Over 70% of the United States relies on plows to clear the roads after winter snowfall. For those responsible for street care and snow removal, selecting the right plow to meet your needs and those of your municipality is key.
There are several essential considerations, like the snowplow’s design, durability, size and compatibility with your vehicle. These details can make or break effectiveness. Below, we will examine the key types of snowplows, blades and accessories so you can invest in the best equipment possible.
Types of Snowplows
Snowplows are divided into three main types, and some heavy-duty trucks may use all three at once.
Front-Mounted Snowplows
Front-mounted snowplows are the most common type. You’ve likely seen them clearing the streets and roads of your area during the winter.
Typically, the blades they use are angled to one side or the other, allowing them to push snow off the road for safer travel. These snowplows are also highly customizable. There are a number of different accessories and blade shapes that can help clear snow more effectively and efficiently.
Wing Snowplows
Wing snowplows often bolster the work of front-mounted snowplows. They are typically mounted on the side or back of the truck to increase the reach of the plow and prevent snow from building up alongside the truck and slowing it down.
While they are less common than their front-mounted counterparts, wing snowplows can significantly decrease the time it takes to clear roads and driveways, especially in areas with wider roads that face denser snowfall.
Underbody Scrapers
Underbody snow and ice scrapers are your best friend when it comes to dealing with packed-in ice and snow. They often sit behind front-mounted snowplows and scrape up the ice and compact snow that the front-mounted plows miss.
Some are set at fixed angles, whereas others oscillate. Either way, these scrapers will make your truck far more powerful when it comes to clearing out dangerous layers of ice and snow along the ground.
Snowplow Blades and Materials
As mentioned above, front-mounted snowplows can be heavily customized, and that customization extends to the blade itself. There are three main types of blades to choose from:
- V-blade: These blades are akin to an arrow pointing forward from the front of the truck. This design allows them to push snow to both the left and the right simultaneously, which is especially useful when clearing narrower roads. Many V-blades can also be inverted so that they gather and direct snow with more control, and some can even become straight blades if necessary.
- Straight blade: Most plows are outfitted with a straight blade that pushes snow to one side. While it is simple, this design is effective for most plowing applications and is more cost-effective than advanced options like the V-blade.
- Expandable blade: If you’re looking for a wider blade path, the expandable blade is for you. It starts as a straight blade, but when clearing parking lots and other areas, it can be opened up to cover a wider area with the same level of power and durability. However, you will need a larger vehicle in order to take advantage of this wider berth, as a more compact one may not have the power the move the expanded blade smoothly.
The materials these blades are made of can also be altered based on your preferences. Four of the most common materials include:
- Polycarbonate: This thermoplastic polymer is almost frictionless, which allows the blade to move snow and ice with ease. They’ve become very popular in recent years despite their higher price point.
- Rubber: These blades are designed to clear fragile surfaces like brick and newly laid cement. They are durable and flexible enough to clear dirt and gravel roads without disturbing or damaging them.
- Carbon steel: Plow blades made of steel are extremely common and effective, but those that come with a powder-coated carbon steel edge are even more powerful. The carbon edge is also more resistant to scrapes and dents than your traditional stainless steel blade, extending its lifespan and saving you money on repairs and replacements.
- Tungsten carbide: When it comes to blade durability, tungsten carbide cannot be beaten. This strength and resistance to wear allow it to last longer and carve through even the densest of snowbanks. However, its stiffness can be a limitation when it comes to uneven or sensitive surfaces.
Key Snowplow Components
The composition of a snowplow extends beyond the blade and can vary from vehicle to vehicle. One truck may be better equipped to navigate residential areas due to sensors and lights, while another is more suited to clear out narrow back roads due to its more compact size and V-blade. Some of the most important components of a snowplow include:
- Moldboard: The blade mounted at the front of the snowplow is also called a moldboard. It can be made of a number of materials, and its angle can be adjusted for more effective plowing and moving. Some even curve to the point of looking like a semicircle.
- Push frame: Between the moldboard and the coupler at the front of the truck is the push frame. It connects both straight blades and V-blades to the coupler and the truck itself.
- Trip edge: This compact mechanism activates when the moldboard strikes an out-of-place object less than six inches high, tripping the blade and protecting it from impacts that might otherwise damage it. Trip edges also protect the environment from the blades, allowing you to navigate with confidence.
- Trip springs: These springs enable the moldboard to flex or pop up in response to the trip edge’s activation. They can flex forward or backward before settling the moldboard back into place.
Snowplowing Equipment and Accessories
Customizing your snowplow doesn’t stop at the blade, either. Other accessories can dramatically improve your plow’s capabilities, enabling superior performance in harsher settings, while others make utilizing the plow easier. These accessories include:
- Plow shoes: If you’re plowing on gravel or other sensitive surfaces, you may want to invest in plow shoes. They elevate the blade above the ground, preventing it from scraping up what lies below the snow. Using these shoes will leave some snow behind that may need to be shoveled by hand. However, this is a small price to pay compared to the damage that might be inflicted on vulnerable roadways.
- Caster kits: These kits are essentially compact dollies that make it easy to move and store the blade when it is not attached to the plow. Many models can be locked in place to prevent them from rolling when not in use.
- Curb guards: Similar to plow shoes, curb guards protect both the environment and the blade itself from damage. They cover the base of the blade and extend past the edge, giving you a clearer sense of where curbs are without bumping into them.
Invest in High-Quality Municipal Snowplows From MTech
Clearing roads is a vital part of any municipality’s weather response plan. At MTech, our premium suite of ARM TruckCorp heavy-duty snowplows is built for the densest snowfall.
The height and curve of our moldboards can be adjusted to your liking, as can the blade material itself. Curb guards, plow shoes and more can also be added, allowing you to customize the plow to meet your unique demands. No matter your questions or needs, our 24/7 service support is always here to help.
Schedule a demo today to learn more about our snow and ice equipment.
