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 UTILITY VEHICLES and TRUCKS have
proven most effective in general snow plowing situations.
They have excellent traction and maneuverability and are
extremely easy to handle.
Two-wheel drive TRUCKS, particularly those of 1-1/2 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 Snow Plow.
Meyer Snow Plow'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 recommended as 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
Straight Line
(no. of miles
Snow Open Area Trapped Area of roadway
Plow Size (sq. ft.) (sq. ft.) cleared in
2 passes)
Tractors 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
1/2-1 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.
Use 1 1/2 ton figures if necessary.
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