How to plow snow with a truck

Did you recently purchase a front-mounted snow plow for your pickup truck? By following a few best practices, you can make the most of your investment and possibly prolong its serviceable lifespan. Here are a few tips for effectively clearing snow this winter.

• Check the condition of your truck and plow. Before every job, make sure to do a walkaround of your vehicle and plow to ensure everything’s in good working order. For example, check your vehicle’s tire pressure, verify the headlights, brake lights and turn signals and ensure the fuel tank is full. You should also look over your snow plow to ensure the bolts are tight and that the cutting edge is sharp.

• Set the blade height. Set the plow blade at about a half-inch above the ground. This will ensure you scrape away most of the snow without damaging your blade, grinding into the pavement or digging up gravel or dirt. A half-inch of snow left on the ground is safe enough to drive or walk on and melts away quickly when the sun comes out.

• Angle the plow. Always angle the plow blade to the passenger side of your truck so any rocks and debris you pick up bounce away from oncoming traffic. Angling the plow also decreases wind drag and improves airflow to your truck's engine, preventing it from overheating.

• Go slow. Go slow and steady. Driving fast while the plow blade is down gives you less control over the truck and can put undue stress on the engine. Going over bumps or potholes at high speeds can also damage your truck or plow. A good rule of thumb is to not exceed 20 kilometres per hour while plowing.

• Pile the snow appropriately. Familiarize yourself with the properties in advance and ensure you have a strategy for piling snow. Ensure your snow piles aren’t blocking sidewalks, driveways, doorways or fire hydrants. Pile snow away from buildings, downhill and downwind to avoid drifts. Additionally, always keep drains and catch basins clear of snow to avoid blocking them.

If you want to upgrade your snow plow setup with de-icing equipment, Hitch City also carries truck bed and tailgate spreaders and sanders. We’re one of Ontario’s premier truck accessory dealers.

Snow plow and truck accessories in Mississauga and Scarborough

If you’re interested in purchasing a snow plow for your residential or commercial property, Hitch City has what you need. We carry straight-blade, winged and V-plow snow plows from top brands like Western, Fisher, Arctic and Sno-Way to suit any job and budget. We also carry a variety of other snow equipment, like walk-behind snow blowers. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services or get a free quote.