Abstract: A dosing device for outputting bulk goods from a dosing container is described. An exemplary embodiment includes at least one discharge arm, arranged above the bottom of the dosing container so as to be driven about an axis of rotation. The arm supplies bulk goods in the lower section of the dosing container to at least one output opening. The wall in the lower section of the dosing container extends from a cylindrical section above in a truncated cone-shaped manner and encompasses at least a part of the output opening. The output opening extends to the bottom of the dosing container. The at least one discharge arm includes a blade having a distal edge located opposite the axis of rotation, the edge is shaped to correspond to the cone-shaped wall of the dosing container, and a peripheral speed at the edge is below 1 m/s during normal operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling the advancement of a grain bin sweep into a grain pile in a grain bin comprises monitoring the amperage of the auger drive and controlling the sweep drive motor based on the amperage load of the auger drive. The speed and direction of the sweep is controlled to maintain the load on the auger drive in a desired range. Hence, the speed of the sweep is slowed if the amperage load on the auger drive exceeds a desired maximum set point by a first amount; the direction of the sweep is reversed if the load on the auger drive exceeds the maximum set point by a second amount which is greater than the first amount; and the forward speed of the sweep is increased if the load on the auger drive falls below a minimum.

Abstract: A method for clearing obstructions in a silo having a reciprocating frame uses an obstruction clearance mode. The method includes driving at least one frame in a reciprocal motion across a silo floor until sensing an indication that at least one frame has encountered an obstruction. Upon sensing the indication of obstruction, an obstruction clearance mode is initiated in an attempt to clear the obstruction.

Abstract: A sweep control system having a sweep auger rotationally mounted about a central axis of a center sump and operatively connected to pusher motor(s). A sensor measures the load on the sweep auger and sends a signal to the controller. The controller compares the detected load to a predetermined load and sends a signal to a variable speed drive based on the comparison. The variable speed drive is connected to the pusher motor(s) and adjusts the speed of the pusher motor(s) based upon the received signal.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus capable of automatically unloading agricultural materials from a storage bag is disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a drive mechanism for advancing the apparatus along the direction of an elongate storage bag, a collection mechanism for withdrawing material from the bag, and mechanisms for both sensing resistance imposed on the advancing apparatus by material in the bag and controlling further advancement of the apparatus in accordance with the level of that resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weighing scale comprising a base plate and a load plate on which the object to be weighed is placed or on which the person to be weighed stands. At least three planar load cells are arranged between load plate and base plate which load cells are fastened to the load plate and are loosely supported on elevations of the base plate.

Abstract: An unloading mechanism capable of automatically unloading agricultural materials from a storage bag is disclosed. The unloading mechanism includes a collection mechanism, discharge mechanism and a sensor arrangement configured to engage the storage bag. The sensor arrangement controls the unloading mechanism so that it automatically advances in a direction towards the storage bag as material is unloaded therefrom.

Abstract: A method for clearing obstructions in a silo having a reciprocating frame uses an obstruction clearance mode. The method includes driving at least one frame in a reciprocal motion across a silo floor until sensing an indication that at least one frame has encountered an obstruction. Upon sensing the indication of obstruction, an obstruction clearance mode is initiated in an attempt to clear the obstruction.

Abstract: An unloader for unloading material from a container. In some embodiments, the unloader can include an unloader arm movable within the container, a first chain coupled to the unloader arm and movable to unload material from the container, and a second chain coupled to the unloader arm and positioned to engage material within the container upon movement of the unloader arm. The unloader can have a sensor adapted to transmit signals indicative of a force applied to the unloader arm, the first chain, and/or the second chain. A controller can receive the signal from the sensor, and can alter an operation of the unloader arm, the first chain, and/or the second chain based upon the signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: An unloading system for a container, such a forage box, includes a floor and a pair of parallel sidewalls. An auger is located in the container and a hydraulic motor on the auger rotates the auger to convey material in the container toward one end thereof. The auger is mounted on movable carriages and a second hydraulic motor drives the carriages to advance the auger transversely across the floor of the container between the sidewalls while the auger is rotating. A second cross auger is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the aforementioned auger and extends transversely of the container to receive the material conveyed by the first auger and discharge it from the container, and the second auger is also driven by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor which transversely advances the first auger includes a relief valve which controls the hydraulic fluid pressure of that motor to vary the speed of the transverse movement across the floor of the container.

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: An overload mechanism for the drive system of a bottom silo unloader. The silo unloader includes a sweep arm mounted to rotate about the center of the silo and operable to dislodge stored material and convey the dislodged material to a delivery trough formed in the foundation. An overload mechanism is incorporated in the drive system for rotating the sweep arm about the silo, and the overload mechanism includes a drive pawl operably connected to a drive member of the drive system and disposed to be driven in a reciprocating path. A rotatable ratchet having a series of teeth is mounted to be engaged by the interruption drive pawl and engagement of the ratchet teeth by the drive pawl will incrementally rotate the ratchet in one direction. In addition, a holding pawl is engaged with the ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the ratchet in the opposite direction. The ratchet is mounted on one end of a shaft and a sprocket is connected to the other end of the shaft and is located at the center of the silo.

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 sweep arm construction for a bottom unloading mechanism used to unload generally free flowing material from a silo or storage structure. The sweep arm is mounted to rotate about the center of the silo and undercut the stored material and convey it to the center of the silo where it is delivered to a discharge auger that operates in a radially extending trough in the silo foundation. The sweep auger is composed of a series of shaft sections of different diameters with the innermost shaft section having the largest diameter. A helical flight is associated with each shaft section and the flight on each shaft section has a progressively increasing radial depth in a direction toward the inner end of the sweep arm to provide a uniformly increasing rate of delivery to the auger.

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: Apparatus for feeding material from a large supply of such material wherein a screw is horizontally disposed at the bottom of the piled material. Both ends of the screw are mounted in a trunnion bracket in a traversing carriage which supports the screw and allows axial movement relative to the trunnion carriages and skewing movement in a horizontal plane. A drive motor is mounted directly to the screw and is in turn supported in a trunnion bracket. Separate drive motors power the carriage at both ends of the screw. Proximity switches are disposed in conjunction with the front trunnion bracket to both limit the degree of skewing and to control the traversing motors on the carriages to keep the apparatus aligned and reciprocating beneath the piled material.