Pivot structures for use on bin sweeps, for example at the inner end of a bin sweep or along the length of a bin sweep, include a ball and socket. The socket is preferably defined by a collar having opposing open ends through which a shaft extends, with the shaft also extending through the ball such that the ball can slide on the shaft. The collar/socket is then affixed to a section of a sweep, and the shaft is affixed to an adjacent section, or is alternatively defined by a central stanchion within the bin. The pivot allows the sweep section to move in up to four degrees of freedom with respect to the adjacent section, or with respect to the central stanchion.

In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus comprising an auger section having an auger and a drive unit containing a motor for driving the auger. A collector ring housing containing a collector ring is positioned between the auger section and the drive unit. In another aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for attachment to a floor grate. The apparatus includes a pivot stand attached to a top surface of the floor grate, the pivot stand defining a vertical pivot axis. A collector ring has a first stationary portion and a second rotatable portion, with the stationary portion attached to the pivot stand. A housing surrounds the collector ring, and the housing and second rotatable portion of the collector ring rotate together about the pivot axis.

The vibratory attachment for a grain auger is a system and method to aid in the removal of grain from a silo via an auger. In addition to the housing that contains the auger at the bottom of a bin, a specialized angled metal plate is welded to the housing at the interior end. A pneumatic turbine vibrator is then mounted to this plate. When the vibrator is powered by a compressed air source, the vibrations travel down the length of the auger housing which is in contact with the compacted grain. The vibrations then break down any bridging that occurs in the grain around the auger, thus allowing the grain to fall freely and be removed by the auger in a normal manner. It is envisioned that operation of the vibrator would occur manually when needed or be triggered on a recurring basis by a timing system.

A sweep auger system having a driveshaft with auger flighting and a backboard extending a length from an inward end to an outward end. An input of a gearbox is connected to an outward end of the drive shaft and a sweep wheel having a plurality of notches, arms and feet is connected to an output of the gearbox. A drive shield is placed around a rearward side of the sweep wheel that forms a channel that is configured to capture grain agitated by the drive wheel. A guide plate is connected to the gearbox and covers a portion of the gearbox. The guide plate angles from an upper outward edge downward and forward to a lower inward edge that is configured to urge the grain captured within the channel of the drive shield to move in front of the sweep auger system reducing grain left in the grain bin.

In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus comprising an auger section having an auger and a drive unit containing a motor for driving the auger. A collector ring housing containing a collector ring is positioned between the auger section and the drive unit. In another aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for attachment to a floor grate. The apparatus includes a pivot stand attached to a top surface of the floor grate, the pivot stand defining a vertical pivot axis. A collector ring has a first stationary portion and a second rotatable portion, with the stationary portion attached to the pivot stand. A housing surrounds the collector ring, and the housing and second rotatable portion of the collector ring rotate together about the pivot axis.

A bulk storage and delivery system for agricultural feed. Curved plates are secured to the interior and exterior of a bulk feed storage container. The curved plates are secured to one another and a vibrator is secured to the curved plates. Horizontal and vertical vibration bars are secured to the curved plates on the interior of the bulk feed storage container. The vibrator transmits vibration through the curved plates and into the horizontal and vertical vibration bars to facilitate flow and reduce bridging and rat holing of the material provided within the bulk feed storage container.

An auger system for removing particulate material from an interior of s storage bin having a bin floor with a center and a periphery. The auger system may comprise an outflow auger for positioning from the center of the bin floor to the periphery of the bin floor to move the particulate material from the center to the periphery, an inflow auger for positioning from the periphery of the bin floor to the center of the bin floor to move the particulate material toward the center of the bin floor to feed particulate material to the outflow auger; and a movement assembly configured to move the inflow auger with respect to the outflow auger. The system may also include a lift assembly configured to lift the inflow auger upwardly with respect to the bin floor from a lowered operational position to a raised, clearing position.

In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus comprising an auger section having an auger and a drive unit containing a motor for driving the auger. A collector ring housing containing a collector ring is positioned between the auger section and the drive unit. In another aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for attachment to a floor grate. The apparatus includes a pivot stand attached to a top surface of the floor grate, the pivot stand defining a vertical pivot axis. A collector ring has a first stationary portion and a second rotatable portion, with the stationary portion attached to the pivot stand. A housing surrounds the collector ring, and the housing and second rotatable portion of the collector ring rotate together about the pivot axis.

The invention relates to a grain sweep (1) for use on a floor comprising at least a first drive means (2), an elongated frame (3) comprising a rotatably arranged inner end (4) and an outer end (5), a drive wheel (6) adapted to rotate the elongated frame (3) around said inner end (4), and a grain moving means (7) adapted to move grain. The grain sweep (1) further comprises at least one resilient member (8) arranged at either said inner (4) or outer end (5) of said elongated frame (3), wherein the resilient member (8) allows the elongated frame (3) to move from said upper position towards a lower position when pressure is applied upon the elongated frame (3), and wherein the resilient member (8) allows the elongated frame (3) to move back towards said upper position when the pressure is removed.

A modular storage bin sweep system utilizing paddles to sweep particulate matter across a floor may comprise a sweep assembly including at least two units connectable together. The assembly may comprise a plurality of interconnected paddles, a power unit configured to the paddles, a drive unit configured to move the sweep assembly with respect to a surface of the bin below the sweep assembly. In some embodiments, a traction enhancement structure may increase traction of the drive unit on the floor. In some embodiments, a pivot unit is configured to permit a degree of pivotability of the axes of the units with respect to each other, and may be combined with a drive unit. In some embodiments, the power unit includes a rotary electrical power transfer structure configured to transfer electrical power to the power unit when rotating in the bin.