Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank having an upper opening configured for receiving salt crystals to fill the tank. A divider separates a tank volume into an upper portion adapted for holding salt crystals a lower portion adapted for holding a brine solution. The divider is adapted to resist movement of salt crystals into the lower portion but is permeable to allow the brine solution to fall into the lower portion. A fluid conduit disposed within the upper portion includes at least one water jet for injecting water in a direction towards the salt crystals. The tank further includes an outlet positioned in the lower portion of the tank for withdrawing brine.

Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank unit having a tank body and a divider which separates the tank into an upper portion for holding salt crystals and a lower portion for holding brine. The divider is adapted to resist the movement of salt crystals greater than a predetermined size and to permit the brine solution to pass from the upper portion through the divider to the lower portion by the effect of gravity. The divider includes a sump channel having an opening in communication with the upper portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is adapted to collect non-soluble particles greater than a predetermined size and permit the brine solution in the sump channel to pass therethrough to the lower portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is in communication with a sediment discharge port defined in the tank body.

Abstract: A wing plow assembly includes a mast including a support frame adapted for mounting to a chassis, a moldboard having a toe end and a heel end, and a moldboard connector assembly arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame and a moldboard mount pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent the toe end of the moldboard. The link arm and the moldboard mount are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween. The moldboard can pivot from a plowing position to a tripped position when a cutting edge of the moldboard strikes an obstruction.

Abstract: A vehicle can include a chassis, a combination body pivotally secured to the chassis, a conveyor assembly disposed within the body and adapted to convey materials stored within the body out therefrom, and a tailgate attached to the body. The body includes a front end, an open rear end, and first and second side walls extending therebetween. A rear body superstructure extends around the rear end of the body to reinforce and strengthen the rear end of the body. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor shaft assembly that allows for easy removal and installation of conveyor shafts and accompanying parts. A tailgate chute is removably mounted to the tailgate via a pair of mounting hooks and a mounting bar extending across an opening of the tailgate.

Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank unit having a tank body and a divider which separates the tank into an upper portion for holding salt crystals and a lower portion for holding brine. The divider is adapted to resist the movement of salt crystals greater than a predetermined size and to permit the brine solution to pass from the upper portion through the divider to the lower portion by the effect of gravity. The divider includes a sump channel having an opening in communication with the upper portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is adapted to collect non-soluble particles greater than a predetermined size and permit the brine solution in the sump channel to pass therethrough to the lower portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is in communication with a sediment discharge port defined in the tank body.

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 material spreader is adapted, to dispense granular material from a vehicle. The material spreader includes a feed chute having a discharge opening and a discharge disc assembly disposed below the feed chute. The discharge disc assembly includes a spinner disc adapted to receive granular material from the feed chute, a shroud disposed in at least partial covering relation to the spinner disc, and a rotational drive operatively connected to the spinner disc such that the spinner disc is rotatable within the shroud about a rotational axis. The shroud includes a pass-through opening disposed in substantially aligned relation with the discharge opening of the feed chute at a position radially removed from the central rotational axis. The discharge disc assembly is rotatably mounted in pivoting relation about a pivot axis extending through the pass-through opening and the discharge opening of the feed chute.

Abstract: A material spreader is adapted to dispense granular material from a vehicle. The material spreader includes a feed chute having a discharge opening and a discharge disc assembly disposed below the feed chute. The discharge disc assembly includes a spinner disc adapted to receive granular material from the feed chute, a shroud disposed in at least partial covering relation to the spinner disc, and a rotational drive operatively connected to the spinner disc such that the spinner disc is rotatable within the shroud about a rotational axis. The shroud includes a pass-through opening disposed in substantially aligned relation with the discharge opening of the feed chute at a position radially removed from the central rotational axis. The discharge disc assembly is rotatably mounted in pivoting relation about a pivot axis extending through the pass-through opening and the discharge opening of the feed chute.

Abstract: A wing plow assembly includes a mast including a support frame adapted for mounting to a chassis, a moldboard having a toe end and a heel end, and a moldboard connector assembly arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame and a moldboard mount pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent the toe end of the moldboard. The link arm and the moldboard mount are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween. The moldboard can pivot from a plowing position to a tripped position when a cutting edge of the moldboard strikes an obstruction.

Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank having an upper opening configured for receiving salt crystals to fill the tank. A divider separates a tank volume into an upper portion adapted for holding salt crystals a lower portion adapted for holding a brine solution. The divider is adapted to resist movement of salt crystals into the lower portion but is permeable to allow the brine solution to fall into the lower portion. A fluid conduit disposed within the upper portion includes at least one water jet for injecting water in a direction towards the salt crystals. The tank further includes an outlet positioned in the lower portion of the tank for withdrawing brine.

Abstract: A frame for mounting granular material spreading equipment, liquid storage tanks and liquid delivery equipment in a dump body or to a truck body is adapted to hold such equipment and allow for unitary removal of the frame with adjoined equipment from the truck body. The frame provides structure for mounting of granular material spreading equipment, liquid storage tanks and liquid delivery equipment, including liquid dispensing and metering components, granular dispensing and metering components, hydraulic equipment and electrical components. The frame may include integral legs, which in the preferred embodiment are self storing. The frame with adjoined equipment in a deployed position may be stored as a unit. A frame bearing granular material spreading, liquid storage tanks and liquid delivery equipment constitutes a snow/ice control apparatus that may be unitarily deployed on trucks and removed for storage purposes.

Abstract: A vehicle can include a chassis, a combination body pivotally secured to the chassis, a conveyor assembly disposed within the body and adapted to convey materials stored within the body out therefrom, and a tailgate attached to the body. The body includes a front end, an open rear end, and first and second side walls extending therebetween. A rear body superstructure extends around the rear end of the body to reinforce and strengthen the rear end of the body. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor shaft assembly that allows for easy removal and installation of conveyor shafts and accompanying parts. A tailgate chute is removably mounted to the tailgate via a pair of mounting hooks and a mounting bar extending across an opening of the tailgate.

Abstract: A material spreader is adapted to dispense granular material from a vehicle. The material spreader includes a feed chute having a discharge opening and a discharge disc assembly disposed below the feed chute. The discharge disc assembly includes a spinner disc adapted to receive granular material from the feed chute, a shroud disposed in at least partial covering relation to the spinner disc, and a rotational drive operatively connected to the spinner disc such that the spinner disc is rotatable within the shroud about a rotational axis. The shroud includes a pass-through opening disposed in substantially aligned relation with the discharge opening of the feed chute at a position radially removed from the central rotational axis. The discharge disc assembly is rotatably mounted in pivoting relation about a pivot axis extending through the pass-through opening and the discharge opening of the feed chute.

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 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.