June 2002
BID LIST
Preparation Makes for a
 Safe Snow Season
by Matt Shachter, Contributing Editor

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3.  Check our Manufacturer's Links and/or Buyers Guide for additional links.

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Manufacturers listed in this feature responded to a special mailing by Better Roads and do not necessarily represent the entire market for this product. 

An industry pro offers six tips for safer, 
more cost-efficient plowing

Below-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are wintry conditions that snowplow owners prepare for all year long, but preparing your equipment is equally important to avoid common safety hazards.

Here are six steps to ensure that you and your equipment keep running all season:

1. Do your homework. Every snowplow comes with an owner’s manual that provides care and operation guidelines for your equipment. Before you remove your plow from storage, review the safety procedures and scheduled maintenance sections, then refer to the troubleshooting guide for any problems you might encounter.

2. Safety first. Although preparing your vehicle for operation is extremely important, stocking your snowplow with the proper safety equipment is also necessary for each use. Consider carrying warm clothes, a cell phone or CB radio, a fire extinguisher, tool kit, tow strap, flashlight, flares, first-aid kit, fuses, jumper cables, an ice scraper, lock deicer, extra washer fluid, a shovel, and a bag of sand or salt with you to assist you or others on the road that may need assistance.

3. In case of emergency. Thorough preparation should include carrying extra plow parts should you need them. As a minimum, your snowplow emergency parts kit should contain extra hydraulic fluid, hydraulic hoses, a pump solenoid, extra cutting-edge bolts, and a trip spring.

4. Double-check. Because sub-zero temperatures can be hard on your vehicle, you should routinely check for low tire pressure, cracks and tightness of engine belts, and leaks in the snowplow’s hoses. Also, check the engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, battery levels and connections, radiator coolant, and windshield washer fluid to make sure they are full. Lights, turn signals, defrosters, and other equipment should be tested frequently to ensure that they are in good working order.

5. Make a spectacle of yourself. A strobe light and backup lights will increase the snowplow’s visibility to others on the road, making your presence safer for you and other drivers.

6. Get a grip. Icy conditions are a common cause of accidents during wintry weather. Proper weight distribution provides better traction by balancing the weight of your vehicle with ballast.

Taking these steps will help make it safer for both you and other drivers on the road.

– by Rick Robitaille, Marketing Manager, The BOSS Snowplow

Bobcat
Winter clean-up attachment

Bobcat’s skid-steer loader blows snow off driveways, sidewalks, and other tight quarters while its rotating chute and deflector point the snow in any direction. The unit’s two-stage design eliminates metal-to-metal contact between the blower and the rotating chute base, helping to prevent freeze-ups. In addition, a specially formulated plastic lines the discharge chute to help prevent plugging in heavy, wet snow.

This attachment is available in four models with several different widths and includes the option of an attachment control kit, allowing the hydraulic control from the operator’s seat. All models feature a replaceable, bolt-on cutting edge.

Wildcat Snowblowers
Powerful and easy-to-use

Wildcat Snowblowers feature a helic feeding and chopping system to clear snow efficiently in both powdery and wet conditions. Snow is fed into the fan and discharged through the spout in one motion.

The unit’s engine is mounted directly behind the blower unit so the machine’s operator has full 360-degree sight for traffic and potential hazards. Other safety features include the removal of V-belts that commonly slip, and the positioning of the fuel tank and engine for a low center of gravity.

This blower features uniframe construction and fans that are driven by aircraft-quality shafts for optimum strength and power. All functions of the vehicle are operated from a single control panel inside the cab making it easy and efficient to use.

The BOSS Snowplow
Designed for tough situations

Featuring an adjustable mounting height, the three new skid-steer trip-edge plows from The BOSS Snowplow are designed to accommodate both track and wheel skid-steer loaders. These plows are equipped with a trip-edge or base angle that is hinged on heavy-duty 1-inch-diameter steel pivot pins with adjustable extension-style trip springs.

The plow’s angle cylinders are protected by a mechanical stop that prevents the cylinder from bottoming out and from damage when the blade hits an obstacle. Available in 7-foot, 6-inch; 8-foot; and 9-foot models, the plow’s cast-iron blade shoes are tucked up under and nested in the base angle to prevent damage during plowing.

A built-in hydraulic crossover relief system protects the plow from damage when encountering obstacles, while a natural side-to-side tilt allows the plow to follow the contour of the surface being cleared.

FFC Attachments
Two-fold process removes snow cleanly

The new 12- and 14-foot Snow Push models from FFC Attachments are engineered of heavy-duty, fully welded steel with 0.375-inch-thick end plates to remove heavy snow without leftover debris. The unit’s unique Pull Back Kit allows the operator to roll the blade forward, close to obstacles like buildings and fences, then pull the snow back cleanly.

All models feature 0.75- by 6-inch wear shoes made of abrasion-resistant AR400 and are designed to work with all four-wheel-drive backhoe-loader models and most small wheel loaders.

Caterpillar
Designed for diverse needs

Operating on standard flow hydraulics, Caterpillar Snow Blowers are manufactured for winter clean-up of streets, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks. Three models have intake widths of 67, 73, and 85 inches, and feature a reversible direct-drive auger and an impeller designed to maximize throwing while minimizing plugging.

These models also include a 210-degree rotating chute with a non-linear liner to help prevent plugging and freeze-ups. Chute and deflector are actuated via a separate, standard cab-mountable control panel.

R.P.M. Tech
Medium-size unit does the job

Powered by a diesel engine rated from 152 to 200 horsepower, R.P.M. Tech’s LM-217 medium-size two-stage dual auger self-contained snow blower is extremely versatile. The LM-217 can be mounted on any front-end loader of 2-yards capacity or larger and comes equipped with a telescopic truck-loading chute. It is capable of moving up to 2,000 tons of snow per hour.

Sno-Way International
Wireless module simplifies blade control

Sno-Way International has developed a wireless control module to accompany its Predator line of snowplow. With soft-touch fingertip control and an easy-to-mount design, the wireless unit eliminates the installation of a wiring harness in the tight confines of the engine compartment. The handheld unit runs on two AA batteries and can be setup for multiple installations.

Sno-Pro
Wide range of sizes meets diverse needs

With widths from 10 to 30 feet, the Sno-Pro Loader Model Pusher meets all snow removal needs. Engineered for strength, all models feature a fully welded bottom support, upper post support, and burned ribs, as well as dual inside posts for maximum stability. Wear shoes constructed from Formable 400 for greater strength and multiple cutting edges add durability and precision. A universal attachment system enhances the unit’s versatility.

Kennametal
Blades for 4x4s and the highway

Designed for highway use, Kennametal’s carbide-edged snowplow blades are manufactured for longevity. Blades are available for four-wheel-drive pickups and larger highway trucks. The company’s patented macrocrystalline tungsten carbide combines hardness and fracture resistance with wear resistance to achieve excellent durability.

EMAS Attachment Systems
Perfect for open areas

The EMAS MD V-Plow features multi-positioning wings to divert, collect, stack, and blow through snow anywhere from open spaces to confined areas. The plow has a high/low sharp blade curvature that creates less resistance to carrier, built-in flotation, and a trip edge to ensure safe operation. Available in three model sizes, the EMAS MD V-Plow has an optional reinforced rubber Duraboard edge for protection when working in delicate areas.

Flink Company
Keeping pace with larger trucks

Easily field-retrofitted, Flink Snowplows and Spreaders’ HD5, a heavy-duty, 5-inch-square tube push table, is designed for efficient snow and ice control.

Superior Tire & Rubber
Polyurethane replacement spreaders

Superior Tire & Rubber manufactures spinning spreaders from a polyurethane compound that withstands temperatures to -40 degrees F. The material prevents build-up on spinner blades. The spinners feature low-trajectory fins for better spreading and are available in a variety of sizes and styles.

Kubota Tractor
Ideal for driveways, roads, and parking lots

Kubota Tractor says its Commercial Front Snow Blower and Chute Kit are ideal for all snow removal tasks. The blower’s hydraulic chute rotator and quick-hitch design provide flexibility and easy snow control. This model features a 23.75-inch blower diameter and 220-degree chute rotation, as well as a joystick hydraulic valve for easy maneuverability.

AEBI North America
Slope-plowing capabilities

AEBI’s multi-use tractors have a low center of gravity making them ideal for snow removal on steep slopes and difficult surfaces. All models include a front hydraulic system and are easy to operate. Features include balanced weight distribution, four-wheel drive with differential locks front and rear, and PTO-powered implement mounts.

Larue
Heavy-duty self-contained blower

Designed by Larue, a subsidiary of R.P.M. Tech, the self-contained 3640 snow blower is powered by a 315-horsepower diesel engine and hydrostatic transmission. The unit weighs just 8,450 pounds and has a snow clearing capacity of up to 2,800 tons per hour.

Snowman Snowplows
Economical price with efficient results

Snowman’s 70+SC Cashsaver plow features a 12-gauge rolled steel moldboard, 7 feet in length and 23 inches high for optimal performance. Featured at a lower price, this model is equipped with a patented spring trip to protect the plow and vehicle and exclusive high lift to reach over drifts. This unit is operated with hydraulic down pressure and includes box wings, jack stand, and cab controller. An easy on/off hook-up to a 2-inch-square receiver hitch provides versatile connection to many vehicles.

Winter Equipment
Replacements that last

Winter Equipment Company can fabricate carbide inserts as well as carbon steel and rubber blades for your machine and application. Life-extending Plowguards and Curbguards are also available.

Meyer Products
Heavy duty municipal blade

Meyer says its Aggressor Snow Plow is designed to meet the heavy duty needs of municipalities. The plow has eight vertical support ribs and six trip springs to provide the strength and flexibility to deal with the harshest winter conditions. The Aggressor moldboard is manufactured in 10-foot lengths in either 10-gauge steel or 3/8-inch-thick polyethylene. It features a two-year warranty that covers parts and labor as well as the plow itself.

Avalanche
High-volume plowing

Designed for heavy commercial use, Avalanche Snowplows feature a 10.5-foot-wide plow with a 12-cubic-yard snow capacity. The plow has a 50-inch-high moldboard made of 10-gauge, high-tensile, corrosion-resistant steel and 0.375-inch-thick side plates. Fully seam-welded construction and universal mounting brackets make this plow durable and adaptable.

Smith Industrial Rubber & Plastics
Fast, clean, and quiet

Rubber snowplow blades from Smith Industrial Rubber and Plastics easily adjust to irregular road conditions, withstanding tough surfaces with little wear. The blades are said to form a squeegee action with the road, creating less noise than conventional blades. Blades can be ordered to any length desired. Custom punch holes can also be ordered allowing for easy alignment and installation.

ThomTech Design
Store plowing data automatically

The Snow Owl Passive Data Collection System from ThomTech Design is an event logging and storage system for recording snowplow actions and tagging them with date, time, and location information. Each event is stored as a separate file on a memory storage card, then downloaded at the end of the day into a Windows database.

Loegering
Trip-edge triggered on impact

Loegering’s trip-edge snowplow allows the cutting edge to trip when it encounters ice or manhole covers, while holding the moldboard rigid for pushing heavy snow. The unit features reinforced diagonal cross-bracing for stronger blades and adjustable trip springs for operator tension adjustment.

Cast-iron blade shoes are tucked up and under the base angle to prevent wear and tear while plowing. Available with 8- and 9-foot blade widths, the moldboards are built in one continuous piece so the blade skin will not separate from the ribs.

Hiniker
Designed for four-wheel-drive trucks

Hiniker’s V-plow clears a 101-inch path in the V position and mounts to most dual-wheel, four-wheel-drive trucks. Designed for professional use, this plow includes a quick-hitch mounting system and a compact joystick for operator control.

Also available are an 8.5-foot V-plow and a reversible C-plow.

Tenco
High performance blower

Tenco’s 3,000-ton-per-hour snow blower features a 300-horsepower turbo-charged diesel engine and a 44-inch diameter with five bolt-on, concave impeller blades. This unit is capable of up to a 150-foot casting distance through the impeller and up to a 40-foot casting distance through the truck-loading chute.

Two-piece reversible steel scraper blades and 10 bolt-on steel skates are standard. Optional features include carbide skates, hydraulic steering vanes, a 15- or 20-inch hydraulic chute extension, residential muffler, working lights, heated fuel/water separator, and specified paint color.

American Road Machinery
Reversible snowplow

American Road Machinery’s gear-box reversible plow has all the advantages of worm-gear plows, plus it houses the worm gear in a sealed, oil-filled case, protected from dirt and ice. A rack and pinion gear reverses the plow, eliminating dirt and road grime.

Stewart & Stevenson Power
Handles all conditions

The two-stage rotary snow blower from Stewart & Stevenson Power has a 700-ton-per-hour clearing capacity and features a 94-inch clearing width, a 43-inch single-pass depth, and a 30- to 125-foot casting distance. A turbocharged air-cooled diesel engine powers the 4,900-pound unit.

A cab-mounted control box, electric-over-hydraulic controls, and adjustable impeller and cutter speeds are included. Options include a fixed-mount loading chute with 180-degree rotation, and a hydraulically controlled chute flap.

Pengwyn
Hydraulic control system

Pengwyn’s Plow Counterbalance is a hydraulic pressure-controlled unit that allows the operator to control the distribution of the plow’s weight. When some of the plow weight is distributed back to the front axle, the truck’s steering improves and the operator can better control the plow. Similarly, blade wear and cab noise are reduced.

Adaptable to any hydraulic system, this control conforms to the profile of the road, avoiding damage to the vehicle and the road.

Snogo
Loader-mounted snow blower

With three 12-inch horizontal augers, a 42-inch cutting height, and a 150-horsepower diesel engine powering it, Snogo’s Model WK-800 Loader-Mounted Snow Blower has a clearing capacity of 1,000 to 1,200 tons per hour. Sized for 1.5- to 2-cubic-yard loaders, the blower offers a 102-inch cutting width and includes a telescopic chute for truck loading or spot casting snow.

The 38-inch impeller has a rotating housing for casting snow and is shear-pin protected. All models are two-stage designed and self-contained.