Patent ID: 7631442

Claim:
A snowplow system comprising: a snowplow frame; a snowplow mountable to the snowplow frame; a modular hydraulic power mechanism mountable to the snowplow frame and comprising: (a) a base unit comprising: (1) a base plate positioned substantially horizontally; (2) a hydraulic reservoir connected to the base plate and positioned below the base plate; and, (3) a hydraulic pump unit connected to the base plate and positioned substantially above the base plate; (b) a first hydraulic module mounted on top of the base plate and positioned above the base plate, the first hydraulic module comprising at least a first hydraulic control valve, the first hydraulic module operating with a first hydraulic cylinder to provide a first hydraulic function to the snowplow; (c) wherein the base unit is adapted to receive in place of the first hydraulic module a second hydraulic module mounted on top of the base plate and positioned above the base plate, the second hydraulic module comprising at least a second hydraulic control valve, the second hydraulic module operating with a second hydraulic cylinder to provide a second hydraulic function to the snowplow; and, (d) wherein the first hydraulic function is substantially different than the second hydraulic function; a set of hydraulic components operatively connected to the hydraulic power mechanism and to the snowplow, the set of hydraulic components comprising at least the first hydraulic cylinder, wherein the set of hydraulic components comprise no part of the hydraulic power mechanism; and, a control system operatively connected to the hydraulic power mechanism to adjust the snowplow.