I live up near Winter Park and I get a ton of snow. Just bought a 1986 F-250 4x4, with the 460, and C6. It's got the TTB front axle.

I'm wanting to use it as a plow truck (only my house). It's light duty work, but it's a ton of snow and even more with drifted snow. My driveway is only partially open right now, as the south half of it is drifted 4ft deep..

Two questions:
1. Is the TTB strong enough to handle light to medium duty plowing, and the weight of the plow?

2. Is a front hitch mount snow plow adequate for that kind of work? Or should I get a higher end frame mounted plow?

Thanks guys!

Oh, by the way, Hi. I'm Ian. New ford truck owner from the mountains west of Denver. I've been using other less adequate stuff to move snow in the past, and I'm tired of cutting corners and paying for it in the long run.

 

Ha! Just an irrelevant side note. ... I'm in MN, and I bought an 86 F350 from a guy last winter that came from Winter Park Resort. Still has the stickers on it. I'm looking to find a plow for it as well. Anyhow .....carry on!

 

Ha! Small world!

 

Regardless of what you read sometimes, the ttb is strong enough for the "personal" plowing you are going to do. It is a little hard on the truck, but if everything is in good shape it can take it.

I put a 7.5ft plow on my 1980 f150 and plowed with it for several years, it did fine with it. It had the stock alternator and battery, and the only thing I did have to do was go out and turn the idle screw in a little bit so the engine would idle a little faster. Before I did that it would not pick the plow up at idle.

Later I got another truck, a 1989 f250. It's a single cab with a diesel, but it still has the dana 44ttb that the f150 had, but it has the hd version which is the f250 version with 8 lug spindles etc. It comes with two batteries and a heavier alternator, and it lifts the plow right up with authority, didn't have to raise the idle.

With these two I have been plowing my driveway, a couple neighbors driveways, and my church parking lot for the past 10 years. If you have that much snow you are going to have to get a frame mounted plow. You will find yourself being a little abusive to the plow and the truck when dealing with really deep snows, so get the heaviest plow setup you can find. A 7.5ft is the smallest you will be able to use with a full sized pickup, when I angle it the truck just barely fits in the plow path. Your f250 will probably handle a 8 ft plow fine if you find one.

The biggest problem I have with very deep snows are angling the blade. I can't in a very deep snow. If I do, the snow gets built up in front of the truck and then the rearend of the truck will spin around and then I am stuck. What I have found in really deep snow is I need to keep the blade straight. I then take little bites at the snow. For example at the church they have a entry road and then the lot. I have to get myself situated in the main roadway and push into the entry at a angle and up in right side into the grass. I then back up and move in a little bit and do it again. I then get the truck angled to the left side and push that up in the grass. All the while keeping the blade straight. It takes awhile, but you would be amazed how much snow you can move with just a pickup truck.

 

Thanks!

I had a V-plow lined up, but then I just got word from the owner that it will require a bunch of changes to the plow to work electrically with my older truck.... Not really worth the money. I'll just buy a straight blade 8ft plow.

I think with enough weight in the bed and chains on all 4 I should be ok even with the big snow.

 

Since you are asking for plow options, gotta mention this one. I use my Yamaha Grizzly ATV with a 60" blade for plowing my very large driveway. No cab with heater and I'm exposed to the elements but I do have proper outdoor weather gear, heated grips/thumb throttle. And, I guarantee it is a lot more fun and can make tighter turns than any truck. I also have a great toy for summer trail riding.

It's not for everyone but it works perfect for me.

 

I used to use my RZR with a plow, and a 4wheeler with a plow.. But when the snow drifts up here it gets so hard and packed that I can't push it with the smaller rigs.
I'll post a pic when I get home.

 

I hear you... but when there's a will, there's a way

Certainly, it is something that has to be kept on top of and not let things build that high, even if it means getting out a couple times during a very heavy snow. And the winds... yes, they do have a way of shifting the snow into drifts, but it really comes down to managing the amount of snow. I'm willing to do that but I completely understand if you prefer limiting the amount of time out plowing... each has their preference.

I'm actually at 8000 ft so it is not always as bad as it can be in the high country. It is very manageable for me but understand it may not be that way for you.

 

I totally get it, and agree. However, my front door is at 10,020ft (tons of snow and wind), and I am a firefighter - so my work schedule has me on shift for 48 straight hours - and in 48 hours (plus commute time) the snow can stack an unbelievable drift.
The snow isn't a problem when I'm home, just when I get home from work..
This morning, for example, I got home from a 72 hour shift to find deep drifts, 4 wheeler with plow and snowblower simply weren't practical.

pics from this morning: