Plow suggestions

[ccarlson]

We purchased a hobby farm a couple years ago where we have an open horse pasture to our north and wrapping around to the west so you can imagine the drifting I get for a few days after every snowfall. I have about 1800 feet of driveway that I snow blow out with my smaller john deere garden tractor blower plus an area around my hay shed where blowing isn't an option so I push it with a snow bucket on an old farmall H tractor in that area. Right now I'm spending about 2-3 hours blowing or pushing snow when it snows and at least that much every day the wind blows after a snow. The drifting snow is more the problem since it hardens up and the blower won't handle it. I have 12 hours into the last major snow we got if that gives you an idea of my frustrations. (yes I plan to plant some type of barrier to reduce drifting but that will take years.)

Ideally I want a 30-40 hp compact 4wd tractor with a blower on back and a plow or snow bucket up front but what I want is running about $16,000 minimum used. So, I'm thinking until I get a couple kids through college I might just add a used plow onto my truck. Am I right to think I could get this done for about $3k

Looking for suggestions on brands of truck snow plows to fit my 2005 3/4 ton Chevy with a duramax. I'd like one that has the more hidden style mounting bracket on the truck and would attach as easily as possible.

I've also thought about a plow on an atv which I think would be handy but maybe not enough cutting and pushing power when the drifts get bigger and packed tight. Any input there?

One of my other options is to sell my smaller JD lt180 lawn tractor and get an older used model 425 or something that has pto shaft drive, power up/down hydraulic blower lift and more beef to it. Problem is still 2 wheel drive.

Thanks,

ccarlson

[otterman91105]

I use a four wheeler and it works great but if you don't keep your banks pushed back once they get hard the wheeler won't move them.

[Kyhl]

Don't know the answer to your plow question but have you thought about snow fences or a line of pines to try to control the drifting?

[leechlake]

I use my atv but from what you explain you are going to just end up with a new problem that will still make it take a lot of time. The atv just can't push enough especially the wet stuff. If you have significant snow you'll end up having to plow 2 or 3 times. I'd go the route of a plow for your truck

[K_Josh87]

I would look into westerns newer plows, and I would consider a Vee plow if you have heavy drifting, However, your diesel should be heavy enough to hold the front end in place no matter what type of plow you put on... Westerns Newer Plow "bell Housings" detach quickly giving you factory clearance and basically stock appearing...

i run a hiniker 9 1/2' vee on my 350... Like it alot... but my 2nd choice would have been the Western MVP, and my first choice had I wanted stock clearance etc...

Most of them are good all plows (hiniker, Western, BOSS, Meyer, snowDog, Blizzard ETC)... I like the bottom trip edges as it seams a lot easier on the truck vs. moldboard trip...

Local serviceability is a must, they don't tend to go down often, but when they do, you can be its going to be when you want it most...

3k isn't out of the question, But may want to consider raising the limit a bit... I would strongly recommend a VEE plow if you have lots of hard drifting... Also, Check with the plow shops, A LOT of guys trade every two years once warranty is up, and the past two years have been pretty light years, so would be a great time to pick one of those up... I will most likely be trading mine in... not a dern thing wrong with it, but they give a good price on plow for plow trades, and I keep a new plow with warranty...

Good luck in your findings... Good thing is those dirtymaxs arn't speed demons in reverse... a lot less likly to get yourself into a pickle that way!

[lugnut]

I ran hiniker for 2 years then a western for a year when I plowed snow for a guy in Alex and I thought the hiniker was a lil bit better IMO it seemed will heavier but would back drag way better I thought. if I was going to buy it would be a hiniker they are a lil more expensive I think but worth it, I don't remember what the mounts look like.

[ccarlson]

Will I need to add anything to beef up my front suspension or is the stock suspension on a 3/4 ton sufficient to add a plow? If I did drive down the highway with it, it would be for short runs. Mostly on and off the truck since I only plan to use it at my own place.

Also,regarding the suggestion by Kunz, I see a lot of used western plows with a Unimount and some with an ultra mount. Haven't seen anything with a bell housing as suggested. Doesn't look like any close by dealers for western plows but there is a hiniker dealer in our area according to their site. Good suggestions so far. Thanks.

ccarlson

[Bjjams]

No need to beef up the front end on a 3/4 ton, if it was a 1/2 ton maybe. My brother owns a plowing business and I’ve gotten to use a few different plows over the years. Personally I wouldn’t spend the extra money for a v plow if you’re only doing your driveway. There’s nothing we couldn’t do with an 8’ straight blade. V’s are heavier and there’s more parts to break. They are great for moving snow across a parking lot though. Hinikers and westerns are great plows. Can’t go wrong with either, just depends on how they were treated and maintained. This year I got to use a Sno-way with down pressure. That thing is awesome for back dragging but probably not the kind of a plow you need. Keep your eye on the c list, lots of good deals to be had.

[luckydog25]

Get yourself a used western with the ultra mount. It goes on and comes off super easy. I plow for a living in the winter and own 2 of these units. If you keep it inside when your not using it, it might last your lifetime for the amount of use you are talking. My older one has been beat to dump for 4 years on a 2001 3/4 ton chevy and never had an issue. Try to find one that is coming off of a 2001-2006 (double check to make sure) 3/4 ton chev, and you can use the mount and wireing harness. That will save you some cash.

[K_Josh87]

i believe the ultra mount is the newer mount that the bell housings come off the truck...

Another tip... WASH WASH WASH, if it ever sees salt, wash it... and also don't be afraid to spray it down with diesel fuel and tranny fluid mix a couple times a season, it will penetrate into the cracks and crevices and keep it from rusting up... it'll help keep it looking nice for a long time...

I would only recommend the Vee if deep/ hard drifting is a concern... And here is why... Yes, you CAN do about anything with a straight blade... but what tends to happen is guys like to maybe go a bit faster than they should, get get on solid ice below that snow, and when you hit a good sized hard drift with it winged to one side, it WILL throw you to the side... and you also will have to at times be a little harder on the truck to bust threw things... Where a VEE ran in the VEE position, will keep the truck centered, and allow you to work your way threw easier...

Really a Vee is not much faster than a straight blade, I ran a 7.5 foot western a couple years with the wing on the side, and with the wings it held a lot of snow, and when it got heavy I took the wings off and it worked well... it really comes down to the operator... don't be a ram rod, and don't beat on things... think about how to do it before ya get yourself buried... A 3/4 ton with a diesel motor in the front for weight will move a lot of snow without much trouble.

[Early Riser]

I plowed snow for about 15 contracts on all types of roads from long and narrow, steep, smooth, rocky, no room to back up, to a wide open sawmill lot. I did all this with a straight blade Meyer on a 84 K-5 Blazer, which is a 1/2 ton frame. This truck had a 5.1 V8 so it was not over powered. This was on the North Shore up around Grand Marais so I moved a lot snow with that rig. I hooked up the plow right before deer season and took it off at the end of April. The truck was driven inland often for fishing on the weekends, and many times to work as it snows often up there.

The only modifications I made to the truck were to replace the clutch fan with a direct unit to keep engine temp down while running with the blade up on the highway, and manual locking hubs rather than the automatic ones. The front end was fine. The weaker engine worked to the advantage of protecting all my equipment. It was plenty strong enough, but didn't allow me to get too rambunctious.

The Meyer plow was reliable for me over about 9 years of heavy use aside from a few minor issues with the lines and fittings leaking a bit, which was easy to fix. I sold the truck and plow to a guy in Two Harbors when we moved and did see it down by highway 61 a few more times over the years. I didn't have one problem with that 1/2 ton truck's drive train or engine.

[dougger222]

Back around 2001/2002 purchased a 2 year old 8.5ft Western Pro plow with back drag for $1,700. Came with the uni mount to frame, controler, and wiring harness. Just had to buy new nuts/bolts.

My mechanic has a 76 Ford half ton with 7ft Western plow and that rig can really move some snow. A couple Winters ago tackled my dads driveway and ended up just sitting in his cab while he plowed! I'd make a pretty big pile with the 3/4 ton diesel and he'd move it with ease.

Have had to replace a couple hoses and the first year plowing at my home busted the pivot point on the plow frame. This year had to replace the controler. Also had to replace the plow to truck connection.

To date have made $20 with it, a bottle of wine and two dinners.

Use it for personal use along with a plow on the atv.