An apparatus comprises a hopper housing, a first auger, a second auger, a dividing panel, and a motor. The hopper housing holds a bulk material, with the hopper housing including a first end at which the bulk material is added to the hopper housing and a second end comprising a discharge opening at which the bulk material exits the hopper housing. The first auger is disposed proximate to the discharge opening. The second auger is disposed between the first end of the hopper housing and the first auger. The dividing panel is disposed between the first auger and the second auger and the dividing panel is coupled to the hopper housing at the first side thereof and forming a panel opening between the hopper housing and the second side thereof. The motor rotates the first auger and the second auger to move the bulk material into the discharge opening.

A screw conveyor system includes a conveyor body defining a conveyor cavity. The conveyor body includes an inlet for a conveyed material and an outlet. A screw blade is rotatably connected to the conveyor body via a shaft. The screw blade extends within the conveyor cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A hanger bearing support extends from an interior surface of the conveyor body into the conveyor cavity and a hanger bearing is attached to the hanger bearing support with the hanger bearing contacting the shaft to support the screw blade. A sensor support structure is connected to the hanger bearing support and the conveyor body. A capacitive sensor is attached to the sensor support structure and includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate spaced apart from one another to allow the conveyed material to travel between the first and second conductive plates.

A screw conveyor system includes a conveyor body defining a conveyor cavity. The conveyor body includes an inlet for a conveyed material and an outlet. A screw blade is rotatably connected to the conveyor body via a shaft. The screw blade extends within the conveyor cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A hanger bearing support extends from an interior surface of the conveyor body into the conveyor cavity and a hanger bearing is attached to the hanger bearing support with the hanger bearing contacting the shaft to support the screw blade. A sensor support structure is connected to the hanger bearing support and the conveyor body. A capacitive sensor is attached to the sensor support structure and includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate spaced apart from one another to allow the conveyed material to travel between the first and second conductive plates.

A multi-piece component for a conveyor comprises a first section and a second section that mates with the first section around a shaft using a hygienic fastener to form a complete module. The hygienic fastener seals an interface between the fastener and the first section and between the first section and the second section. Chamfers facilitate positioning of the multi-piece component on a shaft.

A tailings return system for use in a combine harvester includes a tailings conveyor having an upper part and a lower part. The upper part is hingedly connected to the lower part, allowing the upper part to be folded back against the lower part to create an open space in the combine harvester, facilitating access to other components within the combine harvester.

A screw conveyor system includes a conveyor body defining a conveyor cavity. The conveyor body includes an inlet for a conveyed material and an outlet. A screw blade is rotatably connected to the conveyor body via a shaft. The screw blade extends within the conveyor cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A hanger bearing support extends from an interior surface of the conveyor body into the conveyor cavity and a hanger bearing is attached to the hanger bearing support with the hanger bearing contacting the shaft to support the screw blade. A sensor support structure is connected to the hanger bearing support and the conveyor body. A capacitive sensor is attached to the sensor support structure and includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate spaced apart from one another to allow the conveyed material to travel between the first and second conductive plates.

A screw conveyor system includes a conveyor body defining a conveyor cavity. The conveyor body includes an inlet for a conveyed material and an outlet. A screw blade is rotatably connected to the conveyor body via a shaft. The screw blade extends within the conveyor cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A hanger bearing support extends from an interior surface of the conveyor body into the conveyor cavity and a hanger bearing is attached to the hanger bearing support with the hanger bearing contacting the shaft to support the screw blade. A sensor support structure is connected to the hanger bearing support and the conveyor body. A capacitive sensor is attached to the sensor support structure and includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate spaced apart from one another to allow the conveyed material to travel between the first and second conductive plates.

A telescoping rotatable tool includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a first material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft has a second material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to extend from and retract within an interior space presented by the first shaft. The first shaft includes at least one helical-shaped groove extending along an interior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft includes at least one guide element extending from the exterior surface of the second shaft. The guide element is configured to engage with the groove, such that as the second shaft extends from and retracts within the first shaft, the second shaft is configured to rotate with respect to the first shaft.

A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, a hitch extending away from a front wall of the container in a first direction, and an auger assembly extending away from the front wall. The auger assembly includes a receiving portion coupled to the container, a lower portion coupled to the receiving portion, an upper portion coupled to the lower portion, a joint assembly coupled to both the upper and lower portions, and a discharge portion coupled to the upper portion. The joint assembly allows the upper portion to pivot about a folding axis between a transport position and an operating position. In the operating position, the lower portion is angled toward the hitch relative to a vertical plane extending transverse to a direction of travel by the farm implement, and the lower portion is angularly offset from the upper portion by a second angle.

An auger assembly (1) for receiving and conveying cheese curd downstream along a cheese processing line (32) includes an auger housing (2), a first auger (3) having a first shaft (5) extending through the auger housing (2), a second auger (4) having a second shaft (6) extending through the auger housing (2) and arranged colinearly with the first shaft (5), a first bearing (9) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (7) of the first shaft (5), and a second bearing (10) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (8) of the second shaft (6). The first bearing (9) and second bearing (10) are colinear and facing each other. At least one slotted groove (11, 12) is formed the bearings (9, 10) to enable a cleaning fluid to contact a surface (13, 14) of the respective bearing (9, 10).