IP Library Granted Patent US 10,028,441
Granted Patent B2
US 10,028,441 · App. 15/425,809 · Granted Jul 24, 2018

Method for controlling an unload operation on a mobile farm implement

Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill (Shell Rock, IA); Shawn W. Gerdeman (Delphos, OH); Ronald J. Schlimgen (Shell Rock, IA)
Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
A01D90/10B65G43/00B65G43/08G01G19/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,028,441
App. No.
15/425,809
Granted
Jul 24, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of automating unloading for a mobile farm implement is presented. The method includes determining whether the speed of the mobile farm implement is below a first threshold. In response to a determination that the speed of the mobile farm implement is below the first threshold, a conveyor is moved to an operating position, where it is used to unload agricultural material from the mobile farm implement. Upon termination of the unloading of the agricultural material, the controller folds the conveyor to a storage or transport position.

Claims (20)

1. A mobile farm implement comprising:

a container for carrying an agricultural material;

a conveyor configured to move between a plurality of positions including at least one position for unloading the agricultural material from the container;

a first sensor for sensing a speed condition of the mobile farm implement and providing information indicative of the speed condition of the mobile farm implement;

a controller in communication with the first sensor and configured to determine whether the speed condition of the mobile farm implement exceeds a first threshold; and

wherein the controller is further configured to lock the conveyor in a position such that the conveyor is prevented from being moved when the speed condition of the mobile farm implement exceeds the first threshold.

2. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor provides information indicative of a speed associated with the mobile farm implement and the controller is configured to lock the conveyor in a first position when the speed exceeds the first threshold.

3. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor for providing information indicative of the position of the conveyor.

4. The mobile farm implement of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to lock the conveyor in the position based on information from the first and second sensors.

5. The mobile farm implement of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to lock the conveyor in a stored position based on information from the first and second sensors.

6. The mobile farm implement of claim 3 , wherein the controller receives information from the first sensor indicative of a speed of a power take off.

7. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor includes upper and lower conveyor sections connected by a joint that allows the upper conveyor section to move between operating and stored positions by folding.

8. The mobile farm implement of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to lock the upper conveyor section in a current position of the upper conveyor section when the speed condition exceeds the first threshold.

9. The mobile farm implement of claim 7 , further comprising a second sensor for providing information indicative of a current position of the upper conveyor section.

10. The mobile farm implement of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to lock the upper conveyor section in a position based on information from the first and second sensors.

11. The mobile farm implement of claim 10 , wherein the controller receives information from the first sensor indicative of a speed of a power take off.

12. The mobile farm implement of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to lock the upper conveyor section in the stored position based on information from the first and second sensors.

13. The mobile farm implement of claim 7 , wherein the first sensor provides information indicative of a speed associated with the mobile farm implement.

14. The mobile farm implement of claim 7 , wherein the controller receives information from the first sensor indicative of a speed of a power take off.

15. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller receives information from the first sensor indicative of a speed of a power take off.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 14940687 · Nov 13, 2015
Continuation 14213744 · Mar 14, 2014
Provisional Application 61821542 · May 9, 2013
Provisional Application 61799957 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20170142902A1 · May 25, 2017
Cited By (13)
US 12,356,894 US 12,419,217 US 12,472,911 US 12,509,314 US 12,543,655 US 12,582,033 US 12,588,589 US 12,588,593 US 12,650,701 US 12,660,758 US 12,669,361 US 12,696,845 US 12,717,327