ROTATING GRAIN TANK UNLOADER

• US 3,664,525 A
• Filed: 07/06/1970
• Issued: 05/23/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Massey Combines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Franz Joseph Herbsthofer
• Inventors: Herbsthofer, Franz Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Forlenza, Gerald M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Forsberg, Jerold M.
• Application Number:
  US05/052,489
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 214/83.26,522,17D,99,83.32 198/100
• US Class Current: 414/326
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/1217 Unloading mechanisms

Abstract

A grain handling apparatus for a combine harvester including a horizontal transfer auger in the bottom of the tank for conveying grain to a discharge opening in the bottom of the tank and a discharge conveyor including a conduit and a discharge auger. The lower end of the discharge conveyor is rotatably mounted in continuous communication with the discharge opening for movement about an axis extending transversely of the conduit between an unloading position inclined upwardly and outwardly and an out of use position. The discharge auger is driven by the transfer auger through bevel gears, an intermediate shaft rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the discharge auger, sprockets on the discharge auger and the intermediate shaft outside the conduit and an endless chain trained around the sprockets.

Claims

1. Grain handling apparatus comprising a tank for temporarily storing harvested grain, a discharge opening in the bottom of the tank, a substantially horizontal transfer conveyor in the tank for conveying grain to the discharge opening, a discharge conveyor mounted on the tank for unloading grain from the tank and depositing it into a suitable receptacle, means rotatably mounting the inlet end of the discharge conveyor in continuous communication with the discharge opening for movement between an unloading position inclined outwardly and upwardly from the discharge opening and an out of use position, said transfer conveyor including a transfer auger, said discharge conveyor including a conduit and discharge auger rotatably journaled in the conduit and drive means connecting the discharge end of the transfer auger to the inlet end of the discharge auger including an intermediate shaft rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the discharge auger, bevel gearing to connect one end of the intermediate shaft to the transfer auger including a bevel gear on the transfer auger, a bevel gear on one end of the intermediate shaft, and an intermediate bevel gear meshing with the bevel gear on the transfer auger and the bevel gear on the intermediate shaft, said intermediate bevel gear being rotatable about an axis which coincides with the axis of rotation of the inlet end of the discharge conveyor and torque transmitting means outside the tank and the discharge conveyor conduit for connecting the intermediate shaft to one end of the discharge auger.

2. The grain handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the torque transmitting means outside the tank and the discharge conveyor conduit includes a sprocket on the intermediate shaft, a sprocket on the lower end of the discharge auger, and an endless belt trained around both sprockets.

3. The grain handling apparatus of claim 2 wherein a hydraulic ram is provided for effecting movement of the unloading conveyor between an unloading position and an out of use position.