Abstract: An improved front hitch assembly is provided for mounting a snowplow to the front of a vehicle. The hitch assembly includes a pair of mounting brackets secured to the vehicle frame, and a pair of receivers releasably connected to the mounting brackets. The plow includes a frame with a pair of horns which are releasably received in the receivers. A pad is provided in each of the mounting brackets and is engaged by each of the receivers to absorb impact forces when the plow hits an object. The brackets include pairs of forward and rearward slots for supporting the receivers in the brackets, with the pads being mounted on the rearward pins. The pads are made of polymeric or urethane material so as to absorb the forces of impact when the plow hits an object.

Abstract: A pivotal snowplow is provided for mounting to the hitch on the rear end of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The snowplow includes a frame and a blade. The frame includes a tongue for mating receipt in the vehicle hitch socket. The frame also includes rearwardly extending arms and downwardly extending legs mountable to the snowplow blade. A hydraulic cylinder controls movement of the blade between raised and lowered positions. The legs of the frame are pivotally mounted to the arms of the frame such that the blade can be rotated about a vertical axis, thereby angling the blade relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The blade includes trip springs so that the blade can be tilted to pass over obstacles encountered during plowing. A pair of down pressure springs on the frame apply a downward force on the blade for improved snow removal.