Patent ID: 7428956

Claim:
An auger assembly comprising: a main auger tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; a main auger contained within the main auger tube and arranged to rotate to transport material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the main auger tube; an intermediate swing auger tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; an intermediate auger contained within the intermediate swing auger tube and arranged to rotate to transport material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the intermediate swing auger tube; the outlet end of the intermediate swing auger tube being pivotally coupled to the inlet of the main auger tube such that the intermediate swing auger tube is pivotal relative to the main auger tube and such that material from the intermediate swing auger tube is discharged to the main auger tube; a loading swing auger tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; a loading auger contained within the loading swing auger tube and arranged to rotate to transport material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the loading swing auger tube; the outlet end of the loading swing auger tube being pivotally coupled directly to the inlet of the intermediate swing auger tube such that: the loading swing auger tube is pivotal relative to the intermediate swing auger tube; material from the loading swing auger tube is discharged to the intermediate swing auger tube; and pivotal movement between the intermediate swing auger tube and the loading swing auger tube is permitted about at least two different axes; one of said at least two different axes comprising an upright axis such that the loading swing auger tube is pivotal relative to the intermediate swing auger tube in a side to side pivoting motion; and one of said at least two different axes comprising a lateral axis such that the loading swing auger tube is pivotal relative to the intermediate swing auger tube in an up and down pivoting motion; and a loading hopper having an open top end coupled to the inlet of the loading swing auger tube for loading the material through the open top end of the loading hopper.