Patent ID: 8366372
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. An unloading conveyor system for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: an elongate auger tube having a discharge end and containing a helical unloading auger rotatably operable for conveying grain toward the discharge end, the discharge end of the tube having a lower portion including a peripheral edge portion bounding a downwardly facing discharge opening having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and through which the grain will be discharged by the operation of the auger, the peripheral edge portion including a transversely extending lower peripheral edge portion longitudinally spaced from an endmost portion of the discharge end of the tube; an elongate spout having a first open end portion, an opposite second open end portion, and spaced apart upwardly extending sidewall portions and a bottom therebetween defining an upwardly open channel extending between the open end portions, the first open end portion having elements disposed above the lower portion and including pivot joints connecting to the tube and configured for allowing pivotal movement of the spout relative to the tube through a range of open positions between a fully open position extending downwardly from the tube, and a closed position extending generally parallel to the tube in covering relation to the discharge opening so as to prevent grain loss therefrom, the lower portion of the first open end portion of the spout being configured to cooperate with an element on the tube adjacent to the lower peripheral edge portion for preventing passage of grain therebetween, and the sidewall portions extending upwardly at least to side portions of the peripheral edge portion of the tube when the spout is in the partial and fully open positions to prevent grain loss therebetween; a first actuator connected to the spout and controllably operable for moving the spout between the fully open position and the closed position about a first axis; and a second actuator connected to the discharge end of the elongate auger tube, the second actuator controllably operable for moving the discharge end about a second axis, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to and intersects the second axis, such that at least a portion of the spout and at least a portion of the discharge end are movable individually, sequentially or simultaneously on first and second axes while grain is moved therethrough; and an input device connected in operative control of the first and second actuator and operable for controlling operation of the first and second actuator.