Albert Lea Auto Repair

Choosing the Correct Snowplow

I know, talking about snowplows in September seems crazy. This is actually the best time to have a discussion because it is the season of manufacturer rebates on snowplows. In case you didn’t know, Sanderson Auto Repair is an authorized dealer for Boss and Snoway plows and they both offer significant rebates in the fall! So, let’s talk about snowplows.

Let’s start with why you would want a snowplow. Here in the Midwest, we have the pleasure of four distinct seasons throughout the year. Each season has its own benefits and challenges. The winter season can be beautiful; however, it can be brutal and snowy sometimes too. Shoveling snow is challenging enough on its own, but factor in the cold wind and it can become dangerous. Some choose to upgrade to a snow blower which is usually faster but chucks the snow in the air and that can be challenging for the operator. It can be hard to see and can cover the operator with lots of snow. Or you can choose to sit in your heated cab with the radio on while you push some snow around. What sounds better to you? I’ve done plenty of all three options and given a choice I would choose the heated cab every time. Let me illustrate this with a story.

Years ago, I was contracted to plow a fourplex down the street from my house. I had a riding mower with a snowblower attachment on the front. The blower worked well once I got the mower started. The mower didn’t like the cold weather and was temperamental to get started. It usually took some time to get it going and once running it would take about 2 hours to blow my driveway and the four driveways at the fourplex. By the time I was done, I was completely covered with snow and had icicles hanging off my face. During that time, I worked at an automotive repair shop about 20 minutes from my house and they had a plow truck that I was welcome to borrow when needed. I found that it was faster to drive to the shop, get the truck, plow the driveways, and return the truck when done. I experienced much less frustration during the process and avoided the abominable snowman look with icicles on my face. By the following winter I sold the blower and purchased a plow for my old Jeep CJ. I used it for many years and started to enjoy moving snow during the winter.

The first step in choosing the right snowplow is to think about how you’re going to use the plow. Start by answering the following questions:

• Are you plowing gravel or concrete/blacktop?
  • Knowing the plowing surface will aid determining what style trip springs are best and if you would benefit from snowplow shoes.
• Do you regularly need to plow snowdrifts?
  • V-plows are better suited for cutting through hard packed snow drifts and help prevent the plow vehicle from getting pushed off the road.
• Do you have a long driveway or short driveway?
  • Plowing long distances at higher speeds causes the snow to fly up onto the vehicle’s windshield. Using a snow deflector on the plow can improve visibility and safety.
• Is the plowing location wide open or does it have tight turns?
  • The plowing efficiency on large open lots can be improved with a wider plow.
  • Whereas a narrower plow is easier to maneuver around obstacles.
• Do you need to park the vehicle in a garage and how wide is the door opening?
  • A 9’ plow may work great for your driveway but is very difficult to fit in a one stall garage opening.
• Is this plow for personal use or professional use?
  • Professional plowing operations require heavy duty plows that minimize down time.
• Will the plow be on a dedicated vehicle or do you drive it daily?
  • Daily driven vehicles benefit from easy to install/remove plow designs.
• What is your budget?
  • The best plow for your application may be outside your ideal cost range. Does downgrading the design or quality of the plow save, or cost you more money in the long run? Cost should be factored into the decision-making process but not the only factor.

Let’s talk about different plow designs and the benefits of each design. Think about your answers to the questions above and see what would best fit your needs.

Straight Blade Plows

• Simple design that gets the job done.
• Lighter in overall weight. Options available for many smaller vehicles like the Ford Ranger or Jeep Wrangler.
• Options available for ATVs and side-by-sides.

V-Plows

• Better at cutting through drifted snow.
• More effective at collecting snow into piles.
• Easier to install and remove from most vehicles due to their self-supporting design.
• Less adverse wind effects when driving with the plow on the vehicle.

Straight Blade Plow with Extending Wings

• Primarily used by professionals to clear large parking lots.
• Some can extend to a full 10’ wide.
• Blends the scooping ability of a v-plow with the wide, clearing ability of a straight blade.

Box Plow

• Used on skid loaders and front-end loaders.
• Highly efficient at moving large amounts of snow.
• Can push the snow into higher piles than a standard plow.

Pull Behind Plow

• Used specifically for clearing large open parking lots.
• Can open to a full 16’ wide.
• Usually used in large metropolitan areas.

So now you have a basic understanding of what each plow can do, and have answered the questions above, so let’s get you in the best plow. The best way is to give us a call. We can discuss what you are looking for and the vehicle you plan to plow with to find just the right one for your needs. We can discuss installation, pricing, rebates, and warranty to get you the best product for your application. You can also go to the manufacturer’s websites and complete the product selector for your vehicle to see what fits. https://www.bossplow.com/en/product-selector/ or https://snoway.com/what-plow-fits/ Once a person experiences the joy of moving snow in a warm vehicle, it will be very hard to pick up that shovel again. Let’s create one more way for you to enjoy the winter season.

Aaron Bjorklund