03 F350 Powerstroke
Putting on a 7.5 foot meyers plow for the winter. Is there anything I need to know that I might not be thinking about?

 

I too am curious. Does snowplowing place significant stress/harm on the vehicle? even for non-commercial plowing.

 

Does your truck have the Snow Plow package?

 

Increases stress to the transmission, drivetrain and suspension. Transmission is usually the first thing to fail.

 

hey, lee's summit i'm in independence mo. ,ihave a 250 & 450 with plows call me at 7975589 barry

 

No plow package that I am aware of. Should I get something?

 

Barry, I'll call you after all the trick or treaters slow down a bit.
Thanks

 

The Snowplow package gave max front springs to support the weight. Also CC F250/350 diesels are not rated for a plow, and niether is the SC F250.

Here is the recommended equipment per FMC:
Snowplow Installation/Minimum Required And Recommended Equipment
The Super Duty F-Series vehicles tabled below are available for snow plow usage.
Minimum Required Equipment
• Snowplow Package, includes:
—Highest Front GAWR’s (5200 lb. for F-250-350; 6000 lb. for F-450-550)
—Steering Damper
—Auxiliary Rear Springs on SRW Models With 5.4L V-8 Engine (Effective Nov. 2002)
• Plow and attaching hardware weight limits are as tabled below.
Recommended Equipment (Not Required)
• All-Terrain Tires and Roof Clearance Lights (Optional with SRW Pickup models)
Standard Equipment
• Front stabilizer bar
• Rear stabilizer bar (Standard on Chassis Cab and DRW Pickup models)
• Roof Clearance Lights (Standard on Chassis Cab and DRW Pickup models)
• Engine oil cooler, auxiliary automatic transmission oil cooler and maximum capacity engine coolant
radiator are standard
• All available axle ratios are acceptable
• Available with manual and automatic transmission. Operate automatic transmission in Overdrive gear when snowplowing

http://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/...essd_03abb.pdf

 

First of all, surf to www.letstalksnow.com

As for the truck, you may want to consider the following:

1. Timbrens for the front to help carry the weight
2. Aggressive tread pattern on the tires. (Cooper ATR are considered very good for this) (we also have Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors on two trucks)
3. Ballast for the rear (tube sand, rock salt, steel bars, whatever.) Typically about twice the weight of the plow.
4. Winter wiper blades
5. Liability insurance for plowing
6. Spare pins, hoses, solenoids, and low-temp hydraulic fluid for the plow
7. Fluid Film to keep things lubricated and from corroding
8. Check all belts, hoses, fluids. If there is any doubt, replace it.

When plowing, be sure to bring the truck to a complete stop before changing direction. Failure to do so will eventually cost you a tranny.

Feel free to e-mail if you need anything else. Had an '03 (and have some useful spare parts) until May. Great plow truck.

 

I plow commercially. I have done it with 01,03,05, and now 08 fords. All 250's til the 08, now a 350. I ran all the trucks till about 80,000 miles with zero issues. Heavy boss 8'2" V plow, no Snow Plow Prep till this 08. I think you will be fine.

 

First thing you should do is check out the forums at www.plowsite.com
You should definately get at least an 8' blade for your truck. I have an 8' 2" V blade on my truck and it does great. No plow pkg. My 99 was set up the same and never had any problems doing both residential and commercial. I have the V-10 engine.

 

Fixed the link for you:
www.plowsite.com

 

Thanks blackhat.... my fingers were working faster then my brain....lol

 

Yeah i know the feeling, i do that far to often myself.