A chute for a drop spreader assembly is disclosed that includes a body having a vertical axis. A funnel portion of the body has an open top to receive flowable material, a dispensing chute portion of the body has a distal dispensing opening and extending along an angle with respect to the vertical axis, and a plurality of directional vanes of the body protrudes into a flowpath within the dispensing chute portion to direct flowable material to an even distribution pattern through the distal dispensing opening. In some forms, the dispensing chute portion can be divided into a central portion and lateral portions separated from the central portion by gaps adapted to receive structure associated with a snow removal device therethrough. Each of the central and lateral portions can have a plurality of directional vanes protruding into a flowpath thereof.

A wheelbarrow for spreading a material is provided. The wheelbarrow generally includes a bucket configured to contain at least one material and having an opening through which the material is configured to flow, a controllable closing flap configured to close the second opening, and a distribution plate extending under the opening. The distribution plate is positioned such that material flowing gravitationally through the opening travels along the distribution plate towards an application surface exterior to the bucket of the wheelbarrow. The distribution plate may include guide channels configured to distribute the material across a width of the distribution plate as the material travels along the distribution plate.

A spreader comprises a hopper for containing sand, salt or other granular material to be spread upon snow or ice on paved surfaces, the hopper being adapted to be installed in or on a bed of a truck, the hopper having a trough, a shaftless auger positioned in the trough, an auger motor for driving the auger, a spinner positioned at one end of the auger for slinging the granular material upon the snow or ice, a spinner motor for driving the spinner, and at least one keeper supported by the trough and extending over the auger for retaining the auger in place during operation and thereby reducing flexure of the auger and resulting loss of efficiency of material transport by the auger during operation of the spreader.

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).

The present inventors have recognized that a spinner spreader system may be augmented with an air assist system in which an air current is generated to engage particles after they have left the spinner spreader system to thereby enhance the trajectory of the particles. In one aspect, one or more fans with appropriate ductwork may be added below one or more spinning disks to direct jets or curtains of air in the direction of the broadcast pattern of particles leaving the one or more disks. The directed air stream should preferably be faster than the particles leaving the one or more disks, thereby adding additional acceleration to the particles compensating opposing forces.

A spreader includes a frame having wheels mounted on an axle. A gear assembly on the axle is coupled with a shaft. A hopper is mounted on the frame and holds particulate that empties through an opening within the bottom wall. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and receives the particulate emptied from the hopper. A controlled-release assembly is mounted about the shaft and includes a drive housing secured to the hopper. The drive housing has a funnel opening to dispense the particulate therethrough. A transfer wheel within the drive housing is rotatably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the transfer wheel rotates whereby the particulate is delivered to the funnel. When the shaft is stationary, the transfer wheel is stationary whereby particulate is not delivered to the funnel.

An electrohydraulic system configured to operate a number of snow-removal components associated with a vehicle. The electrohydraulic system may comprise a controller, a number of actuators in electrical communication with the controller, a user interface in electrical communication with the controller, and a number of input regulators operable to regulate the control of the actuators.

Systems and methods for managing spreading of particulate material over a surface by a spreader. One step of the method includes receiving a selection of a type of the spreader. An additional step includes receiving a selection of a type of the particulate material to be spread by the spreader. An additional step includes obtaining data indicative of a travel speed of the spreader, with the data being received from a sensor associated with the spreader. An additional step includes determining an operational attribute of the spreader. The determination is based on (i) the type of the spreader, (ii) the type of the particulate material, and (ii) the travel speed of the spreader. A further step includes presenting the operational attribute.

A material spreading system may include a tote and a spreader attachable to a loading machine. The spreader may include a frame, an inlet, a lift arm, and a discharge mechanism configured to selectively discharge the material onto the ground. The tote may include a container having a plurality of walls enclosing an internal volume for storing a material. An opening may be formed in one of the plurality of walls and communicate with the internal volume. The tote may additionally include a lift arm engaging surface configured to engage the lift arm and permit the lift arm to manipulate the tote. The tote may also include a closure member at least partially covering the opening and configured to selectively permit transfer of the material from the container to the inlet of the spreader in response to the material exerting a force on the closure member.

A spreader assembly may include a hopper, a pair of augers positioned in a dual auger arrangement and a metering gate assembly including a gate and a biasing force generator. The gate may have a general M-shape with an inner extension and may be positioned generally above the augers with the inner extension extending between the augers. The biasing force generator may be operable to apply a biasing force to the gate causing the gate to operate as a metering gate.