Why Snow Plow?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I generally have 3-4 trucks out on any given storm, on average each truck spends about 10-12 hours. We pull in some good money each snow fall, then there is the liquid de-icing, sand and salt applications. Yes we do charge a decent amount for the work, and make good money at it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
Other then buying the plow,,which I purchased in 99' for $3,800 installed,,,I also have a winter set of wheels and studded tires,,I cant recall really any plowing related Break Downs !,,I did have to replace part of the wiring harness(on the plow) It just started acting up,,broken wire,,,,Do have to replace cutting edges,,,change pump fluids, etc,,but thats mantenance.
Yeah,,if you dont pay attention,,,you could damage your truck,,or someones property,,then it can get costly,,But plowing at a respectable speed with your Head screwed on right,,,Break Downs for me anyway are very low to none so far!
Now my Buddy with the 92' Dodge is another story,,,But the truck has 250k plus,,cummins is ok,,been through several trannys,,,steering link broke in half,,frame where steering box mounts cracked,,,,But he likes his Dodge,,,old enough where he can still work on everything rather easy like.
Yeah,,if you dont pay attention,,,you could damage your truck,,or someones property,,then it can get costly,,But plowing at a respectable speed with your Head screwed on right,,,Break Downs for me anyway are very low to none so far!
Now my Buddy with the 92' Dodge is another story,,,But the truck has 250k plus,,cummins is ok,,been through several trannys,,,steering link broke in half,,frame where steering box mounts cracked,,,,But he likes his Dodge,,,old enough where he can still work on everything rather easy like.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Man, makes me wish it snowed more around here... actually, around here, people are like "Heaven forbid if there's a few inches of snow on their driveway!" So, there is SOME money to be made. But I always heard plowing was hard on the front end. I know my dad's '08 has what's called the "Snow Plow Package" which is essentially a beefed up front (drag links I think). What about my '99? Did Ford ever offer anything like that? If not, anything I COULD do to try to "beef" it up? I already have 350/450/550 leafs up front (whatever it is... not sure... only difference is they're arched down instead of up). I could glean alot of info from you guys... who do you suggest for plows? Any one place that seems to be good to get them from?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Man, makes me wish it snowed more around here... actually, around here, people are like "Heaven forbid if there's a few inches of snow on their driveway!" So, there is SOME money to be made. But I always heard plowing was hard on the front end. I know my dad's '08 has what's called the "Snow Plow Package" which is essentially a beefed up front (drag links I think). What about my '99? Did Ford ever offer anything like that? If not, anything I COULD do to try to "beef" it up? I already have 350/450/550 leafs up front (whatever it is... not sure... only difference is they're arched down instead of up). I could glean alot of info from you guys... who do you suggest for plows? Any one place that seems to be good to get them from?
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
x-codes are rated at 6000 fyi, i have them on my excursion but it will not be seeing a plow.
i love my boss, i also work at the boss dealer and build them day in/out. its all i'll run.
i love my boss, i also work at the boss dealer and build them day in/out. its all i'll run.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 2
OK, here's one that's just not at all on the same track from any of this....
My knees are shot. I got this truck with an auto because I just could not hold the clutch on my '87 F-150 without a lot of pain. I really don't want my back to be next. So I have a Boss 8' Super Duty trip edge plow to save excessive strain on my body (just try getting kids to shovel....). I do my driveway and a friend or two and I'll push back the snow so when the town comes through they won't dump a ton of snow back onto the end. I can only think of once or twice I took any money, but our friend is a single mom and she bakes a cheesecake for me for the first time I plow and that covers the season for her....
My knees are shot. I got this truck with an auto because I just could not hold the clutch on my '87 F-150 without a lot of pain. I really don't want my back to be next. So I have a Boss 8' Super Duty trip edge plow to save excessive strain on my body (just try getting kids to shovel....). I do my driveway and a friend or two and I'll push back the snow so when the town comes through they won't dump a ton of snow back onto the end. I can only think of once or twice I took any money, but our friend is a single mom and she bakes a cheesecake for me for the first time I plow and that covers the season for her....
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Dodge's are known for tranny problem with plowing, they just can not handle the work load. Steering is a common problem I have seen plus worn front ends (leaving the plow dangle all the time), the steering box cracking the frame seen that in the 73-87 chevy's mainly with a larger than stock tires. its generally caused by a short steering linkage between the steering box and drag link which places lots of strain on the frame. Some manufacturers use a long links and never have the problem.
Other then buying the plow,,which I purchased in 99' for $3,800 installed,,,I also have a winter set of wheels and studded tires,,I cant recall really any plowing related Break Downs !,,I did have to replace part of the wiring harness(on the plow) It just started acting up,,broken wire,,,,Do have to replace cutting edges,,,change pump fluids, etc,,but thats mantenance.
Yeah,,if you dont pay attention,,,you could damage your truck,,or someones property,,then it can get costly,,But plowing at a respectable speed with your Head screwed on right,,,Break Downs for me anyway are very low to none so far!
Now my Buddy with the 92' Dodge is another story,,,But the truck has 250k plus,,cummins is ok,,been through several trannys,,,steering link broke in half,,frame where steering box mounts cracked,,,,But he likes his Dodge,,,old enough where he can still work on everything rather easy like.
Yeah,,if you dont pay attention,,,you could damage your truck,,or someones property,,then it can get costly,,But plowing at a respectable speed with your Head screwed on right,,,Break Downs for me anyway are very low to none so far!
Now my Buddy with the 92' Dodge is another story,,,But the truck has 250k plus,,cummins is ok,,been through several trannys,,,steering link broke in half,,frame where steering box mounts cracked,,,,But he likes his Dodge,,,old enough where he can still work on everything rather easy like.
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