Seed drill filling apparatus

A lift auger and hopper extension assembly for use with a no-till or like seeder drill having an elongated seed hopper mounted laterally across the seeder drill. The assembly comprises a lift auger unit mounted on the seeder drill for movement about horizontal and vertical axes and movable on a slide mechanism from a storage position parallel alongside the seed hopper to a fill position with a fill hopper adjacent the ground and a spout unit poised above the center of the seed hopper, and the associated hopper extension mounted on top of the seed hopper for receiving and distributing an even flow of grain from the spout unit toward both ends of the seed hopper.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to a lift auger and hopper extension 
apparatus for filling the seed tank of a seeder drill. 
BACKGROUND ART 
It is still common practice for a drill operator about to undertake field 
planting to fill the seed box of the drill by shoveling seed from a truck 
box or the like, or by carrying the seed in bags from a truck and dumping 
the seed at various locations along the long and narrow seed box of the 
drill, from whence the seed is metered out for planting purposes. 
This art has advanced, nevertheless, by the provisions of various devices 
for facilitating the loading and distributing of the seed into the seed 
box, including but not limited to: lift augers for transferring seed from 
a ground level to one end of the seed box, which lift augers may be 
straight or angular for storage purposes; and seed box extensions with 
cross augers associated therewith for more quickly and evenly distributing 
the seed grain throughout the seed box, or with elevated cross augers 
extended above the seed box for controlled filling thereof. 
Although these prior art devices provide definite improvements over the 
common practice, there is still room for further innovations in this field 
which would more greatly facilitate the loading and controlled, uniform 
distribution of seed into the seed box, and facilitate further the 
transportation of the equipment in combination with the seed drill in a 
manner which would not increase the overall height and width dimensions of 
the seed drill. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is provided for use with an agricultural implement, 
such as a drill manufactured and sold by Deere & Company under Model No. 
750 and termed "No Till Drill," having a normally horizontally disposed 
frame carried by wheels and towed by a prime mover such as a farm tractor, 
and with a particulate material (seed grain) carrying hopper mounted upon 
and extended laterally substantially the entire width of the frame. 
The combined lift auger and hopper extension assembly of this invention 
comprises an elongated container mounted upon and in fluid communication 
with the implement hopper for increasing the material carrying capacity of 
the hopper; a second container secured to one side of the first container 
and in fluid communication therewith, an auger unit rotatably mounted 
within the second container and extended the length thereof and the length 
of the first container, a seed inlet box mounted on the second container 
for passing grain into the center of the second container for transfer by 
the auger unit to both ends of the second container for uniform movement 
into the first container; and a lift auger unit having an elongated auger 
with a seed receiving hopper at one end and a spout at the other end, the 
lift auger unit mounted on a frame supported base for movement about both 
vertical and horizontal axes for positioning the seed receiving hopper at 
a ground position for receiving seed for transfer by the auger unit 
upwardly to the spout for discharge into the seed inlet box, and a slide 
mechanism for interconnecting the lift auger to the base for providing a 
sliding movement of the lift auger to a storage position supported on the 
frame parallel the seed hopper and below same such as to lie generally 
within the width and height confines of the implement frame and seed 
hopper. 
It is an object of this invention to provide a loading device for grain 
drills and the like which increases the planting capacity of the grain 
drill with a minimal modification. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a loading device which 
delivers seed to the grain drill from a ground seed receiving position by 
a lift auger unit, thus reducing immeasurably the labor required to fill 
the grain drill with seed for planting. 
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a loading device for 
center filling a secondary seed hopper for simultaneous delivery of the 
seed to both ends of the seed hopper for an even, uniform delivery of the 
seed into the seed hopper, another advantage being a reduction of seed 
damage. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a loading device 
having a spring-assisted lift auger device whereby the lift auger can 
easily be moved between a transport position in front of the seed hopper 
and across the width of the seed hopper for compact transportation, to a 
use position with a seed receiving end on the ground.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the seed drill filling apparatus, more 
specifically the lift auger and hopper extension assembly of this 
invention is shown generally at (20), mounted on a drill implement such as 
that manufactured by Deere & Company and termed the 750 Series No-Till 
Drill (21), or the like. The drill (21) includes a frame (22) normally 
horizontally disposed and mounted on fore and aft wheels (23), with seed 
drilling gangs (24) suspended below the frame (22), and with a seed tank 
or hopper (26) mounted on top of the frame (22) and extended thereover, it 
being noted that the seed hopper (26) extends laterally across the frame 
(22) and generally at midpoint between the front member (22a) and the rear 
member (22b) (FIG. 1) of the frame (22) . 
The lift auger and hopper extension assembly (20) comprises generally an 
elongated hopper extension unit (27) mounted on the seed drill hopper (26) 
for increasing the material carrying capacity of the hopper (26), the unit 
(27) extended lengthwise the hopper (26) (FIG. 4) and having a length 
substantially the length of the hopper (26); a cross auger unit (28) 
(FIGS. 1, 2) including an elongated housing (29) with a pair of augers 
(31), (32) of opposite flighting mounted therein, the unit (28) mounted on 
one side of the hopper extension unit (27) and in fluid communication 
therewith, the cross auger unit (28) including a center fill hopper (33) 
(FIG. 4) mounted centrally of and on top of the housing (29) for receiving 
grain from the lift auger unit (34) and transferring it--evenly divided to 
the inner ends (36), (37) of the augers (31), (32) respectively, within 
the cross auger housing (29) for movement laterally outwardly toward the 
outer ends (38), (39) of the housing (29) for even distribution into the 
extension unit (27) from whence the grain falls evenly into the seed drill 
hopper (26). 
The lift auger and hopper extension assembly (20) comprises further the 
lift auger unit (34) (FIGS. 1-4) including an elongated tube (41) with an 
auger (42) rotatably mounted therein and having a conventional seed 
receiving hopper (43) at one end of the tube (41) and a grain discharge 
spout device (44) at the opposite end for discharging grain. into the 
center fill hopper (33); the auger tube (41) being mounted on a swivel 
base unit (46) mounted in turn on the drill frame (22) and providing 
movement of the auger tube (41) about both vertical and horizontal axes. 
By further provision of a slide mechanism (47) interconnecting the lift 
auger tube (41) to the swivel base unit (46), the auger tube (41) is 
movable from a use position (FIGS. 1-3) wherein the auger tube hopper (43) 
is in a ground engaged position for receiving grain for augered movement 
upwardly to the discharge spout device (44), to a generally horizontal 
position where, by sliding the auger tube (41) relative to the stationary 
slide mechanism (47), the auger tube (41) is positioned alongside, 
extended parallel and in front of the seed drill hopper (26) in a stow or 
transport position. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted the length of 
the auger tube (41), including the hopper (43) and spout device (44), is 
generally equal the width of the drill frame (22), and is disposed not 
higher than the seed drill hopper (26). 
Although not shown, the drill implement (21) has the capability of metering 
seed from the seed hopper (26) downwardly to the seed drilling gangs (24) 
for placement in furrows formed within the ground by disk openers (48) 
(FIG. 2) and also has the capacity of transferring fertilizer from a tank 
(not shown) placed adjacent the seed hopper (26) for application between 
the seeding rows formed by the drilling gangs (24) in no-till conditions. 
More particularly, the extension hopper unit (27) comprises an elongated, 
rectangular container (49) having opposed end walls (51), (52) (FIG. 4) 
with opposed front and rear walls (53), (54) (FIG. 10), the container (49) 
mounted on top (56) of the seed hopper (26), and further with a lid 
removable or pivotally operable as desired. The container (49) is further 
provided with an open base (58) (FIG. 10) in fluid communication with the 
upper, open area (59) of the seed hopper (26). The provision of the hopper 
extension unit (27) increases the capacity of the drill seed hopper (26) 
approximately twenty percent. 
The cross auger unit housing (29) (FIGS. 1 and 4) has a length comparable 
to that of the seed hopper (26) and in cross section (FIG. 10) has a 
C-shape with a top (61), rounded outer wall (62), base (63), and an open 
inner side (64) formed by the top (61) and base (63) secured to the front 
wall (53) of the extension unit container (49) with a like open space for 
fluid communication therebetween. A safety grate (66) comprised of 
vertical and horizontal rods (67), (68) respectively, and leaving multiple 
openings (69) is secured substantially the entire length of the opening 
(64). Vertical elements (71) (FIGS. 9 and 9A) are secured to the grate 
(66) at laterally spaced locations and have vertical elongated slots (72) 
for adjustably fastening by fasteners (73) an elongated, granular flow 
control gate or door (74) having either a straight or irregular, such as 
scalloped, lower edge (76) thereto; a door (74) disposed to either side of 
the center of the housing (29) whereat the two augers (31), (32) are 
joined. 
By providing for vertical adjustment of the doors (74), and with their 
location extended outwardly from the housing center but not necessarily 
the entire width of the housing (29) (See FIG. 9A), an even distribution 
of grain as moved laterally outwardly by the reverse or opposed flighting 
augers (31), (32) is achieved from the cross auger housing (29) into the 
extension container (49). For example, simply moving the doors (74) 
downwardly to a position as shown in FIGS. 9, 9A, limits the flow of grain 
into the center of the hopper container (49) and the seed drill hopper 
(26). 
The augers (31), (32) have their inner ends connected together and 
rotatably supported at a mounting bracket and bushing, the bracket secured 
centrally of an upright support secured in turn to the cross auger housing 
(29), and have their outer ends (not shown) rotatably mounted 
appropriately at the outer wall ends (38), (39) (FIG. 4) of the housing 
(29), one end rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor (81) of appropriate 
capacity secured to the housing end wall (39). As mentioned hereinbefore, 
the center fill hopper (33) (FIGS. 1-4) is mounted centrally of the cross 
auger housing (29), and is rectangular in shape having end walls (82), 
(83) and side walls with an open base for fluid communication with a 
central opening formed in the housing (29), and with a movable lid (89) 
(FIG. 3) for permitting entry therein of the lift auger discharge spout 
device (44) (FIG. 9). To aid in distributing grain evenly to both ends 
(36), (37) of the cross augers (31), (32), an inverted V-shaped member is 
mounted within the hopper (33), extended laterally and normal to the 
extent of the augers (31), (32) and mounted directly above and generally 
bisecting the central opening. The flow divider member is mounted to 
extend directly over the bushing unit so as to divide grain moving through 
the hopper (33) evenly to the inner ends of the cross augers (31), (32), 
thereby ensuring an even and uniform distribution of the grain into the 
cross auger housing (29). 
The lift auger discharge spout device (44) (FIG. 4) includes a cylindrical 
spout (92) mounted by a swivel clamp unit (93) for rotatable connection 
with a cylindrical stub (94) integral with one end (96) of the lift auger 
tube (41). Within the spout (92), a flat collector plate is secured, 
having its lower edge engaging an inverted V-shaped flow diverter secured 
across the inner base of the spout (92), this arrangement providing an 
even discharge of grain from the spout (92) into the center fill hopper 
(33). To rotate the lift auger (42), a hydraulic motor (100) of 
appropriate capacity is mounted at the tube end (96). The lift auger unit 
(34) includes further an elongated slide track (101) (FIGS. 5-8) which 
comprises a pair of interconnected plates (102), (103), each with an upper 
flange (104) secured to an underside of the auger tube (41), and each with 
an outurned lip (106) for co-action with the slide mechanism (47) as 
described hereinafter. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5-8, it will be seen that the swivel base unit 
(46) includes a mounting bracket unit (107) for adjustable attachment to a 
frame member (108) of the implement frame (22), with an arm (109) extended 
rearwardly to support a vertically disposed swivel base (111). The base 
(111) rotatably supports a swivel tube (112) for rotation about a vertical 
axis. The upper end of the tube (112) has integral therewith an elongated 
bushing (113), (114) on opposite sides of the tube (112) for receiving an 
elongated tube (116), the tube (116) acting as a bushing, extended 
therethrough and interconnected to the slide mechanism (47) by an 
elongated cap screw fastener (117), whereby the slide mechanism (47) and 
the lift auger tube (41) and associated parts are movable about a 
horizontal axis relative to the swivel base unit (46) and in a vertical 
plane. 
The slide mechanism (47) (FIGS. 4-7) slidably supports the lift auger tube 
(41) and comprises a roller track weldment (115) including a pair of 
elongated plates (118), (119) (FIGS. 5 and 6) arranged in laterally 
spaced, parallel relationship, interconnected at both ends, and spaced 
such as to embrace the opposed slide track outurned lips (106), and each 
plate (118), (119) having a flange (121) secured to each upper edge (122) 
such as to overlap and contain the slide track lips (106). Within the 
longitudinal extent of the flanges (121), a pair of longitudinally spaced 
identical roller devices (123), (124) are mounted. Each roller device 
(123), (124) includes a pair of rollers (126), (127) spaced intermediate 
by a spacer tube (128) and the rollers (126), (127) rotatably mounted on a 
pin (129) secured between the plates (118), (119) by conventional 
fasteners. It will be noted that the roller devices (122), (124) rotatably 
support the elongated lower outurned lips (106) of the auger tube slide 
track (101), and with the slide track (101) contained, the auger tube (41) 
is slidable longitudinally of the roller track weldment (115). 
To assist manual movement of the auger tube (41) such that one person may 
easily move and adjust the position of the auger tube (41), a spring (131) 
is interconnected between a plate end (132) (FIG. 5) of the slide track 
(101), with an opposite end (133) of the spring (131) connected to a chain 
(134) adjustably looped over a notched end (136) of the roller track 
weldment (115), and secured thereby. As shown in FIG. 5, the auger tube 
(41) is in the stow position (FIG. 4) such that the spring (131) is in its 
normal, unextended condition. In this position, the auger tube (41) is 
locked against longitudinal, sliding movement by the semi-vertical 
position of a latch (137) (FIGS. 5 and 6) pivotally mounted by a pin (138) 
(FIG. 5) between the ends (139) of the plates (118), (119) opposite the 
notched end (136). The latch (137) thus blocks movement from left to right 
as viewed in FIG. 5 of the auger tube (41) due to the end plate (132) 
lower edge (141) depending below the upper edge (142) of the latch (137). 
Further, the latch (137) is prevented from rotating out of its position by 
a stop element (143) (FIG. 5) secured between the plates (118), (119), and 
by a removable, L-shaped pin (143). 
Upon removal, however, of the latch pin (143) and a manual flip of the 
latch (137) to the (dotted line) horizontal position (FIG. 5), the auger 
tube (41) can be manually slid rearwardly on the slide mechanism to a 
position as best shown in FIG. 3 and where the mass of the auger tube 
hopper (43) will hold the auger tube (41) in the use (load) position. 
After use, the auger tube (41) is pushed forwardly, aided by the spring 
(131), until the slide track end plate (132) trips the latch (137) and 
seats against the rear end (144) (FIG. 5) of the roller track weldment 
(115). With replacement of the latch pin (143), the lift auger unit (34) 
is placed in the stow position with the forward portion (146) of the auger 
tube (41) supported by a Y-shaped support bracket (147) (FIGS. 3 and 4) 
mounted on a frame member (108). 
Although not described in detail, the hydraulic arrangement, including the 
two motors (81) for the cross auger reverse flighting units (31), (32), 
and motor (100) for the lift auger (42), is conventional, deriving fluid 
power from prime mover, such as a farm tractor (148). The lift auger (42), 
used for filling, may have a length of 15'3" with a 12" swivel spout (92). 
The auger tube (41) may have a 6" diameter, and the flighting of the auger 
(42) may either be of bristle with a 51/2" diameter flighting consisting 
of a 4" diameter left hand wound screw with 3/4" of durable bristle-like 
fingers around the outside leading edge to gently handle delicate grain; 
or the flighting may be of 0.105 thick by 5.0 inch diameter left hand 
wound steel flight welded to a 1.050 inch diameter shaft. The flighting 
specifications for the augers (31), (32) are the same, plus adding 
identical right hand windings for the reverse, opposed movement of grain. 
The recommended capacity for the lift auger motor (100) is 3.0 cubic inch 
displacement; and for the cross auger motor (81), a 10.0 cubic inch 
displacement. 
Thus, it may readily be seen that the provision of the preferred embodiment 
herein achieves the aforementioned objectives of the invention. It is 
understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as 
disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of 
the appended claims.