Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Snow plowing techinques

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 04:51 PM
  #1  
rattleNsmoke's Avatar
rattleNsmoke
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
Snow plowing techinques

Ok, for those of us that see the stuff falling from the sky as gold....which drive and transmission settings do you use, 4WD High or Low, D or 1?
Mike
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 04:58 PM
  #2  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

Depends on your rig. I use D Hi unless I'm going up hill steep then low range. If I have sand in the back most times I use 2wd if I can..
Low range is too touchy if you get close to houses cars etc..Also I have lockers which makes a big difference in traction so 2wd might not work for an open diff truck.
Depends what size plow also. Too big and its hard to push. I like 8ft..

Dick
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 05:24 PM
  #3  
Kdr358's Avatar
Kdr358
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 3
From: West of Chicago
I used to plow with a 95 F350 460 4x4,185,000mi with an 8foot salter in the back, usually loaded with 2k of salt and an 8' western uni-mount. I always ran in 2 hi with the front hubs locked. When I got into deep drifts id use 4 low and I would always keep under 15 mph. Plowing is an art, going slow and taking your time will make a much better end result. Also going slow will drastically reduce the wear and tear on the truck. One more thing, get a good set of tires and ALWAYS wait until a complete stop to change gears! I put just over 40,000 miles on that truck that way and never had any drive line issues. I sold it last year at just over 200,000 miles and the original transmission! Just remember its not a race everyone has their own way to run their setup, but I took it easy since I didnt want to change parts with salt/slush/goo falling on me!
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 05:39 PM
  #4  
rattleNsmoke's Avatar
rattleNsmoke
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
Yeah, I been there under my old '94 F350 changing parts with snow, salt, sand falling on my face and into my ears. Not fun. My current setup is an F350 6.0L with 3.73 limited slip and an 8 foot fisher electric blade. I run Cooper AT\3 Discover tires. No ballast in the rear and the LTD slip is garbage. It runs like an open rear. I got stuck twice in my driveway. I been plowing commercially for 20 yrs, but I sold my business and am trying to get a feel for this Super Duty.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 05:42 PM
  #5  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

500 to 1000 lbs in the rear minimum will make all the difference..
My bro in milford got 40 " Holy crap..

Dick
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 05:49 PM
  #6  
rattleNsmoke's Avatar
rattleNsmoke
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
I have a buddy in Milford CT that got buried under 30+ inches of white. That's a lot for a seaside town.
Mike
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 07:03 PM
  #7  
camp nh's Avatar
camp nh
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Epsom,NH in the summer.
I plow in low 1 with OD off. I have a 01 7.3 Dually. I lock the hubs in and plow in 4x4 all the time. We got 24" of that white stuff here in NH.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #8  
Firefighter 1406's Avatar
Firefighter 1406
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Club FTE Silver Member

Plow in 2wd and D as much as I can, carry about 600 pounds of salt with me. If too slick I plow in 4wd and D. Only had to shift into 4L twice when I got stuck. That storm only dumped about 5" on us. Would have been nice to have more.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 05:51 AM
  #9  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,585
Likes: 5,613
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
i plow in drive, hubs locked, transfer case in 2 wheel. when i need 4 wheel i will pull the t-case in gear, once moving i put it back in 2 wheel.
40 years doing it this way and never had any problems.
very rarely do i need to put it in 4 wheel.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
troverman
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
67
Jan 24, 2019 08:28 PM
1982_f150
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
24
Oct 18, 2011 07:54 PM
jeb79
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
32
Feb 21, 2007 09:08 PM
2001gocougs
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Nov 26, 2005 02:35 PM
Blue Collar Schollar
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Nov 27, 2004 05:07 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE