Surface Control Vehicles and Related Methods

A cold weather surface maintenance vehicle can include a housing at least partially surrounding an engine and defining at least one vent oriented to emit air from within the housing toward a user positioned on the user support structure. A controller of a maintenance vehicle can restrict or reduce a speed of an engine in response to temperature, operation of a hydraulic attachment, or operator position. A controller of a maintenance vehicle can control operation of a dispensing mechanism of a flowable material distribution device with the controller based on a position of a traction control of the maintenance vehicle.

Receptacle for granular material

Drop spreader chutes, drop spreader assemblies and spreading vehicles

A chute for a drop spreader assembly 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.

Spreader Cover Having Modular Hard Covers Movable by Linkages or Slide Mechanisms and Including Extended Handles

A spreader cover for a hopper of a spreader includes one or more modular hard covers that may be arranged to fully cover the hopper. In an embodiment, the spreader cover also includes a plurality of linkages, each linkage connected to one of the one or more modular hard covers. In another embodiment, the spreader cover includes a plurality of slide mechanisms, each slide mechanism connected to one of the one or more modular hard covers. The spreader cover may optionally include an extended handle assembly to facilitate opening the spreader cover while an operator is standing on the ground. The extended handle assembly may have an opening position and a closing position in which an external handle is unable to rotate, and a rotating position in which the external handle may be rotated and secured to the side of a vehicle. 1. A spreader cover for a hopper of a spreader comprising:one or more modular hard covers; and wherein the extended handle assembly comprises a handle bracket connected to one of the one or more modular hard covers and an extended handle connected to the handle bracket;', 'wherein the handle bracket includes a multi-position recess and a handle aperture within the multi-position recess,', 'wherein the extended handle includes an extension plate and a grab bar connected to the extension plate, the extension plate securable by a fastener to the handle aperture of the handle bracket;', 'wherein the multi-position recess of the handle bracket has a recess longitudinal axis and a closing portion, rotating portion, and opening portion along the recess longitudinal axis;', 'wherein the extension plate includes a raised portion through which the fastener is secured;', 'wherein the extended handle is positioned in an opening position when any of the raised portion is in the opening portion of the multi-position recess, a rotating position when all of the raised portion is in the rotating portion of the multi-position recess, and a closing position when any ...

DROP SPREADER CHUTES, DROP SPREADER ASSEMBLIES, SPREADING VEHICLES, AND RELATED METHODS

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. 1. A chute for a drop spreader assembly , the chute comprising:a body having a vertical axis;a funnel portion of the body having an open top to receive flowable material;a dispensing chute portion of the body having a distal dispensing opening and extending along an angle with respect to the vertical axis; anda plurality of directional vanes of the body protruding into a flowpath within the dispensing chute portion to direct flowable material to an even distribution pattern through the distal dispensing opening.2. The chute of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a central throughbore defined by a sidewall extending therethrough along an axis generally perpendicular to the vertical axis claim 1 , the central throughbore adapted to receive structure associated with a snow removal device therethrough.3. The chute of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing chute portion is 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 claim 1 , each of the central and lateral portions having a plurality of ...

Spreader cover having modular hard covers movable by linkages or slide mechanisms and including extended handles

A spreader cover for a hopper of a spreader includes one or more modular hard covers that may be arranged to fully cover the hopper. In an embodiment, the spreader cover also includes a plurality of linkages, each linkage connected to one of the one or more modular hard covers. In another embodiment, the spreader cover includes a plurality of slide mechanisms, each slide mechanism connected to one of the one or more modular hard covers. The spreader cover may optionally include an extended handle assembly to facilitate opening the spreader cover while an operator is standing on the ground. The extended handle assembly may have an opening position and a closing position in which an external handle is unable to rotate, and a rotating position in which the external handle may be rotated and secured to the side of a vehicle.