Abstract: A non-powered lift mechanism may be used with a vehicle, such as an ATV, having a support rack and a snowplow assembly including a blade that plows snow. The lift mechanism may include a frame that is mounted to the support rack; an input shaft pivotally mounted to the frame; a handle that is operatively attached to the input shaft; and, a cable having one end connected to the input shaft and a second end connected to the blade. The handle may be manually adjusted by the operator to pivot the input shaft to cause the cable to adjust the blade between: an operational/lowered position; and, a non-operational/raised position.

Abstract: By controlling the dimensions of a snowplow blade, improved snowplow performance may be achieved. In one embodiment, the snow that is being plowed moves both upward and outward from the mid-section of the snowplow blade toward and beyond each end of the snowplow blade.

Abstract: A snowplow assembly may combine a wireless control system used to raise and lower a plow blade with a mechanism that automatically pivots the plow blade from side to side based on the load encountered by the plow blade.

Abstract: A support assembly that includes first and second frame components may be used to support a plow blade to a vehicle. The first frame component may have a first end defining a first pivot axis about which the plow blade pivots when it is moved side-to-side. The second frame component may have a first end that defines a second pivot axis about which the second frame component, the first frame component and the plow blade pivot when the plow blade is raised or lowered. A second end of the first frame component may be pivotally attached to a second end of the second frame component about a third pivot axis. The first frame component and the plow blade may automatically pivot together about the third pivot axis to maintain the plow blade in a level orientation even when the plow blade is both raised and moved side-to-side.

Abstract: The invention is directed at devices and methods for regulating the operation of a spreader assembly's particulate material distribution in response to changing vehicle conditions.

Abstract: A spreader assembly may include a hopper, an auger mechanism, a torque sensor that provides a signal based on a condition of the auger mechanism and, a controller that receives the signal from the torque sensor and determines a fill status of the hopper based on the signal from the torque sensor.

Abstract: A non-powered lift mechanism may be used with a vehicle, such as an ATV, having a support rack and a snowplow assembly including a blade that plows snow. The lift mechanism may include a frame that is mounted to the support rack; an input shaft pivotally mounted to the frame; a handle that is operatively attached to the input shaft; and, a cable having one end connected to the input shaft and a second end connected to the blade. The handle may be manually adjusted by the operator to pivot the input shaft to cause the cable to adjust the blade between: an operational/lowered position; and, a non-operational/raised position.

Abstract: By controlling the dimensions of a snowplow blade, improved snowplow performance may be achieved. In one embodiment, the snow that is being plowed moves both upward and outward from the mid-section of the snowplow blade toward and beyond each end of the snowplow blade.

Abstract: A snowplow assembly may combine a wireless control system used to raise and lower a plow blade with a mechanism that automatically pivots the plow blade from side to side based on the load encountered by the plow blade.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a salt wetting apparatus. In another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a brine dispensing apparatus. In yet another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader, a salt wetting apparatus, and a brine dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A spreader assembly may include a hopper, a spinner plate and an aperture adjustment mechanism. The aperture adjustment mechanism may include a gate supported to the frame and defining an aperture through which material travels on its way to the spinner plate; and, a motor suitable to adjust the size of the aperture and thereby to control the flow of the material onto the spinner plate.

Abstract: A spreader assembly may include a hopper, an auger mechanism, a torque sensor that provides a signal based on a condition of the auger mechanism and, a controller that receives the signal from the torque sensor and determines a fill status of the hopper based on the signal from the torque sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed at devices and methods for regulating the operation of a spreader assembly's particulate material distribution in response to changing vehicle conditions.