A method of dislodging entrapped particulate material from an assembly of a bin and a hopper for dispensing the particulate material is disclosed. The method includes lifting at least one of a plurality of support legs off of the foundation by a predetermined amount by using at least one lifting mechanism that is resting on the foundation and operatively attached to one of the plurality of support legs; and dropping the at least one support leg into a free fall down on to the foundation using the lifting mechanism, whereby an impact shock thus produced is transmitted to the assembly of the bin and the hopper through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the assembly of the bin and the hopper.

A method of dislodging entrapped particulate material from an assembly of a bin and a hopper for dispensing the particulate material is disclosed. The method includes lifting at least one of a plurality of support legs off of the foundation by a predetermined amount by using at least one lifting mechanism that is resting on the foundation and operatively attached to one of the plurality of support legs; and dropping the at least one support leg into a free fall down on to the foundation using the lifting mechanism, whereby an impact shock thus produced is transmitted to the assembly of the bin and the hopper through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the assembly of the bin and the hopper.

An apparatus for emptying the contents of a container. The apparatus may include a base and a lift coupled to the base and movable between a loading position and emptying position. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a lift actuator including a lift piston configured to move the lift from the loading position to an intermediate position and a rotation piston for moving the lift from the intermediate position to the emptying position. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a frame, a platform, a mast, and a bale. The bale is slidably disposed on the mast for selectively adjusting the distance between the bale and the platform. In some embodiments, a lift may be provided with an agitator to release interlocked packages and allow them to empty from a container in an emptying position. The agitator may include an airbag and a spring pack on opposite sides of the platform.

An apparatus for emptying the contents of a container. The apparatus may include a base and a lift coupled to the base and movable between a loading position and emptying position. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a lift actuator including a lift piston configured to move the lift from the loading position to an intermediate position and a rotation piston for moving the lift from the intermediate position to the emptying position. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a frame, a platform, a mast, and a bale. The bale is slidably disposed on the mast for selectively adjusting the distance between the bale and the platform. In some embodiments, a lift may be provided with an agitator to release interlocked packages and allow them to empty from a container in an emptying position. The agitator may include an airbag and a spring pack on opposite sides of the platform.

A system may include a first casing housing a first auger, wherein a longitudinal axis of the first auger is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to a floor of the grain bin, and a second casing housing a second auger, wherein a longitudinal axis of the second auger is configured to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first auger. A system may include a first gearbox operatively coupled to the first auger and the second auger, torsionally locking the first auger and the second auger to one another, wherein the first auger is configured to convey grain along the longitudinal axis of the first auger to the second auger, and wherein the second auger is configured to convey grain from the first auger to a top portion of the grain bin along the longitudinal axis of the second auger.

A system may include a first casing housing a first auger, wherein a longitudinal axis of the first auger is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to a floor of the grain bin, and a second casing housing a second auger, wherein a longitudinal axis of the second auger is configured to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first auger. A system may include a first gearbox operatively coupled to the first auger and the second auger, torsionally locking the first auger and the second auger to one another, wherein the first auger is configured to convey grain along the longitudinal axis of the first auger to the second auger, and wherein the second auger is configured to convey grain from the first auger to a top portion of the grain bin along the longitudinal axis of the second auger.

A bin wall cleaner for a sweep conveyors and augers for removing residual grain located near the bin wall out of reach of the sweep conveyor and providing sweep coverage for non-uniform bin walls. The bin wall cleaner has a grain engagement member that extends outwardly from the distal end of the sweep. A biasing member maintains the grain engagement member extended toward the bin wall. A wall engagement member is attached to the grain engagement member to ensure the bin wall cleaner tracks with the bin wall. The grain engagement member extends by pivoting or telescoping at least one blade.

A bin wall cleaner for a sweep conveyors and augers for removing residual grain located near the bin wall out of reach of the sweep conveyor and providing sweep coverage for non-uniform bin walls. The bin wall cleaner has a grain engagement member that extends outwardly from the distal end of the sweep. A biasing member maintains the grain engagement member extended toward the bin wall. A wall engagement member is attached to the grain engagement member to ensure the bin wall cleaner tracks with the bin wall. The grain engagement member extends by pivoting or telescoping at least one blade.

A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger flighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.

A full floor sweep system having a skeletonized head section to facilitate removal of grain from a grain bin. The sweep system having an elongated body extending a length between an inward end and an outward end and having a leading side and a trailing side. The elongated body is connected to a pivot point at the center of the grain bin and is configured to rotate around the pivot point. An agitator is connected to the outward end of the elongated body and is configured to agitate grain as the elongated body rotates around the pivot point. The agitator includes an impeller that is connected to a shaft that extends through the elongated body. A scraper is positioned at the outward end of the elongated body and is configured to move grain into the path of the elongated body.