Selecting Equipment
Where you plan to plow, and the conditions under which you will
be plowing, determine to a great extent the type of vehicle you’ll
find most useful. In general, three types of vehicles are available
as the power source of snow clearance. Each type has certain
inherent advantages depending upon the particular
situation.
Four-wheel drive HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS have proven most
effective in heavy duty snow plowing situations using the E-Z
Mount Xpress™. They have excellent traction and the Xpress™
handles with ease.
Two-wheel drive TRUCKS, particularly those of 1 to 3 tons, are
best for straight line road clearance and in large open areas.
TRACTORS are effective for trapped areas in which visibility is
limited, plus a rear grader blade can be used in conjunction with
the Meyer Snowplow.
Meyer Snowplow’s custom design for specific vehicles provides
the advantage of easy, fast attaching and detaching. This feature
permits utilization of vehicle versatility as weather conditions and
job requirements demand.
20 m.p.h. is a maximum snow plowing speed under ideal
conditions, assuming the driver is familiar with the roadway or
area to be cleared. Under unfamiliar or hazardous conditions, or
if there is poor visibility, we recommend reduced speed and
extreme caution.
Careful analysis of the area you intend to clear of snow will
direct you to the types of equipment you’ll require. Check Table
1, Average Hourly Snow Clearing Capacities, for recommended
equipment depending upon the area in which you’ll be working.
Then, match the vehicles you already have with the snow removal
equipment you need. If your vehicles do not have the
capacity to clear all major access areas within two hours, you
should increase clearing capacity with additional equipment or
arrange for assistance through a contract plowing service.
AVERAGE HOURLY SNOW CLEARING CAPACITIES*
TABLE 1 (Based on Straight Blades)
Straight Line
(no. of miles
Snow
Open Area Trapped Area of roadway
Plow size
(sq. ft.)
(sq. ft.)
Cleared in
2 passes)
Tractor
7 foot
33,000
25,000
2 1/2 miles
4 Wheel Drive
Utility Vehicles 6 1/2 foot
53,000
21,500
5
Trucks
1 1/2 - 1 Ton
(2 WD)
7 - 7 -1/2 foot 38,000
19,000
4
(4 WD)
7-8 foot
88.000
42,500
6
1 1/2 - 2 Ton
8 1/2 - 9 foot 67,500
30.000
7 1/2 **
2 1/2 - 3 Ton
10 foot
67.500
~
10 **
* Based upon regional interviews with knowledgeable contractors
6” snowfall cleared by operators with average ability
** Based upon recommended maximum plowing speed of 20
mph.
~ Not recommended for use except in very large areas of this
type the 1 1/2 ton figures if necessary
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