Hi, I have an 04 F250 Crew cab 5.4L with the plow prep option (5200lb frt springs). I am trying to decide on the best plow for this truck, I am pretty set on a Western, now to choose the size and type, My question is the weight, I hear so many different things that I don't know what to believe. How much weight is to much? I contacted Western and here's the info they provided me with:

8-1/2' PRO: 870 lbs
8-1/2' PRO Plus: 945 lbs

9' PRO: 888 lbs
9' PRO Plus: 970 lbs

They say that my truck can handle any of these, How much of a difference in wear and tear do you think I would see between them? What would you choose?

 

I have the 7 1/2' Poly standard with the ultra mount on an F250 CC SB PSD. I love the ultra mount because I can remove most of the stuff under the truck during the off season which really improves ground clearance and looks, but since I have a crew cab I wish I had bought a wider blade. My driveway is very curvy and my back tires hit the snow pile when I turn tight. The poly blade really cleans out much better than a steel blade.
My blade weighs in at 614# (more than a steel blade), and the front only drops about an inch when I raise the blade and I don't have the snowplow prep option on the truck. My use is personal residential, so I guess your choice depends on what you are going to do with it. If you are plowing comercially and have the prep package, I would go with the biggest blade you can get. I have a freind who plows professionally and he swears by the poly blade over steel.

 

have you considered a a Boss Power V ?

 

boss V is heavey plow,chk the weights.Don't get wrong their a good plow but heavey

I have fisher minute mounts

Well depending on how much you plow and what type of plowing (drive ways or parking lots )
I personally don't ride around with the weight hanging of the front end when not needed, takes the stress of the ball joints and steering.
Rich

 

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I have an 03 F-250 regular cab that I had a plow installed on. My truck did not have the plow suspension, so I swapped the front springs and added the steering stabilizer--the rear suspension already had the auxillary springs. The plow package springs are rated at 6000 pounds, but the front axle can only handle 5200, so that's why the certification sticker says 5200. Just make sure that your spring code starts with an "X"--that denotes the plow suspension. It made a V E R Y big difference with the plow springs compared to the original 4000 pound springs that came on my truck. With the original springs, lifting the plow caused the nose to take a 3 inch dive---now, with the 6000 pound code "X" springs, it barely moves---maybe a half inch. It's a little rougher unloaded, but hey, It's a truck---not a luxury car.

I have a Fisher HD series 8 foot plow on mine. I would not go any wider than 8 feet. The main reason is that even with the plow turned all the way, it is still wider than the truck. I can't imagine how an 8.5 or 9 footer would be. As for brands, I've had Fisher, Meyers, and Western plows on my past trucks, and I've had very few problems with all of them.

As I said previously, just make sure that you have the code "X" springs, not the code "V" ones, as they are the ones that are rated at 5200 pounds--just like the axle--they won't support an extra 1000 pounds up front without nose-diving.


RON

 

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I should have mentioned that I will be doing mostly parking lots.

Rongold, I do definitely have the 6000lb frt springs (code x) so I am not worried about that. I started plowing for a company last year using their truck which has a western 9' so I don't see this being a problem for me as I got pretty used to it last year. Really I am wondering how much impact the weight has on the front end. I just find myself torn on which model would be the best for me.

I guess the question really comes down to is how much difference will 100 to 150lbs in the front make and how much should I weigh that into my decision?

Have any of you had the pro plow or pro plus? If so do you think it is a worthwhile upgrade?

Thanks all.

 

Surely someone must have some experience that they would like to share.

Thanks

 

Just a bit of extra advise. You may want to spend some time looking around at your most local dealers. It might be great to get the plow you really wanted from that dealer that is just a little more than little out of the way but if it craps out on you at 3:00AM it would sure be nice to have the same plow that most of the other guys have in the area. Some dealers stay open 24 hrs during storms and they are definately the ones to consider when weighing the decision. If that fails you might be able to call up a buddy and see what they might have laying around. I live just north of Boston and it is almost always possible to get Fisher parts from some pretty locals suppliers but with some of the other brands you might be left calling your accounts and quick talking. This comes from lots of experience some good, some bad. Good Luck..

 

mstrfxit12, I'm with you on that, the crew I work with all have Western's and the dealer seems pretty good also. Now if I could just decide...

 

We use all Western on our trucks here (3 plow trucks.. Maybe a v10 soon.. mmm..) and we haven't had any problems in the 10+ years that my dad has been plowing. Their newest system is really a breeze to put on.. just drive up and the plow mounts itself basically, you just pull up the stands after you drive forward. I forget what its called, but i can go look if you want.

 

fyi the fisher and western plows are now made side by side in the same plant the pumps pistons and electronics along with other parts are all the same

 

Just my opinion but I would not go any larger than 8ft. I loved the 8ft Fisher minute mount I had on my old F-350 it did really mount up in one or two minutes and moved snow very well. Some people don't like just the cutting edge tip but I came from using a Meyer and in wet snows it fell over very easy but the Fisher moved the heavy wet stuff with ease. Just something to look at when doing parking lots but all the major brands make good stuff and like posted before check for parts if you need something fast you want to be able to get working again.
Good luck
Glen
05 F-350 4x4 Reg Cab PSD 6Spd.

 

Without factory prep? I also have the need of a plow personnally and have an 04 CC PSD LWB.I was told that if a plow was added that it would potentially have a negative impact on my $ 2,400.00 warranty.Regardless I was looking at Western 8ft poly pro and would love to get input from yourself and others with similar Trucks

 

You guys may want to look into Blizzard plows. They have GREAT reviews from all the guys over at www.snowplowing-contractors.com . Check out their site at www.blizzardplows.com

-Matt

 

I have heard positive feedback on the Blizzard plows. I looked around there sight and all the mounts seem to stay on the truck when the plow is removed, with the Western the whole thing comes right off except for the lower bracket which does not bother me. Also I hear that the Blizzards are very heavy but have no specs to back this up. I would welcome any more info

Thanks