Things to Know Before You Buy a New Plow
by Phil Webster1
It’s just after town meetings. If you’re lucky, you’ve been approved to buy equipment. There are a couple of things you might want to consider before ordering a truck, snow plow, and related equipment.
A typical New Hampshire municipal snow plow truck has a six-wheel, diesel powered chassis equipped with a central hydraulic system to operate front plow, wing, dump body, and slide in sander. Because the chassis and equipment portions are usually sold by separate firms, it is recommended that municipalities separate the purchases while ensuring compatibility.
Considering the New Hampshire climate, it is important that the chassis portion be properly constructed and set up for snow plowing and sanding operations. The following basic guidelines are recommended when specifying a snow plow chassis:
Engine: Diesel 250 h.p. with adapter for front pump.
Frame: Hi-tensile steel, full depth channel, full length, minimum 110,000 psi yield. Integral frame extension with snow plow operations.
Cab: Upright design with space for all cab controls. Flat wind shields create a glare problem at night. Air ride driver’s seat, heated mirrors, intermittent wipers, and tilt hood.
Front Axle: 14,000 pound's minimum; 16,000 pound recommended.
Rear Axle: 23,000 pounds minimum.
Springs: Sufficient to support above axle ratings with right front overload for wing.
Brakes: Air operated with dryer.
Wheelbase: Length must be coordinated with the equipment dealer as it is determined by length of dump body and wing system.
Transmission: With the multitude of options available, one should ensure that the transmission and rear end gearing align properly with the engine power curve and the municipality’s terrain.
Special Requirements: Snow plow applications require the chassis frame rails from the back of cab rearward be clear of obstructions. This allows for mounting of the snow plow wing unit and dump body. The hood should have access hatches for daily inspection of fluid levels without tilting the hood.
Wing systems exist on over 85% of the snow plow trucks operated by crews in New Hampshire towns and cities. The snow plow, wing, dump body and sander systems are powered by a front mounted, hydraulic gear pump. This pump is driven via a drive shaft from the front crank shaft adapter off the truck engine. The size of the pump and hydraulic package is dictated by the plow system, dump body, and sander.
While there are many types of wing plow systems, the most common unit used in New Hampshire is the patrol wing. This system consists of a front tilt type plow hitch with structural horizontal supports for the front wing post. The wing post has a slide and hinge for connection to the wing plow. Behind the cab is a support weldment for the standoff arms that connect the rear of wing to the truck frame. Operationally, this type of wing unit will allow an operator to clear an additional five to six feet of road in one pass. Also, it has approximately 24 inches of shelving capability. The typical front plow should be a one-way style snow plow of the correct length to function properly with the wing. The one-way plow is an angled fixed position unit, short at one end and tapering to approximately 55 inches at the discharge end. Designed for rural applications, with the ability to cast snow well, this type plow best fits the conditions faced by New Hampshire road crews.
Dump bodies for Granite State snow plow trucks are usually ten feet in length and constructed of seven to eight gauge steel with structural under structure. The hoist mechanism is commonly a subframe type hoist for stability and smooth operation. The current trend is to build warning light systems into the body for protection from the elements. Because the dump body is used for hauling rock and stone during the rest of the year, it should be of heavy, rugged construction.
Hopper type sanders are the best type for New Hampshire cities and towns. These units are “V” shaped with a conveyor running lengthwise to a rear mounted chute assembly which feeds abrasives to the spinner below. Material is hydraulically conveyed and distributed via the spinner over a width of one to forty feet. This unit is controlled through a cab mounted control that provides individual speed adjustments for the conveyor and spinner. The hopper should be constructed of either mild steel or stainless steel. Sanders are an important weapon in the New Hampshire snow fighter’s arsenal. High quality equipment is essential to ensure that an accurate amount of material is applied to a given road.
In an attempt to describe typical snow plow equipment for New Hampshire municipalities, the suggestions above are often broad in nature. During an actual acquisition process, much more detail should be specified for a suitable final product. The town should consider limiting their purchase to truck and equipment dealers sensitive to the municipal sector. This sensitivity begins with the sales function and extends to service and parts. Requests for bids from many truck dealers and equipment distributors all over New England can result in a large variety of equipment. Purchasers should do their research first, then narrow the list of potential vendors.
A service life of six to eight years can be expected for a suitably equipped unit. Beyond this period, operating costs rise dramatically. Since town governments often require snow plow trucks to remain in service beyond recommended life cycles, it is important during the purchase process to look for known brands of trucks and equipment. Not only will value hold on resale, but long term availability of parts allows units to remain operational.
Beyond the standard NH configuration, many new types of equipment exist for specific application. The best method to inspect these products is to attend the June 21, 1996, NH Road Agent Association’s Mountain of Demonstrations in Waterville Valley Estates. See you there!
1 Phil Webster is a Sales Representative with Howard P. Fairfield, Pembroke, NH.