Automatic scraper chain tensioning apparatus

摘要

A chain tensioning apparatus for tensioning a chain of an agricultural barn cleaner. The barn cleaner chain is moved by a motor-driven drive sprocket mounted in a drive tower after contacting a first idler rotatably mounted to the drive tower. A second idler is mounted to the frame and positioned further away from the drive tower than the first idler such that, as the chain moves toward the drive tower, the chain contacts the second idler before contacting the first idler. A chain tensioning idler contacts the chain between the first idler and the second idler and is capable of movement in a direction transverse to the movement of the chain. A biasing member biases the chain tensioning idler toward a take-up position and away from a chain-taut position.

主权项

1. A chain tensioning apparatus for tensioning a chain of an agricultural barn cleaner, the barn cleaner including at least one gutter scraper connected to a chain, the chain being moved by a motor-driven drive sprocket mounted in a drive tower after contacting a first idler rotatably mounted to the drive tower, the chain tensioning apparatus comprising:
a frame; a second idler mounted to the frame and positioned further away from the drive tower than the first idler such that, as the chain moves toward the drive tower, the chain contacts the second idler before contacting the first idler; a chain tensioning idler contacting the chain between the first idler and the second idler and capable of movement in a direction transverse to the movement of the chain; and a biasing member for biasing the chain tensioning idler toward a take-up position where the chain between the first and second idlers is relatively greater, and away from a chain-taut position where the length of chain between the first and second idlers is relatively less.