Tilting grain auger

Claim 1

In a combine harvester having an operator''s platform, a grain bin and a horizontally extending auger-type unloading conveyor positioned within the bottom portion of said bin, the improvement comprising an auger and tube assembly adapted to form an operative extension of said unloading conveyor and positionable in an unloading position and a transport position, said unloading conveyor and said assembly each including central drive shafts connected by a universal joint, said unloading conveyor including a tube extending horizontally from said grain bin and presenting a generally 45* face at its outboard end, means pivotally mounting said auger and tube assembly on said 45* face so that said auger and tube assembly extends longitudinally when said auger and tube assembly are in transport position and said auger and tube assembly extends upwardly and transversely outwardly when pivoted to discharge position, hydraulic means operative from said operator''s platform for moving said auger and tube assembly from transport to operative position and from operative to transport position, said means for pivotally mounting said auger and tube assembly on said 45* face comprises a swivel unit made up of complementary circular channel members attached to said conveyor and to said assembly, respectively, antifriction means separating said channel members, said auger and tube assembly extending from said swivel unit at approximately 45*, said hydraulic means comprising a double-acting cylinder, a rack carried by the piston of said cylinder, a gear segment attached to said auger and tube assembly and coacting with said rack for pivoting said auger and tube assembly responsive to movement of said piston, and a wheel mounted on said conveyor for biasing said rack into driving engagement with gear segment.