Snowplow Buyers Guide
With winters becoming more and more extreme, many commercial operations are considering picking up their own snowplows to deal with all that extra snow. It’s a smart move whether you’re removing snow for your business’ location or taking care of someone else’s snow buildup. Whatever your need, there are a few points to consider before making the investment.
Here at Scott’s Power Equipment, we want to make sure our customers are buying the right equipment and getting great deals on what they need to get their work done. In that spirit, we’ve put together this short buying guide to help with a snowplow purchase. Read on for more information or head into one of our locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, Wentzville, and East St. Louis, Missouri.
Consider Your Plowing Vehicle
A snowplow won’t do anything sitting idle without a vehicle to hook it up to, and the type of vehicle you plan to utilize your plow with will help determine exactly what plow to get. Consider the front gross axle weight rating (FGAWR) of your vehicle for a limit to the weight of a plow. The bigger a plow, the heavier it is and the better FGAWR rating you’ll need to operate it.
Commercial work requires more powerful equipment, and you’ll likely need at least a ¾ ton pickup truck with a FGAWR that can handle the larger plows. You’ll want a snowplow at least 8 feet wide for commercial work. If you’re just going after plowing your own business, a half-ton truck can be acceptable for smaller plows. Most manufacturers have a selection of tools to help you figure out which plow is right for you, and we here at Scott’s Power Equipment are more than ready to help you out when you stop by one of our locations.
Straight vs. V-Blade
Both straight and V-blade plows are going to be able to get your plowing job done, but there are a couple of differences you should still consider before buying. Straight blades are the most common out there, both due to their general applicability and lower price.
V-blades have multi-position capabilities that make them able to plow snow a little bit differently. One great way to use a v-blade is to turn it up into a scoop, which makes it much more efficient for plowing heavy drifts. You can also shift your plow into the “V” position, which sets the blade at an angle to scrape off frozen snow with ease due to its wedge-like configuration. Professional plowers should absolutely consider picking up a v-blade over a straight snowplow.
Plow Material
There are a few choices when it comes to the material the snowplow is made from. There’s of course stainless steel, which is quite resistant to corrosion but also prone to denting. While they look great new, a dinged up plow is both unattractive and less effective. Mild steel is a good alternative that offers increased durability, rigidity, and is still affordable.
Poly material snowplows offer the slickest platform for plowing, meaning that snow won’t stick to the blade and will slide off more easily than with other materials. They’re also resistant to scratches and dents, and they offer the best corrosion resistance. However, poly plows are usually heavier than steel plows due to needing more backing reinforcement to keep their shapes.
New vs. Used
Deciding between new or used models is one of the largest omnipresent questions whenever you shop for equipment, but you’ll have to decide at some point. There are tons of benefits with new plows, including its fresh condition, but buying used is a great option as well. Dealers like Scott’s Power Equipment offer quality used plows that are perfect for commercial applications.
Just remember to apply a bit of extra scrutiny when looking over used equipment of any kind. Inspect a used plow for signs of damage. Little things like scratches can be touched up if needed, but serious issues like bent blades or beams should motivate you to look elsewhere.
Lighting and Control Systems
Professional snow plowers know how important the right lighting and controls can be for smooth and efficient work. Visibility is a big deal during a storm or even when the winter overcast is present, so it’s important to consider the mounting system and plow headlines. You’ll often find the standard dual-stud design can become loose and move around while you’re plowing. When examining headlight systems, put extra value on those with two-piece clamp designs that keep the headlights secured.
Control systems vary in complexity and corresponding functionality. Most operators won’t want to worry about fancy control systems, as they can be hard to learn and use even for veteran plowers. But if you’re running a commercial operation dedicated to plowing snow, the increased level of function and eventual mastery of the technology will be a great benefit for owners and operators.
A snowplow is just what you need to deal with the coming winter. We hope some of these tips help you find the right plow for your needs, but if you’re still having trouble, call or head into Scott’s Power Equipment. We have locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, Wentzville, and East St. Louis, Missouri. Stop by today and let our team of equipment experts help you find what you need and show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction!