Whether you’re looking to get into the snow plowing business or just need a more efficient way to clear your driveway this winter, we know that getting started can be a little confusing. While we can't climb in the vehicle and teach you how to maneuver a snow plow, we can run you through the basics necessary to get moving. From selecting the right snow plow and accessories to mastering essential techniques, here are some key tips to kick your snow-removal efforts into high gear.
Consider Your Capabilities (And Limitations)
If you're a home or property owner who just needs to take care of their driveway in an area that sees relatively mild winters, then there's no need to invest in anything more than a traditional half-ton pickup truck. In fact, many small SUVs and UTVs can get the job done as long as they have 4WD or AWD.
If, however, you’re approaching snow plowing as a side gig and planning to take on a blend of residential and commercial jobs, then moving to a 3/4-ton truck is worthwhile for the additional power and rigidity. These trucks can also support more accessories (like salt spreaders) which may be used alongside the plow.
Larger commercial vehicles are generally best for the really big jobs. State and local municipalities use them for plowing large parking lots and popular main streets because of the higher payload capacity, higher weight, increased traction, and greater functionality. While these are all great traits for many reasons, keep in mind that these trucks are limited in their ability to handle small residential jobs.
Choose the Right Snow Plow Mount
What's a snow plow truck without a snow plow? Unless you were lucky enough to buy a used truck that came with the plow, you're going to need to find one that best suits your use.
A year-make-model search will help you find what snow plows are available for your chosen vehicle. From there, you can narrow things down based on plow type and construction material:
V Plow or Straight Plow
Straight plows are uncomplicated, affordable, and can handle all the basic techniques necessary for personal or professional snow plowing – which is why they are quite popular. V-plows, while more expensive, provide more versatility and open the door to more complex plowing techniques.
A straight plow looks pretty much like how it sounds. It features a straight blade shape with a slightly curved design. V-plows are characterized by their ‘V’ shape, but are not permanently fixed to this position. They are made of two parts that can be moved independently of one another. This allows them to be used both as a straight plow for simple jobs and in different configurations to better suit specific situations.
Poly or Steel Blade
Like straight plows, steel blades have long been a popular option, mostly because they are simple, sturdy, and cost-effective. However, steel – even when treated – eventually corrodes. It also picks up dings, dents, and scratches pretty easily.
Poly plows, by contrast, are composed of polyethylene. This highly-durable plastic material is scratch- and dent-resistant with a slick surface that allows snow to slide off much more easily than steel counterparts. Poly also does not corrode like steel, and it will look better for longer (something to consider if presentation is important to your business). The drawback to this material is that it's much more expensive than traditional steel counterparts. Some winter warriors will also argue that it doesn’t scrape as well as steel because the edge is not as thin.
Consider Essential Accessories
Type and material aside, you still have a few add-ons to consider with your plow purchase. The list below is comprised of common accessories and features you'll want to check out.
Snow Deflectors. Designed to maintain visibility, this simple rubber device prevents snow and ice from blowing over the top of the plow and hitting the windshield.
Skid Shoes. These small feet mount to the rear of the plow, slightly raising it off the ground to protect the edge from tripping over gravel and other road debris.
LED Plow Markers. Plow markers help drivers keep track of the exact location of the plow as they work. While the traditional reflective design is safe and effective, LED plow markers kick visibility up a notch by actually illuminating the blade’s edge.
Plow Wings. Mounting to the sides of a snow plow, these extensions increase plow width for improved performance. They can be fixed in position or hydraulically controlled from inside the truck cab.
Curb Guards. These small bumper-like devices mount to the lower outer portion of the wear edge to protect the plow from curb damage.
Auxiliary Lighting. Plowing will often take place at night and/or in poor visibility conditions, making additional forward and rearward-facing lights an excellent upgrade to consider.
Safety Lights. Work and warning lights make it easier for other motorists and pedestrians to identify your location.
Backup Cameras. Older trucks are vastly benefited by the addition of a backup camera to improve rearward visibility.
Operating Tips for Efficient Snow Plowing
Once your truck is set up, you’ll need to get familiar with various controls and techniques. It's going to take some time to get the hang of everything, and its best to practice in a safe and controlled area.
Two key things to keep in mind before getting started is that you want to let the plow "float" when it's set to the position needed for making passes. This may be an automatic feature on some machines but may need to be manually selected on others. Float mode allows the blade to move up and down on varying terrain, keeping it from digging into the surface below.
Secondly, you do not need to remove all the snow in a single pass. If you're plowing deep snow, it's best to work in a layered manner, removing a few inches of snow with each pass to make things easier on your equipment.
With that out of the way, below is a list of basic snow plowing techniques you want to practice, with a brief explanation of their purpose and how they're performed:
Straight Plowing. This involves keeping the snowplow blade in a straight position to push snow directly forward. It’s useful for clearing open areas and quickly moving snow. It can also be used to manage the piles of snow that accumulate at driveway ends or along streets. Called “windrows,” these piles can become unmanageably high over time. A straight plow position can be used to push away a windrow, creating a fresh, more workable layer of snow.
Angled Plowing. By tilting the plow blade, you can push snow to the left or right side of the vehicle. For example, if you were plowing a roadway, you would angle the plow so that it pushes the snow to the shoulder.
V-Formation Plowing. In trucks equipped with a V-plow, the ‘V’ position directs snow to either side of the vehicle, creating a clear path straight ahead. This is especially useful for breaking through heavy and deep snow.
Backdragging. This technique entails lifting the plow blade and then dragging it backward. It’s used to remove snow from tight spaces like along buildings or narrow pathways.
Windrowing. Using the angled plowing technique, you tilt the plow blade to one side, which then directs the snow to pile up in a row alongside a driveway, road, or other cleared surface, like a parking lot. This creates a snowbank (or “windrow”) on one side, which serves as temporary snow storage until the accumulation can be safely removed or relocated.
When is the Right Time to Plow?
We cannot stress enough how important it is to familiarize yourself with your plow and how each technique is performed. Knowing your machine like the back of your hand is the only way to ensure you're working in the safest way possible. That's especially important because you will be plowing during storms when visibility is at its poorest.
The reason you want to plow during storms is because waiting until they're over may mean there's simply too much snow for your machine to handle. Making multiple passes throughout a storm ensures you aren’t needlessly beating up your snow plow or truck, and helps keep you safe.
Keep It Clean, Keep It Moving
Snow plowing exposes your truck and its accessories to cold weather, wet snow, and abrasive road salt. That means parts are going to wear and corrode at a much faster rate. So, the last snow plowing tip we have for you is to simply keep an eye on things.
Your truck's brakes and suspension are going to see a serious amount of abuse under these conditions, as will the steering components. It's wise to keep a close eye on anything in these systems, replacing any necessary parts before the season starts (and maybe even again after). Those of you who are particularly concerned about your work truck may also consider freshening up the undercoating or applying a protective film to keep salt from creating rust.
Checking the plow itself is also important to its longevity. You want to keep a fresh wear edge on it to prevent wearing down the main body. The main body should also be regularly inspected for cracks or severe damage that warrants replacing it before catastrophe can strike mid-job. Periodically inspecting the electronics and hydraulics to ensure everything is in working order is also a good habit to get into as you never know what the plow might kick up into the working parts.