1. A bulk bag unloader comprising:
a frame for supporting a bulk bag of particulate materials, a hopper moveably supported on the frame and disposed for receiving a discharge from the bulk bags supported on the frame, an outlet chute mounted to the hopper and having an inlet communicating with an outlet of the hopper and an outlet spaced from the inlet, the outlet chute defining an axis, two vibrators mounted to the hopper and synchronized with one another for generating vibratory movement of the hopper and the outlet chute in directions substantially parallel to a vertical plane that includes the axis of the outlet chute.
2. The bag unloader of claim 1, wherein the axis of the outlet chute is substantially horizontal.
3. The bag unloader of claim 1, further comprising load cells for measuring loads generated by the frame, the bulk bag and particulates in the bulk bag, and for detecting a weight of particulates discharged from the bulk bag.
4. The bulk bag unloader of claim 1, wherein the vibrators are variable vibrators for varying rates of discharge from the outlet chute.
5. The bulk bag unloader of claim 4, further comprising a controller connected to the vibrators for controlling vibratory speed and particulate discharge rates in accordance with inputs to the controller.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A plow assembly comprising:
a moldboard the moldboard includes a movable cutting edge;
a plow frame, the moldboard pivotally mounted to the plow frame; and
an adjustable bias mechanism, the biasing mechanism arranged with the cutting edge to bias the cutting edge to a plowing position, the adjustable bias mechanism including a spring, a retaining plate, and a retainer, the retaining plate including a plurality of retaining holes defining a corresponding plurality of retaining positions, the retainer being insertable into each of the retaining holes, the retainer being selectively arrangeable with the spring at each of the retaining positions to impart a corresponding biasing force upon the spring, the biasing force varying according to the retaining position selected.
2. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis having a front end; and
a plow assembly mounted to the front end of the chassis, the plow assembly including a moldboard and an adjustable bias mechanism, the bias mechanism including a biasing member, a retainer, and at least one retaining position, the retainer being selectively arrangeable with the biasing member at each of the at least one retaining position to impart a biasing force upon the biasing member, the biasing force varying according to the retaining position selected;
wherein the moldboard includes a movable cutting edge, the bias mechanism arranged with the cutting edge to bias the cutting edge to a plowing position.
3. The vehicle according to claim 2 further comprising:
a hitch assembly disposed between the plow assembly and the chassis for mounting the plow assembly to the chassis.
4. The vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the hitch assembly includes a mounting member mounted to the chassis adjacent the front end of the chassis, the mounting member including a substantially planar face, and the hitch assembly includes a frame for supporting the plow assembly, the frame removably mounted to the mounting member.
5. The vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the plow assembly includes a plow frame, the moldboard pivotally mounted to the plow frame, the plow frame pivotally mounted to the hitch assembly.
6. The vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the hitch assembly includes a lift arm for moving the plow frame with respect to the hitch assembly, the lift arm connected to the plow frame.
7. The vehicle according to claim 6 wherein a support connects the lift arm to the plow frame.
8. The vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the support comprises a chain.
9. The vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the plow assembly includes an adjustable brace extending between the mold board and the plow frame, the brace being adjustable to pivot the moldboard with respect to the plow frame.
10. The vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the biasing member comprises a spring, the spring including a first tail end and a second tail end, the first tail end engageable with the cutting edge, and the second tail end being engageable with the retainer.
11. A method for biasing a movable cutting edge of a moldboard of a plow assembly, the method comprising:
mounting a spring to the moldboard, the spring including a first tail end and a second tail end;
engaging the first tail end with the cutting edge;
arranging the second tail end of the spring with respect to a retaining plate, the retaining plate including a plurality of retaining holes defining a corresponding plurality of retaining positions;
disposing the second tail end of the spring at a selected one of the retaining positions;
securing the second tail end at the selected retaining position;
wherein the spring is imparted with a biasing force that varies according to the retaining position selected, the biasing force being exerted against the cutting edge of the moldboard.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the moldboard includes a mounting shaft, the spring being mounted to the mounting shaft.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the spring is mounted to the mounting shaft with the spring in a normal, unloaded position.
14. The method according to claim 11 wherein the second tail end is secured to the selected retaining position by a retainer.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the retainer comprises a pin that is insertable into each of the retaining holes.
16. The method according to claim 11 wherein the second tail end of the spring is disposed at a selected one of the retaining positions by a lever.
17. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:
adjusting the position of the second tail end of the spring to another selected retaining position.
18. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis having a front end; and
a plow assembly mourned to the front end of the chassis, the plow assembly including a moldboard and an adjustable bias mechanism, the bias mechanism including a biasing member, a retainer, and at least one retaining position, the retainer being selectively arrangeable with the biasing member at each of the at least one retaining position to impart a biasing force upon the biasing member, the biasing force varying according to The retaining position selected;
a hitch assembly disposed between the plow assembly and the chassis for mounting the plow assembly to the chassis;
wherein the plow assembly includes a plow frame, the moldboard pivotally mounted to the plow frame, the plow frame pivotally mounted to the hitch assembly; and
wherein the hitch assembly includes a lift arm for moving the plow frame with respect to the hitch assembly, the lift arm connected to the plow frame.
19. The vehicle according to claim 18 wherein the hitch assembly includes a mounting member mounted to the chassis adjacent the front end of the body, the mounting member including a substantially planar face, and the hitch assembly includes a frame for supporting the plow assembly, the frame removably mounted to the mounting member.
20. The vehicle according to claim 18 wherein a support connects the lift arm to the plow frame.
21. The vehicle according to claim 20 wherein the support comprises a chain.
22. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis having a front end; and
a plow assembly mounted to the front end of the chassis, the plow assembly including a moldboard and an adjustable bias mechanism, the bias mechanism including a biasing member, a retainer, and at least one retaining position, the retainer being selectively arrangeable with the biasing member at each of the at least one retaining position to impart a biasing force upon the biasing member, the biasing force varying according to the retaining position selected;
a hitch assembly disposed between the plow assembly and the chassis for mounting the plow assembly to the chassis;
wherein the plow assembly includes a plow frame, the moldboard pivotally mounted to the plow frame, the plow frame pivotally mounted to the hitch assembly;
wherein the plow assembly includes an adjustable brace extending between the mold board and the plow frame, the brace being adjustable to pivot the moldboard with respect to the plow frame.