Things to Think About Before you Purchase a Snow Plow

Winter is here, and you've probably already noticed the snow starting to accumulate outside on your streets and drive ways.  Well it's time to get rid of it.

It doesn't matter if you are removing snow from your personal driveway or you're a snow removal contractor with a ton of accounts, purchasing a snow plow is a pretty big investment.

But don't worry because your pals here at EZ Wheeler are here to make the buying process EZ for you.  Use this article as a guideline when making your purchase and you will be in good shape!

What Type of Plowing Will you be Doing and How it Impacts your Budget

The first thing you are going to want to do when choosing a plow, is decide what type of plowing you are going to be doing.  Are you getting this plow for personal or commercial use? The answer to this question will be big factor in determining your budget.  

Personal Use:

Plowing at home is sometimes a must especially if you have a long driveway.  Plows are also great for clearing snow from friends and family's driveways. 

If this is the type of stuff you are looking to do then you can probably get away with 7' straight blade.  A Fisher HT series snow plow is the perfect plow for many home owners.  It offers all the strength and stability you'll need to plow your drive, at a pretty reasonable price.  

Commercial Use:

If you are looking to pick up a couple of accounts and plow parking lots and side roads you are going to need a 8' plow.   

Most of the time commercial snow removal needs to be done fast and efficient.  Which is why we always recommend a V-plow to all of our commercial customers.  

When it comes to V-plows there is nothing better than the Fisher XtremeV snow plow.  With the ability to change from V to straight to scoop mode, plowing snow has never been easier or faster.  And getting the jobs done faster means you make more money.

Which Type of Plow is Better? Straight Plow or V-Plow?

To tell you the truth, both plows are actually tough enough to get any job done.  A lot of people stick with straight blades just due to the fact that they are much cheaper than a V-blade.  

But, a V-plow offers a ton of advantages over a straight blade.  Thanks to the multi-position capabilities of a V-blade, they are able to direct snow much more efficiently than a straight blade.  

In the scoop position a V-plow can stack snow in a way that straight blades can't.  Slicing through frozen snow in the V position is much more efficient than using the flat surface of a straight blade.  In short a V-blade is better for the plow, the truck and the operator.  

Which Plow Material is Best?

There are three main materials that snow plows are made from.  Those materials are mild steel, stainless steel, and poly.  For commercial snowplow work, all three materials will be adequate; however, they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

Poly:

Poly is the most slick. Snow will not stick to blade and will slide off the side faster and easier. Poly is also extremely resistant to scratches, dents, and corrosion. As a result, more and more snow professionals are switching their fleets to poly.

Although, one common misconception to dispel about poly is that it is lighter than steel. This simply isn’t true. In fact, most poly plows are heavier than steel because of the reinforced steel framework that rests behind the poly moldboard.

Stainless Steel:

Stainless steel is corrosion resistant and has a slight advantage over mild steel in “slickness.” Some also consider it to be the most visually appealing.

Consequently, it is more prone to dents and scratches. Any rocks you hit will leave “dings” on the plow. Over time, this may look unsightly and could affect the plows performance.

Mild Steel:

There’s no doubt that mild steel is the industry standard. It has been used to manufacture plows for decades. Steel plows are treated with a zinc powder coating to help prevent rust.

however, over time rust will occur. Still, mild steel plows can be relied upon to be durable, rigid, and valuable.

Make Sure it's Easy to Use

The winter season is a rough one and you’ll need to be able to attach your plow in the worst conditions it can toss out, including, the dark, cold, snow, ice, sleet, salt, and grime.

When shopping for a plow, you will want to evaluate the attachment system as they vary from one manufacturer to another. Ease of use is one of the main selling points of an attachment system. Look for one that you can quickly attach your truck to and begin your plowing job.

If you are a snow contractor, you will also want to consider the attachment systems ability to switch between multiple trucks in your fleet. This also varies by manufacturer.

There are a lot more things to consider when it comes to purchasing a plow, but this list is a great place to start. If you have any questions feel free to give us a call or stop by one of our locations, and make sure you check all of our snow plows here at EZWheeler.com!!