Abstract: A light signaling system for a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system and an auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device. The light signaling system includes a control module mounted to the vehicle. The control module is electrically coupled to one or more lights of the vehicle lighting system of the vehicle and to one or more lights of the auxiliary lighting system. The control module is configured to cause one or more lights, to which it is electrically coupled, to flash on and off.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system for use on a motor vehicle having an auxiliary device assembled on the motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle lighting system includes a first lighting system located on a body of the vehicle. The first lighting system has a plurality of different lights. A second lighting system is located on the auxiliary device. The second lighting system has a plurality of different lights. A control circuit operates one or more of the plurality of different lights in the second lighting system based on an operating sequence of one or more of the plurality of different lights in the first lighting system.

Abstract: A light signaling system for a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system and an auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device. The light signaling system includes a control module mounted to the vehicle. The control module is electrically coupled to one or more lights of the vehicle lighting system of the vehicle and to one or more lights of the auxiliary lighting system. The control module is configured to cause one or more lights, to which it is electrically coupled, to flash on and off.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device assembled on a vehicle, where the vehicle has a vehicle lighting system that includes a vehicle headlight and a headlight control for switching between operational states of the vehicle headlight. The auxiliary lighting system includes a secondary auxiliary headlight, and a control circuit that causes the secondary auxiliary headlight to turn on depending on an operating mode of the auxiliary device. In a particular embodiment, the control circuit operates the secondary auxiliary headlight based the operating mode of the auxiliary device and an operating mode of the auxiliary lighting system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC motor that includes the step of providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal to the DC motor. The PWM signal provides a voltage to operate the DC motor. The method also includes the steps of measuring a voltage generated by the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. In more particular embodiments, the method includes measuring a current being supplied to the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. The method may further require determining a motor speed of the DC motor based on the measured voltage. The method further includes controlling the DC motor to maintain a relatively constant motor speed with varying loads on the DC motor.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hopper spreader apparatus for spreading granular material is provided. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a hopper, a spreading unit, and a dispensing unit. The hopper has a storage cavity for storing the granular material to be spread. The spreading unit spreads the granular material. The dispensing system transports the granular material from the hopper to the spreading unit. The dispensing system includes a conveying unit and a rotating first roll. The conveying unit conveys the granular material toward the spreading unit. The rotating first roll controls a flow of granular material from the hopper to the conveying unit. The use of the rotating roll allows for control of high flow material (such as for example dry salt) while allowing for improved collapse and break-up of low flow material (such as for example wetted sand).

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC motor that includes the step of providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal to the DC motor. The PWM signal provides a voltage to operate the DC motor. The method also includes the steps of measuring a voltage generated by the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. In more particular embodiments, the method includes measuring a current being supplied to the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. The method may further require determining a motor speed of the DC motor based on the measured voltage. The method further includes controlling the DC motor to maintain a relatively constant motor speed with varying loads on the DC motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC motor that includes the step of providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal to the DC motor. The PWM signal provides a voltage to operate the DC motor. The method also includes the steps of measuring a voltage generated by the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. In more particular embodiments, the method includes measuring a current being supplied to the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. The method may further require determining a motor speed of the DC motor based on the measured voltage. The method further includes controlling the DC motor to maintain a relatively constant motor speed with varying loads on the DC motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC motor that includes the step of providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal to the DC motor. The PWM signal provides a voltage to operate the DC motor. The method also includes the steps of measuring a voltage generated by the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. In more particular embodiments, the method includes measuring a current being supplied to the DC motor when the PWM signal is off. The method may further require determining a motor speed of the DC motor based on the measured voltage. The method further includes controlling the DC motor to maintain a relatively constant motor speed with varying loads on the DC motor.

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hopper spreader apparatus for spreading granular material is provided. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a hopper, a spreading unit, and a dispensing unit. The hopper has a storage cavity for storing the granular material to be spread. The spreading unit spreads the granular material. The dispensing system transports the granular material from the hopper to the spreading unit. The dispensing system includes a conveying unit and a rotating first roll. The conveying unit conveys the granular material toward the spreading unit. The rotating first roll controls a flow of granular material from the hopper to the conveying unit. The use of the rotating roll allows for control of high flow material (such as for example dry salt) while allowing for improved collapse and break-up of low flow material (such as for example wetted sand).

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A snow plow is provided with a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade each pivotably coupled to a plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin. 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. The two V-plow blades are coupled to a plow tower configured to support each of the V-plow blades for movement about a blade vertical pivot pin disposed in each of the first and second V-plow blades and the plow tower. A tower adjustment assembly is coupled to the plow tower and a plow frame which is configured to couple to the hitch frame nose assembly. A 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 pivotably coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle step for access to a vehicle with the vehicle including a chassis frame and a body panel. The vehicle step includes a cam track frame, a step assembly configured for guided reciprocal movement between the first and second plates of the cam track frame. The step assembly includes a pair of cam rods with each cam rod coupled to the step frame and configured to slidingly engage a first and second cam track defined in the cam track frame to guide the step assembly. A step latch is disposed in the step frame of the step assembly with the step latch configured for one of retaining the step assembly in a stowed position and releasing the step assembly to an extended position.

Abstract: A snow plow is provided with a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade each pivotably coupled to a plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin. 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. The two V-plow blades are coupled to a plow tower configured to support each of the V-plow blades for movement about a blade vertical pivot pin disposed in each of the first and second V-plow blades and the plow tower. A tower adjustment assembly is coupled to the plow tower and a plow frame which is configured to couple to the hitch frame nose assembly. A 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 pivotably coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A plow, including a center blade and a wing blade coupled to each end of the center blade. Each wing blade is pivotally connected to the center blade about an axis. The plow includes a first pair of wear strips, with one wear strip coupled to the first end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to one wing blade. A second pair of wear strips is included, with one wear strip coupled to the second end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to the other wing blade. A wing pivot tube is coupled to the wing blades and center blade at each end of the center blade. The wing blade, wear strips, and wing pivot tube at each end of the center blade minimize a gap between the blades throughout the range of movement of each wing blade.