Snow removal machine with system for applying a surface treatment material

Abstract

A snow removal machine including a housing with a forward opening through which snow enters the snow removal machine. At least one rotatable member is positioned and rotatably secured within the housing for engaging and eliminating the snow from within said housing. The snow removal machine also includes a surface treatment application system with a treatment material dispensing system connected to the housing for dispensing a liquid or solid deicer and/or anti-icing treatment material over an area from which snow has been removed.

1 - 66 . (canceled)  
   
   
       67 . A snow removal machine, comprising: 
 a housing including a cavity with a forward opening through which snow enters into the housing interior;    at least one rotatable member positioned within the forward opening of the housing for engaging and discharging the snow from within the housing to an exterior location;    a treatment material dispensing system connected to the housing for dispensing a deicer and/or anti-icing treatment material over an area; and    a motor operatively connected to the rotatable member and the treatment material dispensing system the motor for moving the rotatable member about an axis.    
   
   
       68 . The machine of  claim 67  wherein said treatment material includes a liquid.  
   
   
       69 . The machine of  claim 67  wherein said treatment material includes a granular material.  
   
   
       70 . The machine of  claim 67  wherein said treatment material includes a prewetted granular solid.  
   
   
       71 . The machine of  claim 67  wherein said treatment material dispensing system is positioned on said housing behind the forward opening for dispensing the treatment material on the area after said forward opening passes over the area.  
   
   
       72 . The machine of  claim 71  wherein the surface treatment application system includes a reservoir for carrying said treatment material, at least one spray nozzle secured to said housing for applying the treatment material to the area and a conduit extending between said reservoir and said at least one spray nozzle for delivering the treatment material from the reservoir to the at least one spray nozzle.  
   
   
       73 . The machine of  claim 72  wherein said at least one spray nozzle includes a single nozzle for dispensing the treatment material.  
   
   
       74 . The machine of  claim 72  wherein said at least one spray nozzle includes a plurality of spray nozzles spaced from each other along a surface of said housing.  
   
   
       75 . The machine of  claim 72  further comprising a spray bar extending along a length of said housing, said spray bar carrying said nozzles and securing said nozzles to said housing.  
   
   
       76 . The machine of  claim 72  further including a system for applying heat to said treatment material within said reservoir.  
   
   
       77 . The machine of  claim 72  further including a control system for controlling the amount of treatment material provided to the area.  
   
   
       78 . The machine of  claim 72  further including pressure control system for controlling the flow rate of the treatment material provided to the area.  
   
   
       79 . The machine of  claim 71  wherein the treatment material dispensing system includes a hopper for carrying the treatment material, the hopper includes a discharge opening for distributing the treatment material to the surface.  
   
   
       80 . The machine of  claim 79  wherein said treatment material includes a granular material.  
   
   
       81 . The machine of  claim 79  wherein the treatment material dispensing system includes at least one rotatable member for distributing the treatment material to the surface.  
   
   
       82 . The machine of  claim 81  wherein said at least one rotatable member includes a rotatable plate spaced from said discharge opening for receiving the treatment material that passes through said discharge opening.  
   
   
       83 . The machine of  claim 82  wherein said rotatable plate includes a plurality of spaced ribs that extend radially from a center of said rotatable plate.  
   
   
       84 . The machine of  claim 81  further including the motor operatively provided for propelling the snow machine.  
   
   
       85 . The machine of  claim 79  further comprising an agitator positioned within said hopper for contacting and agitating the treatment material.  
   
   
       86 . A motorized machine for removing snow from an area, said machine comprising: 
 a housing including at least one rotating member for engaging snow received within said housing and a surface treatment system connected to said housing for applying a surface treatment material to the area; and    a motor operatively coupled to the rotating member and the surface treatment system.    
   
   
       87 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein the treatment material includes a deicing material.  
   
   
       88 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein the treatment material is an anti-icing material.  
   
   
       89 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein the treatment material includes a deicing material and an anti-icing material.  
   
   
       90 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein at least a portion of said treatment material application system is positioned on said housing behind a forward opening of said housing that receives snow during the operation of the machine.  
   
   
       91 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein the surface treatment application system includes a reservoir for carrying the treatment material, at least one spray nozzle secured to said housing for applying the treatment material to the area and a conduit extending between said reservoir and said at least one spray nozzle for delivering the treatment material from the reservoir to the at least one spray nozzle.  
   
   
       92 . The machine of  claim 91  wherein said at least one spray nozzle includes a single nozzle for dispensing the treatment material.  
   
   
       93 . The machine of  claim 91  wherein said at least one spray nozzle includes a plurality of spray nozzles spaced from each other along a surface of said housing.  
   
   
       94 . The machine of  claim 91  further comprising a control system for controlling the amount of treatment material dispensed to the area.  
   
   
       95 . The machine of  claim 91  further comprising a pressure control system for controlling the flow rate of the treatment material dispensed to the area.  
   
   
       96 . The machine of claim  9 . 1  further including a system for applying heat to said treatment material within said reservoir.  
   
   
       97 . The machine of  claim 86  wherein the treatment material application system includes a hopper for carrying the treatment material, the hopper includes an opening for discharging the treatment material.  
   
   
       98 . The machine of  claim 97  wherein said treatment material includes an anti-icing material.  
   
   
       99 . The machine of  claim 97  wherein the treatment material includes a deicing material and an anti-icing material.  
   
   
       100 . The machine of  claim 97  wherein the treatment material application system includes at least one rotatable member for distributing the treatment material.  
   
   
       101 . The machine of  claim 97  wherein said at least one rotatable member includes a rotatable plate spaced from said opening for receiving the treatment material that passes through said opening.