Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes an opening in the bottom of the dump body through which material in the receptacle can be deposited onto an endless conveyor below the dump body. A spreader is removably mounted on the conveyor whereby material moved by the conveyor onto the spreader is discharged rearwardly of the dump truck. The conveyor and spreader unit can be extended and retracted relative to the dump body and can be completely removed from the dump body and the opening in the bottom of the dump body covered when using the dump truck in a dumping mode of operation.

Abstract: A towable sod stacker having a pallet holder for holding a stack of sod, a conveyor for receiving and temporarily storing a plurality of cut sod slabs and a sod pickup mechanism for lifting the plurality of cut sod sections from the conveyor and vertically placing the sod slabs in any of four positions on the pallet to provide an alternately stacked pallet of sod slabs with the towable stacker conveyor laterally displaceable to permit an operator to on-the-go dump a spoiled sod slab from the conveyor

Abstract: A foldable extension for increasing a grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine. The grain tank includes angularly related upper peripheral portions defining an upwardly facing opening, and the extension includes a corresponding number of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about the respective upper peripheral portions of the grain tank. Each of the extension panels is pivotally positionable in a deployed position extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the opening of the grain tank at an acute angle of less than about 80° to horizontal, and a generally horizontal folded position extending over a portion of the opening, adjacent ones of the extension panels having adjacent ends defining corner spaces therebetween when in the deployed position.

Abstract: In the conventional air cargo transportation system, the transportation of the cargo that is stored inside of the airport terminal building, to the area of the loading/unloading door is normally performed using the package/cargo carts. However, numerous workers were needed to load the cargo and drive the carts, which is very labor intensive and entails high manpower costs. The conventional system is also dangerous as they move along the complex tarmac markings.

Abstract: A portable device for transporting young fowl from a hatchery to a growout house within a climate-controlled compartment located on a delivery vehicle, wherein the portable device can be composed, in part, of a frame, at least one conveyor belt, at least one baffle coupled to each of the at least one conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers coupled to the frame to support the conveyor belts, a motor for driving the conveyor belts, and a plurality of wheels supporting the frame. In operation, young fowl are loaded onto the at least one conveyor belt at a hatchery using a loading slide. After the portable device has been loaded to a desired level, it is loaded into the climate-controlled compartment and transported to the growout house. The young fowl are unloaded by backing the delivery vehicle into the growout house and unloading the young fowl using an unloading slide.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes an opening in the bottom of the dump body through which material in the receptacle can be deposited onto an endless conveyor below the dump body. A spreader is removably mounted on the conveyor whereby material moved by the conveyor onto the spreader is discharged rearwardly of the dump truck. The conveyor and spreader unit can be extended and retracted relative to the dump body and can be completely removed from the dump body and the opening in the bottom of the dump body covered when using the dump truck in a dumping mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-contained properly balanced for loaded towing mobile masonry unit. The unit has a towable trailer and mounted on the trailer in position to properly balance the load for loaded towing are a product hopper, a water tank, and an operatively associated cement mixer.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. An auger arrangement is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the auger arrangement for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: A material segregation and delivery apparatus is described in which a frame carries a succession of material receiving containers. A material intake station is situated above one of the material receiving containers. A number of endless belt conveyors extend elevationally over the containers. At least one driver is operable to move the conveyor working flights to transport received materials. The conveyors are selectively movable (a) toward one another to a substantially joined condition in which the conveyors operably combine to form a substantially single extent, and (b) away from one another to define discharge openings over selected ones of the containers.

Abstract: A truck trailer for hauling gravel, sand and other particulate materials includes a trailer body having a first conveyor extending along the bottom of the trailer, and a second conveyor that extends upwardly at an angle with respect to the first conveyor for conveying the gravel toward the rear or discharge end of the trailer. A movable tailgate assembly is mounted at the discharge end of the trailer and is movable between a lowered, non-engaging position to enable the gravel to be discharged from the trailer in discrete piles, and raised spreading positions for spreading the gravel across a prescribed area.

Abstract: A distributive livestock feeding apparatus for dispensing discrete portions of baled livestock feed, such as hay, for consumption by livestock.

Abstract: A belly dump vehicle includes a containment body with an exterior surface and an underlying belly having opposed ends. An auger tunnel extends through one of the opposed ends of the belly and communicates with the exterior surface of the body. A rotatably mounted auger extends between the opposed ends of the belly and protrudes into the auger tunnel. A granular matter broadcast assembly is mounted to the exterior of the body in communication with the auger tunnel. A prime mover selectively rotates the auger, whereby granular matter from a load contained in the belly is fed by the auger through the auger tunnel to the broadcast assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A live bottom trailer or vehicle having horizontally outwardly pivoting doors as the tailgate. The live bottom trailer includes a hopper having an opening top with sidewalls converging towards and endless conveyor. The endless conveyor is operable to mobilize material in the hopper rearwardly toward the rear discharge area of the trailer. A pair of doors are hinged to the hopper sidewalls and pivot outwardly away from each other. The doors can be positioned in a rearward projecting manner such that they direct material more deeply into an asphalt paver. The doors are independently controlled by pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders to allow the material to be directed left or right. The mechanical linkage which connects the cylinders to the doors has an over center position such that the doors stay locked even if pressure in the cylinders is lost when material in the hopper is exerting rearward force on the doors of the hopper.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes an adjustable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for an article or group of articles includes a carriage assembly (6) for moving an article substantially horizontally from a first location to a second location. The carriage assembly (6) includes an elongate transfer member (19) and a conveyor (20) which is movable relative to the elongate transfer member (19). A support (1) engages and supports the carriage assembly (6) so that the elongate transfer member (19) is movable substantially vertically on the support (1).

Abstract: The invention is a grain tank which pivots about an axis transverse to the direction of travel to facilitate grain flow to the unloading system. The grain tank is sloped and curved to allow the grain to be easily and completely discharged from the tank. Grain is delivered from the clean grain system to a first auger which transports the grain to either a second auger or bubble up auger. The grain can enter the grain tank by the bubble up auger or may be discharged to the unloading system via a second auger. While unloading, the tank pivots from its lowest position to its highest position, only as needed, to maximize output.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. An auger arrangement is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the auger arrangement for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring harvested tobacco leaves from an amorphous mass of harvested tobacco leaves to a bulk curing container component for subsequent transfer to a bulk curing site. According to the method, the bulk curing container component is positioned adjacent a tobacco discharging end of a tobacco transferring system. The transferring system has the discharging end, a tobacco receiving end opposite the discharging end, and a generally upwardly facing tobacco conveying apparatus for supporting and moving the leaves between the discharging and receiving ends. The amorphous mass of harvested tobacco leaves is supplied to the tobacco conveying apparatus at the tobacco receiving end of the transferring system in such a manner that the harvested tobacco leaves of the amorphous mass are randomly arranged and stacked on top of one another in a generally vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring harvested tobacco leaves from an amorphous mass of harvested tobacco leaves to a bulk curing container component for subsequent transfer to a bulk curing site. According to the method, the bulk curing container component is positioned adjacent a tobacco discharging end of a tobacco transferring system. The transferring system has the discharging end, a tobacco receiving end opposite the discharging end, and a generally upwardly facing tobacco conveying apparatus for supporting and moving the leaves between the discharging and receiving ends. The amorphous mass of harvested tobacco leaves is supplied to the tobacco conveying apparatus at the tobacco receiving end of the transferring system in such a manner that the harvested tobacco leaves of the amorphous mass are randomly arranged and stacked on top of one another in a generally vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for discharging material, having a material holding container, a first material transport device, to transport material from the material holding container, a second material transport device, to deliver material from the first material transport device to a desired location remote from the vehicle and a material hold-down device arranged on the second material transport device. The material hold-down device is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and holds material securely on the second material transport device until the material has been accelerated up to the desired travel speed. The material hold-down device has a first wheel shaft with a first wheel and a second wheel, a second wheel shaft with a third wheel and an endless belt running from the first wheel shaft to the second wheel shaft and resting upon the first wheel, the second wheel and the third wheel. The first and second wheel shafts are connected by a frame device.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for an implement transmission. The transmission is operably coupled to a plurality of driven mechanisms for providing a driving power from a prime mover to the plurality of driven mechanisms. A shift assembly has a first and a second actuator apparatus. The first actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a first driven mechanism, and the second actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a second driven mechanism. The second actuator apparatus has a biasing apparatus for exerting a variable, selective bias on the transmission. A clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging a prime mover and the transmission has a rotatable stop member and an idler-stop assembly.

Abstract: A grain tank extension having side panels that are rotatably mounted to the grain tank to lower the extension by pivoting the side panels into the tank for storage. Corner panels are provided between adjacent side panels and are integrally formed with the stud at each end for coupling the corner panels to the side panels. Flanges extend beyond the ends of the side panels and overlap abutting ends of adjacent comer panels. The flanges each have an aperture that receives the stud from the adjacent corner panel. The stud is held therein by a retaining pin to avoid the need for hand tools to lower the extension for storage. The corner panels are molded of plastic as a single piece plastic body with the studs integrally formed therein.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A railroad vibratory system having a hopper, a shaker, a conveyor assembly and a handling device that fastens railroad material to secure a railroad track onto a railroad track system. The hopper releases the railroad material, through an aperture. The shaker oscillates the hopper so the railroad material releases, controlled and orderly, through the aperture. The conveyor assembly receives the railroad material through the aperture and transports the railroad material to the handling device.

Abstract: A bulk seed bag carrier and dispenser of the present invention is adapted to transport and dispense the contents of a plurality of bulk seed bags. The bag carrier and dispenser includes a plurality of hoppers having V-shaped bottoms which help to empty the contents of the bag as well as stabilize the bag within the hopper. A horizontal auger is disposed below the hoppers and empties into a discharge auger having a movable and telescoping spout. The hoppers of the bulk seed carrier are offset to one side to allow a fork lift to move closer to the hoppers. The bulk seed carrier is preferably controlled by a wireless remote control.

Abstract: A filler block for clean grain tanks of grain harvesters which prevents the trapping of grain and other materials in the grain tank. The filler block fills the dead spaces of the grain tank where grain and other materials may be trapped and presents a top surface which sheds grain and other materials to ensure that all such materials are conveyed out of the clean grain tank upon emptying. The filler blocks eliminate the need for manual cleaning and extend the life of the grain tank.

Abstract: A multiple purpose dump unit designed to be mounted on a vehicle for hauling, dumping, spreading and the collection of refuse as well as for distributing salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit has a single dump body with a sloping, fixed endgate and a longitudinally extending conveyor along the open bottom of the dump body, and the unit is provided with a spreader mechanism at the exit gate from the conveyor to facilitate spreading of salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit is pivotally mounted near its rear end so that it can be lifted by hydraulic cylinders for dumping, spreading aggregate, asphalt, etc. The dump unit can be sized so that the vehicle can navigate narrow streets and alleys and is mounted at a height and with sides of a height to meet the requirements for manual refuse loading.

Abstract: An apparatus which automatically retrieves conical highway warning markers from the roadway and transports the cones to a support vehicle for storage. The apparatus, which is attached to a vehicle, comprises a clamping plate disposed at the end of a lifting arm, which clamps the base of the traffic cone onto a platform. The lifting arm then rotates to raise the cone to a position for stowage. The raised cone can then be manually removed from the lifting arm for stowage or, alternatively, dropped onto a conveyor system which transports the traffic cone to a storage area within the vehicle.

Abstract: In a grain cart equipped with a lower horizontally-disposed input drag auger, a vertically disposed lift auger, and an upper horizontally disposed discharge auger, a unique drive train is used. The lift auger and the discharge auger can be activated independently of the input auger in order to empty their contents on start-up of the grain cart discharge system. By so doing the strain on the drive train is considerably lessened thus permitting very large grain carts to be emptied without damage to the drive train system. A hydraulic cylinder activates a belt-tightener between a drive sheave and a driven sheave. The driven sheave is attached to the axis of the drag auger. When the hydraulic cylinder is extended, pressure exerted on the belt causes the input auger to rotate and to feed the lift and discharge augers.

Abstract: A bale loading system comprising a bale carrier and a method for loading, transporting, and unloading large bales of agricultural material. The bales can be either round or rectangular bales. The bale carrier is towed to a bale in a field. The bale is positioned in a bale loading mechanism and securely clamped. The bale is lifted, rotated, and placed on the bale carrier such that a flat surface of the bale rests on the bale carrier. A plurality of bales can be loaded onto the bale carrier. After the bale carrier is loaded, the bale loader is transported to a bale storage location where the bales are unloaded. The bales are unloaded such that a bound surface of an unloaded bale faces skyward, and such that an unbound surface of a bale faces an unbound surface of a previously unloaded bale.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking and conveying lumber pieces from the ground for example for removing stacked support lumber during laying of a pipe line comprises a tracked vehicle carrying a transport conveyer across the rear of the vehicle and a conveyer table extending from the feed end of the main conveyer forwardly and downwardly toward the ground. At the forward picking end is provided a picker roller for lifting the lumber pieces from the ground. On one side of the picker roller is provided a drive conveyer which is generally vertical and driven at a high speed so that ends of the lumber pieces engaging the drive conveyer are driven rapidly rearwardly over the picker roller onto the conveyer so as to move along their length. On the side opposite to the drive conveyers provided a vertical flap which can pivot from side to side to push the lumber pieces toward the drive conveyer. The forward end of the conveyer table can be moved vertically and horizontally so as to engage the stack at the required position.

Abstract: A turkey loading apparatus and method for loading turkeys includes a support structure adapted to the position at a gathering location. A conveyer conveys the turkeys to a dumping end. A loading box is operatively connected to the support structure. The loading box is moveable between a first and second position. A loading box has an exit, wherein when the exit is opened the turkeys are unloaded into the coop.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes a rotatable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The rotatable feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the rotatable feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates. The rotatable feedgate design includes a rotatable feedgate position for open mode hauling whereby the feedgate is repositioned in the rear of the dump body. An opening plate is also provided to be used to provide an alternative arrangement for sealing the tailgate opening while the rotatable feedgate is attached or detached from the dump body.

Abstract: An enclosed type two-stage garbage compaction and storage structure, in particular a structure having both a hydraulic cylinder and a rotary inner cylinder provided with guide plates to compact garbage in two stages. The structure includes a housing, the hydraulic cylinder, and the inner cylinder. The housing is provided with a plurality of garbage slots to achieve quick collection of garbage. The housing has a front outlet and a lid. A slide plate is provided in front of the front outlet. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed horizontally, and has a piston rod at a front end and a push stop plate connected to the piston rod for pushing dumped-in garbage into the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder has a gate at an entrance thereof and a plurality of guide plates on its inner wall. When the inner cylinder rotates, a compaction effect is generated.

Abstract: A stone metering system for a railroad track maintenance vehicle providing improved accuracy in stone delivery. The system includes a surge hopper, a number of metering augers, and a corresponding number of splitters. The metering augers convey ballast stones from the surge hopper to the corresponding splitters, which divide the stones evenly between a number of blow tubes. The pitch of the auger screw flights is increased from the inlet end of the screw to "expand" the stone and reduce the production of fines. In addition, the diameter of the final screw flight is reduced at the outlet end of the auger to provide a consistent and even flow of stone into the splitters. The splitters are dynamically adjustable to provide even distribution between the blow tubes regardless of the cant to the rails. The desired amount of stone is delivered to the tubes by rotating the auger screw the number of full or partial revolutions associated with the amount.

Abstract: An agricultural forage box includes an infinitely positionable variable speed drive system and an improved trip mechanism. The variable position drive system utilizes a drive belt for driving the floor conveyor of the forage box, which is driven in response to rotation of a pair of sheave sections. One of the sheave sections can be moved relative to the other, and a sheave positioning mechanism provides adjustment in the position of the movable sheave section. The variable position mechanism includes a yoke which is movable in response to operation of an actuator plate and linkage mechanism, which in turn is interconnected with a control lever. The improved trip mechanism includes a trip bar mounted to the forage box for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis. A trip lever is located adjacent a declutching tab associated with the power train. A pair of cables extend between the trip bar and the trip lever, and are connected one on either side of the trip bar longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. A conveyor is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for conveying the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the conveyor for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.

Abstract: A debris collection vehicle (1) having an offset cab (12) adjacent to a conveyor belt (61) which transports collected debris to a hopper (59). Rows of resilient fingers (51) are mounted on a collector drum (36), the conveyor (61) and on curb brushes (22, 24). The orientation of the collector (36) may be varied with respect to the lower drum (57) supporting the conveyor belt (61) in order to permit the reliable entrainment of various sized and shaped objects without fouling. The collector drum (36) is biased by a spring (192) to facilitate clearance of obstacles or oversized debris. A front deflection bar (229) is mounted adjacent to the collector drum (36) to direct debris toward the lower support (56) of the conveyor belt (61). A rear deflection bar (239) is mounted adjacent to the lower conveyor support (56) to direct debris toward the upper surface of the conveyor belt (61).

Abstract: A cart for storing and transporting granular material comprises a storage bin having sidewalls which converge inwardly and downwardly to a trough and a sump. The trough extends across a portion of the bottom of the storage bin and opens into the sump which extends at least partially below the trough. A drag auger is rotatably secured in the trough. An unloading auger assembly is secured to the storage bin and extends from the sump, upward along the front left corner of the bin and therebeyond. A lower portion of an auger of the auger assembly extends into the sump. Grain stored in the bin flows by gravity into the sump where it is advanced out of the bin by the unloading auger assembly. The drag auger may be independently engaged to advance grain to the sump which would not otherwise advance to the sump by gravity feed alone.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading, transporting and unloading seed is provided. The apparatus has a trailer, an assembly for lifting and carrying a bag of seed removably connected to the trailer, a hopper removably mounted on the trailer, an assembly for dispensing the seed from the hopper to a planter, and a control device for actuating and directing the assembly for loading, lifting and carrying, as well as for regulating the assembly for dispensing the seed.

Abstract: A ground engaging wheeled trailer includes an elongated chassis having a horizontal deck overlying an upright rolled, hair pin shaped I-beam track including a horizontal section extending the length of the deck, an integral vertical section extending downwardly at the rear of the deck, and an integral, forwardly and upwardly inclined third section. A plurality of cars are mounted for movement on the track by car wheels engaging opposite side recesses within the I-beam track. Each car includes a hinged plate at a radially outboard position on the car. A U-shaped cam follower yoke is fixedly mounted to a spear adjacent the hinged plate and carries cam follower rolls to opposite sides thereof for engaging with respective camming bars to opposite sides of the track third sections. Cam slots formed by spaced camming rails forward of the track third section cause the hinged plates to pivot to a position such that the spears carried thereby are horizontal and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cars.

Abstract: A mobile batch feeder for cubed feed consisting of a supply hopper with conveyor leading to a cumulative dispensing chute. Rotational input to drive the conveyor also functions to trip open the dispensing chute periodically thereby to dispense measured batches of cube feed.

Abstract: A bale transport comprising a carrier frame including a pair of elongated spaced beams and a pair of elongated rails secured to the beams and spaced inwardly therefrom in general parallel relation thereto. Wheels are secured to the carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinders connect the carrier frame and the wheels for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the ground surface. A loading frame is on the carrier frame and a power mechanism on the carrier frame rigidly extends the loading frame laterally with respect to the carrier frame in order to load a bale onto the elongated movable height adjustable carrier frame. In operation, the loading frame is slid laterally by the power mechanism to a laterally extended position with respect the carrier frame. The carrier frame is moved longitudinally so that the loading frame is on an engagable position with a bale to be loaded resting on a supporting surface. The carrier frame is lowered to substantially the same level as the surface supporting the bale.

Abstract: A hay roll transporter is adapted to pick up very large hay rolls in the field, carry them to another location, and off load them for storage or further transport. The transporter is in the general configuration of a truck, and may be driven on public roads and also as an agricultural vehicle in the field. The transporter is capable of carrying multiple large hay rolls, which rolls may each exceed one thousand pounds. The rolls are loaded in two rows side by side on the truck bed, with rolls being added alternatingly to each row for lateral balance of the truck. A front ramp with movable forks thereon is used to pick up each roll and load it on the front of the truck, whereupon the roll is transferred to a bed rack which carries and deposits the roll on the bed of the transporter truck.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying granular material includes a first conveyor (such as an auger) feeding a second conveyor. In the improvement, the first conveyor feeds granular material into a cone-like converging member. Such converging member defines an area which generally decreases in the direction of material movement. Such converging member may have any of several shapes and a truncated cone shape is preferred for effectiveness, ease of fabrication and the like. In specific applications of the new apparatus on a grain combine, the volume of corn conveyed by the apparatus increased 15% or more when using the converging member.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting debris from a road includes an operator cab located at a front section of the vehicle, a boom assembly located at the front section, a paddle guide assembly located at the front section, and a collection bin located at a back section of the vehicle. The boom assembly carries a rotary rake, a leader blade, and a conveyor belt assembly. The operator cab and boom assembly are configured such that an operator has a substantially unobstructed view of the debris as it is being collected. The paddle guide assembly includes a plurality of paddles configured to move the debris into the path of the rotary rake. The rotary rake guides the debris over the leader blade and onto the conveyor belt assembly. The conveyor belt assembly transports the debris into the collection bin.

Abstract: A conveying system (43) is disclosed including a vertical auger (27) which receives material from a horizontal auger (25). The vertical auger is driven by a hydraulic motor (37) and the horizontal auger is driven by a hydraulic motor (35). A pressure response valve (89) responds to a pressure signal (93), representative of the load on the motor (37) driving the vertical auger to unload or bypass the motor (35) driving a horizontal auger. As the load on the vertical auger decreases, the valve (89) gradually communicates more flow to the motor (35) driving the horizontal auger, thus feeding more material (grain) to the vertical auger.