Snowplow Selector
Time is money for snow removal professionals. It’s like that yellow digital clock ticking away on the show 24, and you must clear as many parking lots, roads and driveways in a critically tight time frame to keep the world moving (and bank a profit).
Whether you’re a municipal crew, one-man operation or Jack Bauer Snow Removal Operations, it’s a plow contractor’s job to give commuters a sense of certainty when navigating roadways in the winter.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that the professionals removing snow in the winter are like a fourth emergency service,” says Matthew Price, marketing manager for Avalanche Snowplows. “They perform a service that is essential to public safety and the economy. After all, if parking lots and roads are not cleared of snow and ice and made safe for driving, very serious accidents can result. This would apply even more so to airports. Snow removal is demanding, intensive work with a lot at stake. Those that do it might not even be seen by the public, but their skills and hard work are vital.”
Winter warriors must be equipped with the right tools to fight a foe like ice and snow. Step onto the dealer lot of any of these snowplow manufacturers today (THE BOSS Snowplow, Avalanche, Hiniker, Machinability, Sno-Way, Meyer, Buyers Products and a zillion others) and you will discover two main configurations dominate the truck snowplow industry:
Straight Blades — These blades clear snow quickly and easily in environments as narrow as a sidewalk or as expansive as a parking lot, using a heavy-duty blade that is straight. For increased maneuverability, a straight blade can be angled 30 to 45 degrees right or left for exact plowing. Price range is $3,000 to $4,000.
V-Plows — These plows increase the plow pros’ ability to move snow more efficiently and carefully. The V-plow is a multi-position plow (V-position, scoop position, straight position and angle position) that gives your operations more versatility and accuracy. Price range is $4,000 to $6,000.
While V-plows are the most versatile blades, straight blades are still the most popular. V-plows are typically utilized by professionals and cities, while straight blade plows are used by both contractors and consumers. Smaller-size straight blades (popular with homeowners) usually size from 6 to 7 1/2 ft wide and are intended for non-commercial use with down-sized 4-by-4s, SUVs and light 1/2-ton pickups. Conventional straight blade plows are typically sold in 7 1/2-, 8-, 8 1/2-, 9- and 9 1/2-ft sizes, as well as some 10 footers for medium-duty trucks.
Straight blade plows are the most popular plows, primarily due to cost, ease-of-operation and vehicle applications, but V-plows allow operators to better control the direction of the push. The V-position cuts through heavier snow while the scoop position allows for better cleanup or maneuvering in tight spaces. Typically used in the forward facing position to capture and move snow when plowing parking lots, streets or other travel ways, the V-plow can also be operated in the V-position to break through deep unplowed snow or as a conventional windrowing plow. V-plows are significantly heavier and more expensive than a straight blade plow, but are more versatile.
Besides straight and V-plows, box plows are gaining more attention for specific plow jobs (mostly projects in wide open spaces). Often associated with large wheel loaders clearing snow on massive properties, box plows (also called snow pushers) are being designed for some truck applications. Its mission is to quickly move large amounts of snow in a straight line, but box plows are more difficult to transport from site to site because of size.
“Depending on the site, removing snow with a box plow can be three to five times faster than doing so with a straight blade plow — we’ve done the math on this,” says Price. “Any crew working large open spaces will want to utilize a box plow because of the time-saving advantages. Pricing varies widely depending on the cutting edge chosen and level of sophistication in the design. However, they don’t necessarily cost much more than a conventional straight blade.”
Plows with Wings and Polymer
Over the last few years, plow manufacturers have been busy designing new technologies to take plows and pros in new directions. The new popular plow on the block is the power wing plow. This is a snowplow with hydraulically powered wings, which can rotate 180 degrees allowing you to transform your plow from a straight pusher to a pusher box plow or even a back-drag plow with the push of a button. The hydraulic cylinders on the moldboard allow you to position the plow to windrow. Some manufacturers have short 5-ft wings, which allow you to scoop under trailers and dock doors.
Some companies offer what’s called a C-plow or back-drag plow. This standout plow is great for loading docks, residential driveways and congested parking areas. The blade actually converts from a conventional plow into a back-drag plow (going face down into the snow) with the push of a button, letting you remove snow quickly and easily from garage aprons, curbs, loading docks and tight corners. Then touch a button again to flip the blade upright and push snow away again. There are a bunch of other specialty plows on the market — like angle plows (on a permanent angle to the side, used specifically for road work) and extendable plows (where hydraulic cylinders allow extension, angling and even independently guillotining of the many plow plates).
Besides style, blade composite material is an important selection criteria for contractors. Steel plows have always been the traditional blade of choice for professionals (a most powerful and durable metal), but modern science has introduced polyethylene snow blades to the market as well (a durable polymerized ethylene resin).
Each manufacturer offers unique technologies, but typically poly plows are popular because of their slick, self-lubricating surface, which allows snow to slide off the blade quickly. Snow and ice tend to stick to the surface of steel plows. Another advantage of poly is that the blade material is saturated with color all the way through so nicks and scratches don’t show as much as on a steel plow that has seen years of fierce battle. The end result is that a poly blade tends to look new longer and it’s easier on your vehicle, but poly plows usually cost $200 to $300 more than steel plows.
Of course steel plow skins are normally welded to the moldboard frame and become part of the moldboard structure. Polyethylene plow skins are bolted to the moldboard frame and usually do not add structural strength. Steel blades have been around longer and they have many loyal users. Many of today’s grizzled plow masters grew up using steel moldboards and just aren’t comfortable changing to fancy alternative materials such as poly. Many still appreciate the plowing performance and durability of steel blades (they are usually stronger), including brands like Buyers’ SnowDogg that only offer “stainless steel” today.
“304 stainless steel is an ideal material for snowplow moldboards,” explains Scott Moorman, director of engineering at Buyers Products. “It’s hard, strong, slippery and maintains its surface finish as rust will never take hold. This lasting surface finish means that your plow will roll snow in 10 years the same way it does when it’s brand new. A 10-year-old stainless moldboard skin won’t look or behave that different from a 10-day-old one, and every rusty patch or gouge in a poly or carbon steel moldboard is one more place for snow to stick.”
Installation and Maintenance
When purchased, most plows come with lights, hydraulics, blade, vehicle undercarriage and controls. Popular options can include snow deflectors (which attach to the main blade or plow wings to deflect snow away from the windshield) or plow wings (which attach to the sides of the plow and make it more of a scoop). Instructions for installation of a plow onto your truck typically look like this:
1. Open all cartons and verify all parts are there
2. Follow all instructions precisely
3. Install the mount to the truck
4. Assemble the frame to the mounting
5. Assemble the frame to the moldboard
6. Assemble accessories to the moldboard
7. Install the wiring harness
8. Install the plow lights
9. Attach the plow to the truck mount
10. Plow snow
While there are guidelines to follow to make sure you don’t pick a plow that will overload the capacities of your truck, there are a host of other features from which to choose. With every major manufacturer comes a unique mounting system. For example, BOSS offers its SmartHitch 2 attachment system, while Hiniker has its Quick-Hitch and Quick-Hitch 2 mount and Meyer has the EZ-Mount Classic and Plus. Although they each have fancy names, they essentially do a variation of the same thing. Like your favorite skid steer or compact track loader, these mounting systems offer a quick-attach that lets you attach or detach plows through the use of a hydraulic mounting system, instead of hopping out of the cab and trying to lift a heavy plow blade.
Selecting the right size plow is as important as installing it correctly. After assembling the blade and mounting it to the truck (per the instructions of your brand), you will need to set up your controls. The standard controls of today are installed directly into your truck’s cab and give the operator the ability to fully operate the snow blade from within the comfort of a cozy, heated enclosure.
Functionality and ergonomics set cab controls apart. Cab controls are typically part of the system’s main wiring harness and are usually plug and play (although today, some manufacturers even offer wireless controls). Most companies offer a standard cab control and then a second style or upgraded cab control. A good controller should be compact and easy to use. The controls should be raised so an intuitive plower can see and feel them, rather than lowering their eyes, distracting from the job at hand. The controller can often be Velcro-mounted to any surface in the cab for easy use.
Along with mounting parts and cab controls, snowplows will have a variety of wear items that they will need to maintain, including cutting edges, plow shoes, hydraulic hoses and trip return springs.
Cutting edges are the most expensive and can cost $150 to $300, depending on the size and model of snowplow. Plow shoes generally cost around $50 to replace. All of these items can be replaced in the field with basic tools.
Before you start the snow season, old and new plows will need to be checked thoroughly for such items. Check the plow’s hydraulic motor, change the hydraulic oil fluid, replace the filters, grease the electrical fittings and test the lights — both high and low beams. Take a good look at your plow — first investigating the welds on all the structural steel, including the moldboard, A-frame, sector/pivot bar and the mounting and lift frame. It is crucial that there are no cracks or excessive wear in the welds. Take a minute to eye the plow cutting edge too. Most cutting edges are about 6 in. and most operators who plow know that when it gets down to about 4 in., it’s time to replace the edge. It’s the same with the rubber shoes wearing too thin. If you’re plowing, you’ll eventually leave a groove if something is too worn.
V- and back-drag plows have extra hinge points that should be lubricated with a high-quality, general purpose grease. Also grease the king bolt, pivot pins/bolts and all hinge points, and take a look at the ground to check for any hydraulic leaks from the angling and lift cylinders. Double check the hydraulic hoses for cuts, abrasions and leaks. The best preventive maintenance for hydraulic systems is to change the fluid at the beginning of the season. If you don’t feel comfortable messing with the hydraulic system, it’s a good idea to take it to the dealer to have it done. Like most machinery, the local dealer is the best place to start and end when it comes to snowplow purchase and maintenance.
The key is to not wait until the snow has piled up before hooking the plow up to the truck. Start in September or October because when November rolls around and the snow is falling, you want your plow to work. By being prepared with the right truck and right plow, snow professionals can form the right plan, ensuring commuters and commerce can continue in neighborhoods with confidence this winter work season
Keith Gribbins is managing editor for Compact Equipment, based in Brecksville, Ohio.
