Weather, infrastructure, capacity, and labor needs change region to region, and as a result, the plows that contractors choose must adjust to meet their regional needs. With so many options available, better understanding the role each front mounted plow type plays in protecting walkways, driveways and pedestrians will help you make more informed decisions in your investments.
The experts at Monroe Truck Equipment have put together the guide below to assist contractors in their decision making process.
There Is No Single Solution
There are several reasons why a snow plow that works really well for one region may not meet your needs, even if you’re not too far away. Snow plows are designed with a few considerations in mind.
Regional Needs
One of the biggest considerations is the location and infrastructure of your area. Do you work in rural areas with expansive properties? Do you work in a densely populated metropolitan area where you have to consider parked cars, pedestrians, trash bins and other objects that get in your way? Or perhaps you need a plow for a residential or medical campus, hospital, cemetery or other contained spaces. This will be one of the biggest aspects to consider when investing in a new plow.
Truck Considerations
Another important aspect to consider is whether you are investing in a new vehicle to fit the plow you need, or if you are upfitting an existing truck for snow and ice control. Considering the weight and size of the blade and how it works with your vehicle is a major factor when making your investment. Plows can start at widths as small as 6.5’ for small pickups and go all the way up to 12’ or more for a dump truck. The heavier the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your truck, the bigger the plow you can safely use. If you continually use a plow that is too heavy for your truck, it can stress the front axle and suspension and worsen the efficiency of your braking system.
How to Identify The Best Plows
There are a lot of options when it comes to snow plows. However, most front-mounted plow designs are iterations of two core plow products: straight blades or v-plows. Understanding the plow types is foundational, and then you can choose additional features like wings and underbody scrapers that will further enhance your plowing capabilities. Monroe Truck Equipment offers several options that fit the needs of our customers in regions across the country.
Different designs and features create several options for the purchaser to consider. However, most front-mounted plow designs are iterations of two core plow products: straight blades & v-plows. Understanding which plow type is foundational, and then you can choose additional features like wings and underbody scrapers that will further enhance your plowing capabilities.
Straight Plows
Straight plows are a good general purpose plow choice for large, expansive spaces like parking lots, airports, and off road plowing. Alternatively, they are also a good choice on a smaller scale for driveways and small properties. They are general purpose because they are simple to operate and are mounted directly on the front of the truck to push and drag snow. Unfortunately they do not work for all situations, snow types and infrastructure types.
V-Plows
V-plows are a great, versatile option because they’re more dynamically designed and can handle a larger variety of tasks. V-plows can break into a snowbank in areas of heavy and accumulated snow. They can also “scoop” snow in the v-formation which is extremely useful when plowing areas such as between rows of parked cars and other obstacles. The scoop position also allows snow to be stacked much higher than straight blade applications.
Using Your Plow
Once you know what type of blade and model of snow plow that will work best for your work, you can start making decisions about the additions and upfitting options that will make your job easier, help keep you comfortable, and move with ease.
Salt spreaders are incredibly important additions to a snow plow, and there are several options available that again consider where and how you work. But in addition to spreaders, you may want to consider features like additional lighting, back up alarms, additional steps for getting in and out of the cab, or storage options for any additional snow and ice equipment or tools you may need.
Other Considerations
There are plenty of features to consider and options to weigh when investing in a new plow. Material type, hydraulic options, manufacturer, mount and operating systems and much more. Having a foundational understanding of what type of front-mounted plow will work best for your region and your truck will give you the space to explore the smaller specific options that will make sure your plow works best for your work style and business goals.
Consider a Strong Partnership
In addition to investing in a plow that meets the needs of your region and the features that help you work best, consider making an investment with a dealership or manufacturer where you can build a trusted relationship with a representative. Even after a sale, it’s important to have someone you can go to for training, advice, questions or any concerns you may have.
Monroe Truck Equipment is a trusted work truck manufacturer and upfitter who believe in true and trusted partnerships with our customers. We serve commercial customers across the country and work to find solutions for their most pressing needs. If you want to learn more about Snow and Ice Management, please reach out to our team today.