Abstract: An apparatus for applying a de-icing material to a surface includes a receptacle and a handle. The receptacle includes a base portion and a sidewall portion coupled to the base. At least a portion of the handle is coupled to the sidewall portion. The apparatus further includes at least one opening that extends through the sidewall. The opening is dimensioned to accommodate passage of the de-icing material. Upon rotating the handle, the de-icing material is expelled from the receptacle through the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a de-icing material to a surface includes a receptacle and a handle. The receptacle includes a base portion and a sidewall portion coupled to the base. At least a portion of the handle is coupled to the sidewall portion. The apparatus further includes at least one opening that extends through the sidewall. The opening is dimensioned to accommodate passage of the de-icing material. Upon rotating the handle, the de-icing material is expelled from the receptacle through the opening.

Abstract: A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber.

Abstract: Wireless snow plow control methods and systems may include at least three units in mutual wireless communicative connection: a plow control module (PCM), a vehicle control module (VCM), and a remote controller. Each unit may be capable of operating with any one of a plurality of units of another type, with any one of multiple types of vehicles, and with any one of multiple types of snow plows. Three specific units of different types may automatically synchronize for operating a particular snow plow in response to commands from the remote. The VCM may be capable of automatically detecting a connection status of a snow plow, enabling/disabling snow plow lights and vehicle lights based on the connection status, controlling enabled vehicle lights, and wirelessly controlling enabled snow plow lights. The remote may wirelessly transmit commands either directly to the PCM, or to the VCM for forwarding to the PCM.

Abstract: A V-blade snowplow having both full moldboard trip and trip edge capabilities. The V-blade has first and second moldboards that not only can pivot against a restoring force of one or more trip springs extending intermediate a pivot frame and a push frame of the snowplow, but the moldboard of each wing of the V-plow has associated therewith a respective cutting edge hingedly secured along a base thereof, the cutting edge biased toward an untripped position in substantial alignment with the base of the moldboard by one or more trip edge springs. The maximum angle of deflection of the cutting edges is preferably about 40°, which is lower than the maximum angle of deflection of cutting edges of V-plows only exhibiting trip edge capability.

Abstract: A safety system for a wireless snowplow controller makes the wireless controller safer and more effective. The system includes a vehicle, a snowplow, a wireless controller and a tether. The controller wirelessly sends one or more control signs to one or more control modules coupled to the vehicle and/or the snowplow. The control signals may be used to control operation of the snowplow. The controller may be configured such that it is only able to send control signals when it is connected, via the tether, to a power supply coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber.

Abstract: A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber.

Abstract: Wireless snow plow control methods and systems may include at least three units in mutual wireless communicative connection: a plow control module (PCM), a vehicle control module (VCM), and a remote controller. Each unit may be capable of operating with any one of a plurality of units of another type, with any one of multiple types of vehicles, and with any one of multiple types of snow plows. Three specific units of different types may automatically synchronize for operating a particular snow plow in response to commands from the remote. The VCM may be capable of automatically detecting a connection status of a snow plow, enabling/disabling snow plow lights and vehicle lights based on the connection status, controlling enabled vehicle lights, and wirelessly controlling enabled snow plow lights. The remote may wirelessly transmit commands either directly to the PCM, or to the VCM for forwarding to the PCM.

Abstract: A safety system for a wireless snowplow controller makes the wireless controller safer and more effective. The system includes a vehicle, a snowplow, a wireless controller and a tether. The controller wirelessly sends one or more control signs to one or more control modules coupled to the vehicle and/or the snowplow. The control signals may be used to control operation of the snowplow. The controller may be configured such that it is only able to send control signals when it is connected, via the tether, to a power supply coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber.

Abstract: A V-blade plow has adjustable first and second blades, each with an inner end that is rotatably connected to a pivot frame. The plow is provided with a cutting edge arrangement comprising first and second edge segments and a center edge segment there between. The first edge segment is removably attached to the first plow blade and projects downward below the bottom edge of the first plow blade. The second edge segment is removably attached to the second plow blade projecting below the bottom edge of the second plow blade. The center edge segment is mounted beneath the pivot frame and is attached to the first and second plow blades to prevent the material being plowed from passing beneath the pivot frame between the blades.

Abstract: A spreader is provided with a lift mechanism to facilitate attachment to and detachment from a work vehicle. A hitch is permanently mounted on the work vehicle and has a pair of slots. A hopper is provided to hold the material being distributed by the spreader. The lift mechanism has a first member that is attached to the hopper, and a second member that has a pair of latch pins that are releasably received in the pair of slots. A linear actuator produces movement between the first and second members and thus between the hopper and the hitch when the latch pins are in the slots.

Abstract: A hand-held control device for a V-blade plow in which left and right plow blade wings are pivotally mounted on a vertical pivot on a vehicle mounting frame and actuated about the vertical pivot by electric switch-controlled hydraulic actuators, there being an electric switch to control the extension of a hydraulic actuator, respectively, and an electrical switch for controlling retraction of the hydraulic actuator, respectively. Each electrical switch has an associated thumb actuator, the thumb actuators being in an array so that an operator's thumb or finger can actuate two thumb actuators simultaneously while gripping the hand-held control device with the same hand. The plow includes a third hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the frame relative to ground and an electric switch pair for controlling extension and retraction, respectively, of the third hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powered attachment system for coupling a plow or other implement to a vehicle. A plow lift cylinder extends to push the coupler up into position, aligning spring-loaded upper pins. Further, the spring-loaded pins automatically engage when the coupler holes are aligned with those of the push beam.

Abstract: A plow having a frame attached to a vehicle and a pair of hinged plow blades pivotally mounted on the frame, a first single acting hydraulic actuator extending between the frame and a first one of the plow blades, a second single acting hydraulic actuator extending between the frame and a second of the plow blades, a first tension spring extending between the first one of the plow blades and the frame, a second extension spring extending between the second plow blade and the frame. Each of the single acting cylinders includes a piston on a cylinder, characterized by each single acting hydraulic actuator includes hydraulic valve elements for locking the blades in position to prevent loss of material mass behind the blades when the plow is being used to back blade. In one embodiment, the single acting hydraulic actuators include a counterbalance valve located in the position of the cylinder to provide hydraulic locking and overload protection.

Abstract: A V-blade plow having a pair of adjustable plow blades. Each plow blade has an inner end pivoted on a central pivot assembly. A plowed material catcher member is mounted below the central pivot assembly to prevent a trail of snow from passing through any space between the inner ends of the blades at any position of blade adjustment. The plowed material catcher member includes an arcuate ramp portion which projects forwardly of the central pivot assembly and directs snow to the blades respectively. The catcher member is made from a material selected from rubber, plastic or metal.