Seed carrier with pivoting conveyor

Abstract

A seed carrier includes a main hopper coupled with a frame via leg members. The main hopper has a discharge. A base plate is coupled with the frame. A support arm is rotatably coupled with the base plate at a first end. A belt driven conveyor having a conveyor hopper at a first end and a discharge at a second end is rotatably coupled with a second end of said support arm at an approximate center of gravity thereof. A latch mechanism is provided for detachably coupling the first end of the conveyor with the first end of the support arm such that the conveyor hopper is position below the main hopper discharge. When the conveyor is uncoupled from the first end of the support arm, the conveyor can rotate to a loading position wherein the discharge thereof can be positioned over the main hopper.

1 . A seed or grain tender comprising:
 a main hopper having a main hopper discharge;   a support arm having first and second ends;   said first end of said support arm being located below said main hopper and being rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and said first end of said support arm being rotatable about a second axis of rotation that is generally perpendicular to said first axis of rotation;   a conveyor having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, a conveyor hopper at said first end, a conveyor discharge at said second end, and an internal elevator for moving seed or grain from said conveyor hopper to said conveyor discharge;   said second end of said support arm being coupled with said conveyor between said first and second ends of said conveyor, said conveyor being rotatable about a third axis of rotation at said second end of said support arm that is not parallel to said conveyor longitudinal axis, and said conveyor being rotatable in relation to said second end of said support arm about said third of axis of rotation between an unloading position wherein said conveyor hopper is disposed below said main hopper discharge to receive agricultural product from said main hopper and a loading position wherein said conveyor discharge is disposed above said main hopper to dispense agricultural product into said main hopper.   
     
     
         2 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said first axis of rotation extends through said main hopper discharge. 
     
     
         3 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said second axis of rotation extends through said first end of said support arm. 
     
     
         4 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said third axis of rotation extends through said conveyor. 
     
     
         5 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said third axis of rotation extends through said second end of said support arm. 
     
     
         6 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said third axis of rotation extends through said conveyor and said second end of said support arm. 
     
     
         7 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said third axis of rotation is oriented at an angle having a vertical component. 
     
     
         8 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , wherein said second end of said support arm is coupled with said conveyor at or near said approximate center of gravity of said conveyor. 
     
     
         9 . The seed or grain tender of  claim 1 , further comprising a stand coupled with said first end of said conveyor and movable between a stowed position allowing said conveyor hopper to be positioned below said main hopper discharge when said conveyor is in said unloading position and an extended position supporting said conveyor hopper above the ground when said conveyor is in said loading position.