A friction driven beltless grain spreader system is presented that includes a spreader cone having a pulley and a grain deflector configured to disperse the flow of grain. A motor having a driven wheel and an idler wheel are pivotally connected to the spreader cone in operative engagement with the pulley such that the idler wheel is positioned between the driven wheel and the pulley. A tension member applies a force that pulls the driven wheel and intermediary wheel into the pulley. As the motor rotates the driven wheel rotates the idler wheel which rotates the pulley. When forces spike, such as when the motor is turned on or a heavy flow of grain hits the system, one or more of the driven wheel, intermediary wheel and/or pulley slip with respect to the other wheels thereby preventing breakage of the system.

An ozone treatment apparatus for grain uses first and second storage bins and an auger conveyor for conveying the grain from a first end in communication with the bottom of the first bin to a second end that can be directed into either one of the top of the first bin or the top of the second bin. An ozone injector injects ozone into the auger conveyor for mixing with and treating the conveyed grain. In a first mode, the conveyor discharges the grain from the second end of the conveyor through a first discharge outlet into the first storage bin to recycle the grain during treatment. In a second mode, the conveyor discharges the grain through a second discharge outlet into the second storage bin once treatment is complete.

An ozone treatment apparatus for grain uses first and second storage bins and an auger conveyor for conveying the grain from a first end in communication with the bottom of the first bin to a second end that can be directed into either one of the top of the first bin or the top of the second bin. An ozone injector injects ozone into the auger conveyor for mixing with and treating the conveyed grain. In a first mode, the conveyor discharges the grain from the second end of the conveyor through a first discharge outlet into the first storage bin to recycle the grain during treatment. In a second mode, the conveyor discharges the grain through a second discharge outlet into the second storage bin once treatment is complete.

The present invention is directed generally to a demountable silo (10) comprising a series of interconnected silo modules (12A to 12F) constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention. The silo modules such as (12A) are each of a substantially identical configuration and interconnected in a side-by-side and end-to-end relationship. The demountable silo (10) is designed to contain particulate material and configured depending on the nature of the material and its storage requirements. It will be appreciated that the provision of multiple silo modules such as (12A to 12F) together contains significantly more particulate material in a heap than a single silo module. The maximum storage capacity for the demountable silo (10) is determined largely by the angle of repose of the heaped particulate material.

The present invention is directed generally to a demountable silo (10) comprising a series of interconnected silo modules (12A to 12F) constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention. The silo modules such as (12A) are each of a substantially identical configuration and interconnected in a side-by-side and end-to-end relationship. The demountable silo (10) is designed to contain particulate material and configured depending on the nature of the material and its storage requirements. It will be appreciated that the provision of multiple silo modules such as (12A to 12F) together contains significantly more particulate material in a heap than a single silo module. The maximum storage capacity for the demountable silo (10) is determined largely by the angle of repose of the heaped particulate material.

A localization system comprises: a device; a master unit which wirelessly transmits a first localization signal; a plurality of lateration units distributed about the area within which the device is being localized, wherein each lateration unit of the plurality independently starts its own timer upon its receipt of the first localization signal; and a localization unit. The device receives the first localization signal and responsively wirelessly transmits a second localization signal. Each of the lateration units: independently receives the second localization signal; stops its respective timer responsive to receipt of the second localization signal; and wirelessly transmits a timer count signal to a localization unit. The timer count signal identifies the transmitting lateration unit and a count of its respective timer. The localization unit utilizes the plurality of timer along with respective distances between the master unit and the lateration units to localize the first device via time-of-flight lateration.

An improved silo bag extractor that can collect grain or other flowable materials contained therein. As the extractor empties the silo bag's contents into an accompanying grain cart, it simultaneously performs differentiated cuts on the bag, effectively dividing it in two bands of plastic that are directed to the left and right sides of the machine, where they wind tightly around roll-up assemblies equipped with consumable rigid plastic cores. On terminating grain extraction, the used plastic sheet takes the form of two very dense bales that can each weigh 100 kilos or more depending on the original size of the bag. These bales are then released from the machine automatically, proffering several advantages: not having to manually collect large swaths of plastic, not having to rewind the plastic on a second contraption and accomplishing lesser compaction in the process, easier storing and handling, and lower transportation costs to recycling centers.

An improved silo bag extractor that can collect grain or other flowable materials contained therein. As the extractor empties the silo bag's contents into an accompanying grain cart, it simultaneously performs differentiated cuts on the bag, effectively dividing it in two bands of plastic that are directed to the left and right sides of the machine, where they wind tightly around roll-up assemblies equipped with consumable rigid plastic cores. On terminating grain extraction, the used plastic sheet takes the form of two very dense bales that can each weigh 100 kilos or more depending on the original size of the bag. These bales are then released from the machine automatically, proffering several advantages: not having to manually collect large swaths of plastic, not having to rewind the plastic on a second contraption and accomplishing lesser compaction in the process, easier storing and handling, and lower transportation costs to recycling centers.

A robot comprises a memory, a processor, a body and a drive system which are coupled. The drive system comprises one of auger-based surface interface portions and continuous tread surface interface portions. The auger-based surface interface portions and the continuous tread surface interface portions are interchangeable to adapt the robot to one of different operating conditions and different uses. The processor is configured to: control movement of the robot, via the drive system, to traverse across a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the auger-based surface interface portions; and control movement of the robot via the drive system to traverse across a second surface, which is a solid or semi-solid surface other than the piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the continuous tread surface interface portions.