Abstract:
A grain auger mover assembly is disclosed which may be used to move either a conventional grain auger or a grain auger having a swing hopper auger associated therewith. The grain auger mover of this invention is remotely controlled.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a grain auger mover and more particularly to a remotely controlled mover which may be used to move a conventional grain auger and which may also be used to move a swing hopper auger with respect to a main auger. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional grain augers include an elongated auger tube, having upper and lower ends, with a screw auger rotatably mounted therein. The conventional grain auger is usually supported by a pair of wheels having an adjustable framework connecting them to the auger tube so that the upper discharge end of the grain auger may be raised and lowered with respect to the lower intake end thereof. When it is necessary to move the grain auger between grain bins or the like, the lower end of the grain auger must be manually raised from its operative grain augering position so that the grain auger may be moved to the desired location. The grain augers are very heavy and are difficult to manually move. 
     A second type of grain auger which is commonly used to auger grain is referred to as a swing or truck hopper grain auger or simply a swing auger. The conventional swing augers normally include a wheel-supported main auger having upper and lower ends. A ground engaging swing hopper assembly is operatively pivotally connected to the main auger so that the swing hopper may be selectively pivotally moved with respect to the main auger so that the swing hopper may be operatively positioned with respect to a grain truck or the like. The swing hopper augers are very heavy and are difficult to manually move. 
     Although movers have been previously provided for moving swing hoppers, and movers have been provided for moving conventional grain augers, it is not believed that movers have been previously provided which may be used to move both conventional grain augers and swing hoppers. It is also believed that the prior art movers for grain augers and swing augers are generally driven by hydraulic motors which are connected to a tractor hydraulic system. This arrangement requires that the tractor be running to power the hydraulic system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A first embodiment of the auger mover of this invention is adapted to be connected to the auger tube of a conventional grain auger to move the same. A second embodiment of this invention is adapted to be connected to the swing auger tube of a swing auger to move the same. The first embodiment of this invention includes an elongated upstanding main support having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side. A horizontally disposed first axle is secured to the main support at the first end thereof adjacent the lower end thereof at the first side thereof. The first axle extends transversely from the main support and has a first drive wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A horizontally disposed second elongated axle is secured to the main support at the second end thereof adjacent the lower end thereof at the first side thereof. The second axle extends transversely from the main support and has a second drive wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A remote controlled reversibly electric drive motor is mounted on the main support which drives the first and second drive wheels in first and second directions with respect to the main support. First and second longitudinally extending collars are secured to the upper end of the main support in a horizontally spaced-apart manner. 
     A first bracket, having an upper inner end and a lower outer end is provided with the lower outer end of the first bracket being positioned outwardly and below the upper inner end of the first bracket. The upper inner end of the first bracket is selectively removably secured to the main support adjacent the upper end thereof at the second side thereof intermediate the first and second ends thereof. The lower outer end of the first bracket is selectively removably secured to the main support at the second side thereof. A third axle is secured to the lower outer end of the first bracket which is parallel to the first and second axles. A support wheel is freely rotatably mounted on the third axle and is selectively removably mounted thereon. A hitch ball is secured to the upper end of the first bracket and has a hitch ball coupler selectively removably mounted thereon. The mover also includes an elongated support arm having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the support arm fixed to the hitch ball coupler and extending upwardly therefrom. A first tube clamp is selectively pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis to the upper end of the support arm. A length adjustable jack has its lower end secured to the hitch ball coupler so that the jack extends upwardly therefrom. A second tube clamp is secured to the upper end of the jack. The first and second clamps are adapted to be selectively removably secured to the swing auger tube of the swing auger. An elongated steering handle is provided which has inner and outer ends with the inner end of the steering handle including a transversely disposed first sleeve which is adapted to be received between the first and second collars. A pivot pin extends through the first collar, first sleeve and the second collar. The steering handle is adapted to pivot the main support with respect to the lower end of the jack and the lower end of the support arm. The actuation of the electric motor causes the first and second drive wheels to move the first grain auger. 
     The second embodiment of the invention is adapted to be used with a swing auger by: (1) removing the support wheel from the third axle; (2) disconnecting the lower end of the jack from the coupler; (3) disconnecting the upper end of the jack from the second clamp; (4) disconnecting the coupler from the hitch ball; (5) connecting the lower end of the jack to the main support; (6) attaching a third clamp onto the swing hopper auger tube; (7) pivotally securing the upper end of the jack to the third clamp; and (8) securing the third clamp to the first and second collars of the main support. 
     It is therefore a principal object to provide an improved grain auger mover assembly. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a grain auger mover assembly which may be used with either a conventional grain auger or with a swing auger having a swing hopper auger associated therewith. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a remotely controlled and electrically driven grain auger mover assembly. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a grain auger mover assembly which is easy and safe to use. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional grain auger having the first embodiment of this invention mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of this invention mounted on the grain auger of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a swing auger having the second embodiment of this invention mounted on a swing auger; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention mounted on the swing auger of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the second embodiment of this invention mounted on the swing auger of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  refers to a conventional grain auger having an auger tube  12  supported on a wheels  13  and  14 . Wheels  13  and  14  are operatively connected to auger tube  12  by an adjustable framework  15  so that the upper end of the grain auger  12  may be raised and lowered. Grain auger  10  has a lower grain intake end  16  and an upper grain discharge end  18  and has an auger rotatably mounted therein in conventional fashion.  FIG. 6  illustrates a swing auger  20  having a pivotal swing auger tube  22  and a wheeled swing hopper  24 . Swing hopper  24  includes wheels  26  for supporting the swing hopper  24  in conventional fashion. The swing auger  20 , swing auger tube  22  and swing hopper  24  are of conventional design. 
     The numeral  28  refers to the first embodiment of a mover system which may be used to move the conventional grain auger  10 . 
     The second embodiment of the invention is proved by removing certain components from the first embodiment as will be discussed in detail hereinafter. The second embodiment will be designated by the reference numeral  28 ′. 
     System  28  includes an upstanding support frame  30  having an upper end  32 , lower end  34 , first end  36 , second end  38 , first side  40  and second side  42 . A pair of spaced-apart collars  44  and  46  are secured to the upper end  32  of support frame  30  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Drive wheels  48  and  50  are rotatably mounted on axles  49  and  51  at ends  36  and  38  of support frame  30  which are driven by an electrical motor  52  which is removably controlled either by radio or hard wires. Motor  52  is selectively reversible to drive the wheels  48  and  50 . Motor  52  is connected to a source of 12 volt power. 
     The numeral  54  refers to a bracket having an upper end  56  and a lower end  58 . Bracket  54  includes a horizontally disposed bar or plate  60  at its lower end which extends inwardly therefrom. Plate  60  is bolted to the laterally extending portion  62  at the lower end of support frame  30  by bolts  64  and  66  ( FIG. 4 ). The upper end of bracket  54  has an ear  68  extending therefrom which is bolted to support frame  30  by bolt  70 . The upper end of bracket  54  also has a horizontally disposed ear  72  extending therefrom. Hitch ball  74  is mounted on ear  72  as seen in  FIG. 2 . Axle  76  extends from the lower end of bracket  54  ( FIG. 2 ) and has a support wheel  78  freely rotatably mounted thereon in a selectively removable manner. 
     The numeral  80  refers to a conventional hitch ball coupler which is mounted on hitch ball  74 . Support arm  82  is secured to coupler  80  and has a pair of spaced-apart collars  84  and  86  secured to the end thereof which are adapted to receive pivot pin  88  therein. Clamps  90  and  92  are clamped onto tube  12  of grain auger  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The lower half of clamp  90  has a collar  94  secured thereto which is received between collars  84  and  86  with pin  88  extending therethrough. The lower half of clamp  92  has a collar  96  secured thereto which is adapted to receive pin  98  therein ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The numeral  100  refers to an elongated jack of conventional design. Collar  102  is secured to the upper end of jack  100 . Pin  98  extends through collar  96  and through collar  102  in a selectively removable fashion. The lower end of jack  100  is received on post  104  which is secured to coupler  80  and which extends upwardly therefrom. Jack  100  is maintained on post  104  by a suitable pin or key. In  FIG. 5 , the numeral  106  refers to a steering handle having a collar  108  at the end thereof which is adapted to be selectively removably and pivotally received between collars  44  and  46  at the upper end of support frame  30  and held therein by pin  110 . 
     The operator may pivotally move the support frame  30  and wheels  48 ,  50  and  78  with respect to the tube  12  about hitch ball  74  to maneuver the grain auger  10  as the drive motor  52  is operated. The operator may control the operation of the drive motor  52  by remote control. The lower end of grain auger  10  may be raised or lowered by the jack  100 . If the grain auger  10  is to be moved a considerable distance by a truck or tractor, the wheels  48 ,  50  and  78  may be raised out of ground engagement by way of jack  100 . 
     The first embodiment of the system  28  may be easily and quickly converted or altered to function as a system  28 ′ in one of two ways. In the first way, the following is accomplished: (1) steering handle  106  is disconnected from support frame  30  by removing pin  110  from collars  44 ,  46  and  108 ; (2) coupler  80  is disconnected from hitch ball  74 ; (3) the upper end of jack  100  is disconnected from collar  96  on clamp  92  by removing pin  98  from collar  102 ; (4) the lower end of jack  100  is disconnected from post  104 : (5) jack  100  is set aside for use with system  28 ′; (6) wheel  78  is removed from axle  76 ; (7) a clamp  112  is provided with the lower half of clamp  112  having a sleeve  114  secured thereto and a shaft  116  secured thereto; (8) clamp  112  is clamped onto tube  22  of swing auger  20 ; (9) the support frame  30  with the drive wheels  48  and  50  attached thereto are maneuvered so that collars  44  and  46  are positioned opposite ends of collar  114  on clamp  112 ; (10) pin  110  is extended through collar  44 , through collar  114  and through collar  46  and pinned therein; (11) collar  102  of jack  100  is mounted on shaft  116  and pinned thereon; (12) the lower end of jack  100  is bolted to ear  118  at the outer end of frame member  120 , which is secured to support frame  36 , by bolt  122 . In the first way of converting system  28  to system  28 ′, the bracket  54 , hitch ball  74 , plate  60  and axle  76  remain on the system and do not interfere with the operation of the system  28 ′ in moving the swing auger  22 . In the second way of converting the system  28  to system  28 ′, the bracket  54  and related components are removed from support frame  30 . 
     The activation of motor  52  on system  28 ′ will cause the drive wheels  48  and  50  to pivotally swing or move the swing auger tube  22  with respect to the main tube of the grain auger  20  in an effortless manner. 
     Although the movers are shown and described as being used with grain augers, the movers could also be used with belt conveyors. 
     Thus it can be seen that the instant invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.