Patent ID: 6109552
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A01F,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing compacted feed, such as silage and the like, from an open end of an agricultural feed storage bag of the type formed by elongated tubular flexible sheet material, said apparatus comprising:a framework having a front part for facing the open end of said bag,ground engaging means supporting said framework for normal travel over the ground towards said open end of said bag in a direction substantially coinciding with a longitudinal axis of said bag,a conveyor system including a feed collecting means and a transporting means for carrying feed from said feed collecting means to an area of removal,said feed collecting means extending substantially across said framework and defining a forward edge toward said front part of said framework,a forwardly projecting feed transfer means for engaging the compacted feed exposed at the open end of said bag to thereby fragment said compacted feed and move the fragmented feed rearwardly to said feed collecting means, andan advancing means for drawing said framework over the ground towards said open end of said bag and in a direction of the longitudinal axis of said bag,said advancing means including:lower roller means mounted on said framework for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis extending normal to said longitudinal axis of said bag,said lower roller means presenting an outer surface for driving engagement with a lower portion of said sheet material extending from beneath said compacted feed,a roller drive means for rotating said lower roller means to thereby develop a pull on said framework and move said framework toward said open end of said bag,said lower roller means further forming a sheet material raising means for directing said lower portion of said sheet material upwardly from the ground and adjacent said forward edge of said feed collecting means.