Snow Plow

[AHarris]

Looking for some thoughts on snow plows. I'm newly retired from the Air Force in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and contemplating the purchase of a plow for my truck for my 1/4 mile driveway and to pick up a few extra bucks this winter on some residential plowing jobs. I've looked at Boss and like the Superduty 8 foot straight blade (don't like like the $4,600 price tag). Also checking out what Western has to offer on Monday. I also found a "Snowport HD" plow online which is getting good reviews from owners and is only $1,500.



Dealers in this area are limited to Boss and Western, and I would prefer to stick with something I can get serviced locally. The Snowsport seems like an economical option which would save me a ton of $$ but probably not viable for anything beyond personal use only.



Appreciate any thoughts you might have to offer on this...

 

[mwilson]

Ditch the snowsport idea, that Cummins will fold that up like a piece of cardboard if you fetch up on something.



What is the annual snowfall there??? Is it wet snow or dry snow as a rule???



The only plow worth putting on a CTD in my opinion is a Fisher. Period.



Don't worry about parts, rare to need any unless you will be plowing 15 miles of woods roads, many of them are used for that purpose BTW.



Boss is being seen a little more, but Fisher is used on at least 95% of trucks here.



Mike.

 

[jhenderson]

Any of the major brands are good. I have been running a Boss for the last 8 years. I have had it on 2 trucks. This year I will sand blast and paint before the snow comes. I plow a mix of commercial and private lots. The only repairs I have had to make in that time are 2 hoses. I have gone through 7 edges in that time, but edges are regular maintenance items. Go with the dealer who can give you the best service. Remember, if you break down doing your own driveway it is inconvenient, but if someone else is counting on you to plow them out you owe it to them to be there.

 

[JerryNelson]

I have a boss 6 1/2 strait blade, pick it up used for 2,500 works great, used it for 4 years
with no trouble. I have a 1/2 mile drive way that i plow and do some parking lots and drive ways for extra cash

 

[jgillott]

I have a boss 6 1/2 strait blade, pick it up used for 2,500 works great, used it for 4 years

with no trouble. I have a 1/2 mile drive way that i plow and do some parking lots and drive ways for extra cash

Is your driveway gravel or paved? My sister and brother-in-law just completed a house on a very long, very steep gravel road. We were just talking about snow plow options this weekend and wondering what brand to go with to hold up under those conditions.

 

[bheiting]

Just remember that plowing is murder on truck frames and suspension. I would be reluctant to use a plow(especially on a new truck) unless your doing a lot of commercial work to make it worth your while. Personally I'd look for a good used John Deere or other quality lawn or utility tractor with a blower. Yes, it may take a little longer than plowing, but hey, you're retired right?

 

[JGamble]

AHarris,
I too would ditch the snowport HD. Before I joined the Military bout 12 years back, I lived in WI for a couple years over by GB in Door County. I only ran Fisher or Boss plows on my trucks throughout the years. Old man was a western fan. What county/city, if you dont mind, are you going to settle in? I have a cabin in Crooked Lake area and know of some people that might get you a good deal on a used plow set up (roughly one or two seasons old). And also, not trying to put the site down, but if you dont get the responses you are looking for, I would recommend going to PlowSite.com™ - Snow Plowing & Ice Management Forum Powered by Moose River Media - Powered by vBulletin and raking the brains of the plow boys over there, many are dealers and all own plows on thier rigs. My . 02

Regards,
J

 

[AHarris]

Boss 8' Super Duty

Thanks for the advice--I'm going for a Boss 8' Super Duty Straight Blade steel which is going to set me back around $4500 including tax and installation. I'm getting it installed Oct 3rd. I like the Boss configuration and it seems a well built plow--it should be for that kind of bread! Going to do my own driveway, my parents' and then see if I can pick up a few other jobs this winter for some extra $$. We live in a little town called Winchester in Northern Vilas County (about 5 miles from the U. P. of Michigan). Average snowfall averages between 80-120 inches per year around here.

 

[JGamble]

Sounds good. I have been up in your area before and I would tell ya, experiencing that kind of snowfall (I'm up around there most winters on leave), I would have just invested in a actual snow plow truck. Say a old Topkick or Brigadier, or even a Oshkosh :-laf . My neighbor in the next parcel of land east of me did the same exact thing. Bought a plow for his ferd F250, and when people started asking for a little "help", he went out, invested 10k and change, bought up a old oshkosh from the nearby county, and took on a plow contract from the township... imagine that kind of income... lol. Anywho, sorry for the rant, good luck and throw some pics when you get them.....



Regards,

J

 

[bighammer]

I'm on a "Seasonal Road" so I have to plow us out. (not sure what the seasonal part is, they should call it abandoned) It's a mile to the main road so the truck gets a workout.

I also have a tractor for when it's too deep or wet. I know it beats up the truck a bit to plow, but it's SO much faster and more comfy than using the tractor. (it does have a cab and heat, but the tire chains make for a rough ride)

EDIT: Forgot to say, I have an 8' Western Pro Ultra-Mount straight blade and it works great. Much easier to put on and remove than my old Uni-Mount blade.

 

[JerryNelson]

Hi jgillott
my driveway is gravel it's not hard to plow as long as there aren't any one driving on it to pack it down. it's only hard on the truck if your hard on it . slamming it in reverse before coming to a stop first and then slamming back in to drive is hard on a truck . don't try to plow to much at one time. make a few passes at it. I have been plowing for 4 years. I do a little commercial plowing like parking lots and never had any trouble with my plow or truck. Hope this helps good luck and think snow love the U. P.

 

[jgillott]

It's been a couple of months since this thread was started, but I wanted to add an update on what the decision was in our case. This is a new Hiniker 7801 mounted on the '04. 5.

#ad




You can't see it in the picture, but there's a Salt Dog spreader hanging off the back. Crossing fingers on how this will work out this winter.

 

[JGamble]

Looking good... let us know how she holds up on the great white north.

Regards,
J

 

[Ken55]

Thanks for the advice--I'm going for a Boss 8' Super Duty Straight Blade steel which is going to set me back around $4500 including tax and installation. I'm getting it installed Oct 3rd. I like the Boss configuration and it seems a well built plow--it should be for that kind of bread! Going to do my own driveway, my parents' and then see if I can pick up a few other jobs this winter for some extra $$. We live in a little town called Winchester in Northern Vilas County (about 5 miles from the U. P. of Michigan). Average snowfall averages between 80-120 inches per year around here.

Welcome, I'm in Mani Wtrs. I run a 8'2" Boss V. Before that had a 7'6
' straight blade on an old DNR Suburban truck. The V beats the straight blade any day IMO. You're able to make bigger piles with it.

Did Rovelsky up in da U. P. put it on for you? You go out today and give her a workout?

 

[AHarris]

Welcome, I'm in Mani Wtrs. I run a 8'2" Boss V. Before that had a 7'6

' straight blade on an old DNR Suburban truck. The V beats the straight blade any day IMO. You're able to make bigger piles with it.



Did Rovelsky up in da U. P. put it on for you? You go out today and give her a workout?

You're just a few miles from me (I live on Harris Lake Rd). I broke her in good tonight and it took me about 30 minutes to do my 1000' driveway. Worked like a champ.



I did get it from Rovelsky's--they by far had the best price... $4,600 installed out the door.

 

[Ken55]

Good looking set-up. I'm sure you'll get to give her a good workout this season. We're overdue for a big snowfall year. Here's an old pic of my truck & plow. Ditched the running boards and added a topper to the bed other than that still looks the same. I'll keep an eye out for ya this winter.

 

[Augustarborists]

Here's a couple of mine, was just busting drifts for a church client, not so much to move though. I know this thread is a bit older, but I didn't want to start a new one.