Snow Plows
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Kville, ohio
ive been kickin around the same idea ADT, ive been keeping an eye out, but havent come up with anything yet, i will say that ttb front axles are impossible to keep aligned when you hang a plow on it, but chevy ifs isnt much better so id probably still hang one on your ford, i went all in and did the 60 swap so im all set
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Snow is pretty dry...where it's frozen water.
However, the plow will accumulate salt through the winter, and leaving it outside in the rain/sleet/(melting)snow all year, not being used, not scraping off the surface rust, will turn into REAL rust, rusted hose fittings, pump, pins, springs, etc.
Of course you can leave it outside/exposed... but it won't last as long. My truck is always garaged when it's home. Plow is in the back of the garage. It's all about delaying rust. Esp. up here in the heavier winters. Bondo aint gonna cut it with a plow...
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 950
Likes: 2
From: West Bend
Yeah but the ice on the plow will melt back into water when you get the truck warmed up and working hard, plus it's always getting snow blown on it when you're plowing. Plus my Western is original from late 80's and it's been outside it's entire life.
And did I mention the plow is on it's 2nd truck because it's lasted longer than the bodies? To me "keep it out of the rain" is a bunch of fooey. Hey you better keep your cars out of the rain too because the rain will destroy them as well!
And did I mention the plow is on it's 2nd truck because it's lasted longer than the bodies? To me "keep it out of the rain" is a bunch of fooey. Hey you better keep your cars out of the rain too because the rain will destroy them as well!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Yeah but the ice on the plow will melt back into water when you get the truck warmed up and working hard, plus it's always getting snow blown on it when you're plowing. Plus my Western is original from late 80's and it's been outside it's entire life.
And did I mention the plow is on it's 2nd truck because it's lasted longer than the bodies? To me "keep it out of the rain" is a bunch of fooey. Hey you better keep your cars out of the rain too because the rain will destroy them as well!
And did I mention the plow is on it's 2nd truck because it's lasted longer than the bodies? To me "keep it out of the rain" is a bunch of fooey. Hey you better keep your cars out of the rain too because the rain will destroy them as well!
If you want to call science "fooey," then good for you. The reality is that metal sitting around in a wet environment, esp. with salt, will accelerate rust. I don't leave any expensive tools laying outside. My $7,000 plow is no exception, as neither is my $18,000 diesel.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 950
Likes: 2
From: West Bend
I agree that being out in the elements will cause it to oxidize faster than if it were kept in a nice dry environment, but your previous statement sounded like "don't let it get wet or it'll break or won't work" My plow has been just fine for over 20 years in the elements. It's not like I just drop it off coated in salt and say "c'ya in fall" It gets sprayed off and washed down. After that keeping the paint in good shape goes a long way. And my old Western cable control stays mounted on the front of my truck year round. Most important is to follow the recommended maintenance intervals on it and keep the seals/gaskets in good shape.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
swoosh the newer plows are all minute mounts with everything sitting on the plow.
nothing that makes them work is left under the hood or anything.all that's left on the truck are push plates.
iv got them all protected now.
now i just need a fresh coat of yellow on the plow to match.
nothing that makes them work is left under the hood or anything.all that's left on the truck are push plates.
iv got them all protected now.
now i just need a fresh coat of yellow on the plow to match.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Fulton IL
one word of advise. stay away from Meyers. Many will agree here and im sure there is someone who thinks their meyer is the sh**... but anyone who does some real plowing knows their junk. But yeah ur TTB dana 50 will be fine, If you really want throw an ad-a-leaf on it and youll be even better off. I plowed with my F150. I put 2wd Diesel coils on it and it did great, Now it has a straight axle. I got a mount and wiring for my IDI from a friend for cheap so Im gonna do a little plowin with the 250 also.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 950
Likes: 2
From: West Bend
I know the new plows pumps and hydraulics are all with the blade. My point is - My western plow, cylinders and pump have all been in the weather and rain for nearly 20 years without an issue. Sure I've been through a set of brushes on the pump, but that's hardly the fault of getting wet and sitting outside as much as it is from being used for 20 years
If the new stuff is that inept for getting wet I'll stick to my old stuff thank you very much!
If the new stuff is that inept for getting wet I'll stick to my old stuff thank you very much!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, MI
What is that? What does it do? My truck has the ZF5 in it. I do have a D60 but like I said before, I am thinking of putting my cummins in the 96. So the TTB50 is too light of a front end for a plow. Hmmmm How did the truck overall handle? Aside from the TTB50 and the auto? The D60 would make that much of a difference?
ZF5 just use 2 or 3 gears plow keep rpm at 1600-2000 rpm it should be good.
Dana 60 is PERFECT.. Dana 50 is ok but it just keep me busy fix alignment. They rode WORST.
Truck was GREAT but 351W wasn't have enough momentary to keep push snow. I rather drive F450 2wd with 460 or diesel they push snow BEST than I could do with F250 or F350 4wd.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
kinda spoiled plowing with a diesel.you don't even know if the things even trying,even in 2 foot deep wet stuff,it just jugs right down the drive like your just out for a joy ride lol.
i tell ya,im hooked on this whole diesel thing...........i think its gunna catch on hahaha. ah well,better late than never right?
hey,maybe this year i'll finally test to see if my block heater works lol.
didn't need it last year with temps below zero,but id like to know if it works or not,just for kicks and giggles.
i tell ya,im hooked on this whole diesel thing...........i think its gunna catch on hahaha. ah well,better late than never right?
hey,maybe this year i'll finally test to see if my block heater works lol.
didn't need it last year with temps below zero,but id like to know if it works or not,just for kicks and giggles.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 4
From: 8600 ft in Colo
I had a Fisher years ago on a '76 F250. Good, stout, heavy plow. My '93 F350 had an 8' Western on it when I got it. I stretched it to 9', and have been plowing with it since 2004. It's not as heavy as the Fisher, but it's beefier than the Meyers I've seen. I plow 5.5 miles of paved road in a private sub-division. It snows 3" & I'm plowing 5 hrs. I'll go through a cutting edge in a season. When a serious storm comes in, I have a buddy run my back-up truck ('93 F250, D50 TTB, Western 8' pro-plow) while I'm running the F350. The F250 handles it just fine...
If you do primarily parking lots, a well set-up V-plow is hard to beat. If you mostly do driveways, or road, a straight plow is probably the way to go.
If you do primarily parking lots, a well set-up V-plow is hard to beat. If you mostly do driveways, or road, a straight plow is probably the way to go.