Pickup mounted snow-plows - any advice?

[Rob]

Looking at possibly putting a snow ploy blade on my truck to plow my driveway.  I have a small ATV mounted blade, but it takes quite a bit of time to clear everything.

What things should I be looking at?  Brands?  length?  type (straigh vs. V shaped)?

Do they mount to a front receiver and do they need a winch to operate?  or are they operated by an onboard lifting mechanism?

The truck is an F350 super duty and my driveway is 200 to 300 yards long with a 30x30ish pad infront of the garage.

[Caseknife]

Meyers is a popular brand.  They are all inclusive, power head, lifting mechanism, blade, etc.  The only drawback is that you will have a plow mount permanently attached to the frame of your truck which will hang down a bit in front of your front tires.  You lose a bit of your approach angle, but once you figure that out, you're good.  8' blade should get you where you need to be, will cover your tracks when it is angled, but won't be too bulky and big to get around close to stuff.

[CastleRocker]

My experiences with a pickup mounted blade are very limited,  but they don't work in the wet snow we tend to get here.   I've tried a blade on a quad, and it didn't work either.   I used it as more justification for a little 30 hp 4x4 John Deere tractor. However, if you are in Sandpoint, then you probably get that beautiful light, fluffy snow that a pickup/plow would push.

[Jingles]

Having had and used  both fixed blade (western) and V blade (boss), on 2 trucks and plowed commercially, My recommendation would be go with the V blade, can make it to a scoop and stack snow higher as long as you learn how to make a ramp with the snow. With the 350 you could go with the 9'6" blade and the boss blade system is operated on a hydraulic system that is drive up to connect and you are gtg and start plowing, comes with the in cab ability Controls and is a breeze to angle left or right wing, not knowing how much snow you get at a time with the blade v'd can open up the drive even if 2 feet deep,, and spill snow both sides the wing it one way or the other to widen the plowed area.
Have another couple recommendations for you regardless which way you go so feel free to PM me. Personly should I ever get back to plowing would not consider anything but a V blade.

[Woodchuck]

Unless you "need" to plow and plow a lot, it isn't worth the wear and tear. If you have a warranty on your truck, a plow mounted on it will void that instantly.

[KFhunter]

Might be a better idea to buy an old truck with a plow already on it.   I used to see them on CL

[KFhunter]

Used to see trucks like this for half this price

https://spokane.craigslist.org/grd/d/davenport-1985-ford-250-boss-plow/7419705063.html


Might dicker it down a bit 

Time you get a plow installed on your F350 you gonna be 8 grand I dunno? Maybe more now?  A plow will crush the resale value of your truck, so you could be money ahead and never have to screw around mounting amd dismounting a plow

[Jingles]

Unless you "need" to plow and plow a lot, it isn't worth the wear and tear. If you have a warranty on your truck, a plow mounted on it will void that instantly.

Unless there has been recent changes a professionally mounted plow does not void your warranty

[KFhunter]

Maybe it depends on the truck, plow ready work trucks vs cowboy cadillacs..

[boneaddict]

Lots of variety from simple to commercial grade.   It depends on how much money you want to spend.  I got one from snow bear.   It’s on the low end for cost, but effective for what I need here in the Wenas. I only have to plow once or twice a year, but have a huge driveway.  It has remote up and down, but manually have to adjust angles.  It’s lightweight.  It mounts on a receiver that you permanently have mounted on the front of truck.  This works well if you have a winch as the receiver can match where your stinger is on the back. 
I of course used it much more than what it was designed for, busting out drifts a couple years back, and plowing out the whole road for all of my neighbors.  It survived. 
There are most definitely plows that are fancier, tougher and more convenient.   This one isn’t designed to run up and down the hiway.  You can get lights for it if you want, but like I said I wanted simple.   Now if I lived in Twisp, where I grew up, I’d go for the high end.

[dyhardhuntr]

In my opinion (and it’s just an opinion) I would buy a tractor and or an old truck as mentioned before. I’m not sure putting a plow on your current vehicle would be cost effective. I worked for the local county public works as a technician for several years. In that time I became very knowledgeable on snow plows( not sure if that’s good or bad). We had several set ups. The newest setup was the easiest to do by yourself. It had a thick steel plate as part of the frame/bumper. The plow itself was all inclusive with hydraulic cylinders for tilting left to right and up and down. They are very handy but can also be a real pain. Ground clearance as mentioned is something you have to think about. Also trucks that come equipped as a snow plow package have heavier suspension in the front, dual alternators, high flow radiators etc. Where I currently work we installed a plow for clearing the yard and the main office parking lot. It works well with minimal interference on the truck. It was around $5k I think. It’s made by snowdogg. I would get a 8’ straight blade with tilt. You’re not plowing miles of road so you won’t need a V plow or batwing as we called it. Good luck with your search


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[Angry Perch]

Unless you "need" to plow and plow a lot, it isn't worth the wear and tear. If you have a warranty on your truck, a plow mounted on it will void that instantly.

Interesting. I worked at a Ford dealership in Minnesota in the mid 80's doing detailing and dealer prep stuff. In the fall there were F-250's rolling out the door left and right with plows on them.

[Woodchuck]

Unless you "need" to plow and plow a lot, it isn't worth the wear and tear. If you have a warranty on your truck, a plow mounted on it will void that instantly.

Interesting. I worked at a Ford dealership in Minnesota in the mid 80's doing detailing and dealer prep stuff. In the fall there were F-250's rolling out the door left and right with plows on them.

I guess I should clarify. In MN, I have no doubts, I grew up in Warroad. I am sure dealer prep has some effect. I guess was more speaking more to extended contracts. If it isn't listed at time of purchase, they will void it for a plow. Heck, I had a claim denied because the tires on a pickup were 1.5in bigger than stock.

[Rob]

Apologies for posting and then going dark.  Been slammed with my move. 

Some really good info above.  After spending an hour plowing with the ATV today i am thinking hard of alternatives.

 I did not figure a plow would reduce the value of the truck.  I like the idea of a dedicated plow vehicle but I really like the idea of a tractor.  How big of a tractor would you need to do a few hundred yards of driveway and a 60x30 parking area efficiently?   I looked briefly at tractors a few years back and they were rather spendy.

[wadu1]

A big one, like this one in McCall

[Rob]

Hosepower should not exceed IQ so that tractor is out of my league!

[Ridgeratt]

Hosepower should not exceed IQ so that tractor is out of my league!

Not sure about Hosepower, 
But when I was looking to upgrade my tractor 4 years ago, I talked to one of the local farmers. He said that you can't make up for the lack of horsepower. Depending on what equipment you choose and how much it takes to operate it.

He also cautioned about putting a blade on the front of a tractor and pushing snow. He said that when he was in the basin, he had hit a solid frozen pile of ice with a buried rock and tweeked his loader frame.
 

[Caseknife]

Apologies for posting and then going dark.  Been slammed with my move. 

Some really good info above.  After spending an hour plowing with the ATV today i am thinking hard of alternatives.

 I did not figure a plow would reduce the value of the truck.  I like the idea of a dedicated plow vehicle but I really like the idea of a tractor.  How big of a tractor would you need to do a few hundred yards of driveway and a 60x30 parking area efficiently?   I looked briefly at tractors a few years back and they were rather spendy.

I've got a Kubota 3130 with the back blade and the 7' quick detach blade on the front, makes quick/fun work of our community 3/4 mile lane.  Takes longer to plow around the driveway and between the house and shop.  I would say a tractor in the 25-30hp range would be more than adequate.

[Mark Brenckle]

If you don't have any other chores for the tractor, I'd go with an older used pickup with a good heater.

[follow maggie]

In my area, the most common brand I see, by far, is Boss

[Timberstalker]

As has been said, if you have any property to maintain, buy a tractor.  You can use them year round.  Get a 35-45 HP tractor and you will be set.  Front bucket works just fine.

[KFhunter]

If you can swing it, get a tractor with a cab   

[Rainier10]

If you can swing it, get a tractor with a heated cab   

fixed it for you.

[Rob]

Great info everyone.  Lots of ideas to consider.

Had anyone used a blade that mounts on the rear of a truck?

After reading all this a tractor would be first choice followed by a beater dedicated pickup. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

My tractor has 43hp 4 wheel drive on the wetside, I plow more driveway than that, I find it sufficient.👍

[boneaddict]

Here I always assumed you were fascinated with snowplows and thus your handle 🤔

[Jingles]

Of course if you don't want a plow there are snow blowers that mount on the front of pickups

[huntnnw]

Depends what you use the tractor for 35+  hp is a big tractor and better be using it alot. I have 27Hp and it has been more than plenty for everything i have done

[buckcanyonlodge]

A craigslist purchase  '94 F-350   460 V-8 side to side tilt is a must

[KFhunter]

Great info everyone.  Lots of ideas to consider.

Had anyone used a blade that mounts on the rear of a truck?

After reading all this a tractor would be first choice followed by a beater dedicated pickup.

Are you talking about ones tbat plug into your receiver hitch?

Ya no, thats an insane amount of leverage being applied to a hitch that isn't designed for it, not side to side twist leverage


No freaking way would I do that, stupidest plow design I've ever seen

[Jpmiller]

If you get a tractor I'd opt for blower over plow

[Rob]

Not clear on the mounting approach - but I assume it is on the rear hitch and yeah, seems risky to me was well.

I think a Craig's list older truck with plow is probably in my future. I like the idea of a tractor however that may be more than I want to spend (more useful though)

[Buckmark]

There is a post on here called Red Neck Snowplow i did a few years back (i can find it but dont know how to paste it here with my phone)   
Cobbled this together for basically free to clear our lot, worked pretty good in a pinch, was going to add a small winch but never got around to it, just did the strap to pull it up and down.
 

[Ridgeratt]

Here's a couple of alternatives

[Boss .300 winmag]

Here's a alternative

🤣

[Ridgeratt]

The internet is full of ideas!!!

Perhaps an idea from the Emerald City. They should be able to adapt a prius to this.

[Ridgeratt]

And from our friends to the North. Just keep your stick on the ice. 

[Rob]

Based on these videos, I may be overthinking things.  But then again, maybe not!

[Mark Brenckle]

https://washington.hibid.com/lot/87443-334022-14045/1991-international-2000-dump-truck-s-a?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=wednesday_12/22/21

[Rob]

that thing is a beast!

[Ridgeratt]

This is pretty close to you.

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/deer-park-square-body-ton-dump-plow/7417894829.html

You could get your own side hussle going with a route..   


Plough and sander.

[Jingles]

https://washington.hibid.com/lot/87443-334022-14045/1991-international-2000-dump-truck-s-a?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=wednesday_12/22/21

One thing about this is either lay in a winters supply of hot sand (premixed sand and salt) or have exhaust rerouted through the sand box to keep sand thawed

[Angry Perch]

There is a post on here called Red Neck Snowplow i did a few years back (i can find it but dont know how to paste it here with my phone)   
Cobbled this together for basically free to clear our lot, worked pretty good in a pinch, was going to add a small winch but never got around to it, just did the strap to pull it up and down.
 

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,236515.msg3159975.html#msg3159975

[Rob]

If I picked that up I would need a Mr. Plow jacket!

I like the redneck plow too-well done

[coop2424]

Older vehicle with plow is what I have been using for the last 5 years and we get a good amount of snow since we are in a snow belt. Most people look at my setup and question it because it isn’t the big f250 but it has worked for me and I have never had an issue.  I use an older land cruiser that doubles as my woods vehicle during hunting season. It’s a 7.5ft blade for when the snow is deeper then I have extensions I can put on to widen it to make quick work of driveway. I am now am just doing my small driveway and a neighbors but a couple years I did 2 miles of plowing a time and 15-20 times each of the years.  Tractor sure would be nice to move snow banks though for when there is 2-3ft of snow on ground.

[Rob]

I kinda like that idea.  Would be nice to have a truck i have little attachment to in the field while I hunt.  Then use it as a plow in the winter.