Abstract: A stand-on adaptable surface cleaner includes an engine, a platform for the operator, a hydraulic system, and a snow blower with an impeller and snow chute, a powered broom, or other attachment. The device may be operated while riding on the platform and results in less fatigue and greater speed of operation than existing walk-behind devices.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for a snowthrower includes a driven shaft configured to rotate about an axis, a flexible impeller paddle coupled to the driven shaft for rotation about the axis, and a rigid cutting implement coupled to the driven shaft for rotation about the axis. The flexible impeller paddle is configured to clear snow from a surface to be cleared. The flexible impeller paddle extends radially from the axis to a paddle radial distance. The rigid cutting implement is configured to break up snow or ice on the surface to be cleared. The rigid cutting implement extends radially from the axis to a cutting implement radial distance less than the paddle radial distance.

Abstract: A snow thrower impeller includes a layer of material comprising a blade support wall and blades extending from the blade support wall.

Abstract: Magneto-rheological clutch and wheel transmission apparatuses and methods are provided. According to one aspect, a magneto-rheological clutch system can include first and second drive members and first and second driven members. A first gap can be present between the first drive and first driven members. A second gap can be present between the second drive and second driven members. A drive wheel and a snow blower impeller can be connected to the first and second driven member, respectively. First and second MR fluids can be disposed in the first and second gaps, respectively. A first magnetic field can be applied to the first MR fluid for engaging the drive wheel. A second magnetic field can be applied to the second MR fluid for engaging the snow blower impeller. The provided apparatuses and methods can also be applied to mower blades and wheels.

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 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 movable apparatus includes a housing with a handle and plurality of wheels rotatably mounted thereto. An engine is disposed within the housing and configured to provide torque to the plurality of wheels to selectively rotate the wheels in a first direction and an opposite second direction. A central bar is rotatably disposed on the housing and includes a plurality of spikes radially extending therefrom that are configured to produce a plurality of holes in the ground when rotated. The central bar is configured to rotate in the first direction when the plurality of wheels are rotated in the first direction and the central bar is configured to be rotated in the opposite second direction when the wheels are rotated in the opposite second direction.

Abstract: A snow removal machine of this invention has a blower provided in a blower housing for throwing up snow collected by an auger toward a chute. The blower has a plurality of supporting members provided on a drive shaft for rotating the auger and the blower and a plurality of throwing-up blades attached to the respective supporting members. The throwing-up blades are elastically deformable. A vacant space is formed between the supporting members and the throwing-up blades. The vacant space allows deformation of the throwing-up blades in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the blower.

Abstract: A blade or paddle for use with a snowblower impeller formed from a flexible material. The flexible material includes a plurality of layers of reinforcing material to reinforce the blade and provide greater tensile strength. The working edge of the blade includes a plurality or pattern of indentations, serrations or dimples that provide an improved engagement function of the blade or paddle and the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A snow removal vehicle is provided comprising an impeller, an engine system, and an engine control system. The engine control system receives feedback information pertaining to operation of the impeller, and controls the engine system based on the feedback information. A method of controlling a snow removal vehicle is provided comprising acquiring feedback information pertaining to operation of an impeller of the snow removal vehicle, analyzing the feedback information with an electronic signal processor, and controlling forward movement of the snow removal vehicle based on the feedback information.

Abstract: A small lightweight snow flinger comprising a central post adapted to be held by a user. A motor is mounted on the upper end of the post. Motion imparting mechanisms extend from the motor to a lower end of the post. A box is secured with respect to the lower end of the post. The box has a central vertical aperture therethrough. A plurality of blades are rotatable about a horizontal axis coextensive with the power mechanisms at the lower end of the tube to rotate the blades within the aperture and move particulate material such as snow entering the space between the rotating blades and to direct it upwardly through an aperture having a vertical axis in the box.

Abstract: A portable rotary snow blower shovel which is lightweight and maneuverable is disclosed. The device uses the drive mechanism from a rotary string trimmer. In place of the string and string guard, the snow blower utilizes an impeller and a substantially cylindrical enclosure. The enclosure includes a cutout opening in a lower portion of the periphery to allow snow to enter. Adjacent the opening is a flat plate which is secured to the inside of the enclosure at an angle in order to direct snow upward toward the impeller. The impeller, which is oriented substantially parallel to the surface being cleared, is circular in shape and has radially projecting blades attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. Once the snow is directed upward by the angled flat plate, the blades of the impeller, which are rotating at a high speed, force the snow out an exit conduit adjacent the top of the cylindrical enclosure by centrifugal force. The exit conduit directs the snow upward and away from the path being cleared.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held, readily portable power sweeping tool. The tool includes an elongate boom having a power generation means disposed at one end thereof and a power sweeping means disposed at the other end. Power transmission means extends between the power generation means and the power sweeping means for transmitting power generated by the power generation means to the sweeping means. The sweeping means comprises a pair of drums mounted for rotation by the power transmission means, the drums including a plurality of pliant fins extending radially outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment of the invention, the sweeping means includes a support formed by mating two substantially identical drum members to each other end-to-end to form a support for a sweeper belt having a plurality of outwardly directed pliant fins.

Abstract: An auger type snow blower assembly having an auger with two sets of rotating ribbon spokes which transfer snow from the auger to an impeller inlet located at the mid-portion of the auger assembly, the ribbon spokes terminating a substantial distance short of the center of the auger assembly whereby snow lying directly in the center of the path of the auger assembly may move directly to the impeller inlet without contact with the ribbons. Further, the ribbons revolve around a generally cone-shaped structure at the ends of the auger assembly whereby the ribbons and the stationary cones cooperate to impel snow entering the auger assembly toward the impeller inlet. The auger assembly further includes a bi-directional, variable speed hydraulic drive system for the ribbon system consisting of variable forward speeds and reverse speeds, the forward speeds including a low ribbon speed high torque speed, and a high ribbon speed low torque speed, together with pressure relief valves to avoid the use of shear pins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held, readily portable power sweeping tool. The tool includes an elongate boom having a power generation means disposed at one end thereof and a power sweeping means disposed at the other end. Power transmission means extends between the power generation means and the power sweeping means for transmitting power generated by the power generation means to the sweeping means. The sweeping means comprises a pair of drums mounted for rotation by the power transmission means, the drums including a plurality of pliant fins extending radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An improved snow thrower and specifically an improved blower therefor that improves efficiency and reduces the likelihood of snow accumulation. The blower casing is connected to the auger housing by an exit opening that is disposed and sized so that snow blown by the blower will not reenter the auger housing. The peripheral edge of the blower casing is curved so as to reduce the likelihood of snow accumulation.

Abstract: A power broom assembly includes a vehicle, a rotatable broom mounted to the front of the vehicle, and an airblast assembly mounted to the front of the vehicle above the broom to suck up an overspray of material which has been swept up by the broom. An airblast assembly for use in the power broom assembly includes a casing, a cross flow blower in the casing, and at least two outlets in the casing which are selectively openable and closeable by flexible wall portions which are movable radially inwardly and outwardly to substantially change the inner contour of the casing. A drive system of the power broom assembly includes a first transmission unit which has first and second output shafts, and a second transmission unit which includes an input shaft. At least the first and second output shafts of the first transmission unit and the input shaft of the second transmission unit are aligned along a single axis.

Abstract: A convertible grass cutting and snow blowing machine which is supported on wheels and displaced on a surface where grass is to be cut or snow removed by a user controlling the machine from a handlebar. An engine is connected to the rotor housing which serves as a chassis, and has a drive shaft which is coupled to a rotor to impart axial rotation to the rotor. The rotor is supported between opposed side walls of a rotor housing, and is provided with at least two cutting blades secured longitudinally and spaced apart. The blades extend at a uniform height from the central axis of the rotor. Each of the blades defines a bow-shaped curve to direct grass cuttings or snow toward a mid-length region of the rotor when the rotor is rotatably driven and further, in combination with the rotor, impart a centrifugal force to direct the grass cuttings rearward toward an exit chute or snow upward toward a snow chute.

Abstract: A snowblower with a power driven intake and discharge fan in a housing has at the front an open face exposing the fan and a transition housing detachably attachable over the open face. The transition housing has a slidable plate or fan cover that rises and can be positioned to leave substantially a snow-height opening at the lower front for most efficient intake of snow by the fan. The transition housing has a concave, radiused lower margin for scooping snow into the circular opening.

Abstract: An engine housing assembly (1) has a cover (2) and a body (4). Longitudinal baffles (10, 12 and 17) on cover (2) cooperate with baffles (13, 14, 60 and 61) on body (4) to seal against engine (8), to provide a first chamber (16) adjacent the intake side of the engine, and a second chamber (50) adjacent the exhaust side of the engine. An inlet opening (22) and exhaust opening (24) in body (4) facilitate movement of the air through the housing by fan (45) to restrict recirculation of engine heat in the housing, thus minimizing vapor lock. An opening (33) between baffles (17 and 16) allows a flow of heated air from the exhaust side of the engine over carburetor (44) to minimize carburetor icing.

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 out of 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.

Abstract: A hand operated snow thrower has an impeller with blade mounts that allow the blades to be easily removed, yet effectively retained with the blade mount. The impeller includes a rigid rotor that is rotatably driven by the snow thrower. The rotor has three blade mounts, each blade mount having a blade supporting surface. The blade supporting surface has an inner edge and an outer edge. A retainer extends over the inner edge of the supporting surface to define a channel. A slot extends from the supporting surface rearwardly into the rotor. The flexible blade that is mounted to the impeller has a flange that is received within the slot. The blade has an inner edge that is received within the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle drawn snow tiller for loosening, cutting, grinding, packing and leveling a wide path of snow for improved, more enjoyable skiing. The tiller comprises an elongate rotary snow cutter assembly with radially projecting snow cutting blades distributed over the length and about the circumference of a cutter tube directly powered by reversible hydraulic motors, one mounted upon each of its ends. The snow is cut, selectably, in or away from the direction of travel of the tiller over the snow. An elongate apron disposed over the cutter assembly collects and directs the loose cut snow onto the surface behind the cutter assembly, where it is compacted by the apron and finally leveled and smoothed by a horizontal grooming bar on the trailing edge of the apron. According to one aspect of the invention, an elongate snow splitting baffle may be disposed above the cutter to deflect a portion of the cut snow forward to fall again into the path of the reversely rotating cutter for additional cutting and grinding.

Abstract: Snow removal apparatus for attachment to a rail vehicle in which a rotary snow plow having a pair of coaxial milling cylinders is mounted in a common housing and synchronously driven through a common drive transmission. The housing is mounted to the front end of the vehicle by a first supporting member extending along the width of the vehicle and securely fixed thereto and a second supporting member on which the rotary housing is pivotally held. The second supporting member is adapted to slidably engage with and be held on the first supporting member so that it may be laterally shifted in the horizontal plane, on the fixed supporting member from side to side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A snow thrower comprising a shock resistant drive system for rotating a cylindrical drum having a plurality of outwardly radiating paddles for scraping snow from pavement or the like. The snow is thrown by the paddles into communication with a directional vane assembly adjustable for deflecting the snow to either side.