Light and fluffy, heavy and wet, dense and hard. Whether it’s a storm or light dusting, choosing the most-effective attachment requires digging a little deeper than snow type. To invest wisely, public agencies must weigh blade versatility, efficiency, longevity, and uptime.
Two-in-one option breeds efficiency
Angled blades that push to one side or another quickly move snow out of the way, which is good for sidewalks. Box attachments are good for vast, flat areas like parking lots because they push a lot of snow a long way. But when operators want to go from streets to parking lots and vice versa, they must stop to remove and replace one attachment with the other. What a hassle.
A wing blade is the best of both worlds. It’s an angle blade when its hydraulically powered wings are open and a box pusher when the wings are brought ahead. Operators switch from one to the other on the go, finishing jobs up to 60% faster.
Wing blades are available for virtually any size machine, from a 70-horsepower skidsteer to a 60,000-pound wheel loader. But there are a couple other considerations.
To keep angling blades from puncturing tires, which are expensive to buy and time-consuming to repair, consider specifying a protection system that pushes the wing away from the tire as it’s brought back. It’ll ensure worry-free plowing by both novice and expert operators.
The system powering the blade’s wing function also affects maintenance costs. Wing systems are powered by a rotary actuator or a ram cylinder. The rotary actuator system minimizes parts and offers a more robust system by eliminating pins and bushings.
Finally, think about how equipment’s going to get to the jobsite and minimize hassle by choosing a wing blade that won’t require over-width permits. Look for wings that can be rotated inward, which allows an angled blade to be loaded onto and transported by a heavy-haul trailer even when attached to the machine.
Cleaner parking lots
A box pusher with back drag costs 35% to 40% less than a wing blade. They’re available in widths from 4.5 feet to 18 feet and can be used with 5,000-to-60,000-pound machines to suit any size project.
With back drag, the operator places the blade within inches of the curb, loading dock, or other structure and then pulls it back to clear the snow. Box pushers move lots of snow over long distances, but they don’t always completely clear a surface. Parking lots are engineered for water control, so they have high break points and low spots for storm sewers. A rigid blade that can’t conform to varying heights doesn’t remove everything, so employees spend more time salting and/or sanding.
A blade with several sections, usually 24 inches wide, provides a cleaner scrape. The sections “float” along the surface as the machine moves, raising or lowering to follow pavement height. Segmented blades can even be used to pile and stack snow; a full-metal parallel lift system eliminates the risk of damage that can occur with polyurethane block systems.
Segmented blades are available in 10-to-20-foot widths for use on 14,000-to-60,000-pound machines.
Walk this way
Having a versatile and efficient blade isn’t just important for quickly clearing streets and parking lots, it’s also critical for pedestrian safety. One of the most versatile options for clearing sidewalks is a six-way blade. They fit smaller carriers, such as 30- to 50-horsepower compact tractors, and can be used to both windrow and push snow.
Operators can angle the blade left or right to push snow to one side or the other or use the v-blade function to push to both sides at once. It’s great for intersections: Operators can move the wings out to create a scoop around stoplights and then switch back to an angle or v-blade. The design can save operators from having to make three passes with an angle blade to clear snow from an intersection.
On the map
Many blades work well regardless of location and snow type, but a few designs excel at moving large amounts of snow in challenging climates.
Snow baskets, for example, have cutouts that let slushy water drain from the bucket during plowing. This is ideal for milder maritime climates, such as the eastern U.S. and Canada, where snow is wet and heavy. The cutouts also reduce basket weight so the carrier can carry more snow.
Snow buckets are very similar to snow baskets, but with cutouts along the top edge. They’re usually used with smaller machines, like skidsteer loaders, and give operators a clear view of the cutting edge.
Snow baskets and buckets are typically available in 5-to-10-foot widths for use on 5,000-to-15,000-pound machines.
In the details
Regardless of blade or box design, keep an eye out for features that maximize longevity and minimize downtime.
- A carbide-tipped cutting edge lasts up to seven times longer than heat-treated steel blades. Fleets with multiple plows can save a lot of shop time associated with replacements.
- Rubber becomes brittle when cold and, if used on dry pavement, will tear. Think of a rubber cutting edge as a squeegee to be used only with plenty of water for lubrication. This is why they’re ideal for milder climates.
- Blades with spring-trip cutting edges bounce over obstacles and then spring forward to their original position. This protects the blade and machine from damage and the operator from injury if the blade hits a manhole or unforeseen protrusion.
- If the blade doesn’t look high-quality, it probably isn’t. Look for a blade made of thick steel and adequate welding.