Patent ID: 6997123

Claim:
A method of modifying a grinder-mixer unit into a seed tender unit comprising the steps: providing a grinder-mixer unit having a frame, at least two ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said frame, a generally upright bin having a base, said generally upright bin mounted on said frame for holding material, a mixing auger rotatably mounted at least partially within said bin, a grinding device mounted adjacent said generally upright bin on said frame in material transfer connection therewith for grinding the material and a processed material outlet device connected to the grinding device for outputting the material after grinding thereof; removing said mixing auger from said generally upright bin; forming a lowermost seed output opening in said generally upright bin generally adjacent the base of said generally upright bin for release of seed from within said generally upright bin; mounting a false floor plate within said generally upright bin, said false floor plate set at an upward angle relative to horizontal with a lowermost section of said false floor plate generally adjacent said lowermost seed output opening whereby seed within said generally upright bin is gravity-fed down said false floor plate towards said lowermost seed output opening; replacing said outlet device with a seed transfer device having a lower end for receiving seed therein and an upper end for outputting seed therefrom, said seed transfer device operative to move seed from said lower end to said upper end; connecting said lower end of said seed transfer device to said lowermost seed output opening formed in said generally upright bin; providing a seed feed control device interposed between said generally upright bin and said lower end of said seed transfer device for alternately permitting and restricting seed flow from said generally upright bin; and connecting said seed transfer device to a power device for engaging said seed transfer device to transfer seed from said lower end of said seed transfer device to said upper end of said seed transfer device for depositing seed into designated locations.