Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: An example snow blower machine includes a first stage snow mover and a second stage snow mover. Snow is received at an inlet opening of the first stage and expels snow to the discharge opening. In a second stage, an impeller chamber receives snow from the first stage. The impeller chamber extends from a snow receiving end proximate the discharge opening to a distal end rearward of the discharge opening. To receive expelled snow from the first stage and deliver the snow to a second discharge opening, an impeller rotatable around an impeller axis at a hub is disposed in the impeller chamber. The impeller may be rotated by an impeller motor having a motor body that is at least partially disposed within the hub.

Abstract: An impeller for a snowblowing apparatus and a snowblower being designed to rotate about a rotation axis and is including a front axial region to receive snow therein, a rear axial region and a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including snow-engaging portions generally located toward the front axial region, wherein the snow-engaging portions are radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis over the impeller's eye, at least some of the snow engaging portions including an angle of attack toward the front axial region for engaging snow when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A snow plow-blower operates as a snow plow, snow blower, or as a snow plow-blower combination. The device includes a plow head blade optionally having retractable/pivotal scoop wings and a cavity with an aperture with blower doors and a blower unit. The snow blower unit includes an auger and impeller to move snow into the unit and force it out of a discharge chute. Blower doors are provided over the snow blower unit cavity to prevent snow from entering into the cavity when the blower is off. Optionally, the blower doors move along a track and rest flush against the plow head to open and close off access to the cavity. Alternatively, the blower doors are hingedly mounted to pivot to open and closed positions. The blower doors may be constructed to operate as blower blades to direct snow into the blower unit; alternatively, separate blower blades are provided to optimize snow removal and mitigate jamming/clogging.

Abstract: An excavation control system includes a working unit, hydraulic cylinders, a prospective speed obtaining part, a relative speed obtaining part, a speed limit selecting part and a hydraulic cylinder controlling part. The prospective speed obtaining part obtains first and second prospective speeds depending on first and second intervals between first and second monitoring points of the bucket and a designed surface, respectively. The relative speed obtaining part obtains first and second relative speeds of the first and second monitoring points relative to the designed surface, respectively. The speed limit selecting part selects one of the first and second prospective speeds as a speed limit based on relative relations between the first and second relative speeds and the first and second prospective speeds, respectively. The hydraulic cylinder controlling part limits a relative speed of one of the first and second monitoring points to the speed limit.

Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending between opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft for pushing loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft for pushing snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward. The third stage assembly includes an impeller that rotates to throw the snow through a chute attached to the housing to expel the snow from the housing.

Abstract: A zero-turn utility vehicle includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels disposed proximate to the front end of the frame, a rear wheel disposed proximate to the rear end of the frame, a prime mover supported by the frame above the drive wheels, the prime mover configured to power the drive wheels, a seat supported by the central structure, the seat disposed between the prime mover and the rear end, the seat configured to support a user facing towards the front end in a normal operating position, a pair of footrests located on opposite sides of the seat, a tool attachment coupled to the frame and powered by the prime mover, and user controls configured to operate the drive wheels, wherein each of the drive wheels may be operated independently with the user controls.

Abstract: A snow plow-blower operates as a snow plow, snow blower, or as a snow plow-blower combination. The device includes a plow head blade optionally having retractable/pivotal scoop wings and a cavity with an aperture with blower doors and a blower unit. The snow blower unit includes an auger and impeller to move snow into the unit and force it out of a discharge chute. Blower doors are provided over the snow blower unit cavity to prevent snow from entering into the cavity when the blower is off. Optionally, the blower doors move along a track and rest flush against the plow head to open and close off access to the cavity. Alternatively, the blower doors are hingedly mounted to pivot to open and closed positions. The blower doors may be constructed to operate as blower blades to direct snow into the blower unit; alternatively, separate blower blades are provided to optimize snow removal and mitigate jamming/clogging.

Abstract: A material dispenser that may be used with a snow removal machine is comprised of a container, broadcaster actuator, and broadcaster in one embodiment. The material dispenser allows the operator to broadcast dry treatment material from a container mounted to the snow removal machine regardless of whether the precipitation engaging member of the snow removal machine is operating. The broadcaster actuator operates to cause the treatment material to be placed on or adjacent the path of the snow removal machine. The broadcast actuator may be positioned on a handle member of the snow removal machine so that it is convenient for the operator to engage the broadcast actuator while operating the snow removal machine or when the precipitation engaging member is not removing precipitation. A slide gate may be used to throttle the volume of treatment material exiting the container, and a slide gate actuator may be remotely mounted.

Abstract: A snow blower has an auger housing that pivots relative to an axle supporting ground engaging members of the snow blower or about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the snow blower.

Abstract: A snow blower is provided that includes a muffler and a heater box that has a top wall. The heater box has a plurality of side walls that extend from the top wall. The top wall and side walls define an interior of the heater box. One of the side walls defines a muffler aperture for use in venting exhaust gases from the muffler. The muffler is at least partially located in the interior of the heater box so that the side walls of the heater box surround at least a portion of all of the sides of the muffler.

Abstract: An engine of a snow blower is arranged with a crankshaft along a front to rear direction of the snow blower, and an output shaft, with an outer circumferential portion on which a drive pulley is fixed, is provided in a front end portion of the crankshaft. Further, an intermediate shaft with a rear end circumference on which a driven pulley is fixed and with a front end circumference, on which an impeller drive pulley is fixed, is arranged to extend toward a front direction higher than the output shaft. An impeller drive shaft with a rear end circumference on which an impeller driven pulley is fixed is arranged to extend toward the front direction more downward than the intermediate shaft. A first transmission belt is meshed with the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a second transmission belt is meshed with the impeller drive pulley and the impeller driven pulley. Using this arrangement, it is possible to provide a snow blower with a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A chute control assembly and related methods for mounting a motor to a snowblower are disclosed, wherein the motor is capable of being operated to rotate the chute of the snowblower. The motor and a chute bottom holding bracket can be preassembled so that the assembly can then be slipped over the chute gear for final assembly. The motor can receive electrical impulses from the movement of a standard control handle mounted on the snowblower. The electrical impulses can cause the motor to rotate a worm gear or pinion in either direction depending on the movement of the handle. The worm gear or pinion can rotate a gear chute in an appropriate direction, thereby rotating the chute of the snowblower.

Abstract: A soil spreading scraper device comprises a cutting blade for cutting a top layer of soil from the ground, a kicker for throwing the cut soil rearward from the cutting blade, and an impeller member rotatable within a plane of rotation extending upward and rearward from the cutting blade for capturing the soil thrown by the kicker and spreading the cut soil generally radially outward relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller. A gearbox which receives power from a power takeoff of a towing vehicle directly drives the rotation of the impeller member in the preferred embodiment. The blades of the impeller members may include recessed portions adjacent the impeller axis in some embodiments to encourage soil being received in the impeller member even at higher rates of rotation, for example in the range of 250 to 320 RPM.

Abstract: A snow-plowing apparatus provided with a snow-removing member detachably attached to an end of a holding rod of a hand-pushed mower, in which an engine and a wheel are attached to a frame, having a detachable rotation transmitting portion, to which a mowing blade is attached and rotational driving force of an engine is transmitted, on the end of the holding rod extending from the engine forward and downward. The snow-removing member is provided with a snowplow rotating body rotated around a horizontal axis through the rotation transmitting portion to plow and shoot the snow. The snowplow rotating body is composed of three short rotating bodies. Each of the short rotating bodies has four snow-plowing blades disposed in peripheral direction with a predetermined pitch. And, the snowplow rotating body is composed of the three short rotating bodies mounted on a shaft body as the snow-plowing blades are dislocated one another in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: A two stage snowthrower includes snow removal components comprising a transversely extending auger housed within an auger housing. A generally cylindrical impeller housing is joined to a rear wall of the auger housing. A rotatable impeller within the impeller housing rotates within a circular cross-section of the impeller housing to throw snow upwardly through a snow discharge pipe. The snow discharge pipe is offset to one side of the impeller housing such that a first side wall of the snow discharge pipe is longer than a second side wall of the snow discharge pipe. The first side wall of the snow discharge pipe is joined to the circular cross-section of the impeller housing along a first edge where snow is thrown upwardly by the impeller. The circular cross-section of the impeller housing resumes at a second edge which is displaced laterally and below a lower edge of the second side wall.

Abstract: A snow blower attachment for a skid steer loader has a tall discharge chute used for loading high vehicles such as trucks. The discharge chute is folded in the center, and has a strut to support it in its working position. The strut is releasable for folding the chute, and has a saddle that rests on the snow blower housing so that the folded upper chute section is supported adequately during storage.

Abstract: A snow removal machine of this invention has a machine body, a snow removing section mounted on the machine body for removing snow while the snow removal machine travels along a ground surface, and a running section mounted on the machine body for undergoing movement to cause the snow removal machine to travel along the ground surface. An engine is mounted on the machine body for driving the snow removing section. An oil filler supplies oil to the engine. A fuel cock opens and closes a fuel line supply to the engine. A spark plug ignites a fuel mixture within the engine. A cover has a first cover portion and a second cover portion. A connecting structure connects the second cover portion to the first cover portion to cover the engine, the oil filler, the fuel cock and the spark plug and allows disconnection of the second cover portion from the first cover portion to expose and provide access to the engine, the oil filler, the fuel cock and the spark plug.

Abstract: A ground shoe assembly for a snowblower being of the type having an auger and mounted to a tractor, which the ground shoe assembly is pivotally mounted on the snowblower so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A snow removing machine having an electromagnetic clutch mounted to an output shaft of an engine, and a drive pulley. The electromagnetic clutch is mounted to a proximal end of the output shaft to be remotely separate from the engine. As a result, heat generated in the engine during operation thereof is not directly transferred to the electromagnet clutch whose magnetic force generated during operation is not deteriorated. The drive pulley is mounted to the output shaft at an area closer to the engine. The drive pulley has a lower weight than the electromagnet clutch, thereby mitigating load to be exerted to a part which supports the output shaft.

Abstract: A snow removal or ground-surface cleaning apparatus that is pushed or pulled by a prime mover. The apparatus has a drum array that includes rows of triple-stepped blade-like fingers distributed evenly around a drum array. These fingers are stiffly flexible and can cleanly and efficiently pick up snow and debris from uneven ground surfaces.

Abstract: A shield configuration for a snowthrowing discharge chute, which may be pivoted out of the way for clean-out purposes while reducing the opportunity for the user to extend a body part or other object into the chute while the engine is running. The apparatus makes a clean-out rod readily available to the user just after the shield has been opened.

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 chute structure for a snow removing machine includes first and second chutes connected through a hinge to each other. The hinge includes first and second hinge plates connected together by means of a connecting pin. The first hinge plate has a tubular portion through which the connecting pin extends. The length of the tubular portion is substantially equal to the width of the first chute. The second hinge plate has first and second plates. The first plate has an opening formed therein. The opening of the first plate is aligned with an entrance of the tubular portion. The second plate has an opening formed therein. The opening of the second plate is aligned with an exit of the tubular portion. The second hinge plate has a cover portion extending between the first plate and the second plate. The cover portion is integral with the first and second plates. The cover portion covers the tubular portion. Provision of the cover portion prevents snow from being discharged from around the hinge.

Abstract: A snow removal device that picks up snow from the ground and flicks the snow into impeller units that transport the snow into a discharge tube whence the snow is expelled from the system. The system primarily includes a pick-up assembly, an impeller assembly, and a discharge tube. The pick-up assembly has a drum array that includes rows of triple-stepped blade-like fingers distributed evenly around each drum of the array of drums. These fingers are stiffly flexible and can cleanly and efficiently pick up snow from uneven ground surfaces and flick the snow into the impeller assembly that is mounted parallel to the axis of the drum array. The impeller assembly includes a plurality of impeller units that transport the snow into the discharge tube. The impeller units are reversible in direction, allowing the snow to be discharged to the right or the left of the system, or to the right and left simultaneously.

Abstract: A pair of wing assemblies for attachment to a snow thrower or snow blower employing an impeller within a housing and having a forward opening therein to facilitate the feeding of snow to the impeller. The wing assemblies are pivotally attached to the sides of the housing. In a first operative position, suitable for use after a light snowfall, the wings are positioned so as to diverge forwardly and thus increase the catchment area of the snow to be fed to the impeller, thereby improving the efficiency of operation of the snow thrower. In a second operative position, the wings are positioned so as to diverge rearwardly so as to push snow away from the snow thrower and increase the width of the path cleared. An inoperative third position with the wings folded laterally in front of the snow thrower permits compact storage of the snow thrower without having to remove the wing assemblies.

Abstract: A snow thrower (10) includes a rotatable wheel (12) for collecting the snow and a chute (14) for throwing the snow away from the snow thrower (10). The snow thrower (10) includes a motor (22) and a battery (24) connected thereto for providing power to the motor (22), which in turn drives a drive belt (28) to rotate the rotatable wheel (12). The battery (24) may be removed and replaced by sliding same out of the thrower housing (16), and includes spring biased contacts between the housing (16) and battery terminals to cause electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: A snow thrower (10) includes a rotatable wheel (12) for collecting the snow and a chute (14) for throwing the snow away from the snow thrower (10). The snow thrower (10) includes a motor (22) and a battery (24) connected thereto for providing power to the motor (22), which in turn drives a drive belt (28) to rotate the rotatable wheel (12). The battery (24) may be removed and replaced by sliding same out of the thrower housing (16), and includes spring biased contacts between the housing (16) and battery terminals to cause electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: A cylindrical tank is situated on a bed of a vehicle. A tank opening is provided at a top of the tank. An agitator is provided within the tank. A heating unit such as an oil fired boiler, comprises a burner unit situated on the bed, and fire tube heating elements which longitudinally span an interior surface of the tank. Drain outlets are provided in a bottom of the tank. Discharge tubes run from the drain outlets to discharge outlets beneath the tank. Drain hoses may be connected to the discharge outlets and routed to an appropriate drainage location. A plow blade apparatus is connected to a front of the cab. The plow blade apparatus is generally trough shaped and includes a first Archimedean screw disposed longitudinally therein. An inclined trough has a low end thereof disposed next to the plow blade apparatus. The inclined trough spans from the plow blade apparatus to a high end above the tank. The inclined trough contains a second Archimedean screw disposed longitudinally therein.

Abstract: Sweeping devices for utility vehicles with a rotatingly driven bristle roller have been known, which are covered on the top side by a protective housing and in front of which a feed screw extending in parallel to the bristle roller is arranged, and the feed screw is arranged, drivable by a motor, in a sweepings collection housing, which is provided with a rear charging opening and with a discharge opening at the end of the screw, wherein the sweepings collection housing has an obliquely downwardly directed baffle plate with a flexible bottom plate under its charging opening. To improve the mode of operation and the sweeping performance, especially at higher speeds of travel, the bristle roller is driven at such a speed of rotation that in the area located between it and the charging opening of the sweepings collection housing, it generates an air flow, which continues into the discharge opening of the sweepings collection housing, which is designed as a feed cup and a flow channel at the same time.

Abstract: An improved snowthrower is disclosed having a body with a front housing containing a power driven auger continuously engaged with the ground for propelling the snowthrower forward, and a bottom scraper edge carried by a rear wall of the housing biased for continuous resilient engagement with the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the housing is pivotally connected to the snowthrower body by a fixed mounting bracket and springs connected to the housing and mounting bracket pivotally urge the housing such that the scraper edge is biased for continuous contact with the ground. In a second embodiment, the housing is fixed directly to the snowthrower body, a scraper guard plate having a bottom scraper edge is slidably attached to the rear wall of the housing, and springs connected to the housing and the scraper guard plate slidably urge the scraper guard plate such that the scraper edge is biased for continuous contact with the ground.

Abstract: A rotary snow plough includes a ploughing drum, a running gear and a motor drive. A holding-down member is connected to the running gear and is arranged in front of the ploughing drum. The holding-down member includes upwardly directed holding-back surfaces. During operation, the rotating ploughing drum creates an upward reaction force, and snow lying above the holding-down surface creates an opposing downward reaction force. The effect developed by the holding-back surfaces is greater, the greater the upwardly directed reaction force, which arises from the quantity and quality of the snow.

Abstract: A snow thrower incorporating a device fixed relative to the auger housing around the auger shaft for generating a downward thrust on the auger shaft which opposes and balances the upward thrust caused on the auger shaft by the cooperation of the auger with the snow. The downward thrust is provided by shaping a portion of the housing for the drive of the auger shaft in such a way so as to create a static downward thrust.

Abstract: An attachment arranged for mounting to an associated lawnmower in an operative relationship to include a snowblower housing operative through a plurality of inter-related belts and pulleys to effect rotation of a plurality of impeller blades mounted within the snowblower housing. A drive pulley is mounted to a lower terminal end of the lawnmower motor output shaft to operatively effect the aforenoted rotation of the impeller structure. A modification of the invention includes a granular hopper in operative association with an exit opening and conduit of the lawnmower apparatus to effect projection of the granular material in association with the exiting snow.

Abstract: A pair of road-sliding skates for mounting onto a front-loaded, snowplow, automotive vehicle are provided, to prevent damage to the structural integrity of the vehicle when rolling on a high-crowned road, yet enabling unhampered snowblowing operation of the snowplow in high snow banks. The skates are mounted rearwardly of the front bucket side walls of the vehicle, being substantially inwardly offset relative to the vertical plane of the corresponding side walls, yet being forwardly positioned relative to the front leading edge of the recessed bucket flooring. Each skate position is adjusted about a horizontal, fore end aft axis as well as in elevation.

Abstract: A motorized rotary blade snowblower is used for the removal of snow. This snowblower has a housing which covers the rotary blades and a drift cutting arm that is fastened to and extends p from the sides of the housing. The drift cutter is fastened to the housing so that it can be locked in a working position and retracted to a storage position.

Abstract: In a rotary snow plow, especially one with a high plowing capacity, with two driven feeding mechanisms (7), which are disposed on either side of the centrifugal wheel (2) and, in the direction of plowing (F), ahead of the centrifugal wheel housing (1), and which rotate in opposite directions about vertical axes and the outside of which in each case is covered totally or partly by a flashing (8), which surrounds the feeding mechanism (7) tightly, the feeding mechanism (7), for the purpose of increasing the plowing performance while using energy sparingly, comprises essentially a cage-like rotor with throwing blades (4) disposed along surface lines and distributed over the circumference, the throwing blades (14), which rotate about vertical axes, also being driven and moreover in a direction opposite to the respective rotation of the feeding mechanism (7).

Abstract: A power takeoff attachment for a conventional road vehicle includes a base member with a rod extending transvesely thereto and of a length so that the outer end thereof can be inserted into a pivot coupling for example provided by a V-shaped space between the torsion bar bracket and the frame of the vehicle. A rear edge of the base can be bolted to the transverse beam of the frame of the vehicle with the angle of the base being adjusted by the bolted connection. The base carries bearing blocks which support the power takeoff shaft and in one example an electric clutch. Drive is communicated to the shaft via chain or belt coupling from a sprocket mounted at the pulley of the vehicle engine and attached to the pulley by bolts which pass into the pulley and into the crank shaft.

Abstract: A power takeoff attachment for a conventional road vehicle includes a plate member with a rod extending transversely thereto and of a length so that the outer end thereof can be inserted into a V-shaped space between the torsion bar bracket and the frame of the vehicle. A rear edge of the plate can be bolted to the transverse beam of the frame of the vehicle with the angle of the plate being adjusted by the bolted connection. The plate carries a pair of bearing blocks which support the power takeoff shaft. Drive is communicated to the shaft via chain or belt coupling from a sprocket mounted at the pulley of the vehicle engine and attached to the pulley by bolts which pass into the pulley and into the crank shaft. The power takeoff shaft is exposed at a front end of the vehicle and can be used to drive an implement for example a snowblower or pump mounted on sleeve-shaped brackets carried on an underside of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: In a rotary snow plough having a feed plough arranged on a side of its housing (2) in order to increase the intake cross section, the accumulation of snow on the ploughshare (8) of the feed plough (4) is avoided by providing, in the ploughshare (8), a belt conveyor element (11) supplying the rotary element(s) of the rotary plough.

Abstract: A snowblower includes an auger having individual flat spring steel blades mounted on plates carried by a shaft. The blades are connected to the plates by a pivot pin and a shear pin so that on encountering a solid object the shear pin allows the blade to pivot while remaining attached to the shaft.

Abstract: A basic snowblower unit powered by an engine has a rectangular shroud housing a fan with a drive member associated with it. A considerable number of special units including lawnmower, vacuum-and-bagger, leaf picker, edger, rotary tiller, leaf blower, sprayer, electric generator, hydraulic pump, and air compressor, are individually attachable for support and powering by the basic snowblower unit, providing for all-year use of it, compact storage and economy in purchase and ownership.

Abstract: A rotary snow plough vehicle having an auxiliary auger pivotable along a vertical plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of the vehicle. The auxiliary auger is rotatably secured about its axis by a supporting arm through bearings. Said supporting arm is positioned above a main auger and is swingable about a central shaft extending in parallel with the advancing direction of the vehicle. A tiltable cylinder is pivotably disposed between a frame and the supporting arm. By the extension and retraction of a piston rod of the cylinder, the supporting arm together with the auxiliary auger are swingably movable about the central shaft. The central shaft is extended from a deceleration means adapted to transmit the rotation of the main auger to the auxiliary auger. The auxiliary auger can be further provided with an extension auger in alignment therewith.

Abstract: A snow caster for use as a snow blower is disclosed having auger units which rotate and propel snow toward a fan rotating at a higher speed to propel the snow from the snow caster. The fan is fixed on a drive shaft which extends within the auger units and is operably connected to the auger units by a speed reduction means. The positions of the auger units are maintained by idler rollers included with the speed reduction means.