Patent ID: 8197312
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: A01D,A01F

Abstract:
1. An agricultural combine unloader comprising: an unloader tube connected to the agricultural combine, the unloader tube extending substantially horizontally with respect to the agricultural combine, the unloader tube including: an interior passageway, and an auger within the interior passageway for conveying crop material therethrough to a discharge end, wherein the discharge end of the unloader tube includes an opening, wherein the opening is a downwardly facing opening; an unloader extension coupled to the discharge end, the unloader extension includes: an inlet end for receiving crop material from the discharge end of the unloader tube, an outlet end for discharging the crop material, and an upwardly facing surface connecting the inlet and outlet ends; and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the discharge end of the unloader tube to selectively position the unloader extension in at least a discharge position to discharge the crop material from the unloader tube and a closed position to cover the discharge end of the unloader tube, the drive mechanism including a turret and the turret rotates about a substantially vertical axis, wherein the inlet end of the unloader extension is pivotably connected to the turret, the drive mechanism further includes a pivot mechanism operatively connected to the unloader extension to pivot the unloader extension about a substantially horizontal axis, wherein the unloader extension is substantially parallel to the unloading tube in the both the discharge and closed position, further wherein the unloading extension is vertically disposed along the substantially vertical axis under the discharge opening of the unloading tube.