Snow Removal Equipment
Clearing heavy snowfall is a necessity in many parts of Canada during the winter months and quality equipment is key to doing the job well. | PHOTO CREDIT : BOSS Snowplow
BOSS TEV Snowplow. | PHOTO CREDIT : BOSS Snowplow
BOSS VBX+ truck mounted spreader. | PHOTO CREDIT : BOSS Snowplow
Fisher HDX Snowplow. | PHOTO CREDIT : BOSS Snowplow
Western Products MARAUDER truck mounted spreader. | PHOTO CREDIT : BOSS Snowplow
A look at a range of options designed specifically for medium duty truck applications.
Heavy snowfall is a fact of life in many communities across Canada during the winter months. It is estimated that overall, the country spends approximately $1 billion per year on snow removal.
Vital service
From larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary and Edmonton, to small towns, snow clearing is a vital part of the Canadian economy, particularly in the winter months and a whole host of technologies and equipment are employed to keep streets, roadways, airports, parking lots, stations and other facilities clear of snow and ice.
These range from large class 7 and 8 trucks fitted with snowplows, dump bodies and spreaders, frequently used for clearing major highways and city streets, to heavy-duty and light duty pickups equipped with front mounted plows used for clearing business parking lots, side streets, train and bus stations and other locations.
Options to consider
Yet while the concept of clearing snow is a simple one in theory, in practice, there are a range of options to consider when it comes to equipment and utilization. In this issue of Fleet & Mobility, we take a look at some of the snowplow and spreader options available in the medium duty sector, (Class 3-6 trucks). These types of vehicles are frequently used by both government and private fleets/contractors for clearing residential roadways and parking lots for commercial businesses, schools, stations and emergency facilities.
BOSS SNOWPLOW
Headquartered in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in the heart of the Great Lakes, BOSS Snowplow has established itself as a market leader and innovator when it comes to snow clearing equipment. It produces, markets and sells a whole range of snow clearing equipment, including plows designed for trucks, tractors and skid-steers, through truck mounted spreader units, de-icing equipment as well as specialist vehicles for clearing paths and sidewalks.
BOSS TEV SNOWPLOW
The TEV is designed and built to tackle all snow conditions with unmatched efficiency and durability. Its Trip-Edge Design lets the plow trip over low-profile obstacles without losing snow, ensuring a consistent clearing performance. BOSS Cold Front Technology replaces the traditional 13-pin plug with a streamlined connector, combining power, ground, and control wires for quick, reliable control. The SL4 LED headlights, with TIR Technology and ClearBeam, are designed to provide superior visibility and side illumination, while also offering added safety features like built-in turn signals and warning lights.
The BOSS TEV features a SmartTouch+ controller that’s designed to deliver instant responsiveness, while the plow’s rigid mouldboard enhances snow stacking. Equipped with AR450 cutting edges and curb guards, the TEV is built for long-lasting durability. It also features a Trip-Edge spring tension system adapts to changing snow conditions, while the snow catcher ensures cleaner plowing while on the move. Key features include:
- Cold Front Technology
Operators can eliminate the hassle of the 13-pin plug with Cold Front Technology's newly designed connector, merging Power/Ground cables and Control wires into one.
- SmartTouch+
Offers immediate, responsive control with a familiar design, eliminating delays and simplifying your plow operation.
- SL4 with ClearBeam
The low-profile aluminum housing and ClearBeam feature provide exceptional downward illumination, while built-in turn signals, park, warning, and accent lights enhance safety and style.
- SMARTSHIELD
Sets the standard for supreme quality, corrosion protection, and lasting durability.
BOSS VBX+ SPREADER
Designed for today’s contractors, the VBX+ was designed from the outset to combine innovation with performance. The VBX+ features a whole host of smart features that are designed to put the operator in full control, allowing precise material distribution and seamless job site tracking. The VBX+ 1.5yd auger is equipped with a de-icing capacity of up to 1.5 cubic yards, specifically designed for r ¾ and 1-ton heavy duty pickup trucks and chassis cabs equipped with flatbeds or dump bodies. It is constructed to effectively break through frozen chunks of salt and sand. An added advantage for both independent contractors and fleet operators, are easy-to-maintain components, which help minimize downtime while providing top-tier power and performance. Boasting the latest in LED lighting, advanced safety features, and intuitive design enhancements, the VBX+ is designed to optimize snow clearing efficiency when winter weather hits.
FISHER ENGINEERING
For over 75 years, Fisher Engineering has been high quality and innovative snow-clearing products from its headquarters in Rockland, Maine. Fisher’s range of products are recognized as some of the most trusted brands in the upfitting and snow clearing industry and are designed to help operators perform their job as effectively and efficiently as possible, minimizing downtime, and maximizing profitability.
FISHER HDX SNOWPLOW
Designed for medium duty pickup and chassis cab applications, the Fisher HDX is a high-quality, stainless-steel snowplow designed for clearing streets, parking lots and driveways. It features an adjustable blade attack angle and an oscillating A-frame, enabling operators to dial-in the snowplow to deliver superior snow clearing results regardless of the weather or the terrain. Clad with a clean stainless-steel mouldboard, this plow not only performs efficiently, it also looks the part, too. Key features include:
- Plow Blade Construction
Available in 8′ and 9′ widths, the 29″ tall HDX snowplow blade is made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel to optimize performance and durability.
A standard high-carbon steel cutting edge provides increased wear resistance.
- Structural Reinforcement
The HDX snowplow is constructed with a total of eight vertical ribs welded into a rigid framework. The two inner ribs and base angle have additional reinforcement which provides increased structural support when attacking winter’s worst weather.
- Adjustable Attack Angle
The HDX features an adjustable attack angle that allows you to customize the blade’s angle of attack based on plowing surfaces, weather conditions or operator preference. Its boxed-in quadrant design features three attack-angle holes for easy adjustment.*
Attack angle adjustment may be limited on certain vehicles due to varying vehicle heights. Fisher recommends referring to the snowplow Owner’s Manual or FISHER eMatch system for more details.
- Oscillating A-Frame
With an Oscillating A-Frame, the HDX can pivot from side to side allowing the blade to follow the contours of the plowing surface for a cleaner scrape and improved cutting-edge wear.
WESTERN PRODUCTS
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Western Products is a leading manufacturer of snow and ice control products. It offers a complete line of CONTRACTOR GRADE snowplows designed for commercial operators as well as plows designed for personal-use and light municipal snow removal operations. Western Products also offers a variety of hopper and tailgate-mounted ice control sand and salt spreaders, along with a wide selection of performance-enhancing snowplow and spreader accessories and parts.
WESTERN MARAUDER SPREADER
Western’s new MARAUDER stainless steel hopper has been designed and engineered to clear snow and ice as efficiently as possible. The MARAUDER is offered with either a new HELIXX shaftless auger for precise rock salt application or a pintle chain conveyor system that’s highly suited for thick, heavy de-icing materials. Key features of the MARAUDER include:
- HELIXX Auger Technology
Patented corkscrew material delivery system is optimized to operate in the target range for rock salt spreading best practices. The auger has multiple pitches to help promote smooth, even material flow from the hopper and prevents bridging. The shaftless technology reduces drag on the motor and reduces the overall load on the electrical system.
Auger Models Only (S150A, S220A, S300A, S400A, S500A)
- Pintle Chain Conveyor
The large conveyor delivers reliable, smooth, and consistent material flow for heavy, dense materials while reducing bridging.
Chain Models Only (S150C, S220C, S300C, S400C, S500C)
- Hopper Construction
The hopper is made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and constructed entirely of rivets and bolts, with no welding. This provides a cleaner stainless look and is easier to repair for long-life and protection against stress.
- Extended Material Delivery & Pre-Wet Chamber
A material delivery extension reduces leaking/spilling during transport. This provides a more cab forward design, allowing for added stability and weight distribution of the hopper.
When equipped with the optional pre-wet accessory, it leads into the patented pre-wet mixing chamber.
- Wiring Channel for Ease of Install
Channels on either side of the hopper allow wires and cables to be easily run from the hopper to the cab for a clean installation.
- Steeper End Caps
The end caps are at more of an angle to provide better material flow so the hopper load can be evenly spread with each fill.
- Chute Design
Baffles within the chute deliver a consistent spread pattern that reduces material waste. By directing material to precise points on the spinner, it helps to cast it away from the truck rather than onto the back of your bumper. A direct drive motor offers better torque and reduces servicing.
- Chute Assembly
For precise material application, the chute assembly can be configured for either pickup truck or flatbed and dump body applications, ensuring you’re always spreading at the optimum height. An extended chute is standard on 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 cu yd models. Sold separately for 1.5 and 2.2 cu yd models.
The ergonomic, hinged design opens from the driver’s side and swings to the passenger side, providing easy access for maintenance or material unloading. For convenient access to the hitch, the chute assembly can be removed.
- Chute Power Plug
Heavy-duty, weather resistant plug is IP-68 rated. Positive latching ensures a secure connection, even with vibrations caused by consistent travel. The plug has been tested to 5,000 mating cycles for durability for many winter seasons to come.
- Spinner Channels & Spread Pattern
An extra-large 16″ polyurethane spinner delivers a broadcast spread pattern of up to 36′ for salt and 24′ for sand and provides long-lasting, corrosion-free performance. The ridges on the spinner ensure an even distribution of material throughout the spread arc.
- Inverted V
Reduce heavy startup loads on the drivetrain and potential bridging during operations with the optional inverted V. Made of 12 gauge 201 stainless steel, the inverted V is strong and corrosion resistant, for use in highly demanding environments. The inverted V is easy to assemble and install and will provide years of trouble free use.
Only accessory for 1.5 & 2.2 cu yd Chain Models (S150C & S220C)
* Standard on 1.5 & 2.2 cu yd Auger Models. (S150A & S220A)
* Standard on 3.0, 4.0 & 5.0 cu yd Chain & Auger Models. (S300C, S300A, S400C, S400A, S500C & S500A)
- Material Spill Protector (Chain Only)
A protection flap at the end of the conveyor prevents material from spilling out and pooling near the vehicle cab.
*Chain Models Only (S150C, S220C, S300C, S400C, S500C)
- Top Screen & Replaceable Anchor
A steel top screen comes standard, which helps break up large chunks of de-icing material during the loading process to prevent clogging and bridging during spreader operation. The anchor piece is also bolted on instead of welded for easy replacement.
