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6 Operating Procedures
PLOWING SNOW
WARNING: Always wear a seat belt
when plowing snow. Sudden contact
with a hidden object can result in
serious personal injury.
Inspect areas to be plowed before snowfall for
potential hazards, and mark obstructions with
stakes that will be seen when snow covers the
ground. Identify any emergency equipment and
utility outlets that may need to be cleared in the
event of a storm. Prepare a plan beforehand for
clearing snow from tight or enclosed areas and
locate sites for stacking snow.
Level the plow blade with adjustable braces to
ensure best cleanup of snow and to obtain even
wear of the cutting edges.
When using skid shoes on the back of the
moldboard, adjust the skids according to the
surface to be plowed. The bottom of the skids
should be about 1/2" below the cutting edge when
plowing gravel roads or lots. Skids should be even
with the cutting edge on hard surfaces such as
asphalt or concrete.
DWG. NO. 7197C
Always plow snow as it is accumulating. Wet snow
may weigh about 12 lbs per cubic foot. The weight
of snow being pushed by your plow may increase
to several tons.
Allowing snow depth to grow to unmanageable
levels can cause difficult removal problems and
can be costly in terms of wear on equipment.
WARNING: Serious personal injury
can result from plowing at excessive
speeds, as well as costly damage to
equipment and property, if an obstruction is
encountered while plowing. Do not exceed 10
mph while plowing.
Plow snow in the lowest truck gear to transfer
maximum power to the cutting edge. Clear areas
in front of buildings first. Backdrag snow away
from buildings by driving to the building with the
plow raised, then dropping the blade to pull snow
away. Push snow to outer edges of the lot after
snow is away from buildings.
Begin clearing large lots by putting the plow in the
V-position and creating a single path. Roll snow
to the outer edges of the lot by taking successive
passes with the blade angled, or put the plow in
the scoop position and push snow to the end of
the lot. Break up hard snowbanks with the plow in
the V-position.
When plowing very deep snow, it may be
necessary to raise the blade and shear off layers
of snow until a working area is cleared. Work small
areas in multiple passes to push snow to outer
edges. Generally, 6" snow can be plowed with the
entire blade width; 9" snow with 3/4 of the blade
width; 12" snow with 1/2 of the blade width. Local
conditions will determine how much work can be
done before stalling or getting stuck.
PARKING
Lower the plow to the ground when parking
your truck for a long period of time with the plow
attached. Place the on/off switch in the "off' position
to prevent the plow from drawing power from the
truck battery. The plow's power unit may continue
to draw electrical current from the truck battery if
the control switch is left on; possibly resulting in
insufficient charge to start the truck.
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