HYDRAULIC CYLINDER FOR GRAIN AUGERS

A grain elevator auger uses a hydraulic cylinder incorporating a checkvalve. This checkvalve enables the volume of hydraulic fluid required to raise the elevator to be reduced to that required to replace the extended piston rod, instead of the full volume of the cylinder. The necessary capacity of the tractor hydraulic system reservoirs which are used to raise the elevators are similarly lessened. The checkvalve prevents hydraulic pressure retracting the piston, pressure is equalized on both sides of the cylinder piston, which then retracts slowly under the weight of the elevator, rather than rapidly under hydraulic pressure.