Patent ID: 6994039

Claim:
A seed handling and dispensing apparatus for transporting bulk seed containers and for dispensing the seed within said containers into planting equipment, comprising: a wheeled frame having a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides; said wheeled frame having a hitch at the forward end thereof for connection to a prime mover; a generally horizontally disposed deck provided on said wheeled frame defining at least a front deck portion, a middle deck portion and a rear deck portion; said front, middle and rear deck portions adapted to have front, middle and back bulk seed containers positioned thereon, respectively; said front deck portion having a front seed inlet opening formed thereon; said middle deck portion having a middle seed inlet opening formed therein; said rear deck portion having a rear seed inlet opening formed therein; a front seed hopper positioned beneath said front seed inlet opening and having an open upper end in communication therewith; a middle seed hopper positioned beneath said middle seed inlet opening and having an open upper end in communication therewith; a rear seed hopper positioned beneath said rear seed inlet opening and having an open upper end in communication therewith; a conveyor auger housing positioned at the lower ends of said front, middle and rear seed hoppers which is in communication with said front, middle and rear seed hoppers; said conveyor auger housing having rearward and forward ends; an auger conveyor positioned within said conveyor auger housing; a transition box, having upper and lower ends, at the forward end of said conveyor auger housing and being in communication therewith; a seed discharge auger conveyor on said wheeled frame and having upper and lower ends; said discharge auger conveyor being in communication with said transition box above said lower end of said discharge auger conveyor; said lower end of said discharge auger conveyor being disposed below said lower end of said transition box; said discharge auger conveyor extending upwardly and generally laterally from said wheeled frame; a seed discharge tube having upper and lower ends; said upper end of said tube being connected to and being in communication with said upper end of said seed discharge auger conveyor; a power means adapted to operate said conveyors; and a seed clean out mechanism at said lower end of said seed discharge auger conveyor.