TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001 ] The present invention relates to material handling apparatus and processes.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to transfer of granular material from one location to another; and, in particular to transfer of granular material such as harvesting products (for example, wheat, barley, and corn) from a harvester to a storage assembly such as a chaser bin.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common genera! knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Agricultural harvesting machines collect the crop and separate the crop into grain and crop residue such as straw. Collection of the crop occurs via a front (also referred to as headers or harvester platforms). The harvester platforms include cutting bars and systems for conveying the cut crop into the harvester for separation into the grain and the crop residue.

[0005] Separation of the crop into grain and crop residue occurs within the harvester. During the harvesting process, the crop residue is typically returned to the ground and the grain is transported from the harvester into a storage assembly such as a chaser bin.

[0008] Chaser bins are typically towed by tractors that travel side by side to the harvester units; this permits (1 ) transferring the grain from the harvester to the chaser bin via a auger that extends perpendicularly from the side of the harvester reaching towards the chaser bin and (2) discharging the grain into the chaser bin.

[0007] Further, as mentioned before, the crop is collected by the harvester platforms. The harvester platforms are located at the front of the harvesting machines and have a width such that the harvester platforms extend beyond the sides of the harvesting machine to be able to collect crop from a multitude of furrows. The wider the harvester platforms are, the more furrows are overridden by the harvesters; thus, more crop may be collected. Thus, a continuous trend is to increase the width of the harvester platforms so as to improve the output of grain of the harvesters at one pass over the crop field.

[0008] Currently, harvester platforms having a width of up to twelve meters are being used. But, harvester platforms have been developed that are up to eighteen meters wide; however, these relative large harvester platforms have disadvantages, being: that they are difficult to use in an agricultural tramline system.

[0009] The tramline system is the harvesting system where the crop zones and the traffic zones (the wheel tracks) are permanently separated. This type of harvesting system has proven to increase profitability and sustainability. Its success is that it minimizes soil compaction due to the fact that the harvesting machinery (as well as other agricultural machines) while traveling on a field follow always the same tracks; in this manner, permanent crop zones are formed that do not suffer from soil compacting due to the action of the wheels of the agricultural machinery travelling on the field.

[0010] In the tramline system, the chaser bin travels on a set of tracks that extend parallel and separated a particular distance from the tracks on which the harvester travels. Under these particular circumstances, the length of the auger (that conveys the grain to the chaser beam) needs to be extended to permit the grain to fall into the chaser bin. A drawback with increasing the length of the auger is that the pivot joint for attachment of the auger to the harvester and that permits selectively swinging the auger from a contracted condition (when the auger is located parallel to the side of the harvester) to an extended condition (when the auger is located perpendicular to the side of the harvester reaching towards the chaser bin) is compromised due to the stresses that are applied to the pivot joint during traveling and operation of the harvester. This is particularly true due to the fact that, as the length of the auger increases, the oscillatory movement about the horizontal position of the auger also increases. This oscillatory movement due to the relative long augers repeatedly applies loads to the pivot joint and to the auger typically generating a progressive and localized structural damage to the auger and pivot joint. Thus, there is a limit to the length that augers in harvesters may- have.

[001 1 ] Thus, simply extending the length of the augers is not a preferred option when harvester platforms having a relative large width are used in agricultural tramline systems. One solution to this problem is not to extend the auger but to use conveyor platforms that extend from the chaser bin towards the harvester permitting the grain exiting the auger, to fall onto the conveyor platform to be conveyed into the chaser bin. However, the length that any conveyor platform is limited due to the structural strength of the materials that the conveyor platform is made out of and the fasteners attaching the conveyor platform to the chaser bin. Also, the stability of the chaser bin, on which a particular conveyor platform is mounted, is compromised due the conveyor platform extending away from only one side of the chaser bin.

[0012] Thus, currently harvester platforms having a width that is relative large (such as harvester platforms having a width of eighteen meters or more) are difficult to use in connection with agricultural tramline systems.

[0013] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an auger assembly for transferring granular material from a first storage assembly to a second storage assembly, the auger assembly being adapted for attachment to the first storage assembly, the auger assembly comprising an auger adapted to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition for storage thereof and an extended condition for transferring of the granular material, and a support assembly having a first end attached to the first storage assembly and a second end attached to the auger for providing support to the auger during displacement and use thereof.

[0015] Preferably, the support assembly comprises a distal end attached to the auger and a proximal end pivotaliy attached to particular location of the first storage assembly. [0016] Preferably, the auger is adapted to be selectively displaced between an unfolded condition and a folded condition.

[0017] Preferably, the auger comprises a plurality of sections hingedly attached to each other to permit selective displacement of the auger between the folded condition and the un~folded condition.

[0018] Preferably, the auger assembly further comprises a first hydraulic assembly operatively attached to the plurality of sections of the auger for selectively displacing the auger between the folded condition and the unfolded condition.

[0019] Preferably, the auger is pivotaliy attached to a particular location of the first storage assembly.

[0020] Preferably, the particular location comprises the side of the first storage assembly.

[0021 ] Preferably, the auger assembly further comprises a second hydraulic assembly operatively attached to at least one of the plurality of sections of the auger and to a particular location of the first storage assembly to permit selective displacement of the auger assembly between the retracted condition and the extended condition.

[0022] Preferably, the particular location comprises the side of the first storage assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the support assembly comprises a distal end attached to one of the plurality of sections of the auger and a proximal end attached to a particular location of the first storage assembly.

[0024] Preferably, the particular location comprises the side of the first storage assembly.

[0025] Preferably, the particular location comprises a lower region of the side of the first storage assembly. [0026] Preferably, the support assembly comprises a frame having a proximal frame member pivotally attached to the first storage assembly, and a distal frame member attached to one section of the plurality of sections of the auger.

[0027] Preferably, the one section of the plurality of sections of the auger comprises a distal section of the auger with respect to the first storage assembly.

[0028] Preferably, the proximal and distal frame members are adapted to move with respect to each other so as to selectively displace the frame between an extended condition and a retracted condition.

[0029] Preferably, the distal frame member comprises a first rod having a distal end pivotally attached to a particular location of the distal section of the auger and a proximal end attached to the proximal frame member.

[0030] Preferably, the particular location of the distal section of the auger is chosen so as to counterbalance the auger during unfolding and use thereof.

[0031 ] Preferably, the proximal frame member comprises a second rod and a third rod.

[0032] Preferably, the second rod comprises a proximal end pivotally attached to the lower region of the side of the first storage assembly and a distal end adapted to receive the proximal end of the first rod.

[0033] Preferably, the distal end of the proximal frame member and the proximal end of the distal frame member are adapted to move with respect to each other for varying the dimension of the frame of the support assembly.

[0034] Preferably, the support assembly comprises an actuating assembly for driving the movement between the distal end of the proximal frame member and the proximal end of the distal frame member with respect to each other for varying the dimension of the frame of the support assembly.

[0035] Preferably, the distal end of the second rod is adapted to receive in a telescopic relationship the proximal end of the first rod. [0036] Preferably, the second rod comprises a barrel of a first hydraulic cylinder and the proximal end of the first rod comprises a piston of the first hydraulic cylinder for selectively displacing the frame between a retracted condition and an extended condition.

[0037] Preferably, the second rod comprises a chamber adapted to receive the barrel.

[0038] Preferably, the third rod is adapted to provide support to the frame of the support assembly.

[0039] In an arrangement, the third rod comprises a support wire.

[0040] Preferably, the third rod extends from an upper location of the first storage assembly towards the distal end of the second rod, the distal end of the third rod being attached to the distal end of the second rod.

[0041 ] Preferably, a proximal end of the third rod is pivotally attached to a particular location of the upper location of the first storage assembly.

[0042] Preferably, the auger assembly further comprises a scoop assembly operativeiy attached to the auger for delivery of the granular material from the auger to the scoop assembly and transferring the granular material to the second storage assembly.

[0043] Preferably, the scoop assembly comprises a scoop for receiving the granular material exiting the auger.

[0044] Preferably, the scoop is adapted to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition for storage thereof and an extended condition for use thereof.

[0045] Preferably, the scoop is pivotally attached to an outlet of the auger.

[0046] Preferably, the scoop assembly comprises a second hydraulic cylinder attached between the distal section of the auger and the scoop for displacement of the scoop. [0047] Preferably, the auger assembly further comprises switch means operatively connected to the auger to detect folding and unfolding of the auger for activation of the second hydraulic cylinder for either extending or retracting the scoop of the scoop assembly.

[0048] In an alternative arrangement, the scoop assembly is siideably connected to the distal section of the auger.

[0049] Preferably, the scoop assembly comprises a gear system driven by a motor for movement of the scoop along the distal end of the auger.

[0050] Preferably, the auger assembly further comprises switch means operatively connected to the auger to detect folding and unfolding of the auger for activation of the motor for either extending or retracting the scoop of the scoop assembly.

[0051 ] In another arrangement, the first storage assembly comprises a harvester and the second storage assembly comprises a chaser bin.

[0052] Preferably, the auger assembly is driven by a hydraulic system incorporated in the first storage assembly, the hydraulic system fluidiy connected to the first and second hydraulic assemblies and to the first and second hydraulic cylinders.

[0053] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support assembly for providing support to an auger pivotally attached to a storage assembly, the auger being adapted to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition and an extended condition, the support assembly comprising a distal end attached to a particular location of the auger, and a proximal end attached to a particular location of the first storage assembly, wherein the support assembly is adapted to be selectively be displaced between an extended condition and a retracted condition during selective displacement of the auger between the retracted condition and the extended condition

[0054] Preferably, the support assembly comprises a frame having a proximal frame member pivotally attached to the first storage assembly, and a distal frame member attached to the auger, wherein the proximal and distal frame members are adapted to move with respect to each other so as to selectively displace the frame member between the extended condition and the retracted condition. [0055] Preferably, the distal frame member comprises a first rod having a distal end pivota!ly attached to a particular location of the distal section of the auger and a proximal end attached to the proximal frame member.

[0056] Preferably, the particular location of the distal section of the auger is chosen so as to counterbalance the auger during unfolding and use thereof.

[0057] Preferably, the proximal frame member comprises a second rod and a third rod.

[0058] Preferably, the second rod comprises a proximal end pivotally attached to the lower region of the side of the first storage assembly and a distal end adapted to receive the proximal end of the first rod.

[0059] Preferably, the distal end of the proximal frame member and the proximal end of the distal frame member are adapted to move with respect to each other for varying the dimension of the frame of the support assembly.

[0060] Preferably, the support assembly comprises an actuating assembly for driving the movement between the distal end of the proximal frame member and the proximal end of the distal frame member with respect to each other for varying the dimension of the frame of the support assembly.

[0061 ] Preferably, the distal end of the second rod is adapted to receive in a telescopic relationship the proximal end of the first rod.

[0062] Preferably, the second rod comprises a barrel of a first hydraulic cylinder and the proximal end of the first rod comprises a piston of the first hydraulic cylinder for selectively displacing the frame between a retracted condition and an extended condition.

[0063] Preferably, the second rod comprises a chamber adapted to receive the barrel.

[0064] Preferably, the third rod is adapted to provide support to the frame of the support assembly. 0065] In an arrangement, the third comprises a support wire.

[0068] Preferably, the third rod extends from an upper location of the first storage assembly towards the distal end of the second rod, the distal end of the third rod being attached to the distal end of the second rod.

[0067] Preferably, a proximal end of the third rod is pivotaily attached to a particular location of the upper location of the first storage assembly.

[0068] Preferably, the auger assembly is driven by a hydraulic system incorporated in the first storage assembly, the hydraulic system fiuidiy connected to the first and second hydraulic assemblies and to the first and second hydraulic cylinders.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a harvester comprising an auger assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention for transferring grain from the harvester to a chaser bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a harvester having a particular arrangement of an auger assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in the extended and unfolded condition;

Figure 2 is a front view of the harvester shown in figure 1 having the auger in the extended and unfolded condition.

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the harvester shown in figure 1 having the auger in the extended and unfolded condition; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the auger assembly attached to the harvester shown in figure 1 while the auger assembly is being displaced from the extended condition to the contracted condition;

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the harvester shown in figure 1 having the auger assembly in the contracted and folded condition;

Figure 6 is a side view of the harvester shown in figure 1 having the auger assembly in the contracted and folded condition;

Figure 7 is a side perspective view of a harvester having a particular arrangement of an auger assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention midway between the extended condition;

Figure 8 is a side perspective view of a harvester having a particular arrangement of an auger assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in the retracted condition;

Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the harvester shown in figure 7;

Figure 10 is a top perspective view of a hydraulic assembly for selectively displacing the auger assembly between the extended and retracted condition;

Figure 1 1 to 16 are top perspective views of details of the auger during unfolding of the auger of the auger assembly shown in figure 7;

Figure 17 is a top perspective view of the proximal end of the auger assembly attached to the harvester shown in figure 7;

Figure 18 is a side perspective view of a detail of the auger assembly shown in figure 7;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a detail of the auger assembly shown in figure 7 showing the auger during folding thereof; Figure 20 is a perspective view of a detail of the auger assembly shown in figure 19 in folded condition;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the auger assembly shown in figure 7;

Figure 22 is a top perspective view of a detail of the auger assembly shown in figure 7;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of a scoop assembly of the auger assembly shown in figure 7 showing the scoop in the extended condition;

Figure 24 is a schematic side view of an auger assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 25 is a schematic side view of an actuating assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 26 is a schematic top view of an auger in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 27 is a schematic top view of an hydraulic assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention for displacing the auger selectively between folded and unfolded condition; and

Figure 28 is a harvester comprising the auger assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0070] Figures 1 to 6 shows a harvester 10 including a particular arrangement of an auger assembly 1 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, and figures 7 to 28 shows a harvester 10 including a particular arrangement of an auger assembly 1 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention

[0071 ] The auger assembly 1 1 in accordance with the present embodiments of the invention is particularly advantageous for use in agricultural tramline systems; and, in particular in the circumstances where the harvesters include harvester platforms 14 of relative large width, such as harvester platforms 14 having a width of 12 or 18 meters or more. This is particularly true, as illustrated in figure 28, the auger assembly 12 comprises a relative long auger 12 that can reach from the side of a harvester 10 (having a harvester platform 14 of a relative large width) to a chaser bin that travels side by side to the harvester 10 but is spaced apart from the harvester 10 a relative long distance so as to be driven on, for example, the harvester wheel marks 72 (see figure 28) from previous laps ensuring that the guidelines of agricultural tramline systems are met. This is particularly advantageous because it permits the use of permanent wheel tracks which is known to increase profitability and sustainably in the agricultural sector.

[0072] The auger assembly 1 1 comprises an auger 12, and a frame 28 attached to a side of the harvester 10 and to the auger 12.

[0073] The auger assembly 1 1 is attached to the harvester 10 in such a manner that the auger 12 may be selectively displaced between a retracted condition and extended condition. In the retracted condition, the auger 12 is located parallel and adjacent to a side of the harvester 10 as is shown in figures 6 and 8; in the extended condition the auger 12 extends substantially perpendicularly to the side of the harvester 10 as is shown in figures 1 to 4 and, for example, figure 28.

[0074] To permit selective displacement of the auger 12 between the extended and retracted condition, the auger 12 comprises a proximal end 18 pivotally attached to the side of the harvester 10 - in one arrangement, pivotal attachment occurs via a slew bearing 52 - see figure 24.

[0075] Further, In particular arrangements, a hydraulic assembly 40 (the second hydraulic assembly) is attached to the harvester 10 and to the auger 12 permitting swinging of the auger 12 away from harvester 10 so that a distal end 20 of the auger 12 is located above the chaser bin for discharging of the crop into storage area of the chaser bin as shown in figure 28.

[0078] Furthermore, the auger 12 of the auger assembly 1 1 is adapted to be extended to a particular length allowing the augers 12 to be used in harvesters 10 that include harvester platforms 14 having a relative large width. In particular, the auger 12 is adapted to be selectively displaced between a folded condition and un-folded condition.

[0077] In a particular arrangement, the auger 12 is adapted to be selectively displaced between (1 ) a folded condition and (2) an un-folded condition during the process of retracting and extending of the auger assembly 1 1 ; -selective folding and unfolding of the auger 12 occurs via the hydraulic assembly 44 (the first hydraulic assembly) shown in, for example, figure 1 1 .

[0078] It is particularly advantageous that the auger 12 is adapted to be folded or unfolded because it permits locating on harvesters 10 relative long augers 12; this permits to account for the harvester platforms 14 of relative large width that may be attached to the harvester 10. The fact that the auger 12 is located in the folded condition when the auger assembly 1 1 is situated in the retracted condition (see figures 6 and 8) reduces the load applied to the pivot join (such as the slew bearing 52) that attaches the proximal end 18 of the auger 12 to the side of the harvester 10 when compared to the relative long conventional augers that are currently attached to some harvesters having harvester platforms 14 of a relative large width.

[0079] Thus, the auger assembly 1 1 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention may be attached to harvesters 10 having harvester platforms 14 of a relative large width; this is because the auger 12 of the auger assembly 1 1 may fold when the auger assembly 1 1 moves into the contracted condition. When the auger 12 is in the folded condition, the pivot joint 52 (that attaches the proximal end 18 of the auger 12 to the side of the harvester 10) is not subject to repeated loads as is the case with conventional relative long augers. Thus, the pivot joint 52 (such as the slew bearing) as well as the auger 12 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is not compromised when the harvester 10 is traveling on fields and roads.

[0080] Furthermore, the auger assembly 1 1 also comprises a scoop assembly 18 for delivering into, for example, a chaser bin 54 granular material that has been conveyed by the auger 12 from the harvester 10 to the chaser bin 10.

[0081 ] In the particular arrangement of the first embodiment of the invention, the scoop assembly 18 is siideably connected to the distal end 20 of the auger 12 as shown in figures 1 to 3. Alternatively, in the particular arrangement of the second embodiment of the invention, the scoop 66 of the assembly 16 is pivotally connected to the distal end 20 of the auger 12 as shown in figures 14 and 15,

[0082] The fact the scoop 66 is adapted to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition (see, for example, figures 3 and 15) is particularly useful because it permits further extending the total length of the auger 12. This is particuiariy advantageous in the circumstances where the auger 12 by itself is not long enough for the distal end 20 of the auger 12 to reach over the chaser bin 54 when the auger assembly 1 1 is in the extended condition having the auger 12 is in the un-folded condition.

[0083] Further, the auger 12 comprises a plurality of sections 22 attached to each other in such a manner that the auger 12 may be selectively displaced between a folded condition and un-folded condition.

[0084] In the particular arrangement shown in figure 2, the auger 12 comprises a proximal section 22a having the proximal end 18 for attachment to the side of the harvester and a distal section 22b having the distal end 20. The auger sections 22a and 22b are attached to each other via a hinge assembly 24 permitting folding and unfolding of the auger 12.

[0085] The auger sections 22a and 22b are tubular bodies comprising each heiicoid bodies defining the auger means for conveying the granular material from the harvester to the chaser bin. The heiicoid bodies are adapted to be operatively connected to each other when the auger 12 is located in the un-folded condition via coupling means that releasably attach the heiicoid bodies to each other and allow detachment of the heiicoid bodies when the auger 12 is moved into the folded condition.

[0086] Further, as mentioned before, the auger assembly 1 1 is adapted to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition and an extended condition. For this, the auger assembly 1 1 comprises a support assembly 26 to provide support to the auger assembly 1 1 . In a particular arrangement, the support assembly 26 comprises an actuating assembly assisting in the selective retraction and extension of the auger assembly 1 1 . [0087] Figures 3 and 18 show the actuating assembly 26 in the particular condition when the auger 12 is in the extended condition,

[0088] The actuating assembly 26 comprises a frame 28 having a proximal frame member 30 and a distal frame member 32, The distal frame member 32 comprises a first rod 34 and the proximal frame 30 comprises a second rod 36 and third rod 38 (in the particular arrangement shown in figures 7 to 28 the third rod 38 has been replaced with a support wire 38). One of the functions of the third rod 38 (or support wire 38) is to provide support to the auger assembly 10; in a particular arrangement, the third rod 38 (or support wire 38 is configured so as to keep the auger 12 (when in the unfolded condition) at angle greater than zero (for example: 10 degrees) with respect to the horizontal plane of the harvester 10,

[0089] The first rod 34 comprises a (1 ) a distal end pivotally attached to a particular location of the distal section 22b of the auger 12 and (2) a proximal end adapted to be move with respect to the proximal frame member 30 with the objective of varying the dimension of the frame 28 of the actuating assembly 26 to permit selective retraction and extension of the auger assembly 1 1 .

[0090] In particular, the first rod 34 is adapted to be received by the proximal frame member 30 in a telescopic relationship, defining a telescopic rod. This permits retraction and extension of the auger assembly 1 1 ; this is because the proximal end of the rod 34 may selectively move within the proximal frame member 30 extending the length of the frame 28. As will be described below, the actuating assembly 26 comprises an actuator (such as a hydraulic cylinder 56 (the first hydraulic cylinder - see figure 24) that during the retraction or extension of the auger assembly 1 1 varies its length so as to contribute to the retraction or extension process of the auger assembly 1 1 .

[0091 ] Moreover, the second rod 36 of the proximal frame member 30 extends from a lower location of the side of the harvester 10 towards the auger 12. A distal end of the rod second 36 is adapted to receive in a telescopic relationship the proximal end of the first rod 34; and, a proximal end of second the rod 36 is pivotally attached to a particular location at the lower section of the side of the harvester 10 via pivot joint 58 - see, for example, figure 24. Ina particular arrangement, the pivot joint 58 comprises a two way pivot joint permitting rotational movement around the vertical axis of the pivot joint and axial movement (up and down) along the vertical axis of the pivot joint. [0092] Further, as shown in figure 24, the pivot joint 58 is supported on a base 60 extending outward from the side of the harvester 10. In the particular arrangement shown in figures 7 to 23, the auger assembly 1 1 comprises support bars 50a and 50b (see, for example, figure 21 ) extending from the side of the harvester 10 (at a location above the location where the base 60 is attached to the harvester 10) to the base 60 to provide support to the base 60, in particular to account for the forces applied to the base 60 during displacement of the auger assembly 1 1 and during use of the auger 12 for delivering the harvested crop to the chaser bin 54.

[0093] Furthermore, as mentioned before, the distal end of the first rod 34 is pivotaily attached to a particular location of the distal section 22b of the auger 12. In a particular arrangement, the pivotal attachment occurs via a ball joint 68 as shown in, for example, figure 24.

[0094] The ball joint 68 is attached at a particular location of the distal section 22b of the auger 12 that is chosen to counterbalance the auger 12. Figures 24 and 25 show a particular arrangement of the auger assembly used for delivering the harvested crop to a chaser bin 54 which centre is located 18 meters from the centre of the harvester 10 - see figure 28.

[0095] As shown in figure 24, for an auger 12 (in un-foided condition) having a length of about 13,800 mm and a scoop 66 having a length of 3000 mm, the ball joint 68 is located at about 9250 mm as measured from the centre of the pivot joint 52 pivotaily attaching the auger 12 to the harvester 10,

[0096] And, as shown in figure 25, the actuating assembly 26 comprise a second rod 36 having a length of about 6225 mm and a first rod 34 having a length of about 6345 mm with a section of the first rod 34 (when the frame 28 of the actuating assembly 26 is in the extended condition) extending out of the second rod 36 having a length of about 2370 mm as measured from the end 70 of the second rod 36. Further, the support wire 38 has a length of 5640 mm as measured from the attachment point of the support wire 38 to the side of the harvester located directly above the pivot joint 58 onto which the second rod 36 is attached. [0097] Moreover, as mentioned before, during retraction and extension of the auger assembly 1 1 as well as folding and unfolding of the auger 12, the proximal end of the first rod 34 moves with respect to the proximal frame member 30.

[0098] In the particular arrangement in accordance with the present embodiments of the invention, the auger assembly 1 1 is driven by the hydraulic system incorporated in the harvester 10. In the particular arrangement shown in figures 1 to 6, a barrel of the hydraulic cylinder 58 (the first cylinder) defines the second rod 38 (the barrel rod 38) and the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 56 defines the first rod 34 (the piston rod 34). In this particular arrangement, actuating of the hydraulic cylinder 56 permits a particular section of the piston rod (the first rod 34) to selectively enter and exit the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder 56 as the auger 12 is selectively extended and retracted.

[0099] Alternatively, in the particular arrangement shown in figures 7 to 28 the second rod 36 is a hollow rod comprising in its interior the barrel 82 of the first hydraulic cylinder 56; and the first rod 34 is a hollow rod comprising in its interior the piston 64 of the hydraulic cylinder 56.

[00100] Further, the auger assembly 1 1 comprise a hydraulic assembly 44 (the first hydraulic assembly) for assisting the folding and un-folding of the auger 12. In particular, one end of the first hydraulic assembly is pivotally attached to auger sections 22a and the other end of the second cylinder 44 is attached to the auger sections 22b, As shown in figures 1 1 to 13, selective displacement of the hydraulic cylinder of the first hydraulic assembly between a contracted condition and an extended condition drives the folding and un-folding of the auger 12.

[00101 ] Moreover, as mentioned before, the distal end 20 of the auger 12 is provided with a scoop assembly 16 adapted to be selectively displaced between an extend condition and a contracted condition.

[00102] In particular, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the scoop 66 that is siideably attached to the distal end 20 of the auger 12 permitting selectively displacing the scoop assembly 18 between a contracted condition and an extended condition. In the contracted condition, the outermost portion of the distal end 20 of the auger 12 is inserted in the scoop of the scoop assembly 16. In the extended condition, the scoop extends outward from the end portion of the distal end 20 of the auger 12.

[00103] Movement of the scoop 66 of the scoop assembly 16 along the distal end 20 of the auger 12 may be done via a gear system driven by a motor such as a hydraulic or electric motor, !n a particular arrangement, activation of the gear system is done via switch means that detect when the auger 12 has (1 ) been fully extended and fully unfolded and (2) proceeded to move into the folded condition. In particular, upon detection that the auger 12 is fully extended and unfolded, the switch means activates the motor for extending the scoop of the scoop assembly 16; and, upon detection that the auger 12 is being unfolded, the switch means activate the motor for moving the scoop of the scoop assembly into the stored condition as shown in figure 4.

[00104] In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the scoop 16 is pivotaily attached to the distal end of the section 22b of the auger 12 (see, for example, figure 23). !n this particular arrangement, the scoop assembly 16 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 42 (the second hydraulic cylinder) operativeiy attached between the distal end of the section 22b and the scoop 66 permitting selectively folding and un-foiding of the scoop assembly 16. Actuating of the hydraulic cylinder 42 may be done via the switch means described in the previous paragraph.

[00105] In operation, the auger 12 of the auger assembly 1 1 will be activated by activating a hydraulic system of the harvester 10 for driving: (1 ) the second hydraulic assembly 40for displacing the auger assembly 1 1 from the retracted condition and away from the side of the harvester; (2) the hydraulic assembly 44 for displacing the auger 12 from the folded condition to the unfolded condition; and the hydraulic cylinder 56 of the actuating assembly 26. During the process of the extending the auger assembly 1 1 (including unfolding of the auger 12 and extending the frame 28 of the actuating assembly 26) the hydraulic assemblies 40, 44 and 56 operate are synchronised so as to operate in unison to permit extension of the auger assembly 1 1. The process of displacing the auger assembly 1 1 into the retracted condition comprises reversing the steps for extending the auger assembly 1 1 .

[00106] Once the auger assembly 1 1 is in the extended condition with the auger 12 in the un-foided condition, the scoop 66 of the scoop assembly 16 may be located into the operative condition (as previously described) for commencement of transferring the crop from the harvester 10 to the chaser bin. Once the harvesting process has finaiised, the auger assembly 1 1 may be returned to the retracted condition by reversing the above mentioned steps used for extending the auger assembly 1 1 and unfolding the auger 12,

[00107] As mentioned earlier, the auger assembly 1 1 is particularly advantageous for use in agricultural tramline system; and, in particular in the circumstances where the harvesters include harvester platforms 14 of relative large width, such as harvester platforms 14 having a width of 12 meters or more. This is particularly true, because the auger assembly 1 1 comprises (1 ) a relative long auger 12 that can reach from the side of a harvester 10 (having a harvester platform 14 of a relative large width) to a chaser bin 54 that travels side by side to the harvester 10 but is spaced apart from the harvester a relative large distance to ensure that the guidelines of agricultural tramline systems are met, and (2) and actuating assembly 26 is adapted to provide support to the relative long auger 12 during movement of the auger assembly 1 1 (between retracted and extended condition) and during operation of the auger 12 for delivering the harvested crop from the harvester 10 to the chaser 54 as illustrated in figure 28.

[00108] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[00109] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed.

[001 10] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.