How to choose Driveway/Parking Lot Snowplows for Light - Medium Duty Trucks

Commercial WorkTruck Series

By: Steve Taylor

There are dozens of manufacturers of snowplows for light duty and medium duty trucks and utility vehicles. There are also a multitude and variety of distributors and dealers for these products. How do you make the best choice?

First, the size and model of plow will dictate the size and model of truck that is required to push the blade. This is because of a number of factors, including the weight of the blade and truck mounted components as well as other mounted equipment and accessories.

Determine how the plow will be used.  This will help determine the style and size of the plow. Will it be used to plow commercially or for your own driveway? If you will be using it for your own driveway, you might decide to use the family SUV and a small plow blade. If you will be plowing commercially, then you will probably want a ¾ ton or 1 ton or larger truck and an 8’ or 9 or even a 10’ plow. 

How much snow does your area generally get? If you live in the southern states, you may not use your plow for several years. And when it snows, you may get 3-4 inches. A smaller vehicle and a lighter blade will work to keep the snow plowed if you start early and keep ahead of the storm.

But if you live in upstate New York or on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, you may be using the plow every day for a few months every year. You will probably want a larger blade to make the job more efficient. If you have a lot of area to plow in a compressed window of time you will need a larger blade and a larger truck to push it.

If you plan to plow commercially and have no experience at it, then you will be wise to research a variety of plows and vehicles. Most commercial plow operators start by using straight blades; plow blade moldboards that are straight with functions to control raising, lowering, and angling left and right. These are basic designs satisfactory for most plowing conditions. The straight blades most commonly used commercially are 8 ft. and 9 ft.

Determine what specific vehicle will be needed.  The plowing conditions and the size of the blade will help you determine the right size truck as well as the other options and equipment needed.

There are a lot of considerations to choose the vehicle and the plow make and model. Plan a day to drive around looking at snow plow trucks in your area. I would recommend talking with other trusted sources including neighbors and contractors who use plows. Ask them about their experience with plow makes and their sales and service experience with the dealers and distributors. Call distributors listed in the Yellow Pages, ask them about their years in business, what brands they handle and their parts inventory, if they have extended hours during storms, etc.

Plows that are 7.5 feet wide and less are mounted on ½ ton pickups or SUVs. Generally, the 8’ blade will be mounted on a ¾ ton truck and the 9 ft. will be mounted on a 1 ton truck with dual rears wheels. The 10’ will be mounted on the heavier or greater than 14000GVW range truck chassis with dump bodies and or spreaders. Almost all serious plow trucks are 4wheel drive. 

Other brand model offerings are V-Plows, Extending Blades, Side Mounted Wings and Back Drag. My advice is to start with straight blades and learn from others about these other plows before you consider buying them. There are some advantages in all these models but you should consider are they worth the extra expense for your needs, and also what other issues do they potentially present for maintenance and breakdowns?

Straight blades are the most common style of plow but other styles include Variable V-Plows, Extending Blades and even Side Mounted Wings and Back-Drag styles. The extending blades or “wing flaps” are relatively new to the market. I would conduct a very though investigation of their performance and durability before purchasing them. The same with side mounted wing plows; these are normally very heavy and load up the front suspension of the truck a lot. They are used mostly for plowing roads. The back drag plows are not very common but can perform very special snow removal such as dragging snow away from the overhead garage doors.

Here are some of the advantages of the Variable V-Plows. They keep the truck on a straight path when positioned in the “V” shape and plowing heavy deep new snowfall. An angled straight blade tends to push the truck to the opposite side when angled. The V-Plow can be positioned to the exact same positions as straight blades, and it can also be positioned and used in the scoop “U” shape. This position works well to push large amounts of snow a substantial distance without loss off the ends of the blade. It also enables snow to be “stacked” or “piled up” with greater efficiency.

You will find that certain brands have regional acceptance. They have become the “gold standard” for certain areas of the country. This can be true for a number of reasons. The manufacturer or distributor has built a very good and reliable product and service reputation and a loyal customer base. My advice generally is to give a lot of attention to these products, learn as much as you can about the products and the local service and if you want to look at other products, compare them against what you have learned about the local “gold standard.”

As much as brands have regional acceptance, so do particular designs. For instance one of the major differentiating features of several brands is the design of its “trip function”. In other words, the blade will encounter a rock or curb under the snow and the blade will respond by either tripping forward as is the case of a “full trip blade” or it will remain upright because the bottom edge will “trip.” These are two distinctive designs, some manufacturers offer only one or the other and others offer both. Now, at least one manufacturer has a 10’ V-Plow with dual trip functions designed into the product, the cutting edge or trip edge trip function plus the full trip function designed into the blade.

Talk to others about their experience with trip design functions, you will find a variety of opinions if you were to ask the same question in every state that gets snow. Generally, the opinion is that the full trip design gives the truck more protection as it trips, while the trip edge design may plow more snow as it keeps pushing ahead after a full trip blade has lost its load.

Another feature that many have found useful when you may be stuck in heavy snow is the power angle feature on a trip edge plow: Using the hydraulic extending force may help you get the truck out of the ditch as you angle the blade. The full-trip design probably would be of little help because it “trips over” when it is extended against the heavy bank of snow.

Other design considerations are the choice of the blade moldboard material. The three choices for most manufacturers are standard or “plain” painted steel, stainless steel, or poly material. The poly design is the “slipperiest” plow moldboard. It also retains the color after several years of operation. It is corrosion proof and scratch resistant. Over time it may have some deterioration in appearance due to UV or exposure to the sun rays. The poly moldboard is heavier because it is not as rigid as steel and needs extra reinforcing structure. The stainless steel moldboard materials may be slightly more slippery than steel and because they are not painted, do not get degraded by scratches.

Many truck dealers and equipment distributors can be helpful depending on their experience and how well they understand your needs. Tell them of your plowing plans and all the options you intend to install and use including spreaders and trailer towing, etc. Ask how long have they been specifying plows?

You should know the following about the manufacturer and the distributor/dealer:

Years in business

Years manufacturing or selling/ servicing snow plows

How long have those certain makes and models (V-Plows, Extending, Back Drag, etc.) have been produced?

What is their daily and weekend hours of service operation, especially during a storm?

Do they have snowplow factory trained and dedicated snowplow technicians?

In the case of dealerships, do they have separate service writers for commercial customers?

What parts do they consider high replacement parts – why?

Parts availability

Warranty

You should be confident in specifying the snow plow brand and model you want mounted on your truck if you have done your research.

Here are some great snow removal tips and equipment videos:

Plowing Tips from Boss Plows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4gm-cRfeso

Western Pro Plow Comparisons: http://www.westernplows.com/wp/showroom/proplow

Fisher 7.5 Plow:  http://www.fisherplows.com/fe/showroom/comparison.php?cx=1&ca=20

Poly Blade by Boss plows:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3RXU1idlf4&feature=relmfu

Fisher 8.0 Plow:                    http://www.fisherplows.com/fe/showroom/comparison.php?cx=1&ca=21

Power V-XT by Boss Plows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wly5QbI2jGI&feature=relmfu

Western Wide-Out:             http://www.westernplows.com/wp/showroom/comparison.php?cx=1&ca=13

Boss Plow Trip Edge:            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS_aQvEa960&feature=relmfu

Fisher XT Stainless:              http://www.fisherplows.com/fe/showroom/xblade

Boss Plows:                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkjrS6EyUTU&feature=relmfu

Steve Taylor is a consultant in commercial worktruck equipment. You may find him and other consultants at http://www.truckarchitect.com or http://www.upstreamsource.com mailto:projectmanager@upstreamsource.com

Chevrolet Donates 50 Trucks to Red Cross for Storm Relief

Brand sends full-size pickups and vans to sites hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy

DETROIT – Chevrolet today donated 50 Silverado full-size pickup trucks and Express cargo vans to the American Red Cross for use in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy and other storms buffeting the Eastern seaboard and nearby states.

“It is during disasters like this that we all need to pull together as a country and Chevrolet has a role in that,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “Making these vehicles available quickly where they can do the most good is something we can do right now.”

GM’s OnStar subsidiary is also supporting the initiative by providing each of the donated vehicles with 300 OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes of hands-free cellular and three months of its Directions and Connections plan which includes turn-by-turn navigation services. service available via Advisor or by download. The trucks are being pulled from existing inventory at dealerships closest to where they are needed.

In addition to the vehicle donation, the GM Foundation earlier donated $250,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which enables the agency to be ready to provide immediate disaster relief anywhere in the country.  The money is used to shelter, feed and meet emotional needs of disaster victims. The money also helps feed emergency workers, handle inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provide blood and blood products and help disaster victims access other available resources.

“The impact of Hurricane Sandy is being assessed up and down the East Coast and even further west, and the road to recovery will be long for many families,” said Neal Litvack, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross. “GM’s generous donation of vehicles and the GM Foundation’s donation of finances will help the American Red Cross to respond with shelter, food and care, aiding affected residents now and after the storm, as they move toward recovery,”

Anyone interested in providing support to hurricane victims are encouraged to visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

OnStar on Call as Sandy Threatens East Coast

Emergency assistance and tips offered as Hurricane Sandy moves north

DETROIT – Hurricane Sandy is threatening to bring heavy rainfall and extreme winds to the East Coast of the United States by early next week with North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island as areas of prime concern.

               

As always during a potential disaster, OnStar subscribers are encouraged to use the company's Crisis Assist services when needed, before, during and after the storm.

Hurricane Sandy is currently a Category 1 hurricane, weakening from a Category 2 after it devastated areas of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Cuba. 

With many U.S. areas declaring a “state of emergency,”people in the storm’s path are reminded to take measures to prepare themselves for potential disaster. Specifically, plan evacuation routes, identify levees or dams in the area and assemble an emergency kit with first-aid materials, flashlights and extra cash. For more tips see OnStar's Hurricane Preparation Checklist.

"This is a very aggressive storm that could potentially affect the majority of the East Coast,” said Mary Ann Adams, OnStar crisis incident manager. “Residents are advised to listen to their local emergency management officials for instructions in their area.  For those who have access, OnStar is also on call to help.”

OnStar has nearly 1 million active subscribers in potentially affected states, all of whom have access to the company's Crisis Assist services via OnStar's red emergency button or blue button. Once connected, OnStar Advisors can provide subscribers with:

·         Emergency services: Advisors can connect and direct emergency responders to the exact location of a subscriber in need using OnStar's embedded cellular system and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology.

·         Routing assistance: Advisors can provide alternate routes, evacuation routes, and directions to hospitals, hotels or shelters

·         Central point of contact for assistance: Advisors can provide crisis information and centralized assistance when subscribers need, for example, weather updates, hotel accommodations or help reporting power outages or road closures.

·         Keeping subscribers connected: Subscribers without power in their homes and unable to recharge their cell phone or are having trouble getting cellular service can use OnStar Hands-Free Calling to stay connected and reach loved ones.

·         Reporting new incidents: OnStar encourages subscribers to be Good Samaritans and contact an Advisor when they witness a dangerous situation or someone with an emergency need, so an Advisor can inform public safety officials.

OnStar has relationships with more than 6,000 9-1-1 Call Centers, allowing Advisors to assist in getting quick, localized assistance in any type of emergency situation. For more information on OnStar Crisis Assist, visit www.onstar.com.

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

GM Pioneers Use of Lightweight Magnesium Sheet Metal

 Double-digit fuel economy gains possible with more substitution for steel and aluminum  

DETROIT – General Motors is testing an industry-first thermal-forming process and proprietary corrosion resistance treatment for lightweight magnesium sheet metal that will allow increased use of the high-strength alternative to steel and aluminum.

GM wants to expand its use of low-mass parts on vehicles around the world and will pursue licensing opportunities related to this breakthrough technology. The goal is for suppliers to be able to use the process to provide significant amounts of magnesium sheet that will trim pounds from vehicle mass.

The use of magnesium, which weighs 33 percent less than aluminum, 60 percent less than titanium, and 75 percent less than steel, will help customers save money at the gas pump, as will more efficient conventional engines and electric powertrains.   

Until now, automakers have struggled to make reliably strong and non-corroding magnesium sheet metal panels using traditional panel forming methods. GM’s patented process turns up the heat on magnesium to 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit), allowing the material to be molded into precise, rigid shapes.

Using this process, GM developed a production-ready magnesium rear deck lid inner panel that withstood 77,000 robotic slams and 250-kilogram impact drops without any issues.

Die-cast magnesium has been used in a variety of parts ranging from steering wheels to engine cradles, but GM is the first to use thermal-formed magnesium sheet metal in structural applications, and it expects magnesium sheet applications to grow with additional materials and process improvements targeted at reducing cost.

“This innovative use of magnesium is just one example of how GM is leveraging breakthrough technologies that will benefit our customers around the globe,” said Jon Lauckner, GM chief technology officer and vice president of Global Research & Development. “Using high-strength lightweight materials such as magnesium and aluminum is one of the most effective ways to improve vehicle fuel economy and driving performance.”

GM R&D recently announced an industry-first welding technology for aluminum, which is expected to enable more use of the metal on future vehicles.

The United States Automotive Materials Partnership estimates that by 2020, 350 pounds of magnesium will replace 500 pounds of steel and 130 pounds of aluminum per vehicle, an overall weight reduction of 15 percent. This weight savings would lead to a fuel savings of 9 percent to 12 percent.   

On the production ready rear deck lid inner panel, GM can remove 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight compared to an aluminum deck lid inner panel.

“Every gram of weight reduction matters when it comes to improving fuel economy,” said Greg Warden, GM executive director for global vehicle body engineering. “Being able to replace heavier metals with one of the lightest will help us deliver better fuel economy to customers around the world while also still providing the safety and durability they expect.”

Automakers also have struggled to make magnesium corrosion resistant. GM’s proprietary treatment for thermal-formed magnesium resisted 10 consecutive weeks of 24-hour environmental tests involving salt spray, 100 percent humidity and extreme temperatures.

“Like all of our advanced material vehicle parts, we subjected the magnesium trunk lid to the most severe strength and corrosion tests we know of, and it passed with flying colors,” said Jon Carter, GM R&D metals researcher. “We expect it to perform extremely well even in the harshest environments.”

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.