Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a snow plow blade mounted on a vehicle that uses the turn signal/high beam control stalk mounted on the steering wheel of the vehicle to control a actuation of the snow plow blade mounted on the vehicle. The control system operates in two alternately selectable modes, one of which allows the turn signal/high beam control stalk to be used to operate the turn signals and high beams of the vehicle, and the other of which allows the turn signal/high beam control stalk to be used to raise, lower, and pivot the snow plow blade. The control system may be switched between the two modes by initiating one of two respective sequences of actuation of one or more electrical switches in the vehicle.

Abstract: A hopper spreader apparatus adapted for mounting to a vehicle, to be towed by a vehicle or to be pushed by hand, includes a sprayer apparatus for spraying liquid material as well as dispensing dry free-flow material. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a variable discharge mechanism, allowing adjustment of both the flow rate and the distribution pattern of the dry free-flow material particulate material being dispensed. The operation of the hopper spreader apparatus can be controlled remotely using radio frequency (RF) signaling. The hopper spreader apparatus obtains electrical power from an on-board battery and includes a battery charger to allow the battery to be charged when the hopper spreader apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: A control system and method for operating a snow plow is disclosed which utilizes a programmable, wireless remote control for providing fully functional operation of a snow plow blade mounted on a vehicle. The system includes a remote control that can be used to operate both a snow plow and a spreader, with the system being configurable to work with any of a variety of different snow plows. The remote control may be programmed to perform a series of functions that can be sequentially performed by pressing a single button on the remote control.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting energy interruption system for use with snow plows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories is disclosed which facilitates the interconnection of such systems to the lighting system of a vehicle upon which the vehicle accessory is mounted to provide power to and to control the auxiliary lights with the lighting system of the vehicle. The system provides first and second harness portions for respective installation on the vehicle and the vehicle accessory, with the first harness portion having a first configuration when it is not connected to the second harness portion and a second configuration when it is connected to the second harness portion. The first configuration allow the headlights on the vehicle to operate, while the second configuration allows only the headlights on the vehicle accessory to operate, with changes between the first and second configurations being accomplished without the need for a switch or a relay.

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: A method and an adjustable plow hitch frame. The plow hitch frame is configured to pivotally couple with a plow blade at one end and coupled with a vehicle at another end. The adjustable plow hitch frame includes a pair of elongated side members maintained in a spaced apart relationship by a traverse member. Each side member defines a front portion and a rear portion. A pivot assembly is coupled to the front portion of each side member and configured to couple to the plow blade. An adjustment lug is coupled to the rear portion of each side member, with each adjustment lug defining a plurality of orifaces aligned vertically. The height of the adjustable plow hitch frame relative to the vehicle is fixed with corresponding orifaces in the adjustment lugs coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A headlight control system for use on a snow plow mounted on the front of a vehicle and a related method are disclosed that automatically, selectively illuminate the headlights of the vehicle in addition to the headlights of the snow plow only when the snow plow blade is in a down position such that it is not physically obstructing the headlights of the vehicle. The headlight control system and method only operate to turn on the vehicle headlights when the snow plow lights are turned on. The headlight control system and method are capable of operating both the low beam headlights and the high beam headlights of the vehicle in conjunction with the low beam headlights and the high beam headlights of the snow plow when the snow plow blade is lowered.

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.

Abstract: A snow plow rebounding system is provided. A cushion block and shock-absorbing springs serve to cushion a snow plow rotating about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A snow plow including a quick connect/disconnect hitch. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a hitch frame tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin. A plow frame is included with the plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A plow blade is coupled to the front portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notch member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler of the hitch frame nose assembly. Each of the notched members is configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A pair of mating electrical connectors are disclosed that include at least one heat generating element to prevent the electrical connectors from becoming covered with ice or snow in cold climates and to also make the electrical connectors easier to separate or plug together in cold environments. When the mating electrical connectors are connected and energized, electricity will flow through the at least one electrical heat generating element generating heat within the electrical connectors. The amount of heat that is generated within the electrical connectors is sufficient to prevent snow and ice from forming on the exterior of the mating electrical connectors, even in very cold ambient weather conditions, and to ease the disconnection of the mated electrical connectors in such cold ambient weather conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a v-plow including a first blade and a second blade. Each of the blades are pivotably connected about an axis and moveable through a range of movement. The v-plow includes a pair of wearstrips with one wearstrip coupled to each of the first and second blades. A wearstrip cylinder is coupled to at least one of the wearstrips, with the wearstrip cylinder aligned with the axis. The orientation of the first and second blades, the wearstrips, and the wearstrip cylinder minimize a gap defined between the two blades, throughout the range of movement. Each of the wearstrips include a flange coupled to each of the wearstrips and defining an angle between the flange and the wearstrip. In one embodiment one flange is coupled to the wearstrip cylinder and the other flange is closely adjacent to the wearstrip cylinder, throughout the range of movement of the blades.

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: A snow plow including a quick connect/disconnect hitch. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a hitch frame tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin. A plow frame is included with the plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A plow blade is coupled to the front portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notch member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler of the hitch frame nose assembly. Each of the notched members is configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A blade adjustment apparatus for a V-plow is provided. A plow tower and a tower adjustment assembly pivotally coupled to the plow tower serve to maintain a lower edge of at least one V-plow blade in a substantially horizontal relationship to a working surface.

Abstract: A variable discharge mechanism for a hopper spreader apparatus includes first and second flow control members that allow varying the discharge rate by providing relative rotation between flow gate members to adjust the size of a delivery opening and thus the discharge volume flow rate. The distribution pattern can be changed by changing the location of the delivery opening with respect to an axis extending in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting energy interruption system for use with snow plows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories is disclosed which facilitates the interconnection of such systems to the lighting system of a vehicle upon which the vehicle accessory is mounted to provide power to and to control the auxiliary lights with the lighting system of the vehicle. The system provides first and second harness portions for respective installation on the vehicle and the vehicle accessory, with the first harness portion having a first configuration when it is not connected to the second harness portion and a second configuration when it is connected to the second harness portion.

Abstract: A snow plow deflector for a straight snow plow blade is provided including a center section having a plurality of spaced-apart recesses formed therein, and two outer sections, each also having a plurality of spaced-apart recesses formed therein, wherein each of the outer sections are positioned to align with opposite side edges of the snow plow blade, respectively, with the center section secured thereover such that the recesses of the center section interfit and seat within the recesses of the outer portions and secure thereto. The plurality of recesses provided along the width of each deflector section permits the overall width of the deflector to be adjusted to fit a variety of snow plow blade widths.

Abstract: Removable wings or end extensions for a snow plow blade and a snow removal system including removable end extensions are provided. Each of the removable end extensions secure to a side end of a snow plow blade, and are easily removed and stored on the snow plow blade, when not required for the plowing application.

Abstract: A jack stand for a snow removal system including an easily vertically positionable frame retaining bracket and locking mechanism is provided. The jack stand is configurable between a lowered, operational position and a raised, stored position, wherein the jack stand includes a locking mechanism for retaining the base of the jack stand on the ground. When the jack stand is not needed, the locking mechanism is released, the jack stand is raised from the ground and the stand remains secured to the hitching mechanism and stored for further use thereof.