Articulated snowplow system

摘要

An articulated snow plow system for use with a vehicle includes a blade center section having a moldboard section and left and right extending plowblade sections which are wider than the blade center section. The extending plowblade sections each include a moldboard section and are mounted to the blade center section at opposite sides thereof and pivotable relative to the center blade section about a substantially vertical pivot axis, to swept forward and swept backward positions. The snowplow assembly includes a support frame, the blade center section being coupled to the support frame through an intermediate pivot assembly which permits a limited amount of float to allow the blade center section, and the extending plowblade sections pivoted thereto, to follow the contour of the ground. Pressure sensors associated with hydraulic cylinders which move the extending plowblade sections between extended and retracted position, respond to pressure within the hydraulic cylinder for the associated extending plowblade section exceeding a trip point to cause both of the extending plowblade sections to be retracted to a more straight position.