Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~79Z66
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:
Mobile mixing and unloading vehicles are used to carry,
mix and discharge a mixture of particulate materials to a loca-
tion such as an animal feed lot. This equipment includes box
or hopper structures for carrying the material. Rotating augers
are located in the box structures to tumble and thoroughly mix
the materials in the box and continuously move the materials.
Conveyor structures are used to move the materials from the box
to a desired location. The box structures have been mounted on
trucks and trailers, permitting them to be moved along the feed
bunk of a feed lot and discharge materials into the feed bunk.
Examples of bulk material blending and unloading vehicles are
shown in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,885,191, issued to E.K. Hansen on
May 5, 1959; 3,090,605, issued to J.V. Copeland et al on May 21,
1963; and 3,189,202; 3,197,075 and 3,215,408, all issued to
E.K. Hansen on June 15, 1965, July 27, 1965 and November 2, 1965,
in that order.
Box-type material blenders have open tops to provide
an access for loading the material into the box. The materials
are loaded into the box with conveyors, buckets and other
material handling equipment. Large portions of material, such
as hard or frozen materials, and foreign objects, such as rocks
and lumber, can be easily placed into the box. These object,
when dumped into the box, will place severe bending loads on
the mixing structure in the box and will prevent the effective
operation of the mixing structure. The open top box is also
a hazard to the operator as there is no safety structure to
prevent the operator from accidentally falling into the box and
being injured by the mixing structure.
The maintenance and repair of the blending apparatus
occasionally requires the removal of the mixing structure from
the box. This requires considerable time and labor as the box
~ structure must be disassembled in order to permit the removal
., :.,
- 2
1~)79Z66
of the mixing structure.
The material blenders for agricultural livestock feeds
are used as mobile units to place the blended feed in a feeding
location, as a feed bunl~. The blenders are also used as stat-
ionary units in feed mixing areas. Thc blended feed is carried
by conveyor to a bunk feeder or like feeding structure. The
box structures of the blenders must be altered to accom~odate
a vehicle or trailer structure or the same box structure is
not used O]l a mobile unit and a stationary unit.
SUMMARY OF INVENTI~N:
The invention is broadly directed to an apparatus for
mixing and blending particula*e materials and discharging the
materials to a desired location. The ap~aratus has box means
defining a chamber for accommodating particuli-lte materials.
Material mixing and blending means located in the chamber of
the box operates to mix the material into a uniform heterogeneous
mixtllre. A conveyor is selectively operable to carry the mat-
erial from the box to a discharge location.
One feature of the invention is the provision of an open
grid means mounted over the open top of the box to prevent
large objects from being dumped into the box and yet allowing
the particulate materlal to be placed into the box. The open
grid means also provides a safety barrier which prevents the
personnel from accidentally falling into the box.
A further feature of the invention is the provision of
releasable connector structure which mounts the material mixing
mcalls on tlle box. The conllector structure permits thc matcrial
]lliXillg lllC;llnS, ilS augcr`s, to bc l`ClllOVC(I frOIII t]lC ~OX without
altering the box structure. The drive means for t]le mixing
means is operably connected to the connector structure mounted
on one of the walls of the box. The drive means is not altered
or disconnected wlle]l the material mixing means are removed from
the box.
- - 3 -
, . .. . : : .. . .
1~79Z166
An additional feature of the invention is the box struc-
ture having a base frame. A forwardly directed towing tongue
is releasably connected to the base frame. Fasteners can be
removed from the tongue and frame so that the tongue can be
separated from the frame without altering the box structure.
A transport wheel and axle assembly suppoTts the box on a
supporting surface. This assembly includes means to releasably
connect it to the base frame. The wheel and axle assembly s
releasably connected to the box frame with releasable fasteners
so that the box and mixing structure, including the drive
structure, is not altered when the wheel and axle assembly is
removed from the frame. This permits the apparatus to be used
as a stationary unit.
An object of the invention is to provide a material mixing
and discharging apparatus opeTable to hold a pluraltiy of
particulate materials, continuously mix and blend the materials
into a uniform heterogeneous mixture of materials, and discharge
the mixture of materials to a desired location. Another object
~ of the invention is to provide a material mixing and feeding
: 20 apparatus that is safe and reliable in use, strong in construc-
tion, and has a long operating life with low maintenance. A
further object of the invention is to provide a material mixing
and discharging apparatus with an open top box having material
mixing means and open grid means over the open top of the box
to prevent large objects from being placed in the box, to
prevent personnel from falling into the box, and to prevent
material loading equipment from engaging the material mixing
means and damaging the box. Yet another object of the invention
is to provide a material mixing and discharging apparatus that
is selectively usable as a mobile apparatus or a stationary
apparatus. A further object of the invention is to provide
a material mixing and discharging box with a removable towing
- 4 -
.
1~79266
---~tongue and a removable wheel and axle assembly so that the box is
usable as a stationary unit without altering the structure of the
box or the means to mix the materials in the box. Another object
of the invention is to provide material mixing and discharge
apparatus with auger assemblies that can be removed from the
apparatus without altering or removing the box structure of the .
apparatus.
IN THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 is a slide elevational view of the mixing and
feeding apparatus of the invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
4-4 of Figure l;
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
5-5 of Figure l;
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
6-6 of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
7-7 of Figure 2;
Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of - -
Figure l;
Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
10-10 of Figure 8;
Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of
Figure 10;
Figure 12, which appears on the third sheet of drawings,
is a rear elevational view of the apparatus diagrammatically
showing the drive structure of the lower augers; and
Figure 13, which appears on the third sheet of drawings,
- 5
' ::
1~)79Z66
is a rear elevational view of the apparatus
diagrammatically showing the drive structure for t]~e upper
augers.
DESCRIPTI~N OF PR~FERRED E~IBODI~IENT:
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4, there is shown the mixing
and discharging or feeding apparatus of the invention in the
form of a wagon or trailer supported on a surface 21, as the
ground. Apparatus 20 is operable to receive particulate mat-
erials, such as grain, silage, haylage, and ot]ler feed materials,
and transport these materials to a discharge or feeding location.
The materials are mixed in the apparatus 20 so that a number
of materials can be thoroug]lly mixed with each other and fine
and coarse materials are evenly clispersed with each other,
providing a generally heterogeneous mixture of particulate
materials. The following description is limited to an apparatus
for mixing animal feed materials. It is apparent that other
types of agricultural and non-agricultural particulate materials
and granular materlals, can be mixed, transported and discharged
by apparatus 20.
The apparatus 20 has an o~en top box or hopper indicated
generally at 22 having a chamber or compartment 25 for accommo-
dating particulate materials 23, as grain, silage and the like.
The open top of box 22 is covered with an open grill assemhly
indicated generally at 24 whic}l prevents large objects from
being loaded into the hopper or personnel from accidentally
Fillli.llg illtO tllC box cllallll)er 25. nOx 22 has ;I concave groovod
base or floor 26 and upwardly and outwardly extended side walls
27 and 28. Floor 26 has a pair of longitudinal channels for
accommodating lower augers 112 and 113. An upright front wall
2~ closes the front of the box. In a similar manner, an upright
back wall 31 closes the bac~ of the box 22. The base 26 and ~ -
walls 27, 28, 29 and 31 of box 22 are secured to a base frame
. .
~ ~ - 6 -
. , . . . ~: . :.. .
--~` 1079Z66
`
30. Frame 30 is made of right angle beams and has a rectangular
box shape. The walls 27-31 have outwardly directed flanges 27A,
28A, 29A and 31A along their upper edges which reinforce the
upper sections of the walls and provide support structure for
the grill assembly 24. 3 ~,
A material discharge conveyor indicated generally at
is mounted on side wall 28 for receiving material from box
chamber 25 and moving the material to a selected location, as
a livestock feeding area or feed bunk. A material moving and
mixing means, indicated generally at 33, is located within the -
i chamber 25 below grill assembly 24. Material moving and mixing
j means 33 is longitudinally disposed in the box chamber 25 and
is operable to move the material 23 in a continuous mixing
pattern so that particulate materials of various kinds, sizes
' and densities will be thoroughly mixed and blended with each
other.
A forwardly directed tongue indicated generally at 34 is
. - .
~ secured to the forward end of the box 22. As shown in Figure
i 2, tongue 34 comprises a pair of forwardly and inwardly con-
verging beams 36 and 37. A hitch or clevis structure (not
shown) is secured to the forward ends of beams 36 and 37. The
rear sections of beams 36 and 37 are located under the opposite
sides of the front of the base frame 30 of box 22. As shown
in Figure 5, nut and bolt as~mblies 39 secure the beam 36 to
the base frame 30. The nut and bolt assemblies 39 are removable
whereby the tongue 34 can be removed from the frame 30. When
tongue 34 is removed, the box can be used as a stationary unit
in a feed room or feed mixing area.
A transport wheel and axle assembly, indicated generally
at 41, is secured to the rear section of the box frame 30. -
Wheel and axle assembly 41 has a transverse tubular beam 42
connected to a pair of brackets or supports 43 and 44. The
.,
- 7 -
., . . . , , .......................... .. , . ......... . :
,. - . . .
79266
supports 43 and 44 are secured to opposite portions of the box
frame 30 with a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 46. As
shown in Figure 6, support 43 has an upright plate 43A and an
inwardly directed plate or flange 43B. Plate 43A and flange
43B are secured by welds or the like to the beam 42. The plate
43A has a plurality of holes for accommodating the nut and bolt
assemblies 46. Support 44 is constructed in a manner similar
to bracket 43. Additional nut and bolt assemblies (not sho~n)
attach the flange 43B to the box frame 30. The nut and bolt
assemblies 46 can be removed so that the entire wheel and axle
assembly 41 can be separated from the box frame 30. The box
frame 30 can then be mounted directly on a supporting surface,
Apparatus 20 is usable as a stationary unit without any alter-
ations or changes to the box structure, the mixing structure
or the discharge structure, since tongue 34 and transport wheel
and axle assembly 41 are readily removable from the box frame
30.
A first fixed axle or spindle 47 is telescoped into one
end of the tubular beam 42. In a similar manner, a second
~0 fixed axle or spindle 48 is telescoped into the opposite end
of the tubular means 42. A horizontal bolt 49 extends through
aligned holes 52 in axle 47 and beam 42 to hold axle 47 in
assembled relation with the beam 42. A bolt 51 extended through
suitable holes in beam 42 and axle 48 holds the axle 48 in
assembled relation with beam 42. A wheel 53, including a
pneumatic flotation tire, is secured to the axle 47. A similar
wheel 54 having a pneumatic flotation tire is secured *o axle
48. Load sensing means, as strain gauges, are associated with
axles 47 and 48. The strain gauges are included in an elect- ::
ronic circuit operable to provide readable information of the
weight of the material in box chamber 25.
"
-- 8 --
1~79Z~
.
As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the open grill assembly 24
comprises a plurality of longitudinal members 56 and a plurality -
of transverse members 57. Members 56 extend longitudinally
from the front wall to the back wall of the box and are gener-
ally parallel to each other. The transverse members 57 extend
across the side walls of the top of the box and are secured
to the opposite side walls of the box. The transverse members
57 are located below the longitudinal members 56. Transverse
members 57 are generally parallel to each other and are equally ~ ~ -
spaced from each other from the front wall to the back wall.
Preferably, adjacent members 56 and 57 are spaced one foot or
; 30 cm apart. As shown in Figure 3, member 57 is a tubular
,
' member having a flattened end 58. A nut and bolt assembly 59
extends through a hole in end 58 and flange 28A to secure the
member to the flange. Similar nut and bolt assemblies are
used to secure the ends of members 56 and 57 to the flanges
27A, 28A, 29A and 31A.
I Referring to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 7, the material discharge
`I conveyor 32 extends laterally from the lower part of side wall
l 20 28. Conveyor 32 has a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending
¦ side plates 61 and 62. A transverse pan 63 is secured to the
side plates 61 and 62 and provides a base or material supporting
! surface carrying an endless chain conveyor 64. Conveyor 64
comprises a pair of chains connected with a plurality of spaced
transverse members 66. The lower ends of the chain are trained
about drive sprocket 67. The upper ends of the chains are
located about idler sprockets 68. The sprockets 67 are secured
' to a drive shaft 69. A hydraulic motor 70 is attached to the
drive shaft to transmit driving power to the endless conveyor
64. Motor 70 is connected with lines or hoses to a source of
fluid under pressure and controls for regulating the flow of
fluid to the motor.
g '
" 1~79æ6,~i
The idler sprockets 68 are mounted on a transverse shaft
71. Opposite ends of shaft 71 are carried in adjustable bear-
ings 71A, as shown in Figure 4. The bearings are longitudin-
ally adjustable with an adjusting bolt and nut assemblies 72
to place the conveyor 64 in tension. The hydraulic motor 70
operates to drive the conveyor- 64 in the direction of arrow 73,
as shown in Figure 7. Conveyor 64 carries the material upward
onto a discharge chute 74. Chute 74 is a generally U-shaped
configuration and is pivotally connected to the outer end
sections of the side plates 61 and 62 with suitable fasteners
76 such as nut and bolt assemblies. Chute 74 can be pivoted
in an upward direction whereby the particulate material is
discharged directly from the conveyor 64 to a desired location.
; A flat bottom wall 77 is secured to the lower edges of
the side plates 61 and 62 to protect the bottom run of conveyor
64. A hinge structure 78 pivotally mounts the lower end of
bottom wall 77 to the lower part of side wall 28. As shown
in Figure 1, hinge 78 is located adjacent opposite sides of
, the bottom wall 77. Hinge 78 can be first tubular members
1 20 secured to the box wall 28 and second tubular members secured
!' to the bottom wall 77. A common rod extended through the first
and second tubular members pivotally connects the conveyor 32 -~
to the wall 28. Other types of hinge structures can be used
to pivotally connect conveyor 32 to wall 28 or the base frame
30.
A pair of support plates 79 and 81 are ex$ended upwardly
from hinge 78. The support plates 79 and 81 are secured to
the side wall 28 with suitable fasteners such as nut and bolt
assemblies. A cross bar 82 is connected to the upper ends of
, 30 plates 79 and 81. The support plates 79 and 81 are located
', adjacent opposite sides of an opening 83 in the lower part of
box wall 28. Secured to and extended upwardly along the inside
,:
- 10 - ''`'
. ' ' ''''', :
. .
~,... . .. ,
1~)79Z66
of support plates 79 and 81 are linear rails 84. The rails 84
are spaced outwardly from the box wall 28 to provide a channel -
for accommodating a generally flat door or gate 85. The gate
85 is of a size slightly larger than the opening 83 so that
the gate 85 will close the opening. The rails 84 extend up-
wardly and permit gate 85 to be moved upwardly to open the
opening 83. The gate 85 is moved from its open and closed --
positions with a double acting hydraulic cylinder indicated~
generally at 86. The cylinder 86 has a piston rod 87 carrying
a generally U-shaped member 87A. An ear 88 secured to gate
85 extends between the U-shaped member 87A. A pin 89 connects
the member 87A and the ear 88. The piston rod 87 extends
upwardly into cylinder 90. Cylinder 90 has a head 91 connected
to cross member 82 with a pin 92. Cylinder 90 is connected
to a source of hydraulic pressure with suitable hydraulic
lines 90A and 90B. The controls for the hydraulic fluid supply
for the cylinder 87 and the hydraulic motor 70 can be mounted
on the front of the box 25 or on the draft vehicle.
The side plates 61 and 62 are located adjacent the out-
sides of support plates 79 and 81, respectively. Suitable
fasteners 93, such as nut and bolt assemblies, connect the
side plate 61 with the support plate 79 and the side plate 62
with support plate 81. Support plates 79 and 81`have addit-
ional holes 94 for accommodating fasteners 93 whereby the
angular position of discharge conveyor 32 can be changed and
thereby alter the height or elevation of the out chute 74.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, there is shown the material
moving and mixing means indicated generally at 33 located within
chamber 25 of the box 22. The material moving and mixing means
comprises a pair of upper longitudinal augers 96 and 97 extended
between the front wall 29 and rear wall 31 adjacent the walls
27 and 28. Auger 96 has a longitudinal shaft 98. A pair of
- 11 -
79Z66
'
flight sections 99 and 101 are secured to the shaft. Flight
section 99 extends from the front wall 29 toward section 101.
In a similar manner, flight section 101 extends from the back
wall 31 toward section 99. The flight sections 99 and 101
have reverse twists or reverse spiral patterns whereby they
convey material away from the end walls 29 and 31 toward the
central section of chamber 25. Adjacent ends of flight sections
99 and 101 are secured together. Section 101 has a longitud-
inal length about twice the length of section 99. Connectors
' 10 indicated ~enerally at 102 and 103 secured to the ends of shaft
98 removably movably support the auger 96 on shaft structure
rotatably mounted on walls 28 and 31. The particular mounting
structures for the shaft structures are shown in Figure 10 and
are hereinafter described.
Upper auger 97 has a longitudinal shaft 104 carrying
separate flight sections 106 and 107. Flight sections 106
and 107 have opposite spiral patterns or reverse twists whereby
i the material is moved away from the walls 29 and 31 toward the
central section of chamber 25. Adjacent ends of flight sections -
106 and 107 are secured together. Section 106 has a longitud-
~l inal length about twice the length of section 107. Auger 96
; is identical to and positioned parallel to auger 97, with auger -
97 being located in an opposite operating position. Flight
sections 99, 101, 106 and 107 have the same diameter. Connectors
i 108 and 109 removably secure the auger 97 to shaft structures
`I rotatably mounted on bearings secured to walls 29 and 31. A
drive assembly indicated generally at 111 is located behind
rear wall 31 and is operable to rotate the augers 96 and 97
whereby the particulate material in chamber 25 is moved, mixed
and blended in response to the rotation of flight sections 99,
101, 106 and 107. The material moves toward the center section
of chamber 25 and toward side walls 27 and 28.
- 12 -
-- 11)'792~6 -
Referring to Figure 9, a pair of lower augers 112 and 113
extend longitudinally in chamber 25. Augers 112 and 113 are
located below and inwardly of the upper augers 96 and 97 as
shown in Figure 7. Augers 112 and 113 are parallel to augers
96 and 97.
Lower auger 112 has a longitudinal shaft 114. A pair of
flight sections 116 and 117 are secured to the shaft 114. The .
lower portions of flight sections 116 and 117 are located in
one groove in bottom wall 26. Flight sections 116 and 117 have
opposite spiral patterns. A plurality of radial paddles 115 ~.
are secured to shaft 114 adjacent the inner ends of flight
sections 116 and 117. Flight section 116 has a longitudinal
length about twice the longitudinal length of flight section 117.
The rotating auger 112 operates to move and mix the material
toward the paddles 115. Paddles 115 kick oremo~e the material
toward the auger 113. Connectors 118 and 119 releasab.ly secured
to opposite ends of shaft 114 mount the shaft 114 on rotatable
shaft and bearing structures carried by walls 29 and 31.
The second lower auger 113 has a lower portion located in
the second groove of the bottom wall 26. Auger 113 has a
longitudinal shaft 121. A first short flight section 122 is
secured to the forward end of shaft 121. A second flight sec-
tion 123 is secured to the rear part of shaft 121. Flight 123
has a longitudinal length about twice the longitudinal length
of flight sectlon 122. A plurality of pairs of outwardly
directed paddles 124 are secured to shaft 121 between flight
sections 122 and 123. The paddles 124 function to move or kick
the material from chamber 25 out through the opening 83 so that
the endless conveyor 64 can laterally discharge the material.
Flight sections 122 and 123 have opposite helical turns or
spiral patterns that function to carry the material toward
paddles 124. Connectors 126 and 127 releasably mount the ends
- 13 -
1~79266
of shaft 124 to rotatable structure mounted on the walls 29
and 31. The drive assembly 111 is operatively connected to
the shaft structure extended from the rear wall 31.
Each auger 96, 97, 112 and 113 has a short flight section
and a long flight section having opposite helical twists and
thus move material in opposite directions. The longitudinal
length ratio between the long section and the short section is
2:1. The upper augers 96 and 97 are mounted in end-to-end
positions so that the long flight section of one auger is
laterally located relative to the short flight section of the
other auger. The lower augers 112 and 113 are also mounted in
end-to-end positions so that the long flight section of one
auger is laterally located relative to the short flight section
of the other auger. The short flight section 99 of auger 96
is above the long flight section 116 of auger 112. The long
flight section 106 o auger 97 is above the short flight section
122 of auger 113. The long-short flight section arrangement
of the augers 96, 97, 112 and 113 provides for an efficient
material moving and mixing pattern having a considerable path
or length. The path is in the nature of a figure eight. The
four augers 96, 97, 112 and 113 have low power requirements
to mix feed~materials and produce a low thrust on the support ;
bearings 136.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown the con-
nector indicated generally at 102 for releasably connecting
the end of auger shaft 98 to a rotatable structure mounted on
wall 29. Connector 102 comprises a first plate 128 secured
by means of welds or the like to the end of shaft 98. Plate
128 is located in a plane normal to the longitudinal or rota-
tional axis of shaft 98. A gusset 129 is connected to plate
128 and the adjacent flight section 99. A second plate 132
is located adjacent the outside of plate 128. A longitu-
- 14 -
- 1~79;~66
:
:` :
dinal stub shaft 133 is secured to plate 132. A plurality of
nut and bolt assemblies 134 extend through aligned holes in
plates 128 and 132 to secure the plates 128 and 132 together.
The stub shaft 133 is rotatably carried in a bearing 136.
Bearing 136 is located between channel beam 137 secured to
front wall 29. A plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 138
, secure bearing 136 to beam 137.
The connectors 103, 108, 109, 118, 119, 126 and 127 are
of the same construction as connector 102. The connectors 103,
109, 119 and 127 support the rear ends of the augers. The
drive assembly 111 is drivably connected to the stub shafts
, of the rear connectors.
;i The augers 96, 97, 112 and 113 can be removed from the
box 22 without altering or removing any of the box structure.
The open grill assembly 24 is initially removed from the top
)i Of the box to expose the augers. The nut and bolt assemblies
l 134 are removed so that the augers 96, 97, 112 and 113 can be
i lifted from the box chamber 25.
Referring to Figures 12 and 13, there is shown a diagram-
~; 20 matic view of the drive assembly indicated generally at lll
for rotating the upper augers 96 and 97 and the lower augers
112 and 113. The power is derived from a power takeoff drive ;
` unit 139 shown in Figure 1, The power is transmitted through
:'! drive shaft 141 extended longitudinally through the base frame
;l 30 of the box and is supported thereon with suitable bearings
(not shown). A drive sproc~t 142 is secured to the rear end
of shaft 141. The sprocket 142 is in alignment with a large
driven sprocket 143 mounted on a shaft 147. A roller chain
- 144 drivably connects the sprocket 142 with the sprocket 143.
The chain 144 cooperates with idler sprocket 146. The shaft 147
also carries a first sprocket 148 and a second sprocket 154.
Sprocket 148 is in alignment with a sprocket 149 mounted on
- 15 -
:
-- 1079Z66
the stub shaft 133C for the auger 112. A chain 151 drivably
connects sprocket 148 and sprocket 149. The sprocket 149 is
driven in the direction of arrow 152. A sprocket 153 is
drivably mounted on the stub shaft 133D for the auger 113. A
roller chain 156 connects sprockets 153 and 154. Chain 156 is
trained about a plurality of idler sprockets 157 and operates
to drive sprocket 153 in the direction of arrow 158. Sprocket
pairs 148 and 149 and 153 and 154 have the same size ratios~so
that the augers 112 and 113 rotate at substantially the same
speed.
Referring to Figure 13, the upper augers 96 and 97 are
driven with chain and sprocket drives from the lower augers
112 and 113. Auger 96 is drivably connected to auger 113 with
- a sprocket 159 mounted on the stub shaft 133D and a sprocket ~
161 mounted on stub shaft 133A. A roller chain 162 connects ~ ~-
the sprockets 159 and 161. Auger 97 is connected to auger 112
with a chain sprocket drive. The drive includes a sprocket
163 mounted on stub shaft 133C and a sprocket 164 mounted on
the stub shaft 133B. A roller chain 166 connects the sprockets
163 and 164. The sprocket sizes are such that the top augers ;
96 and 97 rotate faster than bottom augers 112 and 113. This
insures a constant and even mixing of the particulate material
in box chamber 25.
The chain and sprocket drive assemblies are constantly
lubricated. As shown in Figure 12, the sprocket 142 and one
of the idler sprockets 157 are located in a pan 167 containing
lubricating oil 168. The pan 167 forms the bottom wall of a
housing 169 which encloses the drive assembly 111. Housing
169 is attached to the rear wall 131 of the box 22.
In use, material loading machines having buckets and the
like are used to pick up particulate material such as silage
and grain and dump the material into the box chamber 25. The
- 16 -
79266
particulate may occasionally contain large objects which, if
placed in box chamber 25, would damage the material moving and
mixing means 33. The open grill assembly 24 functions as a
sieve to prevent the introduction of large objects into box
I chamber 25. The grill assembly 24 also functions as a shield
or barrier to prevent loading equipment from damaging the box
and top augers and prevent personnel from falling into the box
~ chamber 25. The grill assembly 24, being fixedly secured to
A the top portions of the side wall, cannot be readily removed
so that its functions will not be impaired.
The augers 96 and 97 and 112 and ~ are rotated with
the operation of drive assembly 111. The power takeoff shaft
is connected to the towing ve~cle to introduce power to the
drive assembly 111. The rotating augers 96, 97, 112 and 113
move the particulate material in a continuous flow and mixing
pattern similar to a figure eight pattern.
The mixed particulate material is discharged from box
22 with the use of discharge conveyor 32. Initially, the
double acting hydraulic cylinder 86 is operated to open the
1 20 door 85. This provides a discharge opening 83 in the box side
i wall 28 through which the material is discharged onto conveyor
64. `The hydraulic motor ~ operates to move the conveyor 64
and thereby carry the material to the out chute 74. Out chute
74 directs the material to a desired location, such as an
animal feed bunk. The box 22 can be moved so that the material
is discharged in an elongated ribbon in a bunk feeder. The
material can be discharged in other locations and without
- moving the box.
In the event that it is necessary to remove and replace
an auger, the grill assembly 24 is irst removed from box 22.
The auger is then disconnected at its connectors 9 as connectors
102 and 103, to permit the auger 96 to be removed vertically
- 17 -
~1)79Z66
from the box chamber 25. The connectors are released by removing
the nut and bolt assemblies 134.
The mixing and feeding apparatus 20 can be used as a
stationary unit without altering the box or the material moving
and mixing structure. This is accomplished by removing tongue
34 from box frame 30. Nut and bolt assemblies 39 are released
so that the beams 36 and 37 can be separated from the box
frame 30. The wheel and axle assembly 41 is removed from box
frame 30 by removing the nut and bolt assemblies 46. The box
frame 30 can then be mounted on a fixed support. The power
takeoff drive unit 139 can be replaced with a suitable electric :
motor or gasoline engine operable to provide power to-drive
shaft 141.
While there has been shown and described a preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is understood that changes in -~
the size, location of the structures and types of augers and :
conveyors may be made by those s~illed in the art without
departing from the invention.
.' ' , .
'':'
- 18 -
, . : . . . . .
