Abstract: A conveyor system for a vehicle includes a belt auto-tensioning system that tensions the belt prior to belt movement but not necessarily during loading. Also included are a belt guidance system and a belt anti-slippage system. A fourth system aspect is a floating drive connection system with square or non-linear adaptor. Several benefits are obtained by using the conveyor system disclosed. Also provided are a method of using the conveyor system and a method of constructing a vehicle system combination conveyor.

Abstract: A safety interlock system is disclosed that can be selectively actuated to prevent or enable access to a conveyor mechanism of a spreader. When actuated to prevent access, the safety interlock prevents a top cover from moving to a position that allows access to the conveyor through an open top of the trough and prevents a hopper door from moving to an opened position wherein an operator can access the conveyor mechanism through a bottom opening of the trough. The safety interlock system can be configured such that a hydraulic drive motor is disconnected from the conveyor mechanism before allowing the top cover and the door to move to positions providing access to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a storage and dispensing apparatus. The storage and dispensing apparatus can be mounted directly to the chassis or disposed within or on a body, which in turn is mounted to the chassis. The storage and dispensing apparatus has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the opening of the storage and dispensing apparatus is also included. The conveyor assembly can include a dual auger arrangement. The vehicle includes a spreader chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a spreader. A liquid storage system for storing liquid is provided. A liquid dispensing system is provided for selectively dispensing liquid from the liquid storage system.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a storage and dispensing apparatus. The storage and dispensing apparatus can be mounted directly to the chassis or disposed within or on a body, which in turn is mounted to the chassis. The storage and dispensing apparatus has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the opening of the storage and dispensing apparatus is also included. The conveyor assembly can include a dual auger arrangement. The vehicle includes a spreader chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a spreader. A liquid storage system for storing liquid is provided. A liquid dispensing system is provided for selectively dispensing liquid from the liquid storage system.

Abstract: A plow for mounting to a vehicle is disclosed. The plow can include a moldboard having a movable cutting edge and an adjustable bias trip mechanism having a biasing member preferably in the form of a spring. The adjustable trip mechanism can be arranged with the cutting edge of the moldboard to urge the cutting edge to a plowing position. The spring can be cooperatively arranged with a retainer, a pin for example, at one or more retaining positions to impart a preload biasing force upon the spring that varies according to the retaining position selected. The preload biasing force can act as a trip resistance force which must be overcome before the cutting edge moves. A lever tool can be provided for adjusting the spring.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a body pivotally secured to the chassis at a hinge. A hoist system is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge between a storage position and a range of dumping positions. The hoist system includes a ball screw actuator, a trunion, and a push arm. The ball screw actuator is pivotally mounted to a frame member of the chassis and to the trunion, which in turn is mounted to the frame member. The push arm is pivotally mounted to the trunion and to the body.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the body is also included. A tailgate is pivotally connected to the body and has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A rear feed gate assembly for selectively covering the opening of the tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a rear diverter chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a rear spreader. A front feed gate assembly for selectively covering an opening of a front end of the body is provided. First and second side chutes are operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct materials to a side spreader and a surface, respectively.

Abstract: A plow for mounting to a vehicle is disclosed. The plow can include a moldboard having a movable cutting edge and an adjustable bias trip mechanism having a biasing member preferably in the form of a spring. The adjustable trip mechanism can be arranged with the cutting edge of the moldboard to urge the cutting edge to a plowing position. The spring can be cooperatively arranged with a retainer, a pin for example, at one or more retaining positions to impart a preload biasing force upon the spring that varies according to the retaining position selected. The preload biasing force can act as a trip resistance force which must be overcome before the cutting edge moves. A lever tool can be provided for adjusting the spring.

Abstract: A safety interlock system is disclosed that can be selectively actuated to prevent or enable access to a conveyor mechanism of a spreader. When actuated to prevent access, the safety interlock prevents a top cover from moving to a position that allows access to the conveyor through an open top of the trough and prevents a hopper door from moving to an opened position wherein an operator can access the conveyor mechanism through a bottom opening of the trough. The safety interlock system can be configured such that a hydraulic drive motor is disconnected from the conveyor mechanism before allowing the top cover and the door to move to positions providing access to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A plow for mounting to a vehicle is disclosed. The plow can include a moldboard having a movable cutting edge and an adjustable bias trip mechanism having a biasing member preferably in the form of a spring. The adjustable trip mechanism can be arranged with the cutting edge of the moldboard to urge the cutting edge to a plowing position. The spring can be cooperatively arranged with a retainer, a pin for example, at one or more retaining positions to impart a preload biasing force upon the spring that varies according to the retaining position selected. The preload biasing force can act as a trip resistance force which must be overcome before the cutting edge moves. A lever tool can be provided for adjusting the spring.

Abstract: A hitch for hitching a plow to a vehicle. The hitch includes a vehicle portion and a plow portion. The vehicle portion includes a mounting member having a substantially planar face. The plow can be pivotally mounted to the plow portion of the hitch. The plow portion of the hitch can be removably mounted to the vehicle portion of the hitch. The plow portion can include a pair of clamping members with one clamping member being movable with respect to the other clamping member. The plow portion can also include a lift assembly for moving the plow between a plowing position and an elevated position.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a storage and dispensing apparatus. The storage and dispensing apparatus can be mounted directly to the chassis or disposed within or on a body, which in turn is mounted to the chassis. The storage and dispensing apparatus has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the opening of the storage and dispensing apparatus is also included. The conveyor assembly can include a dual auger arrangement. The vehicle includes a spreader chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a spreader. A liquid storage system for storing liquid is provided. A liquid dispensing system is provided for selectively dispensing liquid from the liquid storage system.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A plow for mounting to a vehicle is disclosed. The plow can include a moldboard having a movable cutting edge and an adjustable bias trip mechanism having a biasing member preferably in the form of a spring. The adjustable trip mechanism can be arranged with the cutting edge of the moldboard to urge the cutting edge to a plowing position. The spring can be cooperatively arranged with a retainer, a pin for example, at one or more retaining positions to impart a preload biasing force upon the spring that varies according to the retaining position selected. The preload biasing force can act as a trip resistance force which must be overcome before the cutting edge moves. A lever tool can be provided for adjusting the spring.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.

Abstract: Systems for reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation of an auger located in a supply body and/or spreader device while the covers of such a body or spreader device are open are provided. A motor that is drivingly connected to the auger is provided, as is a power supply for the motor that includes first and second engageable couplings. An arm located adjacent the spreader device is included, and is movable between a position that prevents opening of the cover and a position that permits opening of the cover. The first coupling is located with respect to the arm so that the first and second couplings may be engaged only when the arm is in a position that prevents the cover from opening. The cover can only be opened when the first and second couplings are separated, thereby interrupting the power supply to the motor and preventing operation of the auger.

Abstract: A vehicle snowplow system with an adjustable-bias tripping mechanism. The system includes a snowplow blade or moldboard which is pivotally mounted to a frame, the latter being adapted for mounting to a vehicle. The moldboard "trips" or pivotally moves between a normal plowing position and a displaced position when a lower region of the moldboard contacts a rigid obstruction. The system includes at least one biasing assembly operable to bias the moldboard toward the normal position with a biasing force, the biasing assembly configured so as to provide an adjustment to the biasing force to compensate for variances in roadway or environmental conditions.