So You’ve Decided to Buy a Plow Truck

Although you're getting a truck for the luxury of staying warm and dry, remember that you're buying a tool, first and foremost. Here is what to look for when perusing the market: The truck must be able to carry the load of the plow system out front without significant impact on handling; it needs a heavy-duty alternator to deliver electricity requiredfor the electric hydraulic pump; it needs a powerful, reliable engine with a bulletproof transmission; and, ideally, it should have four-wheel drive. You're asking for trouble if you buy a truck any smaller than something in the ?-ton class. So think Ram 2500, Ford F-250, Chevy Silverado 2500, or Toyota Tundra. As an option, you might look for a truck with an adjustable front suspension so you can raise the nose back up when the plow is mounted?these are usually sold as a plow-prep package. Steer clear of any truck with dual rear wheels, since traction comes from cutting through the snow to the ground rather than floating on top of it. (Dual wheels distribute weight over a larger contact patch.) Picking a transmission is a little trickier. A manual transmission will stand up to the forward-and-reverse rigors of plowing better than old automatics, but newer automatic transmissions are built very well and shouldn't burn up, plus they're just darn convenient.

Now, as to the question of buying a used plow truck. Unless you're on a really tight budget, it's probably not worth buying a truck already fitted with a plow, since the previous owner might have gently used it over one winter or (more likely) beaten it like a rented mule for years. Transmissions and transfer cases get worked over hard, and they aren't cheap to replace if they go out (and in the middle of a snowstorm, that makes for a long walk home). That's not to say you shouldn't get a used truck; just make sure it hasn't seen plow duty in the past. It's probably also worth considering a new versus used plow setup. A new plow is guaranteed and has all the parts, and you'll be the first to abuse it, whereas a used one is a lot cheaper but could be incomplete and might have bent parts to fix. Expect to spend about $3000 for a new plow and $1500 or more for a good used one.

Installation includes ordering the mount kit specific to your truck and bolting a thick steel bracket to the front of the frame under the bump?er. This will serve as the support for bolting on the mechanics and hydraulics of the plow blade. Each plow mounts the hydraulic pump a little differently, so follow the instructions and then run the electrical connections. The in-cabin control box?for moving the blades up, down, left, and right?will mount either on the center console or to the floor. The box's wiring will run through the firewall. Everything is designed to be disconnected and stored in the off-season so the truck isn't so awkward in use. Properly selected and set up, your new truck will be much better than shivering on that old tractor.

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Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/so-youve-decided-to-buy-a-plow-truck?src=rss

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