Abstract: A light signaling system for a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system and an auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device. The light signaling system includes a control module mounted to the vehicle. The control module is electrically coupled to one or more lights of the vehicle lighting system of the vehicle and to one or more lights of the auxiliary lighting system. The control module is configured to cause one or more lights, to which it is electrically coupled, to flash on and off.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system for use on a motor vehicle having an auxiliary device assembled on the motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle lighting system includes a first lighting system located on a body of the vehicle. The first lighting system has a plurality of different lights. A second lighting system is located on the auxiliary device. The second lighting system has a plurality of different lights. A control circuit operates one or more of the plurality of different lights in the second lighting system based on an operating sequence of one or more of the plurality of different lights in the first lighting system.

Abstract: A light signaling system for a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system and an auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device. The light signaling system includes a control module mounted to the vehicle. The control module is electrically coupled to one or more lights of the vehicle lighting system of the vehicle and to one or more lights of the auxiliary lighting system. The control module is configured to cause one or more lights, to which it is electrically coupled, to flash on and off.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for use with an auxiliary device assembled on a vehicle, where the vehicle has a vehicle lighting system that includes a vehicle headlight and a headlight control for switching between operational states of the vehicle headlight. The auxiliary lighting system includes a secondary auxiliary headlight, and a control circuit that causes the secondary auxiliary headlight to turn on depending on an operating mode of the auxiliary device. In a particular embodiment, the control circuit operates the secondary auxiliary headlight based the operating mode of the auxiliary device and an operating mode of the auxiliary lighting system.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hopper spreader apparatus for spreading granular material is provided. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a hopper, a spreading unit, and a dispensing unit. The hopper has a storage cavity for storing the granular material to be spread. The spreading unit spreads the granular material. The dispensing system transports the granular material from the hopper to the spreading unit. The dispensing system includes a conveying unit and a rotating first roll. The conveying unit conveys the granular material toward the spreading unit. The rotating first roll controls a flow of granular material from the hopper to the conveying unit. The use of the rotating roll allows for control of high flow material (such as for example dry salt) while allowing for improved collapse and break-up of low flow material (such as for example wetted sand).

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for an auxiliary device and methods are provided. The auxiliary lighting system senses the operational state of various ones of the vehicle lights of the vehicle and operably controls the operational state of various auxiliary lights based on the operational state of one or more of the vehicle lights. The method includes controlling the auxiliary lighting system based on the operational state of the vehicle lights.

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hopper spreader apparatus for spreading granular material is provided. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a hopper, a spreading unit, and a dispensing unit. The hopper has a storage cavity for storing the granular material to be spread. The spreading unit spreads the granular material. The dispensing system transports the granular material from the hopper to the spreading unit. The dispensing system includes a conveying unit and a rotating first roll. The conveying unit conveys the granular material toward the spreading unit. The rotating first roll controls a flow of granular material from the hopper to the conveying unit. The use of the rotating roll allows for control of high flow material (such as for example dry salt) while allowing for improved collapse and break-up of low flow material (such as for example wetted sand).

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A hopper spreader for installation on a vehicle has a flow regulator configured to regulate flow of particulate material from the container. The spreader has a conveyor mechanism for conveying particulate material to a spinner that distributes the particulate material to the surface over which the vehicle moves. The spreader also includes a flow regulation mechanism located between the particulate material in the hopper and the conveyor mechanism which is configured to regulate flow of material from the hopper to the conveyor mechanism.

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 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: A snow plow blade is provided including a support frame and a moldboard. The moldboard is constructed of a metal material preferably painted with a paint including a polyurethane binding agent. The moldboard surface is contacted with a 100% solids polyurethane component providing an abrasion resistant, non-stick coating chemically bonded to the contacted surfaces of the snow plow blade.

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: 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.