A system for spreading material on a surface comprises a housing having a closed bottom and an open top to allow the material to be loaded into the housing and to store the material. A pair of interior walls are spaced from one another and extend between a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing. A dispenser is selectively coupled to the housing via an interlocking connection between the housing and the dispenser to allow the dispenser to be removed from the housing to define a disassembled position and to be attached to the housing to define an assembled position. The interlocking connection is formed by a sliding connection between the housing and the dispenser adjacent the first end.

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing a travel path applicant. For example, a computing entity can monitor the location of a maintenance vehicle and/or its travel path to dispense travel path applicants accordingly.

A system for applying and recovering de-icing chemicals from a surface. The system includes a spray system for applying a de-icing chemical to the surface and draws the de-icing chemical from the surface. The de-icing chemical and contaminants are conveyed to a reservoir to form a combined solution. A recovery system includes a filter device for removing solids from the combined solution, at least one sensor for measuring a property of the combined solution, and a source of additive chemical. A controller is configured to determine a property of the combined solution based on signals provided by the at least one sensor, move a valve to an open position to cause the additive chemical to mix with the combined solution if the property is less than a predetermined minimum value, and move the valve to a closed position if the property is greater than the predetermined minimum value.

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for delivering a supply of one or more deicing and anti-icing agents for localized seasonal storage and application at a facility. In advance of a winter season, a deicing agent or anti-icing agent according to embodiments of the present invention may be provided by a provider to a receiver in a delivery quantity for storage at a localized storage location at a facility. A deicing agent may be a salt compound treated with an additive which reduces bridging of salt granules. The provider may provide multiple storage containers each filled with a delivery quantity of anti-icing agent and may provide multiple storage containers each filled with a delivery quantity of deicing agent to a receiver, as well as one or more delivery stations. After receipt of an initial quantity of a deicing agent or anti-icing agent, the receiver may deploy a delivery station and set up a storage container with the delivery station. The receiver may move a sprayer unit or a spreader unit to the delivery station for filling. Upon depletion of some or all of the contents of an anti-icing container or the contents of a deicing container, the receiver may contact the provider to request that the provider replenish the anti-icing agent or the deicing agent.

A control system for a vehicle is provided. In one aspect, the control system includes a sensing mechanism for detecting an amount of material dispensed. The detected amount is compared to a desired dispensing amount in a profile created based on a number of relevant factors. The output rate of the material is varied to minimize discrepancies between the detected output amount and the desired amount. In another aspect, the control system includes a sensor array for determining the positions of the plow blades and objects in the path of a snow removal vehicle. The sensor data is used to determine a potential for collision, in which case a signal is sent to vary the positions of one or more of the blades to minimize vehicle footprint and help to avoid a collision.

A system for applying and recovering de-icing chemicals from a surface. The system includes a spray system for applying a de-icing chemical to the surface and draws the de-icing chemical from the surface. The de-icing chemical and contaminants are conveyed to a reservoir to form a combined solution. A recovery system includes a filter device for removing solids from the combined solution, at least one sensor for measuring a property of the combined solution, and a source of additive chemical. A controller is configured to determine a property of the combined solution based on signals provided by the at least one sensor, move a valve to an open position to cause the additive chemical to mix with the combined solution if the property is less than a predetermined minimum value, and move the valve to a closed position if the property is greater than the predetermined minimum value.

An apparatus for de-icing a pathway, the apparatus comprising a frame including a set of wheels, a salt dispenser, a servo attached to the salt dispenser, one or more motors, the motors attached to at least one of the set of wheels, and a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the servo and the one or more motors, wherein the microcontroller instructs the servo to operate the salt dispenser and activates the one or more motors to drive the at least one of the set of wheels.

An ice melting device formed into an impact dispersion projectile for melting ice. The projectile being formed of salt and other ice melting chemicals. The ice melting compound is mixed, placed into a jig, dipped into a combination of liquid detergent and water then drained, compressed, heated, and then cooled. The projectile may then be removed from the jig and packaged. The projectile may be thrown by an individual onto an ice coated surface where the projectile upon impact will disintegrate and disperse the ice melting salt and ice melting chemicals onto the ice coated surface initiating the melting of the ice.

Agitation assemblies for a spreader having a rotatable feeding mechanism are provided that utilize the rotation of the feeding mechanism to oscillate an agitation member within the spreader. A crank is coupled to the feeding mechanism and a connecting linkage connects between the agitation member and the crank so that as a drive mechanism rotates the feeding mechanism to dispense spreading material towards a dispensing opening, the connecting linkage oscillates the agitation member. The agitation member can be a baffle or agitation plate. The oscillation of the agitation member can be pivoting or sliding oscillation.

A longitudinally adjustable flow divider situated in the particulate material path of a spinner spreader between the bin and the rotatable disc divides the particulate material so that the particulate material is dischargeable on to the upper surface of the rotatable disc on first and second laterally spaced apart longitudinally oriented drop lines. An actuator operably connected to the flow divider adjusts a longitudinal position of the flow divider to longitudinally adjust drop points on the drop lines at which the particulate material is dischargeable on to the rotatable disc. Longitudinal adjustment of the drop points along laterally spaced apart drop lines on one spinner disc permits control over spread pattern to help achieve uniform distribution of the particulate material on a ground surface.