The present invention relates to a convertible plow that may be configured for pushing, for back dragging and for merging.
Plows include blades that attach to vehicles to redirect various materials on the ground. A common application is snow plowing in which plows are used to clear roadways, parking lots and other areas. The plows may be mounted on vehicles such as tractors, skid steer loaders, trucks and other utility and recreational vehicles. Snow and other material that needs to be cleared is generally moved to the edge or to a central area where the snow may be loaded into other vehicles for removal. Clearing typically involves plowing in a direction and making multiple passes. When a straight blade often referred to as a moldboard is used, plowing generally includes three distinct configurations of the blade for three distinct plowing activities.
In a first configuration for a first plowing action, the plow blade is typically positioned transverse to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle and snow pushing is conducted. The blades may include box ends that help to capture snow and extend forward of the moldboard. With the moldboard, the box ends form a “box” with an open forward side that keeps the material being plowed in front of the blade.
In a second plowing configuration, the plow may be configured for back dragging of the snow. Back dragging is often used in parking lots to pull snow from spaces along the perimeter of the lot or when snow is removed from a space with cars or other obstructions that may limit access. In the back dragging configuration, the blade pulls the snow rearward relative to the primary direction of travel of the vehicle. As with pushing, box ends may be utilized for back dragging to help retain snow from falling off ends of the moldboard. However, for back dragging, the box ends extend rearward and form three sides of a “box” to retain the snow.
In a third plowing configuration, the plow is configured for windrowing with the blade at an oblique angle to the primary direction of travel. With windrowing, the snow engaged by the blade passes along the blade and falls off one end of the blade to create a windrow. The windrows may be combined into larger windrows that may be pushed or hauled away. As material does not build up in front of the plow, windrowing can typically be conducted at a greater speed than back dragging and snow pushing. In contrast to pushing and back dragging, the ends of the plow blade needs to be unobstructed so that the material may fall off of the end of the blade.
It can be appreciated that performing the various different plowing tasks may require a different blade for each task or different vehicles. In an attempt to avoid multiple plow blades and/or vehicles, blades have been developed that are capable of performing more than one of the basic plowing tasks. U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,666 to Klemenhagen et al., and assigned to Hiniker Company of Mankato, Minn., discloses a material moving blade. The material moving blade includes upper and lower sections that are connected by a hinge that provides for a pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. An upper moldboard portion and lower moldboard portion may be folded to have either a material contact surface face forward or rearward. This system has proven to provide satisfactory results for pushing and back dragging.
Other systems have been developed that provide at least some flexibility. Kage Innovation, LLC, has developed a plow system with a detachable box end assembly that may be removed for use as a conventional snowplow or attached for use as a show pusher. Without the detachable box end assembly, the plow may be used to windrow or back drag and with the box attached, the plow may be used as a snow pusher.
Snowek Oy of Kuopio, Finland has also developed a plow that has some flexible features. The snow plow include folding wings that may extend with the wings aligned with the center blade portion, with both wings folded forward or with one wing folded forward and the other wing folded rearward. Such wings might provide for forward pushing and rearward pushing, but the plows are not well suited for back dragging.
It can therefore be appreciated that a new and improved plow is needed that includes a moldboard and box ends that can be configured for multiple different plowing activities. Such a plow should be configured to be used for snow pushing and back dragging with a box configuration. Moreover, such a plow should also be suitable for angling the blade and windrowing. Such a plow system should also advantageously be self-contained without the need to attach and detach a box assembly. The configuration should also be easily controlled by a vehicle operator without needing to manually configure any of the blade elements. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with snow plows.
The present invention is directed to a convertible plow such as may be used for moving snow and other materials on the ground. Such plows may be mounted to a skid steer loader, tool carrier, ATV or similar vehicle. The plow includes a generally straight blade with movable box ends.
The box end elements are connected by a brace that creates an assembly that is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis extending substantially parallel to the plow blade. Each one of the opposed box end elements includes a first skid element forming a first edge. A second skid element forms a second edge that is perpendicular or oblique to the first edge. A recess that may be an arc extends between the first edge and the second edge. The box end elements are rotational mounted to extend between first, second and third operating configuration.
The box end elements are positioned in a first operating configuration with the first edge extending horizontally and proximate to the ground. The skid and first edge extend forward in front of the blade in the direction of travel. Such a configuration forms a generally rectangular open box structure that may be used for pushing the snow or other material before the plow.
In a second operating configuration, the box end elements are rotated with the second edge of the second skid element extending horizontally proximate the ground. The second skid and second edge extend rearward from the plow blade toward the vehicle and opposite the primary direction of travel. With the box end elements and the skids extending rearward from the plow blade, a rectangular open box structure is formed for back dragging. When back dragging, the vehicle pulls the plow blade in a direction opposite the front surface of the blade and may be used for pulling snow inward from edges of an area to be cleared.
In a third operating configuration, the plow assembly is configured for windrowing. When configured for windrowing, the blade is placed at an oblique angle relative to the normal perpendicular position and is therefore also oriented at an angle relative to the primary direction of travel of the vehicle. With such a configuration, snow or other material engaged by the blade passes along the surface of the blade and is directed to the trailing end of the blade to form a windrow. For such an operation, the box end elements are rotated to a third configuration in which the profile of blade intercepts the recess of each box end element. In the windrowing configuration, both the first and second skids are raised upward above the ground. The recess extends upward to provide an unobstructed space at the end of the plow blade. Therefore, snow or other material may pass beyond the trailing end of the plow blade without being obstructed by the box ends. The material forms a windrow.
These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views:
a top plan view of the plow assembly shown in
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
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The plow assembly (100) mounts to the vehicle (200) with a push frame (110), also commonly referred to as an A frame. A mounting plate (112) provides for standard mounting to a vehicle that is interchangeable with other tools and devices. Angle cylinders (114) provide for rotation about a vertical axis to change the plow blade (102) between a position generally perpendicular to the primary direction of travel for pushing and back dragging, and an angled position for windrowing, as explained hereinafter. A mounting pin (118) provides the vertical axis through a collar (120) and sleeve (122). Moreover, the angle cylinders (114) extend into collar receivers (124) to provide pivotal movement of the plow. A vertical angle cylinder (116) is part of an adjustment linkage (126) that provides for changing the orientation of the plow about a horizontal axis. It can be appreciated that the vehicle (200) provides power and hydraulic control through hydraulic lines (not shown for clarity) to actuate the various positioning elements and move the plow assembly (100) between different operating positions.
The plow assembly (100) also includes a box end assembly (150) including generally planar box end elements (152), also sometimes referred to as containment wings, at either end of the moldboard (102). The box end assembly (150) includes a brace (154) extending forward of the moldboard (102) and connecting the left and right box end elements (152). The box end elements (152) are rotatably mounted about a rod (158) defining a rotational axis (156) generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the blade (102). A sleeve (180) mounts on the moldboard (102) and receives the rod (158) to provide rotation of the linked left and right box end elements (152) relative to the blade (102). The brace (154) links the box end elements (152) so that they are rotated together as an assembly.
Each box end element (152) includes a first skid element (160) defining a first edge that is generally forward of the blade (102) and lowered proximate the ground for pushing, as explained hereinafter. Each box end element (152) also includes a second skid element (162) defining a second edge that is positioned to the rear of the moldboard (102) and can be lowered to be proximate the ground for back dragging, as also explained hereinafter. An arcing recess (164) extends between the first edge and the second edge. Each box end element also includes a first stop (166) and a second stop (168) that engage the blade (102) to properly position the box end elements at the first rotational position or second rotational position. Each box end element (152) also includes an angled reinforcement (170) to provide rigidity to the element for plowing. A mounting bracket (172) mounts the first skid element (160) to each box end element (152) and a second mounting bracket (174) mounts to the second skid element (162) to each box end element (152).
The box end elements (152) and their rotational mounting provide for configuring the plow assembly (100) for three primary types of plowing. The plow assembly may be configured for pushing as a box when the box ends (152) are positioned such as shown in
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It can be appreciated that the present invention provides for superior performance from a single plow blade that can be utilized for pushing, back dragging and windrowing without changing blades or making other equipment changes to the plow assembly. The present invention provides flexibility with an economical and reliable plow that is not possible with the prior art or any combination thereof.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62668948 | May 2018 | US |