Auger apparatus for discharging material from a truck box

Claim 1

Apparatus for discharging material from the tail gate of a truck box for delivery at ground level and at high level as a drill fill comprising a first auger, means for mounting the first auger on the tail gate, so as to extend therefrom in horizontal orientation across a rear face of the tail gate, the first auger having a length such that it extends only across a central discharge portion of the tail gate and terminates at an open mouth substantially adjacent one side edge of the discharge portion of the tail gate, hydraulic drive motor means for driving the first auger to discharge material from the truck box to the open mouth, a second auger, cooperating pivot coupling means having a part on said first auger and a part on said second auger for detachably coupling the second auger to the first auger so as to extend therefrom in the horizontal orientation to deliver material discharged from the truck at ground level, the length of the second auger being such that it extends from the open mouth to a position just beyond the side edge of the truck box, said coupling means being arranged whereby the second auger can be folded back over the first auger, said second auger including drive engaging means for engaging said first auger whereby drive from said first auger is communicated to said second auger, a third auger separate and distinct from said second auger, coupling means on said third auger for detachably coupling the third auger to the part of the coupling means on the first auger in the place of the second auger with said second auger removed, the third auger forming a drill fill to transport discharged material from said first auger to a high level for discharge, said third auger comprising a first portion for extending upwardly and outwardly from said open mouth to a first upper rear corner of said truck box, a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and movable from a working position aligned with and driven by the first portion to a transport position inclined tranverseley thereto to a second upper rear corner opposite to said first rear corner of the truck box, and a discharge spout pivotally mounted on an end of said second portion remote from said first portion so as to be movable in said tranport position to a position inclined transversely and downwardly of said truck box to a lower rear corner below said first upper rear corner and hydraulic drive motor means for driving said third auger at an end thereof adjacent the open mouth of the first auger.