We’re Hiniker. We design and build some of the most rugged snow plows on the market. If our products aren’t outside battling some of the worst winter weather conditions out there on interstate highway systems, commercial parking lots, and more, we’re not happy. Our snow plows have to be tough to do the job we need them to do all winter long. But tough doesn’t mean indestructible.
So what are the limits of your snow plow? Knowing the boundaries can keep you from exceeding them and possibly hurting your equipment or causing it to fail. As both snow plow manufacturers and operators ourselves, we have a good idea of what your plow can and can’t do and how to use it to the best of its abilities.
Snow Plows Are Built Tough, But Not Indestructible
Many people don’t spend a lot of time out plowing in winter weather. Thus, they might not appreciate the brutal environment that these machines are up against. Snow plows are made with heavy-gauge steel. They’re engineered and tested to perform in the most challenging circumstances. This includes thousands of hours of service in harsh winter climates. Abrasive slush and ice. Hidden manhole covers, potholes, and other obstacles. Accumulated snow. And then more snow.
But even the most well-built equipment has its breaking point. Operators can develop a “tool strong” mindset. Operators assume, or even expect, the tools they use on the job will be strong enough to endure just about anything you throw at them. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Slow Down and Keep Your Speed in Check
Speed is one of the first limitations of a snow plow. A common misconception among new customers is that they can drive fast while plowing the snow. If you’re moving slow, you aren’t making as much progress. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Driving at a safe speed (a relative term in the world of snow plowing) while plowing allows you to maintain control of your equipment and react to the plowing conditions. The faster you drive, the harder you hit. Driving at 10 mph seems minor, but a 25 mph hit causes major damage.
We see it as snow plow dealers. We call our customers and explain this concept. We explain it doesn’t matter how tough your snow plow is if you hit an object at a high rate of speed. The faster you drive, the more pressure you put on the snow plow frame, the mounting hardware, and even the chassis of your vehicle.
Skip a Maintenance Session and Trouble Will Find You
Maintenance isn’t one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about the limits of a snow plow. However, if you neglect your maintenance requirements, you may end up with problems you don’t want.
Regular maintenance is a necessity with all equipment, even the best of snow plows. If you don’t check, lubricate, and adjust your snow plow before and during the season, you’ll quickly run into problems. The cutting edge is dull and not clearing snow like it should. The trip springs are loose, and when the plow trips, it doesn’t stop to self-protect when you hit an object.
If you’re one of the many snow plow dealers out there, one of the first things we tell our customers at Hiniker is, “Don’t skip your preseason and mid-season maintenance checks.” This simple process can save you from headaches later on.
Snow Pushers are Limited Too
Snow plows are the workhorses of the snow removal industry, but that doesn’t mean that a snow pusher may be the right choice for certain applications and conditions. Mounted snow pushers have long been a great option for commercial parking lots with little to no obstructions. The pushers offer fantastic snow capacity and can take on a ton of snow in a single pass.
Snow pushers are great, but they have their limitations. Pushers don’t trip over obstructions like a snow plow. That means there’s a good chance the edge of the pusher will come in contact with a concrete barrier or manhole cover and potentially cause damage. Know the proper tool for the job, and you’ll do the best job with the highest return.
Conclusion
Snow plows are built to do a job. At Hiniker, we’ve been doing that for decades. We make some of the toughest snow plows out there. Our machines have to be tough. They have to perform in some of the harshest winter weather conditions out there. But no matter how tough your equipment is, it has its limitations.
Knowing these limits helps you understand the decisions you’ll make in the field. It helps you keep your snow plow equipment in better condition and can help you avoid unnecessary downtime.
Hiniker is one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of premium quality snow removal equipment and snow plow parts. We are also proud to have such respected snow plow accessories dealer. We’re ready to help you get the most out of your snow plow season after season.
Hiniker has been a proud Minnesota-based manufacturer since 1995. We are proud to offer the highest quality salt & sand spreaders, snow plows, skid steers, truck plows, accessories, and more! Our equipment at Hiniker is built to enable the operator to work as efficiently as possible.
Contact us today by calling (800) 433-5620 to find out more about the premium snow removal products we offer. You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest news regarding Hiniker’s premium equipment and accessories.
