The invention relates to a device for controlling the operation of a spreading apparatus of a spreading vehicle (1) for winter road maintenance, comprising a data transmission apparatus (100), which is provided in the spreading vehicle and which is designed to establish a wireless data connection, and which is designed to receive forecast data regarding weather conditions and/or transportation route conditions from a server, in particular via the Internet, an apparatus (101) for detennining transportation route conditions, which is mounted in or on the spreading vehicle and is designed to detennine surface parameters of a transportation route, and a control unit (102), which is designed to receive the forecast data from the data transmission apparatus (100) and to process said forecast data and to control the operation of the spreading apparatus on the basis of the processed forecast data and the determined surface parameters.

Apparatus and associated systems relate to a vehicle-mounted drop spreader for efficiently dispensing particulate material, such as road salt, within an area having pedestrian or vehicular traffic. In an illustrative example, the drop spreader, includes a hopper filled with road salt that may be easily and quickly secured to the back of a an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or construction vehicle. The drop spreader includes an agitator driven by a variable speed motor to direct the road salt from the hopper to the ground through holes in a sidewall of the hopper. In various implementations, a baffle is provided at the base of the hopper which eliminates the need for an auger to move salt within the hopper and for gates to stop the delivery of road salt.

A snow melting device that combines both a heating element and a compound for dissolving snow is provided. The snow melting device comprises a container including a snow melting compound, and a conduit with a first end connected to the container, and a second end connected to a distribution mechanism. The distribution mechanism includes a housing with an open first axial end and a second axial end connected to the conduit. A motor is positioned adjacent to the second axial end of the housing, drives a pump that is connected to the conduit and provides the snow melting compound to the distribution mechanism that includes a fan and a heating element. The fan atomizes the snow melting compound and sprays it out of the first axial end of the housing.

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).

A multi-functional folding shovel for assisting a user to regain traction under vehicle wheels includes a bifurcated body having a centrally registered longitudinal axis extended along an entire length thereof. Such a bifurcated body includes a proximal end and a distal end opposed therefrom. A coupling is intermediately disposed between the proximal end and the distal end wherein the coupling has a fulcrum axis registered orthogonal to the centrally registered longitudinal axis. Advantageously, a refillable reservoir is extended from the proximal end and affixed to the coupling. In this manner refillable reservoir is adapted to receive and discharge an existing friction-inducing agent therefrom. An implement having an adjustable shape is affixed to the coupling and extended to the distal end wherein the implement is selectively articulated about the fulcrum axis relative to the refillable reservoir.

A multi-functional folding shovel for assisting a user to regain traction under vehicle wheels includes a bifurcated body having a centrally registered longitudinal axis extended along an entire length thereof. Such a bifurcated body includes a proximal end and a distal end opposed therefrom. A coupling is intermediately disposed between the proximal end and the distal end wherein the coupling has a fulcrum axis registered orthogonal to the centrally registered longitudinal axis. Advantageously, a refillable reservoir is extended from the proximal end and affixed to the coupling. In this manner refillable reservoir is adapted to receive and discharge an existing friction-inducing agent therefrom. An implement having an adjustable shape is affixed to the coupling and extended to the distal end wherein the implement is selectively articulated about the fulcrum axis relative to the refillable reservoir.

A blade for removing snow from a road surface comprising a shield oriented to deflect the snow, a cutting edge carried on the bottom part of the shield and adjacent to a road surface when in use, and at least one fluid circuit comprising a nozzle for spreading a de-icing liquid, wherein at least the nozzle is carried by the shield or by the cutting edge to spread at least part of the de-icing liquid on the snow in an area in front of and/or beneath said cutting edge while said cutting edge compresses a layer of snow that remains on the road surface during its passage.

A Large Area Liquid Solution Application includes a boom equipped with a series of easily removable spray nozzles, for easier cleaning and maintenance, attached to a standard truck trailer hitch receiver with a pump assembly attached onto a reservoir loaded onto a truck bed. This invention presents an effective deicing apparatus and method to spray brine evenly on the pavement. The reservoir is easily secured manually with standard ratchet straps and the boom connects to any standard truck tow hitch without the use of tools. The equipment panel with attached pump is easily removable and the pump fittings and corresponding output hoses manually snap in and out of place to allow easier maintenance and cleaning. Communicating wirelessly, the present invention is activated by a wireless key enabling a truck driver to control the system without needing to exit the vehicle and manually shut of the sprayer.

Provided in this disclosure is a slam latch for attaching a chute to a hopper mounted onto a vehicle. A cover is secured to an exterior surface of the hopper and defines a void therebetween. First and second aligned holes are formed in the cover and the hopper. A pin is mounted to the cover for movement through the first and second holes and urges with a spring. A plunger is retained in the void and moves between a closed position that blocks the pin from engagement with the holes, and an open position that admits the pin for engagement. The chute includes an engagement member having a third hole. The chute is displaced such that the engagement member slides into the void and displaces the plunger, enabling engagement of the pin with the first, second and third holes, thereby attaching the chute to the hopper.

A snow removal utility machine includes a frame having a front end and a rear end, a prime mover supported by the frame, a skid steer drive assembly operably coupled to the prime mover, and one or more ground engaging elements supporting the frame with respect to a ground surface. The ground element being operable under the influence of the skid steer drive assembly to move the utility machine over the ground surface. A brine assembly coupled to the frame and has one or more fluid tanks. The one or more fluid tanks extend around at least three sides of the prime mover.