Abstract: A frame of a work vehicle includes an upper plate that has a plate shape and that forms an upper surface of the frame extending along a front-rear direction; a lower plate that has a plate shape and that is opposite to the upper plate in an up-down direction and forms a lower surface of the frame; a vertical wall that is disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate in the up-down direction and connects the upper plate to the lower plate; and an attachment portion to which an actuator that moves work equipment in the up-down direction is attached, in which at least one of the upper plate and the lower plate includes a center portion, a first extension portion extending from the center portion, a second extension portion extending from the center portion, and a continuous portion connecting the first extension portion to the second extension portion.

Abstract: A tow-behind snow groomer for forming lanes with barrier mounds (in tubing parks or on ski slopes) includes first and second pans having bottom panels, with front panels and inner panels extending upwardly from the bottom panels, respectively. A central chamber between the first and second pans includes a chamber upper panel bridging the first and second pan inner panels. The groomer can be secured to a vehicle via a vehicle mounting plate. When the groomer is driven over snow, the groomer displaces snow such that the first and second pans form first and second lanes, respectively, with the central chamber forming a central mound between the first and second lanes. First and second wings facilitate formation of peripheral mounds. The central and peripheral mounds are at higher elevations than both the first and second lanes, helping tubers stay in one lane without crossing into other lanes.

Abstract: A ski slope snow grooming method, whereby a ski slope grooming implement is moved in a travelling direction along the snow covering; and coherent-energy beams are projected onto the snow covering to form furrows in the snow covering.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted ice-scraping mechanism includes a tool carrier mounted on the vehicle, and a plurality of non-rotatable ice-scraping tools mounted on the tool carrier and depending downwardly therefrom. Each tool includes a shank mounted to the tool carrier, and a cutting head depending downwardly from the shank. The cutting head is formed of a steel main body, and a carbide insert is mounted in the steel body at a location spaced from a front end of the steel body. During a wear-in period, front and bottom surfaces of the steel body define a rake face and a clearance face, respectively, of the tool. After the wear-in period, front and bottom surfaces of the insert define the rake face and clearance face, respectively. The tool is oriented such that the shank and the rake face extend upwardly and forwardly to define a positive rake angle. The tool shanks are cylindrical and are mounted in cylindrical bores in the tool carrier.

Abstract: A snow groomer tow frame alignment device which automatically centers the implement in line with the vehicle without the visual attention of the vehicle operator. The device utilizes a pair of inductive proximity switches and a corresponding metallic shield disposed around a frame stem pivot, switching in response to misalignment, initiating circuits directing a fluid control valve to actuate to provide fluid to alignment restoring cylinder and ram assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing compressed snow and the like, includes a steam cutter provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending steam pipes connected to a steam header, with each of the steam pipes having a steam discharging opening formed in its undersurface, and an excluding blade located behind the steam cutter. The blade is disposed at an angle of inclination with respect to an advancing direction of the removing apparatus, which angle can be adjusted.

Abstract: In the realm of snow grooming devices for ski hills, a unique snow tiller is disclosed. The snow tiller is pulled by a tracked vehicle and has a snow chamber which can be varied in size and dimension. The tiller is also equipped with a cutting drum which works the snow for a longer period of time when the snow chamber is enlarged. By varying the angle of the trailing bar mounted on a flexible membrane, which forms the outer bounds of the snow chamber, more or less snow is retained in the chamber depending upon snow conditions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing ridges on snow covered fields are described. A row of snow is severed from the snow cover and elevated to provide a trench in the snow cover. The row is then deflected to one side of the trench and deposited on the undisturbed snow covering beside the trench. This produces a wind barrier on the snow covered field, reducing wind erosion of the snow cover. In preferred embodiments, two spaced trenches are cut and the rows of snow removed from them are placed on the undisturbed ridge of snow between them. In the apparatus, the rows of snow are severed, elevated and deposited by a support plate carried on two runners. The support plate floats on the undisturbed center ridge of snow. The two rows are deflected to side by side positions for deposit on top of the undisturbed center ridge by a pair of adjustable deflector plates. The two runners are supported on adjustable skis so that depth control is possible.

Abstract: A snow plow member is attached to selected ones of the shanks of a cultivator frame by inserting the leading edges of the sweep at the lower end of the shank into slots formed on the rear surface of the snow plow member. A leading edge of the snow plow member follows the C-shaped curvature of the shank. The shank is clamped to the underside of the snow plow member. With such snow plow members attached to selected ones of the cultivator shanks, the snow plow members can be used to form furrows in the snow which acts to trap additional snow and to prevent the snow from being stripped from the field. The resultant increased accumulations of snow provide additional moisture retention for the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski-track forming apparatus with a track-forming unit (1) having two parallel track-forming tools (2), extending in the track direction. In order to form a ski-track, when a ski course is formed, along the ideal line of the course in one operation, the track-forming unit (1) is fastened to the end of an arm (3) the other end of which is supported for horizontal and transverse movement relative to the track direction on a guide rod support means (4) which can be mounted on a vehicle (VD), which is preferably a track-laying levelling caterpillar vehicle.

Abstract: A cross country ski grooming device comprising a track sled adapted to be towed by a vehicle in the direction of the track and having a pair of spaced apart tracking elements on the underside of the sled oriented in the direction of the track. Each tracking element comprises an elongated body which is trapezoidal in cross section and has a pointed wedge at its front end. The present invention lies in the improvement of the structure of the tracking elements by displacing the forward wedge tips away from the longitudinal center line of each tracking element in the direction toward the space between the tracking elements. This reduces the amount of snow passing between the tracking elements as the device is moved through the snow, eliminating objectionable compacting of the center ridge between the ski tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming cross country ski tracks in a snow covered surface has a trailer frame adapted to be connected to the rear end of a vehicle. A lifting frame is connected to the trailer frame for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis. The lifting frame has a pair of parallel guide members extending longitudinally from the trailer frame to a transversally extending crossbar. The guide members are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a central axis common to the lifting frame, the trailer frame, and the vehicle. At least one cross country ski track forming device is connected to the crossbar for pivotal movement about a second horizontal axis. A positioning device is connected between the trailer frame and the lifting frame.