A method 10 of refurbishing a bucket wheel reclaimer (BWR) 41 having structural frame 68, a chute 66 supported by the structural frame 68, a yard conveyor 42 for receiving material from the chute 66 and an impact table 64 supported by the structural frame 68 below a portion of an upper run 44 of the yard conveyor 42. The method includes a step 12 of decoupling a current impact table 64 from the BWR structural frame 68. The impact table 64 is lowered at step 26 from the structural frame 68. Thereafter at step 14 the current impact table is moved laterally away from and to one side of the yard conveyor. At steps 16 and 18 a fresh impact table is moved laterally to a location beneath the upper run 44 of the yard conveyor and coupled to the BWR 41.

Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.

Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.

An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.

An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.

An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.

An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.

The invention relates to a charging unit of a material processing apparatus having a charging hopper, the side walls (22) and rear walls (23) of which can be folded over between a working and a transport position by means of actuators (40, 50). A deflection element is provided, which converts the movement of an actuator during a portion of a movement thereof into a rotational movement of the rear wall or of the side wall and, during a further portion, into a translational movement. As a result of the rotational movement, the rear and side wall can be pivoted between the working and transport position, while by means of the translational movement, the rear and side wall can be connected to each other by means of an appropriate closure (60). By means of the deflection element, a simple, self-securing, and economical structure of the charging hopper is made possible.

Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor apparatus comprising: a conveyor frame embodying a structural support for a conveyor surface defining a conveyor length that extends in a length direction and comprises: a first sidewall comprising a first guide track extending along a first inner surface thereof in the length direction, and a second sidewall comprising a second guide track extending along a second inner surface thereof in the length direction; a plurality of bottom panels, each extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein a first bottom panel of the plurality of bottom panels is engaged with the first guide track of the first sidewall and the second guide track of the second sidewall such that the first bottom panel is configured to be selectively moveable throughout a range of motion defined at least in part by the first guide track and the second guide track.

An extendable and retractable conveyor comprises a hopper for receiving agricultural product a housing having an inlet and an outlet that are separated by a fixed distance, the inlet being adjacent to the hopper for receiving the agricultural product from the hopper. The conveyor may include a belt conveyor disposed within the housing for conveying the agricultural product from the inlet to the outlet, the conveyor defining a direction of conveyance. The conveyor further includes a hood connected to the outlet for deflecting the agricultural product relative to the direction of conveyance. The conveyor further includes a movable spout that is slidably connected to the tube and disposed beneath the hood to receive the agricultural product from the hood, the movable spout being slidable in a direction parallel to the direction of conveyance to thereby extend or retract the conveyor.