To Plow or not to Plow, That is the Question!

[Rhinohd]

Ok I am considering slaping a Snow plow on my new 04. 5 CTD. Is the trans and front end tuff enough to handle it? I shorten the life of the truck more then the extra income I bring in is worth?



Also if you plow with your Rig what are you running? Can I go as big as a 9' V-plow?



Thanks in advance!

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Considering most of the private truck plow businesses that don't hang around very long I'd have to say no.



Front ends take a very hard beating from a plow. I had a 94 F-250 PSD w/8' Western plow. Front end needed work all the time. I'd get an older 1 ton truck and put a plow on that. Something where your investment isn't as great.



Plus if you wreck your truck while plowing for money the insurance company can give you hassels. Do you have another vehicle to drive? If you plow seriously you will break at some point and then your out a vehicle for a while.



The cost of a plow makes it so you have to plow a lot of snow to make it turn a profit. Then factor in fuel, repairs, maint, and everything else that goes with it and you have a LOT of snow to move before you get a return.



I'm not trying to be be negative. Just pointing out the pitfalls.

 

[vssman]

What are you planning on plowing? Is it a business or personal. I believe the truck is too big for a 75' driveway in a city setting. If your only looking to plow your driveway and have the room, then look at an old truck with a plow on it. Here in N. E. you can get a rust bucket with a plow that runs a lot cheaper than a new (good) plow.

 

[Rhinohd]

Business and plan on doing parking lots... I live out in the burbs and we have a ton of three car driveways I could pick up as well.

 

[agkrueger]

We have 2 ferds with 8ft v plows one on a superduty f350 and one on on a f250. The f350 has gone through 2 sets of ball joints before 35,000 miles and the f250 wanders bad at 24,000. Now granted these are ferds but plows are hard on all makes. I would get a beater to plow with if it were me.

 

[agkrueger]

I forgot to say that the 2 ferds are company trucks. I wouldnt own one myself. Figured I better clarify before someone trys to burn me at the stake. :-laf

 

[wedodgediesel]

beats up truck and yourself. Plowed for 4 years commercially and quit 13 years ago. When I figured out finances I found I was always in the red becuase of repairs.

 

[WDaniels]

Unless you are charging $1. 50 to 2. 00 per minute, maintenance will eat you alive. You have to realize that the front end of our trucks are as primitive as a big stick with wheels on the ends. Is your truck auto or manual? If it's a manual, you will eat the clutch up fast. If you get the big 9' plow, you will need a permit to travel the roads due to the fact that it is over the 8. 5' federal limit for our roads. (even if it's one that folds in the middle. If deployed its over 8', permit. ) If you do get the big plow then you will have to alter the camber significantly to handle the added weight. Then in the summer when the plow is off have to readjust it for driving without it. It isn't worth the hassel and damage that it will cause your new rig. These are just a couple of things I had to deal with while I plowed for money. Never again.

WD

 

[RGRAT1618]

I was able to pick up a western 7 1/2ft pro plow that was 4 years old pretty cheap for my 01. I also have a 99ctd with a western 7 1/2ft pro plow. The 99 is holding up very well. 4 years or plowing and other work, had to but 1 set of ball joints. If you are carfue and do not beat on the truck it will last. Just keep up with treating any rust that forms and do preventive maintance on everything. I do mostly big driveways and parking lots. the 7 1/2 foot plow is big enough. My partner has the Boss V plow. He hates it. It is Heavy, lots of electronics and power draw, and he finds he never needs the v-part of it. I recomend you do some research on what plow you really need and what size you really need. In this case bigger is not better. I would stay away from polly plows though. They are a little lighter, tend to ride up on the heavy snow.



Rob

 

[JDailey]

How much much you spend on repairs depends on you. If you plow like you have some sense, you will be fine. But most people drive like idiots. Then it costs you money. A straight blade is lighter weight and is your best bet if you are plowing by the hour. They cost less and have moving parts. V's are great if you are working on a bid property. Clean-up is very fast with it scooped forward. Or if you do roads or long drives that drift, you can't beat a V. But they cost more, they are heavier, and cost more. You just have to figure out what you are gonna do with it and decide. I would stay away from old trucks and plows if you are serious about making money. They will nickel and dime you to death and nothing is worse than your rig breaking when there is a foot of snow down. Especially if you have the contracts! It's not worth it to me. I have had people in the past plowing for me with junk and it's just a flip of the coin. It takes dependable people with dependable equipment to get the job done.

 

[Rhinohd]

Thanks for all your help guys,

I ended up buying a Snoway 8' poly plow. I understand the consequences but after I thought about it for a while I went with it. I mean its a HEAVY DUTY truck. It was built to work and I am going to do that. Besides, plowing sure beats working some other part time job for a fraction of the money and I get to sit in my beloved truck while doing it! I always take care of my rides and this one is my favorite out of any car/truck I have ever owned so I don't see me neglecting it.

 

[PC12Driver]

Besides, plowing sure beats working some other part time job for a fraction of the money and I get to sit in my beloved truck while doing it! I always take care of my rides and this one is my favorite out of any car/truck I have ever owned so I don't see me neglecting it.

Plowing was kinda fun... for the first 3 hours or so.

Get back to us sometime in January and let us know if the above quote is still valid!

 

[Bertram65]

I plowed with a half ton GMC extended cab Z71 for a couple years, if that truck could take it I think a HD Dodge would not have any problem. It was a 7. 5' Fisher RD minute mount, about 790lbs for the plow and head gear. I am fully aware the GMC I had was not rated for a plow, a couple of my friends have had them as well and none of us had any problems. Plowing is as hard on the truck as you make it, I believe though to make money you have to be hard on the truck you can't ***** foot around with a 25' driveway for 45 minutes and make money. It was fun to do my family and friends but it gets old after a while. I do not plow anymore but if I did I would get a contract with the town, they only allow 3/4 ton trucks and up with 8' blades, a HD Dodge would have no problem with that, my choice would be the new Fisher X blade.

 

[Cooker]

Plowing was kinda fun... for the first 3 hours or so.

Get back to us sometime in January and let us know if the above quote is still valid!

How about plowing is fun for the first three days of the 7 day snowfall On second thought you are more correct, it is fun for the first 3 hours :-laf

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Plowing with a big Cat loader is more fun than a truck. Fun lasts for about 4 hours.

 

[RMontoya]

My neighbor has a backhoe, I give him a couple of c-notes at Thanksgiving. Snow plow comes by in the AM, leaves a berm no problemo. I blow the driveway, he takes care of the big icy stuff. End of story.