Manual hopper weighing system for threshed grain

Abstract

A system for collecting, weighing, and filling threshed grain, consisting of: a movable base frame; a hopper unit mounted above the base frame for receiving grain; a lever mechanism connected to the hopper unit for manually raising and lowering the hopper unit; a sliding mechanism inside the hopper unit that pushes the grain horizontally towards a filling outlet; a weighing device integrated into the structure for measuring the grain weight during filling; and a sewing device for closing the filled collection bags.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to agricultural bagging devices with a mobile base, a funnel with manual lever operation, an internal sliding mechanism, an integrated weighing unit and a sewing device for closing the filled bags. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Harvesting grain after threshing typically requires several steps—collecting from the pile, weighing, and sealing bags—often with separate equipment. This increases the time required and the risk of material loss, especially on small farms and remote sites without electricity. Commercial bagging machines combine hoppers, scales, and bag sealers for higher throughput. However, many designs require fixed installation, electricity, or pneumatic systems. Manual and mechanical gross weighers are available for grain quantities from 13.6 to 22.7 kg with an optional sewing function, but mobility and integrated manual operation for pile removal remain limited. In practice, weigh hoppers with load cells are used to ensure accurate dosing into open-mouth bags and to connect to sewing heads or hand sealers.This highlights the advantages of a compact, mobile device that combines collection, horizontal transport, weighing, and sealing in a single unit—especially for environments with limited infrastructure. A device-centric system that allows for manual hopper lifting via a lever, insertion of the outlet into a bag, on-site weighing, and a sewing device can improve productivity, weight accuracy, and bag integrity while reducing spillage and operator fatigue in the field and in the warehouse. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a system comprising a mobile base frame, a hopper positioned above it for receiving grain from a pile, a lever mechanism connected to the hopper for manually raising and lowering it for controlled unloading and positioning, a sliding mechanism within the hopper for horizontally conveying the grain to a filling spout, a weighing device integrated into the structure for measuring the grain weight during filling, and a sewing device for sealing the filled bags. The base frame provides stability and mobility; the lever mechanism enables ergonomic operation; the sliding mechanism directs the material flow and thus reduces spillage; the weighing device ensures accurate filling; and the sewing device is equipped with a bag closure device for immediate sealing.In preferred embodiments, the weighing device uses load cells beneath a weighing platform or weighing hopper with a simple display, while the sewing device accommodates hand-held or fixed sewing heads. This enables a compact, semi-automatic workflow from pile removal to dispensing of sealed bags, without relying on electrical equipment, provided a mechanical gross weighing variant is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] The base frame is constructed of welded steel profiles and equipped with wheels for mobility and a brake for stabilization during filling. A rear platform supports the storage area for filled bags and the integrated weighing unit for recording the bag weight as the grain exits the hopper. The hopper unit, made of sheet metal with reinforcing ribs, is mounted above the base frame and features an internal pusher or pressure plate operated by the user to convey the grain horizontally to the discharge. This allows for precise filling of the sealed bag while minimizing bridging and side spillage, which occur with manual harvesters. The lever mechanism is connected to the hopper frame via pivot points, enabling controlled lifting and lowering movements.By utilizing simple lever principles, the discharge height and angle can be ergonomically controlled – without motor-driven actuators, similar to gravity bagging machines that operate without electricity. The weighing unit integrates either a weighing hopper with load cells or a bag support platform with load cells. The display shows the operator the net mass. This corresponds to common methods where weighing hoppers pre-meter the material or platforms read the bag mass directly during filling to achieve precise target weights. The bagging device features a cam handle or a manual clamp discharge to stabilize open bags during emptying. Once the target weight is reached, the clamp releases for transfer to the sewing position next to the discharge.The mounting bracket for the sewing mechanism allows the use of a handheld sewing machine or a stationary sewing head positioned to the side of the operator, enabling immediate bag sealing after weighing. The brackets are designed to fit common grain handling layouts, ensuring high seam quality and throughput in confined spaces. The flow control system includes the sliding mechanism and optional coarse / fine flow slides. The operator can adjust the sliding speed to achieve the target weight, similar to the bulk and fines weighing process used with manual scales, improving accuracy with free-flowing grain. The system's geometry positions the hopper inlet at a height convenient for scooping or raking heaps from the bottom. Smooth interior surfaces minimize material snagging and facilitate cleaning between batches.The chassis allows for retrofits such as a digital scale or a motorized sewing machine (where electricity is available), thus ensuring basic functionality in mechanical mode to meet field requirements. By integrating collection, targeted transport, weighing, and sewing into a single mobile unit, the system reduces work steps and material waste, achieving precise bag weights and sealed products ideally suited for decentralized post-harvest processes.

Claims

[1] A system for collecting, weighing and filling threshed grain, comprising: a movable base frame; a hopper unit mounted above the base frame for receiving grain; a lever mechanism connected to the hopper unit for manually raising and lowering the hopper unit; a sliding mechanism inside the hopper unit for pushing the grain horizontally towards a filling outlet; a weighing device integrated into the structure for measuring the grain weight during filling; and a sewing device for closing the filled collection bags. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the weighing mechanism comprises load cells connected to a weighing platform or weighing container, and a display configured to show the net mass to the operator in order to ensure accurate target fill weights. [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bagging outlet has a clamping nozzle which holds an open bag during ejection and releases it for transfer to the sewing device after reaching a target weight. [4] System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sewing device accommodates a hand-operated or fixed sewing head located near the operator's handle to enable immediate sealing of the filled bag after weighing.