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 auxiliary lighting energy interruption 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 independent lighting energy interruption 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.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for removably mounting a hopper spreader to a trailer hitch of a vehicle includes an elongated mounting bar adapted to be secured to the hopper spreader and a hitch adapter carried by the mounting bar which is adapted to be received by the trailer hitch for supporting the hopper spreader on the vehicle. A stabilizing assembly carried by the mounting bar includes stabilizing arms that extend outwardly on opposite sides of the hitch adapter for engaging an undersurface of the vehicle for stabilizing the hopper spreader against rotation about the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A reconfigurable 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: An improved snow plow blade is disclosed which has a fixed upper plow blade and a pivoting lower trip blade mounted on the swing frame of the snow plow with the axis of rotation of the trip blade being directly in line with the swing frame and the support frame of the snow plow. Since the axis of rotation of the trip edge blade is located at the height of the vertical center of the swing frame (and is thereby in the same horizontal plane), the forces imparted to the swing frame will be essentially compressive in nature rather than including a torsional element as well. The trip edge blade and the trip edge springs used to bias the trip edge blade into an untripped position are substantially supported by the swing frame of the snow plow rather than being supported from the upper plow blade. The trip edge blade is also sufficiently high to prevent damage to the upper snow plow blade due to impacts with curbs or other high obstacles.

Abstract: A video monitoring system is disclosed which may be used by the operator of a vehicle to guide the approach of the vehicle to an implement or a trailer or the like to bring connecting members of a hitch mechanism respectively located on the vehicle and on the implement or trailer into alignment and engagement with each other. A video camera is installed onto either the vehicle in the closest possible proximity to the hitch latching mechanism and is directed toward an alignment indicia located on the implement or trailer. A video monitor in the cab of the vehicle displays the video image “seen” by the video camera of the alignment indicia, allowing the vehicle to be driven into a position in which the implement or trailer may be hitched to the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has a hitch mounting mechanism and method that enables the snow plow to be easily and quickly mounted to and detached from a truck without requiring tools. The snow plow hitch mounting mechanism has four points of attachment between a snow plow-mounted hitching apparatus and a hitch frame mounted at the front of a truck, two points of attachment being at each side. The lower points of attachment are made by initially engaging the snow plow-mounted hitching apparatus with the hitch frame, with the upper points of attachment being engaged by using a releasable retaining mechanism.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting systems for use with snow plows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories is disclosed which facilitates the interconnection of such auxiliary lighting 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 independent lighting 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 top 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: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks has an impact-absorbing mechanism which absorbs the shocks of both the tripping of the snow plow blade upon striking an object and the spring-biased return of the snow plow blade to its original position. Impact-absorbing members made of a polymeric material are mounted in pockets contained in the pivot support structure of the snow plow blade support structure, and portions of the snow plow blade frame impact the impact-absorbing members prior to the snow plow blade reaching either a tripped position or a trip return position. The impact-absorbing members are highly resistant to damage even when absorbing large shocks caused by substantial impacts, and are easily replaceable when their lifetime has been expended.

Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has a hitch mounting mechanism and method that enables the snow plow to be easily and quickly mounted to and detached from a truck without requiring tools. The snow plow hitch mounting mechanism has four points of attachment between a snow plow-mounted hitching apparatus and a hitch frame mounted at the front of a truck, two points of attachment being at each side. The lower points of attachment are made by initially engaging the snow plow-mounted hitching apparatus with the hitch frame, with the upper points of attachment being engaged by using a releasable retaining mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interfaces coupled to snow removal equipment and to an analysis retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus and method can further comprise a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has a frame which uses an in-line design to eliminate the presence of rotational or torsional force in the frame members of the snow plow, which design provides an improved degree of ground clearance as well. The snow plow frame design supports the swing frame from both the top and the bottom thereof, while also providing an increased level of rigidity and structural integrity. The snow plow frame and the swing frame are thus both located in the same horizontal axis, so that the predominant line of force through each is from the front of the snow plow to the back.

Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has blade trip springs which are mounted using brackets located to direct the force of the springs in directions which are orthogonal to the axis upon which the plow blade pivots, thereby increasing the predictability of the tripping forces exerted by the trip springs as well as eliminating lateral trip spring forces which could warp the plow blade. The forces exerted by the trip springs are exerted proximate planes which are orthogonal to the pivot points at which the snow plow blade is mounted to the snow plow blade support structure. Either a single trip spring on either side of the snow plow blade or two trip springs on each side of the snow plow blade may be used, and the size of the trip springs is minimized by ensuring that all of the forces which they exert are directed properly in the requisite directions.

Abstract: A hopper spreader apparatus for spreading materials such as salt, sand or seed includes a motor for rotating a spinner for distributing particulate matter delivered to the spinner. The hopper spreader apparatus is adapted for mounting on a skid steer loader unit. In one embodiment, the drive motor is a hydraulic motor which obtains hydraulic power from the hydraulic system of the skid steer loader unit. A flow controller adapts the flow rate provided by the skid steer loader unit to the flow rate for the hydraulic motor. In one embodiment, a check valve limits the operation of the hydraulic motor to one direction. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a quick release mounting adapter for quickly mounting the hopper spreader apparatus to the skid steer loader unit.

Abstract: A snow plow system for use with a skid steer loader includes a V-plow blade that is repositionable by a hydraulic actuator operated by pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied to the actuator from the auxiliary hydraulic output of the skid steer loader. A normally open valve diverts hydraulic fluid away from the actuator whenever the plow blade is not being repositioned, enabling the auxiliary hydraulic system to be maintained actuated. The valve is operated to a closed condition by a wireless remote control receiver which receives coded radio frequency signals transmitted by a wireless, portable, battery-powered transmitter locatable within or outside of a cab of the vehicle, or by a voice-actuated control. A mounting panel of the snow plow system includes an anti-slip surface, providing footing for an operator upon entering or exiting the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interfaces coupled to snow removal equipment and to an analysis retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus and method can further comprise a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has an impact-absorbing mechanism which absorbs the shocks of both the tripping of the snow plow blade upon striking an object and the spring-biased return of the snow plow blade to its original position. Impact-absorbing members made of a polymeric material are mounted in pockets contained in the pivot support structure of the snow plow blade support structure, and portions of the snow plow blade frame impact the impact-absorbing members prior to the snow plow blade reaching either a tripped position or a trip return position. The impact-absorbing members are highly resistant to damage even when absorbing large shocks caused by substantial impacts, and are easily replaceable when their lifetime has been expended.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interface, coupled to the snow removal equipment and to an analysis module, retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus further comprises a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Abstract: An articulated snow plow system for use with a vehicle includes a blade center section having a moldboard section and left and right plowblade sections which are wider than the blade center section. The plowblade sections each include a moldboard section and are mounted to the blade center section at opposite sides thereof and pivotable relative to the center blade section about a substantially vertical pivot axis, to swept forward and swept backward positions. The snowplow assembly includes a support frame, the blade center section being coupled to the support frame through an intermediate pivot assembly which permits a limited amount of float to allow the blade center section, and the plowblade sections pivoted thereto, to follow the contour of the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interface coupled to snow removal equipment and to an analysis module retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus and method can further comprise a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Abstract: A snow plowing system utilizing a wireless radio remote control to control a snow plow mounted to the front of a vehicle. The plowing system comprises a snow plow blade, mounting mechanism connected to the vehicle for mounting the snow plow blade to the vehicle, the snow plow blade being connected to the mounting mechanism, a transmitter for transmitting a signal through a receiver to actuate, a mechanism for controlling the snow plow blade, and the receiver being connected to the mechanism for controlling the snow plow blade.