Abstract: An unmanned mobile device for treating a snow covered surface having transport means adapted to the movement on snow and/or ice is disclosed. The device has compressing means of the snow for exerting a compression force on the snow in order to increase the specific weight thereof and/or varying means of the temperature of the surface of the snow.

Abstract: A snow groomer has a first and second track; an internal combustion engine; a plurality of working devices; a user interface; a power transmission; a first computing block for determining a total power demand of the working devices; and a second computing block for determining a work point in a characteristic graph of the internal combustion engine as a function of total power demand and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a terrain feature such as a snow half pipe used by snowboarders or skiers. Known half-pipe cutters are inaccurate and limited in height which limits the quality of the formed snow course. The apparatus comprises a frame which comprises an attachment for a self-actuated vehicle and a tool member adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the terrain feature; at least one primary forming surface, such as a belt, running over a working surface of the tool member to form the terrain feature; at least one secondary forming surface, in the form of a heated bar and finishing mats, to contact the formed terrain feature and provide a finish to its surface; and a guidance device, such as a laser guided device, to determine the position of the tool member with respect to the terrain surface.

Abstract: A snow groomer has a first and second track; an internal combustion engine; a plurality of working devices; a user interface; a power transmission; a first computing block for determining a total power demand of the working devices; and a second computing block for determining a work point in a characteristic graph of the internal combustion engine as a function of total power demand and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A snow track maintenance system is described herein including a frame extending along an axis which is oriented along a direction of displacement, a mounting assembly secured to the frame for mounting the frame to a motorized vehicle so as to be trailed therefrom along the direction of displacement, and a leveller mounted to the frame so as to be pivotable relatively to the direction of displacement. Other equipments may further be provided to the maintenance system, including a snow regenerator mounted to the frame along a first longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of displacement, and a snow compactor mounted to the frame upstream from the snow regenerator. The system can be used for the maintenance of alpine ski tracks and cross-country ski tracks, even in an underbrush trail, and allows setting a track on any type of snow.

Abstract: A hitched grooming device having a tapered frame. a pivot allows for device to create a trail that is kept horizontal no matter the inclination of the terrain. Another pivot allows a compactor to rotate so that it can keep the trail as uniform as possible by keeping the compactor horizontal.

Abstract: A snow plow includes a primary moldboard and auxiliary plow positioned behind the primary moldboard. The snow plow may be a one-way or reversible snow plow. In the later case, the primary moldboard and auxiliary plow are attached to a drive frame that is rotatable about a frame. The frame is secured to the front of a vehicle by a frame and bracket, and controlled by hydraulic mechanisms. The auxiliary plow is operated independently of the moldboard by a pair of hydraulic cylinders and includes tines or a resilient blade for clearing snow and ice that is not taken up by the primary moldboard. The device also includes a mechanism whereby the scraping edge of the secondary plow follows the same path as the scraping edge of moldboard by sliding movement of the secondary plow relative to the drive frame, and the blade of the auxiliary plow may be formed by tines or a resilient blade.

Abstract: A snow plow is provided with an articulated wing blade. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle by securing each of a chassis coupler to the vehicle chassis. A plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion is configured to coupled to a central plow blade and a lift bar assembly. The central plow blade includes a wing blade pivotally attached at each end of the central plow blade. Each wing blade is configured to selectively move independently of the central plow blade from a first position to a second position about a vertical axis parallel with each of the first and second ends of the central plow blade. The lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame and couples to the hitch frame nose assembly wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: An ice-removing device for removing ice from a ground surface. The ice-removing device comprises a frame and an ice cutting mechanism. The ice cutting mechanism is attached to the frame and is adapted to spin on a first axis oriented transversally to the frame. The ice cutting mechanism is operative to cut a plurality of parallel strips in the ice. Optionally, the ice-removing device further comprises at least one ice crushing mechanism, which is also attached to the frame, behind the ice crushing mechanism. The ice crushing mechanism is adapted to spin on a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. Both the ice cutting mechanism and the ice crushing mechanism are operationally positioned to contact the ice. In another embodiment the ice-removing device is adapted to be mounted to a mobile support.

Abstract: A hitched grooming device having a tapered frame. a pivot allows for device to create a trail that is kept horizontal no matter the inclination of the terrain. Another pivot allows a compactor to rotate so that it can keep the trail as uniform as possible by keeping the compactor horizontal.

Abstract: An ice resurfacing machine for small and medium-size indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks comprises a light towing vehicle, a resurfacing attachment, and a lifting and leveling assembly connecting them. To eliminate ruts in the ice, the machine removes only a thin layer of ice by scraping, fills the ruts with “snow” created by the scraping, skating, and precipitation, and adds water to fill the rut. The cold from the base ice and/or the atmosphere freezes the water and thus eliminates the rut. The machine may also be used to remove heavy snow or reduce the thickness of the ice. The resurfacing attachment includes a snow box which collects the snow and carries it along the surface of the ice.

Abstract: A method for controlling a snow-trail grooming vehicle for grooming snow trails and especially for distributing the driving power which is made available by a drive motor of a snow-trail grooming vehicle onto a chain or track drive thereon and further consumers. According to the invention, the distribution of the driving power or control by a central processing system occurs as the central processing system varies distribution of the driving power in dependency of a specifiable, changeable prioritizing of the drive and at least one consumer or groups of consumers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device particularly suitable for grooming/shaping various snow terrain features used by recreational snowboarders and/or skiers and includes an adjustable arm assembly (2) attachable at one end to a suitable vehicle and being capable of deployment substantially orthogonally to the direction of movement of said vehicle; said arm being substantially elongated and including two or more articulately connected sections (5, 6, 7) and one or more actuator means (11, 12, 13) capable of changing the orientation at least two of said sections (5, 6, 7) with respect to each other. The invention is also suitable as a means of shaping embankments or features of earth, soil, sand and so forth or for cutting grass or similar undergrowth.

Abstract: A motorized ice breaking apparatus has a housing with a power source connected thereto. A drive train is operatively connected to the power source. The drive train includes a drive shaft with a crank. A blade is disposed on a bottom side of the housing and extends laterally from a first side to a second side of the housing. A connecting rod is pivotally connected to the blade and pivotally connected to the drive shaft's crank. A pair of guide channels is connected to the bottom of the housing, one guide channel being proximate each lateral side. Ends of the blade are slidingly engaged in corresponding ones of the guide channels. The power source rotates the drive shaft and imparts a reciprocating motion to the connecting rod through the crank. The reciprocating motion of the connecting rod reciprocates the blade in a substantially vertical motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade which can be removably secured to the bottom of a conventional snow plow. The blade enables the operator of the snow plow to collect snow in either the forward or rearward running directions of the snow plow. This blade has a construction which specifically enables the blade to be employed beneath a conventional snow plow. More specifically, the blade of the present invention includes an angularly positioned forward plow surface and a rearward plow surface. These two plow surfaces are interrelated by way of a number of equally spaced reinforcing ribs. Securement means are included to enable the forward plow surface to be removably secured to the bottom edge of a conventional snow plow.

Abstract: An improved snow comb for use attached to the trailing edge of tiller skirts and the like. The comb has lateral rows of axially elongate teeth projecting downward from a plate attached to the skirt. The teeth are tapered forwardly, and are alternately longer and shorter so as to work the tilled snow horizontally as well as vertically for more complete powdering.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in ski-area snow grooming operations and also for use in summer maintenance operations which is provided with a four-wheel hydrostatic-drive transmission and four-wheel steering. The vehicle has a frame/body/engine assembly which provides a centrally located low center of gravity and high operator visibility. The vehicle has a relatively broad wheel base which is further broadened by mounting of at least four snap-on wheels. A wrap-around cleat assembly is mountable on each of four multiple-wheel sets for increasing traction in snow. An engine-driven snow processing apparatus operable in both a snow blading state and a snow compacting state is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a snow tiller for rearmounting on a track maintenance vehicle. The snow tiller comprises a transmission for driving at least one tiller shaft, a carrier frame for mounting the snow tiller on the track maintenance vehicle, and a baffle body of trapezoidal cross-section extending over the width of the snow tiller. A levelling attachment is secured to the underside of the baffle body facing the track surface.With a view to facilitating repair and maintenance operations and replacement of wear components, the baffle body is formed as a tubular profile member forming a central tiller frame. The transmission is mounted at the center of the tiller frame and drives to tiller shafts laterally connected to the transmission. The ends of the tiller shafts facing away from the transmission are mounted in outer bearings secured to the ends of the tiller frame.

Abstract: At least one trailing scraper member freely swingable within a vertical plane is provided, which has a scraper blade and a scraper base disposed at an acute angle relative to the blade. The angle of adjustment of the scraper member relative to the snow surface over which the device travels is adjustable, so that the scraper member either removes snow from the snow surface or slides over same. Associated with the scraper member is a scooping device limited by side walls and by a shield which can be lifted or lowered, in order to collect the snow provided by the scraping member and to transport same to another location and discharge same on lifting of the shield.