Snow removal system

Abstract

A snow removal system includes a tool having a blade and a boom. The boom includes a first end portion connected to the blade and a second end portion configured to be releasably, pivotally mounted to a loader arm of a vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snow removal tool comprising:
 a blade; and   a boom including a first end portion connected to the blade and a second end portion configured to be releasably, pivotally mounted to a loader arm of a vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The snow removal tool of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a mounting plate interposed between the second end portion of the boom and the loader arm, wherein the mounting plate is releasably mounted relative to the loader arm and the second end portion of the boom is pivotally connected to the mounting plate.   
     
     
         3 . The snow removal tool of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting plate includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the second end portion of the boom is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         4 . The snow removal tool of  claim 3 , wherein the second end portion of the boom includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the pivotal connection is located at the upper portion of the second end portion of the boom. 
     
     
         5 . The snow removal tool of  claim 2 , wherein the pivotal connection between the mounting plate and the second end portion of the boom is located at an upper portion of an area of releasable contact between the mounting plate and the second end portion of the boom. 
     
     
         6 . The snow removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the arm has a selectively variable length. 
     
     
         7 . The snow removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the blade includes an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and a pair of discs mounted at opposite ends of the lower edge, wherein the wheels protrude beyond the lower edge. 
     
     
         8 . The snow removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the blade is oriented at angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate arm, wherein at least the lower edge of the blade is lower than the first end of the boom. 
     
     
         9 . A snow removal system including:
 a self-propelled loader vehicle including a first boom assembly;   a snow removal tool including:
 a blade; and 
 a second boom assembly including:
 an elongate arm having a first end and a second end connected to the blade; and 
 a mounting element releasably mounted to the first boom assembly, wherein the mounting element is hingedly connected to the first end of the elongate arm at an upper portion of an area of releasable contact between the first end of the elongate arm and the mounting element. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The snow removal system of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate arm is movable into at least two positions relative to the mounting element, including:
 a first position in which the first end of the elongate arm releasably engages the mounting element; and   a second position in which the first end of the elongate arm is capable of free pivotal motion, via the hinged connection, relative to the mounting element.   
     
     
         11 . The snow removal system of  claim 9 , wherein the first boom assembly of the loader vehicle includes a first end operably coupled relative to the loader vehicle and a second end configured to releasably mount the mounting element of the second boom assembly, wherein the first boom assembly includes at least one link and a lift mechanism to cause the second end of the first boom assembly to selectively move into different orientations for movably positioning the second boom assembly relative to a roof structure. 
     
     
         12 . The snow removal system of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting element includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the hinged connection between the first end of the elongate arm and the mounting plate is located at the upper portion of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         13 . The snow removal system of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of the elongate arm includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the hinged connection is located at an upper portion of the first end of the elongate arm. 
     
     
         14 . The snow removal system of  claim 9 , wherein the second boom assembly has a selectively variable length. 
     
     
         15 . The snow removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the blade includes an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and a pair of slidable elements mounted at opposite ends of the lower edge and protruding at least partially outward beyond the lower edge. 
     
     
         16 . A method of removing snow from a roof comprising:
 supporting, via a loader arm of a self-propelled vehicle, a boom of a tool in a generally elevated position by releasable engagement of a first end of the boom against an end of the loader arm;   aligning, via the loader arm, the boom generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, a roof surface to position a blade of the tool on the roof surface; and   pulling the first end of the boom, via the loader arm, to pull the blade generally downward along the roof surface to move snow while simultaneously enabling the first end of boom to pivot away, via a pivotal connection, from the end of the loader arm during the pulling.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 arranging the boom to include an elongate arm and a mounting element, the elongate arm having a first end and a second end with the blade connected to the second end, wherein the mounting element is pivotally connected to the first end of the elongate arm;   releasably mounting the mounting element on the end of the loader arm to cause the first end of the elongate arm of the boom to be pivotally movable between:
 a first position of releasable engagement relative to the mounting element and the end of the loader arm; and 
 a second position in which a portion of the first end of the arm is pivotally spaced apart from the mounting element and the end of the loader arm. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 locating the pivotal connection between the mounting element and the first end of the elongate arm at an upper portion of the contact area of releasable engagement therebetween.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 locating the pivotal connection at an upper portion of the mounting element and at an upper portion of the first end of the elongate arm to define a hinged relationship between the mounting element and the first end of the elongate arm of the boom.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 providing the boom with a selectively variable length.