Material application system with programming security

A method of using a material application system adapted to be incorporated in a vehicle for applying material as the vehicle is being driven, said material application system having a programmable controller, an input mechanism associated with said programmable controller, and a switch module associated with said programmable controller, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) operatively coupling said input mechanism to said programmable controller;
• (b) while said input mechanism is operatively coupled to said programmable controller, using said input mechanism to program said programmable controller;
• (c) after said step (b) , operatively uncoupling said input mechanism from said programmable controller;
• (d) while said input mechanism is operatively uncoupled from said programmable controller, using said material application system to apply said material;
• (e) while said input mechanism is operatively uncoupled from said programmable controller, while said switch module is operatively coupled to said programmable controller, and while said material application system is being used to apply said material, using said switch module to modify a material application rate.

A material application system adapted to be incorporated in a vehicle for applying material to a road, said material application system comprising:

• a programmable controller;
• an input mechanism operatively attachable to and removable from said programmable controller for inputting a plurality of material application parameters into said programmable controller, said material application parameters including a granular application rate, a liquid application rate, a granular configuration parameter, and a liquid configuration parameter;
• a granular applicator for applying granular material to the road at said granular application rate input to said programmable controller via said input mechanism;
• a granular actuator mechanism coupled to said granular applicator and said programmable controller for controlling said granular applicator;
• a liquid applicator for applying liquid to said granular material at said liquid application rate input to said programmable controller via said input mechanism;
• a liquid actuator mechanism coupled to said liquid applicator and said programmable controller for controlling said liquid applicator;
• and
• a switch module operatively coupled to said programmable controller, said switch module comprising:
• a first switch for allowing an operator to change said granular application rate;
• and
• a second switch for allowing an operator to change said liquid application rate.

A material application system adapted to be incorporated in a vehicle for applying material as the vehicle is being driven, said material application system comprising:

• a programmable controller;
• an input mechanism operatively attachable to and removable from said programmable controller for inputting a plurality of material application parameters into said programmable controller;
• a material applicator for applying material at a material application rate as the vehicle is being driven;
• an actuator mechanism coupled to said material applicator and said programmable controller for controlling said material applicator;
• and
• a switch module operatively attachable to said programmable controller, said switch module comprising a switch for allowing an operator to change said material application rate.