silage toward a generally central discharge opening, for conveyance of silage to a zone disposed beneath the silo floor at the center thereof. There is a sealed bottom discharge door for the chute at the center of the silo, which door is openable and which, when opened, has a flat surface such that, when it is opened and placed in a given position, it functions also as a deflector, for deflecting silage laterally of the geometric center of the silo, onto a conveyor mechanism or the like, for conveyance of silage outwardly of the zone beneath the center of the silo, for use.

Abstract: A generally central discharge apparatus is provided for the bottom of a silo, providing for ease of access to a bottom discharge chute, from the bottom thereof, whereby the chute is ordinarily connected for delivery of silage into a hopper, and the hopper is connected to the bottom of the chute for ease of detachment and displacement therefrom. The displacement is generally laterally, by moving the hopper on tracks, and preferably occurs after a slight vertical or clearance displacement of the hopper relative to the chute. A lower conveyor may be provided, directly connected to the hopper movement therewith. An alternative form includes a two-part hopper, one of which is connected to the lower conveyor, and the other of which is a reducing hopper.

Abstract: A filling system for a silo is provided, wherein the silo is filled by blowing grain, hay, or other suitable material into the silo through a duct that extends up the silo wall, and that turns and enters into an inlet opening at the top of the silo wall, whereupon the fill material is blown toward the geometric center of the silo at the top thereof, to strike a baffle or deflector, whereupon the fill material may fall from the upper center of the silo toward the bottom thereof. A pressure relief system is provided in the form of a vent that also has a baffle or deflector for engagement of large dust particles thereagainst, and in addition is provided with a screen-type collector, with an open hole for assurance that the vent will not become blocked. Particularly novel opening mechanisms are provided for the fill door and the vent door, for opening them by an operator located at the ground level. A novel opening is provided for an access door above the center deflector or baffle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, of the auger type, for the disposition at the bottom of a silo, for sweeping across the floor of a silo while rotating on its own axis, and for conveying silage from the bottom of the silo to a generally central opening. Particularly novel means is provided for cutting and discharging of silage that is disposed up against the silo wall. The silage is delivered to a generally central opening in the silo, and a particularly novel discharge chute or duct with a bottom seal therefor provides a method for discharging silage into a tunnel disposed beneath the silo, on a selective basis.