Smart Snowplow Selection: Snow & Ice Control

Nothing goes faster than the summer months, so now is the time for contractors who make snowplowing their business to prepare for a rematch with old man winter. There are many types of snowplows on the market, and the features of these various types of plows are important when making the decision to purchase new snow-removal equipment.

As the twenty-first century approaches, snowplow manufacturers have been working hard to develop new plow technologies that save time, make the plow easier to handle and maneuver and, in general, make plowing faster and easier. Conditions are rarely perfect when plowing; so manufacturers of snowplow equipment must consider the variables and incorporate solutions for a number of situations. Contractors should be able to make a smart plow purchase once they are educated in the differences between plows, the important features to look for when buying a plow and the best technologies available from snowplow manufacturers.

STRAIGHT vs. PLOW. Snowplowing technology made a huge advancement and revolutionized the snowplow industry with the introduction of the V-Plow more than a decade ago. Although the straight plow is still available and widely used, the V-plow is quickly taking over as the preferred choice in snow removal equipment among professional snowplowers.

The V-plow differs from the standard straight-blade plow because it is made up of two halves, or wings, that can be independently adjusted to multiple positions based on snow conditions, plowing location and the individual operator’s needs.

When both wings of the V-plow are in the forward position, the plow forms a scoop that carries more snow and controls the snow better than a straight-blade plow. A straight-blade cannot achieve the scoop position, and because of a straight moldboard, the snow has a tendency to spill over the ends of the plow.

The wings of the V-plow can also be retracted (toward the truck) to form more of a V shape which will push through deeper snow more easily and with less stress on the vehicle. A straight-blade plow requires more power from the vehicle to push through deep snowdrifts and often results in the vehicle sliding sideways on the surface, rather than pushing through the snow.

It is important to note that a V-plow can also function like a straight plow. Because the wings are multipositional, they can be positioned straight across the front of the vehicle when the conditions are suitable for this type of plow.

Straight-blade plows are often used in an angled position to windrow large, obstacle-free areas. This type of plow is effective such large parking lots or other open areas because the plow pushes the snow to the side in rows, one blade-length at a time. The snow that is pushed to the side piles up on top of unplowed snow and all of this snow is plowed on the next pass.

Straight blade also tend to cost less and weigh less than the V-plows.

When shopping for a plow, whether it be a V-plow or a straight-blade plow, there are a few important features to look for, including the size, strength and durability of the blade, the blade trip, the controls, the undercarriage system, the mounting system and the hydraulic system.

SIZE MATTERS. Most often the bigger the plow, the bigger the truck needed to carry it. Snowplow manufacturers take this into consideration and most offer a wide variety of sizes. Plows can range in size from 6½ to 11 feet wide. Compact to mid-size trucks will use a plow of 7½ feet or less. Half-ton trucks will have plows ranging from 7 to 7½ feet, and three-quarter-ton trucks and larger will use plows in the 7½- to 11-foot range. Having the wrong size plow on a truck can mean excessive wear and tear on the vehicle and reduced plow performance. A plow that is too heavy or too large for a truck may overload the front axle and present safety issues like reduced braking distance and reduced steering control.

STRENGTH vs. DURABILITY. Snowplow blades can be made of steel, which is the most common, or plastic. Depending on the design, features on steel-blade plows come in various strengths. For example, high-strength steel may be used for the push frame and push beam hook, while a mild- or common-strength steel will be used for the actual blade or center section. Plows designed with high-strength steel are stronger, more durable and react better on unpredictable surfaces.

The steel blades can be finished by paint or powder coat, or a baked-on, two-part epoxy paint. Care has to be taken with painted and powder-coated finishes so that they don’t chip, as this can lead to rusting and/or rust bubbles, which will shorten the life of the plow. A powder-coat finish consisting of phosphate pretreat and TGIC polyester provides a hard, high-gloss surface that is smooth and slick. A UV-resistant finish is also important to ensure the color won’t fade or degrade when subjected to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

There are two types of plastic snowplow blades - clear and color-impregnated.

Plastic plows have their advantages and disadvantages. Plastic has a lower coefficient of friction and lower moisture absorption so the snow tends to roll off more easily. This can result in less fuel consumption when plowing. Plastic plows won’t rust or dent and can be replaced relatively easily if necessary. Plastic is also lighter so some models do offer weight savings. However, this is not always the case, as the plastic blades are not as strong as their steel counterparts and may require additional bracing.

THE TRIP. The blade trip is another important feature because snowplowing often occurs under conditions of poor visibility and in areas with unpredictable surfaces. The blade trip is designed to assist in these tough conditions with the use of a spring-loaded system that causes the moldboard at the bottom of the blade to pivot forward and bounce, or “trip,” over unmovable obstacles.

There are two basic styles of tripping blades - a full moldboard trip and a partial moldboard trip. A partial trip means just the cutting edge up to 6 inches will trip and bounce over the obstacle. If the obstacle is more than 6 inches tall, the moldboard might not go over. A full moldboard trip means the entire blade will pivot when an obstacle is struck. This allows the plow to easily maneuver even in the most uncompromising conditions.

CONTROLS. Operator fatigue is common since contractors often work all hours of the day and night through changing and unpredictable weather conditions to ensure roads are safe and driveways, parking lots and sidewalks are accessible. It is important that they have complete control of the plow and can make changes and adjustments to it at a moment’s notice. There are four types of controls: switchbox, joystick, touchpad and handheld.

The switchbox is relatively easy to use, economical and reliable but rather unattractive. Joysticks have the ability to operate more than one function at a time and are easy to use, but they need to be securely mounted inside the cab. Touchpads and hand-held units do not require mounting and vary in functionality and ease of use.

UNDERCARRIAGE STRUCTURE. Because the V-plow is new to plow manufacturers, it is important to take a look at the undercarriage used to mount the plow on the vehicle.

Most manufacturers have developed adequate undercarriage structures for the straight-blade plow. However, with the advent of the V-plow, most manufacturers have not yet developed mounting systems specific to this type of plow, and continue to use the systems designed for the straight-blade plow. This method is not as an effective. The plowing forces are much greater on a V-plow, therefore, the V-plow requires a stronger and more advanced mounting system.

MOUNTING SYSTEMS. Most of the newer mounting systems allow the operator to drive right up to the plow vs. the older, more difficult way of manually lifting the plow with another piece of equipment. The drive-up removable mount system means the vehicle can be restored to its normal appearance when there is no need for the plow.

Many plow manufacturers have mounting systems that still rely on the use of locks and pins, and some require two people to complete the mounting process. However, newer systems are becoming available that do not involve pins, locks or other removable parts that can get lost in the snow.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS. There are two types of hydraulic systems, and it is important to consider which system is appropriate for the plow and the vehicle. The belt-driven hydraulic system is driven off of an engine-mounted belt for power up/down. This type of system can cause an additional draw on the engine and can affect vehicle emissions. This system is slowly being phased out, as mounting them under the hood is increasingly difficult because of limited space.

The more common hydraulic system is run by the vehicle’s electrical system via an electric cable reel system, which is usually a power up/gravity down system. Advances in DC motors have reduced the electrical load and made this the standard system in plowing. It is important that the mounting system/hitch has a consistent down force to keep the plow on the ground.

When considering electrical systems, it is important to look for heavy gauge electrical cables that go to the electric motor to minimize electrical power losses. For commercial applications, a second battery may be added to handle the demands of plowing for long periods of time. It is also important to look for hydraulic systems that are shielded from outside elements such as moisture, dirt and corrosion.

The author is marketing manager for Boss Snowplows, Iron Mountain, Mich.