Snow plowing - Auto or standard?

[RSchwarzli]

Looking at getting a snow plow, but not sure what is better: Auto or standard.



Both have their advantages. Auto easier than constant clutching. Standrd, well, it should not blow up! :-laf



Anyone who has experience at plowing, what do you recommend?



Thanks!



Robert

 

[fritzcartage]

auto is easier on you when your out plowing for long hours

would recommend using amsoil synthetic trans fluid

 

[RolandJ]

I plow with my truck. It's a 6 speed after long hrs ur left leg gets sore lol. we r getting big storm here in NJ now check w me after the weekend lol. my old truck had an auto def miss plowing with that.

 

[PC12Driver]

I had a chance to use both when I was plowing commercially. My accounts were apartment and medical complexes, and a hotel or two. Relatively big places with constant traffic and a bunch of backdragging out of individual spaces as cars moved in and out. I preferred the manual truck.



The manual was a bit more work obviously, but it wasn't prohibitive. The clutch is either in or out, don't feather it, and use the gears. The auto was convenient, but after a bit of plowing it would shift funny until the fluid cooled off while driving between accounts. That couldn't be good for the transmission. Synthetic fluid in the auto is a must. I could really rock with the stick truck, but I never felt confident pushing the auto hard.



If I was going to buy a truck for plowing, I'd look for a 5-speed (just because it shifts better than the 5600) and something with a mechanical pump. That would be a stone-reliable combo, and as a bonus, the engine won't die if you run the batteries down or kill the alternator.