Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically reducing engine exhaust noise from a dump truck including a heated bed without the additional requirement of diverting the flow of exhaust through a separate muffler apparatus. An engine noise reduction system associated with the truck includes an engine control unit for controlling high idle engine speed parameters of the truck engine. When the truck bed is raised upwardly from an initial lowered position to release a material load from the bed, or hydraulics associated with the truck bed are actuated to raise the bed, the engine control unit automatically lowers the high idle engine speed of the truck engine to reduce engine noise from the truck engine. The high idle engine speed of the truck engine is automatically reset to the standard setting when the truck bed returns to the initial lowered position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for diverting a flow of exhaust from an engine of a truck having a truck bed and a muffler system, with the truck bed having a duct system. The apparatus includes an inlet for receiving the flow of exhaust from the engine. The apparatus further includes a first outlet connected to the muffler system and a second outlet connected to the duct system. The apparatus additionally includes a diverter member positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein (1) fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet is prevented when the diverter member is positioned in the first position, and (2) fluid communication between the inlet and the second outlet is prevented when the diverter member is positioned in the second position. Moreover, the apparatus includes an air cylinder for moving the diverter member between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Exhaust directing mechanisms are useful for directing exhaust gas flow from an inlet to either a vehicle dump body or a muffler means. A valve mechanism for a vehicle includes a valve body having a valving element mounted within the valve body and being rotatable to a first position upon movement of a dump body to a raised position to direct exhaust from an engine to a muffler. With the dump body in the lowered position the valving element is in the second position to direct exhaust to the dump body. This arrangement of components provides for rotation of the valving element to direct exhaust flow to the dump body or to the muffler.

Abstract: A snow melting apparatus (1) including a reduction chamber (4) into which heated air is forced by a burner (14). Heated air is distributed within the reduction chamber (4) by using a central conduit (13) to which are rigidly affixed heat exchanger pipes (15, 16, 17, 18) having open ends and being perforated by a plurality of downwardly facing slits (32, 33, 34). Heated water (26) is also distributed within the reduction chamber (4) by using a pump (28) and a perforated pipe (30).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating snow traction-improving material contained in a bin mounted on a motor vehicle, such as a truck. Panels are attached to the side of the bin to form a sealed cavity surrounding the bin. Hot exhaust from the motor vehicle engine is then piped into and flows through the cavity so as to heat the cavity, whereby heat from the cavity warms the contents of the bin. The exhaust then flows out an exit portal from the cavity to permit continued flow-through. Provision is made to form holes in any buttress supports, supporting the bin on the truck, which might obstruct the flow of hot exhause. Finally, a drain is provided, allowing any condensation formed in the cavity to escape.

Abstract: A heating system for a transportable enclosure comprising a first side wall and a second side wall; the first side wall being an exterior wall and the second side wall being an interior wall; a third side wall connected to and facing the second side wall, a fourth side wall defining an interior space of the enclosure; the second side wall and the third side wall defining a predetermined space therebetween; an inlet passage provided at a first location in communication with said predetermined space therebetween; an inlet passage provided at a first location in communication with said predetermined space; an air passage provided at a second location in communication with said predetermined space; heating means for supplying heat to said inlet passage; conduit means for connecting said heating means and said inlet passage; means for distributing said heat throughout said predetermined space; and, exhaust means for exhausting said heat from said predetermined space.

Abstract: A roll-off container in combination with a tilt bed truck which incorporates apparatus for heating the container side walls and bottom of the container with truck exhaust to prevent freezing during inclement weather. The connection between the container and a truck exhaust is made and broken automatically during normal loading and unloading operations of the roll-off container and tilt bed truck.

Abstract: A vehicular body for hauling materials, comprising an external skeletal frame of metal members forming the primary load-bearing structure of the body; a metal lining supported by the skeletal frame and forming the interior surfaces of the body for containing loads of material, the exterior surface of the lining being exposed to the ambient atmosphere through the openings in the skeletal frame; and coupling means securing the lining to the skeletal frame while permitting relative movement between the lining and the frame so that the lining and the frame can expand and contract differentially without stressing each other. The lining of the vehicular body is preferably detachably coupled to the skeletal frame to facilitate removal of the lining for maintenance of replacement purposes.

Abstract: A motorized dump-type vehicle is provided having a chassis frame, a gasoline engine mounted on said frame, a dump container pivotally mounted on the front of said frame and a hydraulic system enabling said container to be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder and said vehicle to be driven in either forward or reverse directions and braked by hydraulic drive motors. The hydraulic fluid is cooled by an oil reservoir tank forming a structural part of the frame and positioned such that heat from the hydraulic fluid can dissipate itself in the container and its contents.

Abstract: A sloped floor trailer which incorporates drain ports which are opened during trailer loading and which are sealed during trailer transportation, in order to retain the liquid. In addition to the foregoing features, I provide apparatus for heating the trailer side walls with the truck tractor exhaust to prevent freezing during inclement weather.

Abstract: A vehicular body for hauling materials, comprising an external skeletal frame of metal members forming the primary load-bearing structure of the body; a metal lining supported by the skeletal frame and forming the interior surfaces of the body for containing loads of material, the exterior surface of the lining being exposed to the ambient atmosphere through the openings in the skeletal frame; and coupling devices securing the lining to the skeletal frame while permitting relative movement between the lining and the frame so that the lining and the frame can expand and contract differentially without stressing each other. The lining of the vehicular body is preferably detachably coupled to the skeletal frame to facilitate removal of the lining for maintenance or replacement purposes.

Abstract: A change-over apparatus of exhaust gas for use with a vessel of a dump truck or the like comprising a box-like housing having an inlet for the exhaust gas and first and second outlets, a first pipe mounted in the first outlet and open to the atmosphere, a second pipe mounted in the second outlet, a third pipe telescopically mounted on the second pipe and movable between a raised position where the vessel is in its dump position and a lowered position where the vessel is in its carry position and in which the second outlet is brought to a communication with a plurality of hollow ribs integrally formed with the vessel, and a shutter plate for selectively closing the first and second outlets in response to the movement of the third pipe.

Abstract: A dump body for mounting on the frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The dump body comprises a floor, side walls and a front wall secured together to form an integral unit, a rear gate closing the back of the unit. The floor is composed of a central, elongated plate and a pair of elongated lateral plates, each of smaller thickness than the central plate, so that the latter will resist abrasion for a longer time, where abrasion is most likely to occur and yet reducing the weight of the dump body. The lateral plates extend underneath and overlap the central plate and are bent to form integral, longitudianally-extending hollow beams welded to the central plate for strengthening the unit.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a vehicle includes a valve including a valving element movable to a first position upon movement of a portion of the vehicle body to a raised position, whereby exhaust from the vehicle engine is directed to a muffler, while with the portion of the vehicle body in a lowered position and with the valving element moved to a second position, the engine exhaust is directed partially through the muffler, and partially through a member of the body portion. An over-center spring is connected to the valving element to bias it towards its first and second positions whereas a plunger is connected to the valving element to move it to its second position in response to lowering of the vehicle body.

Abstract: This invention comprises a scraper having a front and rear frame. The rear frame has a receptacle for receiving and holding dirt with an unloading plate in the receptacle for receiving the dirt thereon. A cover plate is pivotally mounted to the front of the receptacle to open and close the receptacle. An engine is mounted on the rear frame for powering the rear frame wheels. An engine is mounted on the front frame for powering the front wheels. The receptacle has side walls with compartments in the side walls. Pipe means converts the heated exhaust from the rear engine to the compartments in the side walls.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a dump vehicle having a chassis supporting an operator's cab and a pivoted material-handling body. The valve assembly is carried by the chassis and adapted to direct exhaust gases upwardly into the hollow interior of the body when the latter is in a lowered load-retaining position and is adapted to direct exhaust gases toward the ground when the body is in a raised dumping position.

Abstract: Valve mechanism allows exhaust gas flow to be directed to either a dump body heating system or an exhaust pipe depending on the proximity of the dump body heating system.

Abstract: A motorized dump-type vehicle is provided having a chassis frame, a gasoline engine mounted on said frame, a dump container pivotally mounted on the front of said frame and a hydraulic system enabling said container to be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder and said vehicle to be driven in either forward or reverse directions and braked by hydraulic drive motors. The hydraulic fluid is cooled by an oil reservoir tank forming a structural part of the frame and positioned such that heat from the hydraulic fluid can dissipate itself in the container and its contents.