Abstract: A snow blower including an auger housing, an auger rotatably positioned within the auger housing and configured to blow snow, a shaft attached to the auger and the auger housing, a chute attached to the auger housing and configured to direct the snow blown by the auger away from the snow blower, and at least one sensor configured to detect at least one of a rotational speed of the auger or the shaft and a load, torque, and/or thrust on the shaft or the auger housing. The data collected by the at least one sensor is used to determine an instantaneous flow rate of snow.

Abstract: A burden on an operation of an operator is reduced. A working machine includes a grid light that projects a grid light of a grid-shaped pattern, and a control unit that control the vehicle in accordance with deformation of the pattern of the grid light according to a shape of a projection spot.

Abstract: Control devices and systems for self-propelled machinery and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a control device for self-propelled machinery includes a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion and at least one pressure sensitive trigger control provided over either the first or the second gripping portion. The trigger control can be configured to reduce a speed of the self-propelled machinery by actuating a portion of a potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device. In some aspects, the control device can electrically communicate with a control unit of the self-propelled machinery.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to adjustable ground speed control devices, systems, and methods for walk-behind equipment. A variable speed control system may include a control system base, a control lever selectively movable with respect to the control system base between a first operating position and a second operating position, a mode actuator positioned on the control system base for toggling between a standard mode and a selection mode, and an adjustment actuator positioned on the control system base in communication with a control unit to toggle between a first control mode and a second control mode when the mode actuator is in selection mode. The control unit applies a first acceleration profile to accelerate from the minimum operating speed to the variable maximum operating speed when in the first control mode and a second acceleration profile when in the second control mode.

Abstract: A snow blower attachment includes a concentric axis fan and auger, the fan and auger being independently powered by respective motors and being axially operably coupled for support and for independent rotation of the fan and auger.

Abstract: A self-propelled snow remover has a machine body, travel units mounted on the machine body to undergo turning movement and linear movement, and at least one steering member mounted to the machine body and operable to turn the travel units. A snow-removing implement is mounted to the machine body to undergo lifting, lowering and rolling movements relative to the machine body. A lift drive mechanism lifts and lowers the snow-removing implement. A control unit controls the lift drive mechanism by issuing a lift drive instruction to the lift drive mechanism so as to automatically lift the snow-removing implement when a steering condition in which the steering member is turned is determined to be satisfied, and by issuing a lowering drive instruction to the lift drive mechanism so as to automatically lower the snow-removing implement when the steering condition is determined to be no longer satisfied.

Abstract: A snow blower has an adaptive speed control, optionally an open carrier differential, which is optionally selectively lockable. The auger is preferably chain driven. The engine output shaft optionally has a first fixedly secured pulley and a second clutched pulley. The discharge chute can be guided in rotation by an idler wheel. The chute can be rotatably actuated by a cable assembly controlled by a rotatable handle.

Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled working machine has a machine body, a working unit mounted on the machine body to perform a working operation, an engine mounted on the machine body to drive the working unit, and a traveling unit mounted on the machine body and drivable to cause the machine body to travel. A control unit controls operations of the working unit and the traveling unit. An operating section is operatable by a human operator to provide signals to the control unit to control operations of the working unit and the traveling unit. A mode selector switch is mounted on the operating section for operation by the human operator to select one working operation mode from among plural alternative working operation modes that are set in advance in the control unit on the basis of a combination of a travel speed of the machine body, a revolving speed of the engine, and an opening of a throttle valve associated with the engine.

Abstract: A self-propelled working machine has a pair of transporting parts, a working part, an engine for driving at least the working part, and a main switch for turning the engine on and off. A locomotion preparation switch produces a command for moving the transporting parts when turned on and produces a stop command for stopping movement of the transporting parts when turned off. A locomotion speed setting member orders a target locomotion speed of the transporting parts. A work switch switches the working part on and off. A control part stops the engine when a first condition that the main switch is on, a second condition that the locomotion preparation switch is off, a third condition that the transporting parts have stopped moving and the target locomotion speed ordered by the locomotion speed setting member is zero, and a fourth condition that the work switch is off, are satisfied.

Abstract: An overload prevention device has a first rotational member for driving engagement with an input shaft of an auger transmission of a snow removing machine, a second rotational member engaging the first rotational member for rotation therewith over a predetermined torque range and for rotation relative thereto when a predetermined torque is exceeded, and a movable member mounted adjacent to the first rotational member for undergoing movement to restrict a rotating angle of the second rotational member. A detector outputs a detection signal each time the detector detects movement of the movable member in a direction away from the first rotational member when protuberances of the movable member engage protrusions of the first rotational member responsive to relative rotation between the first and second rotational members. A control unit stops operation of the engine when the detector outputs the detection signal a preselected number of times within a preselected time period.

Abstract: A snow tiller (10) suitable for grooming ski hills, trails, or other areas, provides an adjustable profile tiller assembly. The snow tiller (10) is preferably pulled by a tracked vehicle (12) and has a tiller assembly formed of a plurality of tiller subassemblies (56,58). By varying the respective orientation of the tiller subassemblies (56,58), the snow tiller (10) can selectively provide coactive, level, convex, or more complex snow profiles depending upon the tiller configuration, snow conditions, and the intended uses. The snow tiller (10) also provides a control system to substantially maintain a selected snow profile while selectively permitting individual tiller subassemblies to float, thereby reducing the possibility of damage. The assembly can simultaneously provide an automatic release mode to protect the equipment from damage.

Abstract: An overload prevention device of a snow-removing machine which can distinguish between momentary overloading occurring when an auger has hit a curbstone or the like and continuous overloading caused by the auger biting into snow or debris. When overloading arises in the auger, a slide washer provided adjacent to a side face of a worm wheel moving away from the side face is detected by a washer detector switch. When a detection signal from this detector reaches a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, a control unit controls an engine to stop.

Abstract: Snow track preparation machine with mill installed in a revolving manner and including a pump driven by a power source, a hydraulic motor connected to the pump on the delivery side and the return side, an actuator supported on the assembly frame and realized for rotation of the mill and driving wheels. The power source is made up of a motor (2) which drives the driving wheels (5,6) and the pump (9) and actuator (16) are influenced by a control unit (17) connected to a sensor of motor rpm nD, to a sensor of the rpm of the driving wheels na1 and na2, to a sensor for the hydraulic motor of the mill and an actuator path sensor with the control unit (17) connecting the magnitudes detected by the sensors by means of an algorithm and controlling on the basis thereof the pump (9) and the actuator.

Abstract: A power transmission system for use in a snow-removing machine has a drive shaft having a first end for supporting a snow blower having a forward end and a rearward end. The drive shaft has second end disposed opposite the first end and for extension from the forward end of the snow blower. An auger transmission is connected to the second end of the drive shaft and has an auger shaft for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the drive shaft. An auger is mounted on the auger shaft for rotation therewith. An overload protecting mechanism is disposed between the snow blower and the auger transmission for preventing application of a power overload between the drive shaft and the auger.

Abstract: An overload protecting device assembled in an auger transmission is disclosed as including a worm wheel having its side wall formed with a plurality of wheel-side protruding segments, a boss member engaging with the wheel and fixedly coupled to an auger shaft for non-rotating relationship, and a slide washer having a plurality of wheel-side projections facing the wheel-side protruding segments. When the auger shaft encounters a torque exceeding a given value, the worm wheel and the boss member are enabled to rotate relative to one another. As the wheel-side projections ride on the protruding segments, the slide washer is moved in a direction opposed to the worm wheel. A washer detection switch detects such a movement to produce a detection signal to forcibly stop the operation of an engine.

Abstract: A walk behind self-propelled crawler snowplow includes a snowplow mechanism driven by an engine via a belt drive power transmission mechanism, and an overload protection device associated with the belt drive power transmission mechanism for protecting the engine against overload. The overload protection device comprises a tension sensor for detecting the tension in an endless belt and generating an electric overload signal to disengage an electromagnetic clutch in the belt drive power transmission mechanism when a belt tension greater than a predetermined value is detected.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a modular architecture to organize and coordinate components that are needed to automate earthmoving tasks, and to coordinate the flow of data between the components is disclosed. The architecture includes three main subdivisions: a sensor pipeline, sensor data consumers, and motion planners and executors. The sensor pipeline receives raw sensor data from perceptual sensors such as a laser rangefinder or radar system, and converts the data into a form which is usable by the other system components. Sensor data can also be represented in the form of an elevation map of the surrounding terrain for other software components to use. Any number and types of sensor systems may be added to the software architecture depending on requirements and the capabilities of the system. The sensor data consumers use the sensor data as input to specific algorithms to produce information regarding the machine's environment for use by other system components.

Abstract: A safety cut-off system prevents the running of a motor of a self-propelled lawn mower having left and right drive wheels, and forward and reverse gears. The safety cut-off system includes a first forward presence lever manipulatable, by an operator, between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein the forward presence lever is biased to the OFF state, and a reverse presence lever manipulatable, by an operator, between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein the reverse presence lever is also biased to the OFF state. A preventing element, which is responsive to the forward and reverse presence levers, is provided for preventing the motor from running, when the lawn mower is in neutral or a forward gear and neither the forward presence lever nor the reverse presence lever are in the ON state, and when the lawn mower is in a reverse gear and the reverse presence lever is not in the ON state.

Abstract: A transmission and brake assembly for driving the auger of a snow blower wherein the transmission includes a multiple disk wet clutch and the brake is juxtaposed to this clutch but separated from it by a wall so that the liquid will not adversely effect the frictional brake. An operating mechanism is incorporated that effects release of the brake upon engagement of the clutch and vice versa with a lost motion period wherein both are disengaged.

Abstract: An accident preventing arrangement for rotary snowplows includes a front safety bar in front of the rotating blades. When lowered, the safety bar actuates switches which, in turn, not only disengage a clutch for a drive shaft which rotates the blades, but also instantaneously brakes the blades. Another switch located in a driver's cab performs the same functions by manual operator control.

Abstract: A dead-man lever control system for apparatus such as a snow blower or lawnmower includes a latch and key arrangement connected to the levers which permits the levers to be operated independently or conjointly, and which also permits one lever to be locked out by the other. Provision may be made for the locked-out lever to over-ride the lock-out by applying a greater than normal force to the lever.

Abstract: A snow-sweeping roller for replaceable attachment to a utility road vehicle (1) having brush-equipped roller (4) rotatably affixed at the underside of the vehicle. To achieve low-wear operation of the sweeper roller (4) and simultaneously low energy consumption, a control device is provided for adjusting and changing roller rpm in accordance with the following factors:(a) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller changes in proportion to vehicle speed (f);(b) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller has a ratio to the vehicle speed (f) that ranges from unity to two; and(c) A minimum value of the circumferential speed (w-min) of the roller is established for when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stationary.

Abstract: A hand control system for a motorized implement such as a snowblower, lawn mower or tiller having a U-shaped handle in which a pair of control levers and a U-shaped bail are pivotally mounted on the handle such that the control levers can be pivoted independently or conjointly by the bail from a first, at-rest, inoperative position distal from the handle to a second, operative position proximate to the handle. The bail co-operates with the control levers to permit sequential activation of one control lever before the other for improved operation of the implement, permits one-handed control of the implement from various positions on the implement handle, and at all times maintains the safety feature of a "deadman" control.

Abstract: A snow plow including an automotive car body equipped with an engine, a transmission and a clutch means; an operation-frame attached to the rear upper portion of said car body; a clutch operation means attached to said operation frame, said clutch operation means being designed to operate for disengaging said clutch means; and a snow plow apparatus mounted on the car body, wherein said operation frame is provided with an upper guard frame having a substantially same width as the car body with freedom of oscillation; the car body is provided, under said upper guard frame, with a lower guard frame having a substantially same width as the car body with freedom of oscillation; said both guard frames are connected by means of a first connecting means; and any one of both guard frames is connected with the clutch operation means by means of a second connecting means so that when an impact is applied on either guard frame the clutch operation means is designed to operate for disengaging the clutch means.

Abstract: A manual electrically powered snow throwing device has features that allow it to be used either in a shovel mode or in a pushing and pulling mode. The device has an upper handgrip with forward and rearward handgrip portions. The forward handgrip portion is located on the same axis as that of the handle. The rearward handgrip portion extends downwardly from the forward handgrip portion. The triggers are mounted to both forward and rearward handgrip portions. These triggers are connected in parallel, so that each will independently control the motor. The forward handgrip portion is used for a shovelling motion, while the rearward handgrip portion is used for pushing and pulling motion.