When bitter cold winds blow and drifts stand taller than rooftops, it's time to get serious about snow removal. These big brutes are designed to clear wet, heavy snow from rural roads as well as city streets. But clearing trails is only part of the job when winter is at its worst.
To make sure your path is safe to follow, you might also consider a new sand and salt spreader to complement your big plow truck. Or if you're thinking of updating or expanding your fleet this year, here are a few big plows and spreaders to consider.
Monroe Expressway
Available in slotted trip or full trip models, the Expressway snowplow from Monroe Truck Equipment of Monroe, Wis., is made for a wide range of heavy-duty, high-speed rural or interstate plowing. The slotted trip model is available in 10-, 11- and 12-foot lengths with intake heights of 40 and 48 inches and discharge heights of 58 and 66 inches. The roll-formed moldboard has an adjustable pitch. Other features include two, double-acting 3-inch by 10-inch reversing cylinders and a nonadjustable, mounted mushroom shoe.
The full trip plow is available in 11- and 12-foot lengths with a height of 36 inches. It also features a heavy-duty, four-point hinged pushframe. 800/356-8134; www.monroetruck.com.
Wausau Road Tough
The Road Tough one-way trip plow from Wausau Equipment Company Inc., New Berlin, Wis., is designed to clear snow at all speeds, and features a compression trip spring. Model TB3050 measures 10 feet, 11 inches at the cutting edge and has an overall length of 11 feet, 4 inches. Cutting width at 35 degrees is 8 feet, 11 inches, while cutting width at 42 degrees is 8 feet, 1 inch. Nose height is 30 inches and discharge height is 50 inches. Weighing 1,790 pounds, moldboard thickness is 3/16 of an inch. Model TB3256 has a cutting edge of 11 feet, 7 inches and overall length of 12 feet, 2 inches. Cutting width at 35 degrees is 9 feet, 6 inches and 8 feet, 8 inches at 42 degrees. Weighing 1,990 pounds, it has a nose height of 32 inches and discharge height of 56 inches. 800/788-6066; www.wausau-everest.com.
Meyer Aggressor
Measuring 10 feet wide and 36 inches tall, the Aggressor X full-trip and bottom-trip snowplow from Meyer Product LLC of Cleveland is designed for 26,000 to 33,000 GVR vehicles. Matched with the MDV spreader it offers a complete snow and ice control package. All plows have reinforced vertical ribs and trip springs to tame both city streets and rural neighborhoods. Model AGC-10 weighs 1,610 pounds without options and features a 10-gauge steel moldboard with eight vertical ribs, six trip springs and 1/2-inch by 6-inch cutting edge. The 3/8-inch polyethylene model AGP-10 weighs 1,590 pounds. 216/486-1313; www.meyerproducts.com.
Fisher MC Series
Designed for vehicles in the 17,000 to 27,500 GVW range, the MC Series of plows from Fisher Engineering, a division of Douglass Dynamics of Milwaukee, are available in 9- and 10-foot lengths. Both plows have eight ribs, are 34 inches high, have a 1/2-inch by 8-inch reversible center-punched cutting edge and are made of 11-gauge steel. The 9-foot model has four trip springs and weighs 1,350 pounds, while the 10-foot model has six springs and weighs 1,428 pounds. www.fisherplows.com.
Western Heavy Weight
Available in both 9-foot and 10-foot blades, the Heavy Weight from Western Products, a division of Douglass Dynamics of Milwaukee, is an all-purpose, moderate-speed plow designed for vehicles in the 14,000 to 27,000 GVW range. Both the UHW 90 and UHW 10 models come with standard and adjustable cast-iron disc shoes and 1/2-inch by 6-inch high-carbon steel cutting edge. Made of 7-gauge steel, they have a height of 33 inches, six trip springs, two shock absorbers and six vertical ribs. Model UHW 90 has a full-angle plowing width of 7 feet, 10 inches and weighs 1,048 pounds. Model UHW 10 has an 8-foot, 8-inch plowing width and weighs 1,106 pounds. Plows are only available with the UniMount system. Other standard features include low-profile, dual-beam halogen headlamps with combination park/turn signal lights and blade guides for improved operator visibility and positioning. www.westernplows.com.
Hiniker V-Box Spreader
Available in 6.5- or 8-foot stainless steel or 8-foot carbon steel, the 1.8 cubic yard models 815 and 825 and 1.5 cubic yard model 625 V-Box spreaders from Hiniker Co. of Mankato, Minn., feature swing-away spinner chute for easier unloading and improved trailer hitch access. Powered by a Briggs & Stratton Intek AVS OHV engine, the spreader has in-cab electric-control starter, throttle and clutch functions. Models 815 and 825 have 8-foot hoppers and measure 115 inches long. Model 625 is 97 inches long with a 6.5-foot hopper. All models have a top width of 50.5 inches. Easy-access, two-piece hinged hopper grids, adjustable inverted "V", ratchet strap tie-downs, 12-inch side extensions and high-mount brake light are optional. 507/625-6621; www.hiniker.com.
The Boss 1100 Tailgate Salt Spreader, Plow Wings
The TGS 110 tailgate salt spreader from The Boss Snowplow of Iron Mountain, Mich., features three different attachment systems. The new, larger capacity 800-pound, 11-cubic foot model features an adjustable feed gate, solid poly hopper cover, stabilizer arms that prevent the spreader from moving side to side and an adjustable material deflector. Options include a power attach/detach system, an RT3 mount that rolls the spreader into place or a slide-in mount. For cleanup work, Boss also offers plow wings that increase the length of the blade by 22 inches. Easily attachable, the plow wing kit fits most Boss multi-position and straight-blade plows. 800/286-4155; www.bossplow.com.
Buyers SaltDogg
The SaltDogg salt and sand spreader from Buyers Products Co. of Mentor, Ohio, is designed for vehicles with a minimum 26,000-pound GVW chassis. The 7-, 8- and 9-foot cubic yard, self-contained, stainless steel hopper has a spreading width of 4 to 40 feet. The 10-gauge stainless steel feedgate has a scaled screw jack adjustment with 18 5/8-inch wide by 10-inch tall opening. The conveyor is 24 inches wide with pintle chain conveyor and 3/8-inch thick by 1 1/2-inch wide crossbars on 4 1/2-inch centers. Other features include 2-inch diameter drive shaft with 4-bolt relubeable bearing, 8-tooth cast iron sprockets, and 50:1 or 25:1 direct-drive gearbox with extended through-shaft for ground speed sensor. 440/974-8888; www.saltdogg.com.
Blizzard Ice Chaser
The Ice Chaser hopper spreader from Blizzard Snowplows, a division of Douglass Dynamics of Milwaukee, features a rust-resistant, double-wall poly hopper, maintenance-free electric drive system, cleated rubber belt conveyor, quick-detach spinner with chute assembly and hinged covers that double as a sill guard during material loading. Molded rear "feet" make for easy removal, cleaning and storage. www.blizzardplows.com.