초록 ▼

A bulk seed handling system (20) is provided to facilitate seed transfer from a distributor to a farm and then to a planter or the like. The handling system (20) includes one or more upright bin assemblies (22) adapted to be moved in a filled condition, and a trailer (24) designed to move the bin as

A bulk seed handling system (20) is provided to facilitate seed transfer from a distributor to a farm and then to a planter or the like. The handling system (20) includes one or more upright bin assemblies (22) adapted to be moved in a filled condition, and a trailer (24) designed to move the bin assembly (22) and unload seed therefrom. The bin assembly (22) includes a seed bin (26) having a lower unload opening (34) and supported by a frame assembly (38) including telescopic legs (50) shiftable between a retractable travel position and an extended bin support position. The trailer (24) includes a lift frame (60) operable to engage and elevate the bin assembly (22) for travel with the legs (50) thereof in a retracted position, and a seed-conveying arrangement including an intermediate conveyor (62) and a delivery conveyor (64). At an unloading site, the intermediate conveyor (62) is shifted to an unloading position in communication with the bin unload opening (34) and the delivery conveyor (64) in order to transfer seed from the bin.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A transport trailer operable to transport a bin assembly filled with particulate material to a use site, and to unload particulate material from the bin assembly at the use site, said bin assembly being separate from the transport trailer and having a bin with a lower particulate outlet, and upri

1. A transport trailer operable to transport a bin assembly filled with particulate material to a use site, and to unload particulate material from the bin assembly at the use site, said bin assembly being separate from the transport trailer and having a bin with a lower particulate outlet, and upright legs supporting said bin on and above a support surface, said transport trailer comprising: an elongated mobile lower frame having a forward end and a rearward end and wheels operable to support the lower frame on said support surface, said lower frame having a longitudinal axis extending along the length thereof;a lift frame operably coupled with said lower frame and selectively movable relative to the lower frame and said wheels between a lower position and an elevated position,said lower frame and said lift frame in the lower position thereof movable to a bin-engaging location beneath said bin and between said legs, said lift frame including structure operable to elevate and support said bin assembly when the lift frame is moved to said elevated position thereof at said bin-engaging location, in order to permit transport of said bin assembly to said use site;a conveyor assembly operable to unload particulate from said bin at said use site, comprising an intermediate conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, and a delivery conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, said intermediate conveyor being elongated and presenting a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with said lower frame longitudinal axis;shifting structure supporting said intermediate conveyor for selective translatory axial movement of the intermediate conveyor along said longitudinal axis thereof at said use site with the lift frame engaging and supporting said bin, between a retracted lower travel position and an extended unloading position where the intermediate conveyor inlet is below said bin assembly lower outlet and said intermediate conveyor outlet communicates with said delivery conveyor inlet; andpivot structure supporting said delivery conveyor for pivoting movement thereof about an upright pivot axis independent of said intermediate conveyor,said shifting and pivot structures supporting said intermediate and delivery conveyors such that said particulate material at said use site follows a path of travel from said bin along the longitudinal axes of the intermediate and delivery conveyors for delivery of the particulate material forwardly of said forward end of said lower frame. 2. The transport trailer of claim 1, said shifting structure supporting said intermediate conveyor for selective translatory movement thereof in an axial direction along the intermediate conveyor longitudinal axis substantially parallel with said lower frame longitudinal axis, and in an inclined manner such that, when the intermediate conveyor is in said unloading position thereof, the intermediate conveyor outlet end is disposed above said intermediate conveyor inlet end. 3. The transport trailer of claim 1, said lift frame being elongated and presenting fore and aft ends, said lift frame including individual, laterally spaced apart fore and aft guides respectively located proximal to said fore and aft ends and configured to engage and support said bin assembly, said intermediate conveyor support structure operable to move said intermediate conveyor between said lower travel position wherein the outlet of the intermediate conveyor is spaced rearwardly of said fore guide, and said conveying position where said intermediate conveyor outlet is located above and spaced forwardly of said fore guide. 4. The transport trailer of claim 3, said laterally spaced apart fore and aft guides each comprising a transverse frame member forming a part of said lift frame, and a pair of laterally spaced guide elements secured to the corresponding transverse frame member. 5. The combination comprising: a bin assembly comprising— a particulate bin having an upper inlet and a lower outlet;a plurality of spaced apart, upright legs operably secured to said bin to support the bin above and on a support surface;a transport trailer separate from said bin assembly and operable to move the bin assembly to a use site, and to unload particulate material from the bin at said use site, said trailer comprising— an elongated mobile lower frame having a forward end and a rearward end and wheels operable to support the lower frame on said support surface, said lower frame having a longitudinal axis extending along the length thereof;a lift frame operably coupled with said lower frame and selectively moveable relative to said lower frame between a lower position and an elevated position,said lower frame and said lift frame in the lower position thereof movable to a bin-engaging location beneath said bin and between said legs, said lift frame including structure operable to elevate and support said bin assembly when the lift frame is moved to said elevated position thereof at said bin-engaging location, in order to permit transport of said bin assembly to said use site;a conveyor assembly operable to unload particulate from said bin at said use site, comprising an intermediate conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, and a delivery conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, said intermediate conveyor being elongated and presenting a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with said lower frame longitudinal axis;shifting structure supporting said intermediate conveyor for selective translatory axial movement of the intermediate conveyor along said longitudinal axis thereof at said use site with the lift frame engaging and supporting said bin, between a retracted lower travel position and an extended unloading position where the intermediate conveyor inlet is below said bin assembly lower outlet and said intermediate conveyor outlet communicates with said delivery conveyor inlet;pivot structure supporting said delivery conveyor for pivoting movement thereof about an upright pivot axis independent of said intermediate conveyor,said shifting and pivot structures supporting said intermediate and delivery conveyors such that said particulate material at said use site follows a path of travel from said bin along the longitudinal axes of the intermediate and delivery conveyors for delivery of the particulate material forwardly of said forward end of said lower frame. 6. The combination of claim 5, said shifting structure supporting said intermediate conveyor for selective translatory movement thereof in an axial direction along the intermediate conveyor longitudinal axis substantially parallel with said lower frame longitudinal axis, and in an inclined manner such that, when the intermediate conveyor is in said unloading position thereof, the intermediate conveyor outlet end is disposed above said intermediate conveyor inlet end. 7. The combination of claim 5, said lift frame being elongated and presenting fore and aft ends, said lift frame including individual, laterally spaced apart fore and aft guides respectively located proximal to said fore and aft ends and configured to engage and support said bin assembly, said intermediate conveyor support structure operable to move said intermediate conveyor between said lower travel position wherein the outlet of the intermediate conveyor is spaced rearwardly of said fore guide, and said conveying position where said intermediate conveyor outlet is located above and spaced forwardly of said fore guide. 8. The combination of claim 7, said laterally spaced apart fore and aft guides each comprising a transverse frame member forming a part of said lift frame, and a pair of laterally spaced guide elements secured to the corresponding transverse frame member. 9. A particulate bin assembly comprising: a particulate bin having an upper inlet and a lower outlet;a frame assembly supporting said bin above a support surface and including a plurality of spaced apart, upright, substantially vertically oriented tubular leg mounts rigidly secured to said bin, and a number of elongated cross rails extending laterally between and rigidly connected to said leg mounts;a substantially vertically extending leg telescopically received within each of said leg mounts and including a lowermost pad for engaging said support surface, and an obliquely extending telescopic arm including first and second telescopically interfitted arm sections pivotally coupled to each leg and a cross rail of said frame assembly,said legs and arms oriented to form an unimpeded through-space below said bin and between said legs of a size to permit a transport trailer to be positioned within said through-space and between said legs;a spring within each leg mount and operably coupled with the associated leg in order to bias the leg to a retracted position,each of said legs being substantially vertically shiftable within the corresponding mount between said retracted position and an extended position, said oblique arm pivoting to accommodate such shifting of the leg; andlocking structure operable to alternately hold each of said legs in said retracted and extended positions thereof, including a first releasable lock operatively attached to one of said leg mounts and the corresponding leg, in order to selectively lock the corresponding leg relative to the one leg mount, and a second releasable lock operatively attached to one of said oblique arms in order to selectively lock the corresponding first and second arm sections relative to each other. 10. The bin assembly of claim 9, said locking structure including a first releasable lock operatively attached to each of said leg mounts and the corresponding legs, and a second releasable lock operatively attached to each of said oblique arms.