Patent ID: 6364763
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A load discharge mechanism for use with a forage box container, the forage box container having a forage box container bed and a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the longitudinal axis dividing the forage box container bed into a first portion and a substantially equal second portion, the forage box container bed having a first side margin and a spaced apart second side margin, the load discharge mechanism comprising:a split apron system having a first apron and a second apron, the first apron having a first pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a first one of the first pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains being disposed proximate the first side margin of the forage box container bed and a second one of the first pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains being disposed proximate the longitudinal axis of the forage box container bed, a first plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the pair of spaced apart chains over the entire span of the spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the first pair of advancing chains, the first apron being disposed in the forage box container bed first portion, the second apron having a second pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a first one of the second pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains being disposed proximate the second side margin of the forage box container bed and a second one of the second pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains being disposed proximate the longitudinal axis of the forage box container bed a second plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the second pair of spaced apart chains over the entire span of the spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the second pair of advancing chains, the second apron being disposed in the forage box container bed second portion; a drive mechanism disposed substantially between the first and second aprons and being operably coupled to the split apron for imparting advancing motion to the advancing chains thereof, said advancing motion acting to impart continuous advancing motion to a bulk product disposed on the forage box container bed for the continuous discharge of the bulk product therefrom; and a shroud being disposed between the first apron and the second apron and extending along the forage box container bed.