Abstract: Provided is a customizable dump body for a vehicle, and a method of manufacturing and inventorying the components for manufacturing the same. The customizable dump body includes a bulkhead, a floor member with a terminal portion, two side panels, wherein at least one side panel has a mating surface, and wherein the side panel and mating surface are connected together. A customizable side panel assembly for a dump body for a vehicle may include a side panel having an outer side and an inner side, and a side panel rail, wherein the side panel rail is positioned on the outer side of the side panel.

Abstract: A control system that detects loosening of a vibrator component in a spreader system. As the vibrator loosens over time, it draws more current. Eventually, this excess current causes the vibrator motor to burn out. The control system detects the loosening of the vibrator to indicate a fault condition by measuring current increase in the vibrator, and then indicating a fault condition that the bolts must be tightened, which results in lowering of the current draw, thereby protecting the vibrator motor from burnout. The system has a “learning mode” capable of establishing and memorizing a baseline of current draw suitable for a vibrator. In this way, a current threshold is exceeded over time, which indicates loosening of the vibrator. The baseline level can be selectively changed adapted with changing conditions, or adapted to other types of systems besides spreader vibrators.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a control system and method that monitors current in a spreader motor to accurately detect a mechanical overload condition. The invention distinguishes between a short duration high current transient spike caused by sparking of brushes in the DC motor, and a long duration continuous high current caused by a mechanical overload condition in the DC motor. The control system momentarily deactivates and reactivates the motor. If high current is no longer detected, the control system construes this as a transient spike and no fault condition is indicated. If high current persists, the control system construes this as an actual overload condition, and a fault condition is indicated to the operator. In this manner, a selected default current level can be established in the control system which can be selectively reestablished if conditions within the device change over time.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a control system and method that monitors current in a spreader motor to accurately detect a mechanical overload condition. The invention distinguishes between a short duration high current transient spike caused by sparking of brushes in the DC motor, and a long duration continuous high current caused by a mechanical overload condition in the DC motor. The control system momentarily deactivates and reactivates the motor. If high current is no longer detected, the control system construes this as a transient spike and no fault condition is indicated. If high current persists, the control system construes this as an actual overload condition, and a fault condition is indicated to the operator. In this manner, a selected default current level can be established in the control system which can be selectively reestablished if conditions within the device change over time.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a control system that detects loosening of a vibrator component in a spreader system. As the vibrator loosens over time, it draws more current. Eventually, this excess current causes the vibrator motor to burn out. The control system detects the loosening of the vibrator to indicate a fault condition by measuring current increase in the vibrator, and then indicating a fault condition that the bolts must be tightened, which results in lowering of the current draw, thereby protecting the vibrator motor from burnout. The system has a “learning mode” capable of establishing and memorizing a baseline of current draw suitable for a vibrator. In this way, a current threshold is exceeded over time, which indicates loosening of the vibrator. The baseline level can be selectively changed adapted with changing conditions, or adapted to other types of systems besides spreader vibrators.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a slam latch for attaching a chute to a hopper mounted onto a vehicle. A cover is secured to an exterior surface of the hopper and defines a void therebetween. First and second aligned holes are formed in the cover and the hopper. A pin is mounted to the cover for movement through the first and second holes and urges with a spring. A plunger is retained in the void and moves between a closed position that blocks the pin from engagement with the holes, and an open position that admits the pin for engagement. The chute includes an engagement member having a third hole. The chute is displaced such that the engagement member slides into the void and displaces the plunger, enabling engagement of the pin with the first, second and third holes, thereby attaching the chute to the hopper.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is an apparatus for marking an implement, such as a snow plow. An elongated tubular member retains an illuminated member such a high lumen LED lighting element mounted substantially adjacent to the bottom end of the elongated tubular member and configured to shine light through the interior of the elongated tubular member toward the top end. Conductor wiring connects a source of electrical energy to the LED. An enclosing cap includes a crimped end portion secured to the bottom end of the elongated tubular member. A cylindrical end portion has a hollow interior for admitting the conductor wiring for connection to the source of electrical energy. A mounting bracket can include a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, formed together to support the illuminated member.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is an apparatus for marking an implement, such as a snow plow. An elongated tubular member retains an illuminated member such an LED element within the interior. Conductor wiring connects a source of electrical energy to the LED. An enclosing cap includes a crimped end portion secured to the bottom end of the elongated tubular member. A cylindrical end portion has a hollow interior for admitting the conductor wiring for connection to the source of electrical energy. A perpendicular mounting bracket has a horizontal mounting surface and a vertical mounting surface, formed together at a right angle. The horizontal mounting surface is configured for connecting to the cylindrical end portion of the enclosing cap so that the elongated tubular member is disposed in a substantially vertical position. The vertical mounting surface is configured for connecting to a vertical portion of the snow plow.

Abstract: A wire harness includes a first connector portion that matingly connects to a second connector portion. A power cable carries electrical power from a power supply to one or more motors, and includes power segments connecting the first connector portion and the power supply, and the second connector portion and the motor. Power terminals are received within the first and second connector portions, for establishing an electrical connection between the power segments. One or more communication cables carry control signals from a control system to the motor(s) and include communication segments connecting the first connector portion and the control system and the second connector portion and the motors. Optical terminals are received within the first and second connector portions for each communication cable, for establishing a digital optical connection between each of first and second communication segments.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a lockable equipment rack for a blower. The lockable equipment rack includes adjustable components configured to storage of a variety of blowers of different size and shape. The equipment rack can be installed in a variety of locations, for example, on an open trailer, to securely store a blower in areas that are easily accessible. The lockable equipment rack prevents theft of the blower and tampering of its components.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly has a push frame, a lift frame, and a coupling configured to attach the push frame to a lift frame. The coupling attaches the left and right sides of the push frame to the corresponding left and right sides of the lift frame, and each coupling being independently vertically floatable to allow the push frame to float vertically relative to the lift frame, while also allowing the push frame to rotate relative to the lift frame to accommodate for irregular or uneven ground surfaces. The couplings each include a bearing block that extends through an opening in the push frame and a retaining member that extends through an opening in the bearing block for operatively coupling the push frame to the lift frame. The bearing block facilitates distribution of load between the push frame and retaining member to reduce wear on the push frame.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly having a push frame, a lift frame, and a coupling configured to floatably attach the push frame to a lift frame. The coupling may attach the left and right sides of the push frame to the corresponding left and right sides of the lift frame, and each coupling may be independently vertically floatable to allow the push frame to float vertically relative to the lift frame, while also allowing the push frame to rotate relative to the lift frame to accommodate for irregular or uneven ground surfaces. The couplings may each include a retaining member for operatively coupling the push frame to the lift frame, and one or more bearing blocks that facilitate distribution of load between the push frame and retaining member to reduce wear on the push frame. The bearing blocks also may be vertically movable relative to the push frame for common vertical movement with the retaining members to enable such floating movement.

Abstract: A material spreader is mountable to a rearwardly projecting bumper of a vehicle for conveying and spreading material, the vehicle including a rearwardly projecting hitch receiver. The material spreader includes a hopper for holding material to be spread, a frame supporting the hopper and having a forwardly projecting hitch mount configured for coupling to the rearwardly projecting hitch receiver of the vehicle, and a support member having an underside for resting atop a top surface of the bumper, the support member being movable vertically relative to the frame. A tie down is connected to the support member and the frame for urging the support member and the hitch mount towards one another to effect a clamping action on the receiver and the bumper. The material spreader also includes a dual hinged lid and a gear box for driving a spinner and an auger.

Abstract: A cargo bay accessory for inserting into a cargo bay of a truck, the cargo bay accessory having opposing stepped side walls forming horizontal support surfaces at different elevations, wherein the support surfaces on one side are at the same elevation as the support surfaces on the opposite side, and wherein the lower support surfaces are laterally spaced closer together than higher support surfaces.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly includes a talegate and latch assembly. The tailgate is moveable between open and closed positions. The latch assembly includes an actuator, a latch, and a stopper. The actuator is operative to move the latch between an unlatched position where the latch allows movement of the tailgate from the closed position, and a latched position where the latch prevents movement of the tailgate from the closed position. The stopper is responsive to movement in the actuator to move between a nonstopping position and a stopping position. In the stopping position, the stopper prevents the latch from moving from the latched position to the unlatched position other than by the actuator.

Abstract: A material spreader is mountable to a rearwardly projecting bumper of a vehicle for conveying and spreading material, the vehicle including a rearwardly projecting hitch receiver. The material spreader includes a hopper for holding material to be spread, a frame supporting the hopper and having a forwardly projecting hitch mount configured for coupling to the rearwardly projecting hitch receiver of the vehicle, and a support member having an underside for resting atop a top surface of the bumper, the support member being movable vertically relative to the frame. A tie down is connected to the support member and the frame for urging the support member and the hitch mount towards one another to effect a clamping action on the receiver and the bumper. The material spreader also includes a dual hinged lid and a gear box for driving a spinner and an auger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly mounting an accessory in the cargo bay of a truck is disclosed. Quick-mount devices lock onto tailgate pivot members of the cargo bay of the truck. The quick-mount devices may utilize locking tubes that extend laterally to engage the tailgate pivot members and secure the accessory, or retract laterally to release the tailgate pivot members and remove the accessory. In one embodiment the accessory is a dump insert. In a further embodiment the dump insert has stepped walls.

Abstract: A spreader assembly for spreading sand or salt comprised of a molded, double-walled hopper having a bin portion and leg portions. The hopper has an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall has a front end section and opposing side sections. The end sections and the side sections define a media-holding chamber within the bin portion of the hopper. The chamber has a generally rectangular upper portion, a funnel-shaped lower portion and a bottom having an opening extending through the bin portion. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the chamber slopes toward the opening. The outer wall of the hopper defines the leg portions, and the leg portions are dimensioned to extend below the opening in the bin portion.

Abstract: A material spreader is mountable to a rearwardly projecting bumper of a vehicle for conveying and spreading material, the vehicle including a rearwardly projecting hitch receiver. The material spreader includes a hopper for holding material to be spread, a frame supporting the hopper and having a forwardly projecting hitch mount configured for coupling to the rearwardly projecting hitch receiver of the vehicle, and a support member having an underside for resting atop a top surface of the bumper, the support member being movable vertically relative to the frame. A tie down is connected to the support member and the frame for urging the support member and the hitch mount towards one another to effect a clamping action on the receiver and the bumper. The material spreader also includes a dual hinged lid and a gear box for driving a spinner and an auger.

Abstract: A tow hitch comprises an elongated tubular shank of rectangular cross-section having four side walls; and at least one tow ball mounted to an adjacent side wall of the shank with a mounting shank extending from a base of the tow ball through a first hole in the adjacent side wall and a second hole in a side wall opposite the adjacent side wall.