Abstract:
A mobile apparatus for combining and dispensing different livestock feeds including roughage, particulate matter and liquids. A control system provides and weighs selected ratios of combined feed sources to establish a desired ration.

Description:
This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,001 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/444,620 filed Nov. 22, 1999 which is a CIP Application of Ser. No. 09/245,546 filed Feb. 5, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,710. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing and selectively combining various feed materials to create a desired ration for delivery to livestock. 
   In modern agricultural practice, it is considered advantageous to process roughage to be fed to livestock. It is also considered advantageous to use more than one feed course to create a ration providing the animals&#39; proper nutritional requirements. It is further necessary to deliver the ration to the animals. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,001 discloses a mobile apparatus for processing, combining and delivering multiple sources of roughage for consumption by livestock. Included with the apparatus is a control system for selectively varying the relative contribution of each source to thereby provide an efficient feed ration of desired nutritional content. A more versatile mobile apparatus with provision for including a particulate food material to such a ration is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/444,620. 
   The object of this invention is to provide an improved mobile apparatus for mixing and combining multiple feed sources for delivery to livestock. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a roughage bale processing and dispensing method including the steps of providing one bale of roughage having a given nutritional value; providing a source of particulate feed material; conveying the feed material to a discharge region at a given quantity rate; conveying the one bale into a shredder mechanism at a given speed; simultaneously conveying the resultant shredded content of the one bale to the discharge region for combination with the feed material; and selectively controlling the ratio of the given speed to the given rate dependent upon the relative nutritional values of the one bale and the feed material. The method creates an economical feed ration having a desired nutritional content. 
   According to one feature, the method includes the steps of providing another bale of roughage having a predetermined nutritional value substantially different than the given nutritional value; simultaneously conveying the another bale into the shredder mechanism at a predetermined speed different than the given speed; and combining the resultant shredded content of the another bale with the shredded content of the one bale and said feed material. Combining the second bale allows more versatility in the creation of the ration. 
   According to another feature of the invention, the conveying steps include the steps of loading the one bale onto a first conveyor arranged to feed the one bale into the shredder mechanism, loading the another bale onto a second conveyor arranged to feed the another bale into the shredder mechanism, and controlling the ratio of the given speed to the predetermined speed dependent upon the relative nutritional value of the one and another bales. These steps facilitate the creation of a desired roughage portion of the ration. 
   According to further features, the combining steps include the steps of feeding the shredded contents onto a third conveyor arranged to convey the contents to the discharge region, transporting the feed material to the discharge region with a conveyor system and selectively controlling the rate at which the conveyor system transports the feed material. This method facilitates creation of an economical feed ration having desired proportions of multiple roughage feeds and a particulate feed. 
   The invention also encompasses a feeding apparatus including a mobile frame defining one section for supporting a first feed material and another section for supporting a second feed material; a primary conveyor for discharging the first feed material from the mobile frame at a first discharge rate; an auxiliary conveyor for discharging the second feed material from the mobile frame at a second discharge rate, and wherein the primary and auxiliary conveyors are arranged to combine the discharged first and second feed materials. Also included is a control system for selectively varying the ratio of the first and second discharge rates. The apparatus creates and dispenses an economical feed ration. 
   According to one feature of the apparatus, the one section is adapted to support a bale of roughage and the primary conveyor means comprises a shredder, a first conveyor for moving the bale into the shredder, and a conveyor system for receiving from the shredder the shredded content of the roughage and discharging the shredded content from the mobile frame. 
   According to another feature, the another section supports another bale of roughage and the auxiliary conveyor includes a second conveyor for moving the another bale into the shredder. This feature facilitates creation of a desired feed ration with multiple roughage sources. 
   According to a different feature, the another section supports particulate feed material, and the auxiliary conveyor includes a discharge chute, and an auger for moving the particulate feed material out of the discharge chute. This feature facilitates creation of a desired feed ration with roughage and particulate material sources. 
   According to a further feature, the apparatus includes a tank for liquid mounted on the mobile frame, and a liquid dispensing system for circulating liquid feed from the tank onto the shredded content of the roughage. The addition of liquid creates a more palatable and uniform ration with roughage and particulate feed by causing the particulate matter to adhere to the roughage. 
   According to an important feature of the invention, the apparatus includes scales for weighing the different feed materials being combined. The scales allow the more accurate creation of feed rations having desired nutritional value. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a hydraulic system of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cutaway top view of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIGS. 7-9  are hydraulic control systems for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1  (plan view) and  FIG. 2  (side elevational view). In  FIG. 1 , a mobile frame  34  with wheels  36  ( FIG. 2 ) includes first and second parallel translational conveyor chains  30 L and  30 R, turning on idler gears  32 A,  32 C,  32 D,  32 F, and idler shafts  32 B and  32 E and driven by drive gears  19 A,  19 B,  19 C,  19 D and drive shafts  21 L and  21 R which are connected to right-angle gear boxes  18 L and  19 R which are connected to hydraulic motor  20 L and hydraulic motor  20 R. Another translational conveyor system chain  16  is directed transversely to the first and second chains  30 L,  30 R and turns on idler gears  15 A,  15 B, and idler shaft  15 C and is driven by drive gears  17 A,  17 B, attached to drive shaft  17 C which is connected to right-angle gear box  14  which is connected to shaft  13  which is connected to double-out gear box  12  which is connected to PTO shaft  10  which is connected to tractor PTO power output shaft (not shown). 
   In  FIG. 2 , the mobile frame  34  includes a transport hood  38  which covers three vertically spaced apart shredders  28 , driven by, respectively, chains  24 A,  24 B, and  24 C and gears  26 A and  26 B which are driven by gear  22  which is connected to gear box  11 D which is connected to shaft  11 B which is connected to right-angle gear box  11 C which is connected to shaft  11 A which is connected to double-out gear box  12  which is driven by PTO shaft  10  which connects to PTO output shaft on the tractor (not shown). Conveyor chain  16  discharges processed ration through discharge opening  40 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , hydraulic hose  42 A connects tractor hydraulic system (not shown) to hydraulic motor  20 R which is connected to hydraulic hose  42 B connected to flow control divertor  44 A which is connected to hydraulic hose  42 C connected to hydraulic motor  42 L connected to hydraulic hose  42 E which is connected to return side of hydraulic system on tractor (not shown). Hydraulic hose  42 D connects flow control divertor to hydraulic hose  42 E. 
   OPERATION 
     FIG. 1  shows two continuous floor chains  30 R and  30 L. Each one is wide enough to carry a large bale of roughage. The length of floor chains  30 R and  30 L can vary to hold any number of bales from one to four in succession. Floor chain  30 R is deposed between idler gear  32 F and  32 D and idler shaft  32 E and drive gears  19 C and  19 D which are secured to drive shaft  21 R which is driven through right-angle gear box  18 R by hydraulic motor  20 R. 
   Activation of hydraulic motor  20 R is shown in FIG.  3 . Hydraulic hose  42 A carries pressurized hydraulic fluid from tractor hydraulic system (not shown) to hydraulic motor  20 R. When the tractor hydraulics are activated the bale, or bales, on floor chain  30 R will move forward at a given speed to be processed by shredders  28  shown best in FIG.  2 . 
   Shredders  28  are turned by chains  24 C,  24 B, and  24 A and gears  26 A and  26 B. Gear  22  is powered by tractor PTO through PTO shaft  10 , double-out gear box  12 , shaft  11 B, right-angle gear box  11 C, shaft  11 A, and gear box  11 D. Hood  38  contains the processed roughage and allows it to fall on conveyor chain  16  which is deposed between idler gears  15 A,  15 B and idler shaft  15 C and drive gears  17 A and  17 B which are turned by drive shaft  17 C, turned by right-angle gear box  14 , turned by shaft  13 , turned by double-out gear box  12 , turned by PTO shaft  10 , which is turned by tractor PTO output shaft (not shown). Thus, a primary conveyor system including the conveyor chain  30 R, the shredder  28  and the conveyor chain  16  delivers the processed roughage through opening  40 . 
   Pressurized hydraulic fluid passes through hydraulic motor  20 R, causing it to be activated. It is then routed through hydraulic hose  42 B (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) to flow control divertor  44 A. The pressurized hydraulic fluid is then channeled through hydraulic hose  42 C to hydraulic motor  20 L which turns right-angle gear box  18 L (best illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) which turns drive shaft  21 L which turns drive gears  19 A and  19 B which move floor chain  30 L forward. Floor chain  30 L is a continuous floor chain and deposed between drive gears  19 A and  19 B and idler gears  32 A and  32 C and idler shaft  32 B. The bale, or bales, on auxiliary floor conveyor chain  30 L would preferably consist of a bale of roughage differing in nutritional value than the bale, or bales, on floor chain  30 R. Varying amounts of pressurized hydraulic fluid are diverted around hydraulic motor  20 L (best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) by flow control divertor  44 A through hydraulic hose  42 D and returned through hydraulic hose  42 E to return side of tractor hydraulic system (not shown). The speed that hydraulic motor  20 L turns will vary according to the amount of pressurized hydraulic fluid diverted around, rather than through, hydraulic motor  20 L. By this process, the predetermined speed at which the bales are carried to shredder  28  ( FIG. 2 ) on floor chain  30 L will vary from the given speed at which the bales on floor chain  30 R are carried to shredders  28 . Thus, the proportions of roughage on floor chain  30 L that has been processed by shredders  28  can be varied from the proportions of roughage on floor chain  30 R that has been processed by shredders  28 . Conveyor chain  16  discharges selected relative proportions of the processed ration through opening  40  and deposits it into a feed bunk ready for livestock consumption. 
   Floor  46  ( FIG. 2 ) is connected to mobile frame  34  which rides on wheels  36 . The frame  34  can be pulled by a tractor (not shown) and deliver the selected feed ration to livestock for consumption immediately after being processed. Use of the preferred embodiment will reduce the number of machines and the man hours required to meet the nutritional needs of livestock being fed solely, or mostly, roughage. In addition, the embodiment can more efficiently and economically combine large bales of roughage of differing nutritional values in varied ratios while increasing the palatability of the feed by processing it and providing immediate delivery of the ration to the livestock. 
   While the above description contains many specificities, they should not be construed to as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the whole invention can be mounted on a tractor for additional mobility. An additional flow control divertor can be added to make the speed of both floor chains adjustable. An additional flow control divertor and hydraulic motor can be added to run the dispensing conveyor chain instead of the PTO drive. The hydraulic schematics can be run individually and through flow divertors rather than through a series. Pulleys and belts can be used in place of gears and chains. 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  is another embodiment  51  of the invention in which components corresponding to those in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  bear the same reference numerals. Added to the embodiment  51  is a particulate feed material dispenser section  52  mounted on the mobile frame  34  forwardly adjacent to the shredder section  38 . Included in the dispenser section  52  are a bin  54  for feed material such as grain and an auxiliary conveyor system  55  for transporting feed material from the bin  54  to a region adjacent to the discharge section  40 . The conveyor system  55  includes a chain conveyor  57  mounted at the bottom of the bin  54  and an auger  58  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) mounted in a discharge chute  59  projecting out of an open upper end of a cylindrical grain slump  60 . Supporting the chute  59  in the slump  60  are a plurality of struts  56 . Preferably, the slump  60  is pivotally mounted on the frame  34  so as to allow movement of the discharge chute  59  relative to the discharge section  40  as shown in FIG.  4 . Supporting the chain conveyor  57  are idler gears  61 ,  62  mounted on an idler shaft  63  and drive gears  65 ,  66  fixed to a drive shaft  67 . A gear box  68  is operatively coupled to the shaft  67  and driven by a hydraulic drive motor  69 . Mounted on an upper surface of the chute  59  is a hydraulic drive motor  71  operatively coupled to the auger  58 . 
   During use of the dispenser section  52 , grain retained in the bin  54  is conveyed by the chain conveyor  57  through an opening  75  ( FIG. 4 ) and deposited in the slump  60 . That grain then is conveyed upwardly by the auger  58  and discharged through an outlet opening  76  in the chute  59 . The discharged grain is deposited on the conveyor  16  and thereby combined with the shredded roughage received from the shredders  28 . However, the slump  60  and chute  59  can be rotated into other positions to provide grain discharge into other adjacent areas as, for example, directly into a feed bunker (not shown). By controlling the relative speeds of the bale conveyors  30 L and  30 R and the rate at which grain is discharged from the chute  59 , the relative proportions of combined particulate feed and roughage feed can be selectively varied to provide a desired and economical feed ration. The grain discharge rate can be selectively and independently varied by vertical adjustment of a door  79  covering the opening  75  or by controlling the speeds of the chain conveyor  57  or auger  58  as described hereinafter or by any combination thereof. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates one hydraulic system embodiment  81  for independently controlling the speed of the conveyor  57 . A hydraulic input line  82  is connected between a pump (not shown) on the tractor to a divertor valve  83  via the motor  71 . The divertor valve  83  can be adjusted to selectively divide fluid flow between the motor  69  and a bypass line  85  for return in a return line  86 . Thus, speed of the conveyor  57  coupled to the motor  69  is selectively varied by adjustment of the diversion valve  83 . 
   Another hydraulic system embodiment  87  is depicted in FIG.  8 . Connected to a pump (not shown) by an input line  88  is a series combination of a divertor valve  89 , the motor  69  and the motor  71 . A bypass line  90  is connected between the divertor valve  89  and a return line  91 . By selective adjustment of the divertor valve  89 , the speeds of the chain conveyor  57  and the auger  58  can be varied to provide a desired rate of grain discharge from the chute  59 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates another hydraulic system embodiment  92  which provides independent speed adjustments of the chain conveyor  57  and auger  58 . An input line  93  is connected between a pump (not shown) and a divertor valve  94  which feeds the motor  69  and a bypass line  95 . Connected between the motor  69  and bypass line  95  is a second divertor valve  96  which feeds a bypass line  97  and the motor  71  both of which are connected to a return line  98 . By selectively and independently adjusting the divertor valve  94  and  96 , independent speed control of the chain conveyor  57  and auger  58  can be obtained to selectively vary the rate of grain discharge from the discharge chute  59 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a scale system  100  is provided for weighing feed on the left conveyor chain  30 L. Included in the scale system  100  are load cells or weigh bars  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104  supporting a floor section  107  under the left conveyor chain  30 L, a scale monitor  105  and electrical lines  108  which transmit signals from the cells  101 - 104  to the scale monitor  105 . Similarly, a scale system  110  is provided for weighing feed on the right conveyor chain  30 R. The scale system  110  includes load cells or weigh bars  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  supporting a floor section  110  under the right conveyor chain  30 R, a scale monitor  115  and electrical lines  118  for transmitting signals therebetween. Using the feed weight measurements furnished by the scale systems  100 ,  110 , an operator can establish for the conveyor chains  30 L and  30 R feed rates required to provide a desired feed blend for the roughage discharged by the conveyor chain  16 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  further illustrate a scale system  120  for weighing the particulate feed material loaded into the bin  54 . Included in the scale system  120  are load cells or weigh bars  122 ,  123  supporting the bin  54 , a scale monitor  125  and electrical lines  124  which transmit signals from the cells  122 ,  123  to the scale monitor  125 . Using the weight measurements furnished by the scale system  120 , an operator can establish from the bin  54  a particulate material feed rate required to provide a desired blend of roughage and particulate feed discharged by, respectively, the conveyor chain  16  and the chute  59 . 
   Another embodiment  130  is shown in FIG.  10 . The embodiment  130  includes all portions of the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment although certain components thereof are omitted to enhance clarity. Added to embodiment  130  is a feed supplement liquid dispensing system  131  including a tank  133  mounted on the frame  34 , a plurality of nozzles  134  mounted on the hood  38 , and a liquid circulator system  136  connected therebetween. The circulator system  136  consists of a variable speed liquid pump  137 , a liquid line  138  between the tank  133  and the pump  137  and liquid lines  139  between the pump  137  and the nozzles  134 . A removable cap  141  accommodates filling of the tank  133  with a suitable liquid feed supplement. 
   The pump  137  can be selectively activated to provide a desired rate of fluid flow between the tank  133  and the nozzles  134  which project through the hood  38  at vertically and horizontally distributed locations. Discharged liquid feed is sprayed by the nozzles  134  onto the shredded roughage being shredded by the shredders  28  (FIG.  2 ). By selectively controlling the pump  137  and the conveyor chains  30 L,  30 R an operator can provide a desired blend of roughage and liquid feed for discharge by the conveyor chain  16 . It should be understood that the liquid dispensing system  131  of embodiment  130  can be added as well to the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment  150  which also includes all portions of the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment although certain components thereof are omitted to enhance clarity. Added to the embodiment  150  is a feed supplement liquid dispensing system  151  including a tank  153  mounted under the frame  34 , a plurality of nozzles  154  distributed around the discharge opening  40  of the hood  38 , and a liquid circulator system  156  connected therebetween. The circulator system  156  consists of a variable speed liquid pump  157 , a liquid line  158  between the tank  153  and the pump  157  and liquid lines  159  between the pump  157  and the nozzles  154 . A cap  161  allows filling of the tank  153  with a feed supplement liquid. 
   Selective activation of the pump  157  produces a desired liquid flow rate from the tank  153  to the nozzles  154 . Discharged feed liquid is sprayed by the nozzles  154  onto the shredded roughage being discharged by the conveyor chain  16 . By selectively controlling the pump  157  and the conveyor chains  30 L,  30 R an operator can produce a desired blend of roughage and liquid feed supplement. Again, it should be understood that the dispensing system  151  of embodiment  150  can be added also to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . In that case, the chute  59  adds particulate feed matter from the bin  54  providing a desired blend of roughage, particulate feed, and liquid feed supplement. 
   In another embodiment  160  shown in  FIG. 12  partitions  161  are mounted on the frame  34  of the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment. A vertical partition  161  is positioned along each opposite edge of the frame  34  and between the conveyor chains  30 L,  30 R and floor sections  107 ,  110 . The partitions  161  establish above each chain separated volumes which can be filled with desired particulate feed materials having different nutrient values. In that manner, the embodiment  160  can produce a desired blend of different particulate feed materials. 
   Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.