Built for the business of snow plowing, the rugged Fisher Engineering HD Series plows feature a trip-edge design. Only the edge of the blade trips back when an obstacle is encountered. Because the blade itself remains upright, plowed snow in front of the blade stays put — you plow and stack more snow in less time. These 8-, 8.5-, and 9-ft. plows are designed for three-quarter- and one-t. 4WD trucks, as well as the new 15,000 GVW super duty vehicles. The plow blades are 29-in. high and built with heavy 11-gauge steel.

Write 157 on ROADFAX card

After some minor design changes, very promising results have been obtained from initial evaluations of the newly introduced JOMA 6000 high-speed snowplow blade. About 350 sets of these blades were installed across North America in a wide variety of applications to evaluate effectiveness. "All of the company’s claims about the JOMA blade are true according to the five test locations that used the blades this past winter," says Dennis Burkheimer, Iowa Department of Transportation.

The cutting edge consists of independent tungsten carbide inserted segments vulcanized in rubber. This is the first major innovation in highway snow plowing blades since the advent of carbide inserted steel blades in the 1970s. The problem with a steel inserted blade is that vibration, chatter, and bouncing of the plow impact the tungsten carbide insert, fracturing the surface, resulting in chipping rather than wear. The first major benefit of the new blade is the shock absorption characteristics of the rubber mounting that result in a dramatic improvement in wear. The tungsten carbide insert is allowed to run smoothly on the road surface and wear out rather than chip away.

The JOMA blade is made up of one-foot independent segments that are allowed to float in the rubber mounting. This floating action results in the blade taking the shape of the road surface under the weight of the plow. Because the road surface is cleaned better, plow operators are saying they don’t need to go back over sections of road. The blade gets down in the wheelpaths and does not leave trails that can refreeze after the initial plowing operation. Because the plow leaves a cleaner surface, operators are finding they can also reduce salt usage because there is less snow and ice to melt. And the floating segments have dramatically reduced the incidents of damage to road surfaces and raised highway markings, as well as wear on painted lines or tapes. All of the operators that have responded to company questionnaires have noted the drastic reduction in noise and vibration levels.

Write 158 on ROADFAX card

The new C-Plow from Hiniker Company combines the functions of both conventional and back-drag plowing systems into a single design. It’s operated as a conventional plow in the forward plowing mode, with the normal hydraulic angling and spring-trip moldboard functions. For back dragging, the upper three quarters of the moldboard is hydraulically folded over, creating a rear-facing back-drag blade. A second cutting edge fastened to the top of the moldboard becomes the contact point with the ground surface.

Hiniker claims the new design provides improved surface cleaning due to the rearward angle of the blade. Increased plow frame clearance provides more back-dragging capacity, and visibility is much better than with rear-mounted plows. Optional clip-on box ends attach with two pins each, forming a snowbox for more effective cleaning in both forward and reverse operation. The C-Plow is 8-ft. wide and fits most domestic three-quarter and one-t. 4WD trucks.

Write 159 on ROADFAX card

Designed specifically for snow and ice control, the SnowEx Sand Pro SP-1875 spreader offers a two-stage auger system, independent spinner/auger controller, low-maintenance direct drive system, and other features. The design assures a positive, steady feed of sand and other materials, eliminating the clogging and flow problems associated with other auger systems. And the adjustable flow cone and standard hopper vibrator facilitate spreader material movement.

Write 160 on ROADFAX card

Sweepster’s Truck Mounted Sweepers are designed to fit 2- and 4-wheel drive utility, pickup, stake rack, and dump trucks. The power to drive the single or dual hydraulic motors comes from the truck’s own system, or a self-contained 18- to 30-hp engine. Truck Sweepers can mount to plow frames or attach directly to a vehicle’s bumper. In-cab controls operate start/stop, throttle, raising and lowering the broom, and swinging the brush 30 degrees left or right.

Write 161 on ROADFAX card

The MB-96 is a self-propelled power broom from M-B Companies, Inc. The company says it has more — more hp that means more torque and higher tip speed at broom head for removing snow, and dried-on and packed-down debris; more shifting ranges for better speed control; more operator visibility with OptiVu windows; and more life because of its heavy-duty tubular frame construction. The unit is also available with a snow plow.

Write 162 on ROADFAX card

The plate semi-circle is Root Spring Scraper Co.’s newest development in the design of reversible front snow plows. It offers a much stronger push frame that larger trucks require.

Write 163 on ROADFAX card

In one easy pass, a motor grader will fracture ice with Icebuster. The attachment uses the weight and motion of the machine combined with the patented chisel-point starwheel to penetrate the surface and fracture ice or snow for easy removal.

A test with the device was conducted by the Alaska Department of Transportation along Anchorage streets on ice deemed almost impossible to remove by normal means. The test resulted in the DOT ordering an additional machine, another for the city of Anchorage, and two for use on airfield runways. A video with the Alaska test is available.

Write 164 on ROADFAX card

Wildcat designed a snowblower that combines a two-stage and a single-stage blower into one unit. The advanced design results in a machine that blows a wide variety of snow without sacrificing capacity or casting distance. Twin impellers cover most of the blower head, and attached to each impeller are augers that feed the snow into the impeller.

Shear pin replacement was another area that was addressed. Replacement on most snowblowers in winter conditions is dangerous and time consuming. Wildcat’s shear pin system can be replaced within four minutes. A splined shear hub assures free movement of the impeller to achieve pin alignment. Blowers are available in widths from 7 to 10 ft. and capacities ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 t./hour.

Write 165 on ROADFAX card

The LM-217 from RPM Tech, Inc. is a medium-sized, two-stage, dual-auger, self-contained snowblower powered by a diesel engine rated in the range of 152 to 200 hp. The unit is built and designed to be mounted on any front-end loader with a 2-yd. capacity. The LM-217, equipped with a telescopic truck-loading chute, is used by municipalities, townships, and private industry and is capable of moving up to 2,000 t. of snow an hour.

Write 166 on ROADFAX card

The Snowman 70+SC and 80+SC 7- and 8-ft. Single Cylinder Center Receiver Hitch models are designed for commercial use with full-size half- to 1-t. 4WD trucks. The pull plow eliminates back dragging and turnaround time, allowing the operator to clean twice as much area per hour. The plow works great for any dead-end application, and extension wings increase blade width to 8.5 ft. for high-volume jobs with the 70+SC. Snowman Snowplow also makes a Sport Utility Snowplow especially for the lighter axle capacities of SUVs and light trucks.

Write 167 on ROADFAX card

Western Products offers several models of hopper spreaders for the ice control professional. Designed for roads and parking lots, these spreaders mount easily on pickup, dump, or platform trucks. They’re available in 12-gauge steel or 16-gauge 304 stainless steel in capacities ranging from 1.6 to 3.3 cu. yd. Electric throttle and electric clutch are standard.

Write 168 on ROADFAX card

Muncie’s MESP Spreader Control provides superior accuracy and reliability for snow and ice control equipment. System features include a display with backlighting, onboard diagnostics, data logging for both solid and liquid materials, and either fully automatic or manual operational modes. And Muncie Central Hydraulic Systems provide a total power and control package. Systems can be custom designed to meet specific requirements, and modular packaging is reliable while reducing installation and maintenance costs.

Write 169 on ROADFAX card

ThomTechDesign Company, a subsidiary of Force America Inc., completed equipment and software installation of a customized snow plow data collection system for the Alaska DOT in Anchorage. The company provided the wireless system integration, in-vehicle installation, and database management.

The EPA requires reporting of chemicals used in snow control, and the federally funded project will measure and analyze granular and liquid applications of snow-removal chemicals in five of Anchorage’s watershed areas.Data from each vehicle is collected after the snow plow finishes its route via a spread spectrum radio. The data automatically uploads into the communications server as the vehicle enters the garage parking area. Alaska DOT’s newly purchased, state-of-the-art technology represents industry trends to better manage machine and materials while addressing environmental concerns of the community.

Write 170 on ROADFAX card