SEED CART

• US 20120201631A1
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meridian Manufacturing Group Incorporated (Trevluc Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: Meridian Manufacturing Group Incorporated (Trevluc Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Christopher T., Olsen, Kurt W., Frederick, Daniel L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/21
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/003 Bulk fertiliser or grain handling in the field or on the farm
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/208 Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/40 using screw conveyors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/54 characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying filling or emptying features for flexible large containers B65B69/0075; construction or shape of discharge section of hoppers B65D88/28; gates or closures B65D90/54; filling or emptying bunkers, hoppers, or like containers B65G65/30

Abstract

A seed cart includes first and second mating frames. The hopper is mounted on the first frame for holding seed and has an outlet to discharge the seed. A conveyor is mounted on the second frame for movement between seed loading and unloading positions. A plurality of cylinders with extendible and retractable arms control the desired position of the conveyor. A plurality of load cells are mounted on the second frame and support the first frame. The weigh scales weigh the first frame, the hopper, and the seed in the hopper, without weighing the conveyor. Therefore, an accurate amount of seed can be dispensed from the hopper via the conveyor. Wheels and a hitch tongue can be detachably mounted on the second frame to convert the cart from a stationary unit to a mobile unit.

Claims

1. A seed cart, comprising:

a first frame;

a second frame adjacent the first frame;

a hopper on the first frame for holding seed;

a conveyor on the second frame for transporting seed from the hopper; and

weigh scales on the second frame and supporting the first frame so as to weigh the hopper without weighing the conveyor.

2. The seed cart of claim 1 wherein at least one axle with wheels is removably mounted to the second frame.

3. The seed cart of claim 2 further comprising a hitch tongue removably mounted to the second frame.

4. The seed cart of claim 1 further comprising the weigh scale includes a load bar mounted at each corner of the second frame.

5. The seed cart of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected to the second frame and a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the conveyor to control movement of the conveyor between loading and unloading positions relative to the hopper.

6. A seed cart comprising:

a frame assembly having a planar bottom surface;

a hopper mounted on the frame assembly for holding seed and having an outlet to discharge seed and an inlet for receiving seed;

a conveyor on the frame assembly for receiving seed from the hopper outlet;

a plurality of wheels detachably mounted to the frame assembly to allow the cart to be mobile; and

wherein the bottom surface of the frame rests upon a flat surface for stationary use of the cart when all wheels are detached.

7. The seed cart of claim 6 further comprising a hitch tongue detachably mounted to the frame assembly for towing the seed cart when the wheels are attached.

8. The seed cart of claim 6 wherein the frame assembly has first and second frames, with the hopper being mounted on the first frame and the conveyor being mounted on the second sub frame.

9. The seed cart of claim 8 further comprising at least one axle with wheels is removably mounted to the second frame.

10. The seed cart of claim 8 further comprising weigh scales on the second sub frame and supporting the first frame so as to weigh the hopper without weighing the conveyor.

11. The seed cart of claim 10 further comprising the weigh scale includes a load bar mounted at each corner of the second frame.

12. The seed cart of claim 6 further comprising a cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected to the second frame and a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the conveyor to control movement of the conveyor between loading and unloading positions relative to the hopper.

13. A seed cart comprising:

first and second mating frames;

a hopper mounted on the first frame for holding seed and having an outlet to discharge seed;

a conveyor on the second frame for receiving seed from the hopper outlet; and

a scale between the frames to weigh only the first frame, the hopper and seed in the hopper.

14. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein the scale comprising load cells mounted on the second frame to support the first frame.

15. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein the first frame is supported on the scale.

16. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein the conveyor weight is isolated from the scale.

17. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein at least one axle with a pair of wheels and a hitch tongue are removably mounted to the second frame so that the hopper is selectively stationary or mobile.

18. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein the first and second frames have complimentary perimeter shapes.

19. The seed cart of claim 13 wherein the scale includes a plurality of spaced apart load bars.

20. A seed cart, comprising:

a first frame;

a second frame adjacent the first frame;

a hopper on the first frame for holding seed;

a conveyor on the second frame for transporting seed from the hopper; and

a cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected to the second frame and a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the conveyor to control movement of the conveyor between loading and unloading positions relative to the hopper.