Snowplows: trip-edge or full-trip???

[Boondox]

In looking for a snowplow for my Chevy truck one of the fundamental choices to make is whether to go with the traditional blade that trips forward when it hits an obstruction...or to go with the newfangled trip edge where the blade stays upright but the bottom six inches trips back to go over obstructions. Getting differing opinions from salesmen depending on what they sell (duh!), so would appreciate some real experiences.

Chevy 4x4 halfton reg cab longbed with snowplow prep, studded snows, 400# ballast in the bed. Two driveways that sort of wrap around a couple of outbuildings, and 1/4 mile of dirt road at a 20% grade. I intend to mount the plow only when needed, and leave it in the yard when not in use to cut down wear on the truck.

Thanks in advance! Pete

 

[alan40]

Hey Pete. Don't have an answer for you but you could try and call Derrick. He's up to his elbows with brush hogging and his computer time is limited right now. So give him a ring at his place in Enosburgh or Lutz's in Montgomery. His Dad's garge. With over a 100 driveways a year I just bet Derricks got an opinion!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Take care

 

[LarryRB]

working a highway dept with 70 miles of roads and all of them cliff hangers or extremely hilly, we found the "Fisher" trip blade to work best. On paved roads or roads that have been oiled continuously over the years, the difference between tripping blade, and moldboard, is negligible at best,, The trip blade lends itself to "feel" on gravel roads.. If you have to much down pressure on a gravel/loose dirt road, they will trip continuously and litterally "chatter" as you try and plow. The trip blade in most instances, will go over a frost heaved rock or similar a lt better than the whole moldboard tripping. With the Fisher's. one can easily "feather" the controls and at least not plow off the new gravel or whatever,, Much harder to "feel" and feather with the whole moldboard that trips..;

 

[Will_C]

Pete; Can't help you with the snowplow question, but won't Clementine get upset about the truck taking over the plowing? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Will

 

[Junkman]

Lets start off with the fact that the trip edge is nothing new. It might be to the people up your way, but it has been around for over 35 years to my knowledge. With a trip edge plow you keep the snow in front of the plow if you hit an obstacle. With the other design, if the blade trips, you loose the entire load of snow. I like the trip edge plow better for this reason. I have been using the trip edge Fisher design for the past 20 years. The most important item is dealer service. When a plow breaks, it is always during a snow storm when you need it. In good weather they never break because they are in storage. A good dealer will be open during a snow storm to fix the plow for you. Get prices from the truck equipment dealers in your area. It will save you money dealing direct with them and they are the ones that usually install them for the car dealers. Make sure to get the plow top extension. It helps to keep the snow from rolling over the top of the plow. The plows that convert to V plows aren't worth the extra money. Power angle and blade guides are a must. A properly sized plow will clear in front of both wheels when the plow is fully angled. Be cautious of a plow that is undersized for the width of the truck. If it is a full sized pick up, the 8'6" is the size to get. The new Quick hitch designs are the way to go, but have a extra heavy chain and lock when you remove it. They have a habit of leaving in the middle of the night.

 

[snowman]

I think, but am not sure, that mainly Fisher plows have the trip edge, while most others have a full blade trip.

With the full blade trip, you can adjust to some extent how easy it trips via the springs, but if you make it so that it is hard to trip, that kind of defeats the purpose of having it trip in the first place (to take the impact off of the A frame and truck).

I have full trip blade on mine; last year was the first. What I don't like about it was that it would trip in easily in heavily packed snow drifts. Mine is a lighter weight plow to begin with (about 500 lbs), so that is part of the reason. If you have a heavier plow (most 7.5' are probably 700-800lbs), you may have less of a problem.

I would suggest that you get the highest moldboard that you can, or put a snow flap on the top. I think mine is 29" and I get alot of snow blowing over it, even going slow. Almost went off the driveway a few times because the snow cloud envelopes the truck.

 

[Rowski]

Pete

We only used and have used Fisher plows. I like the edge trip best. The reasons are as the other posters have mentioned. If you can get a minimum 8' blade. 8 1/2' would be better. What ever you do don't get a 7 1/2' blade. Other brands you might consider Meyer/Diamomd or Boss there maybe others but those are the more popular ones around here.

Shop around you'll be amazed at price differences. Also I would get one installed soon. The installers get pretty busy in October on into winter.

Let us know what you get.

 

[Rowski]

I forgot to add this link

Snowplow links

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Pete

We only used and have used Fisher plows. I like the edge trip best. The reasons are as the other posters have mentioned. If you can get a minimum 8' blade. 8 1/2' would be better. What ever you do don't get a 7 1/2' blade. Other brands you might consider Meyer/Diamomd or Boss there maybe others but those are the more popular ones around here.

Shop around you'll be amazed at price differences. Also I would get one installed soon. The installers get pretty busy in October on into winter.

Let us know what you get.

)</font>

Derek -- Hi! Was hoping to get your input! I'm a little worried about putting an 8 foot blade on a half ton truck. That's an awful lot of weight up front. Sounds like you really don't like the 7 1/2 footers though. Why? You've seen my place and know the sort of plowing I'll be doing.

Thanks for all the pointers! Pete

 

[LarryRB]

Derek -- Hi! Was hoping to get your input! I'm a little worried about putting an 8 foot blade on a half ton truck. That's an awful lot of weight up front. Sounds like you really don't like the 7 1/2 footers though. Why? You've seen my place and know the sort of plowing I'll be doing.
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the alternative to this (8 ft vs 7 1/2) is to add wings, The wings will bring you out to 8, but with very little added weight. The reason people are telling you 8 or 8.5 is to clear your own tracks, particularly if you make right turns. The 7.5 isn't quite enough to clear and turn at the same time.. Doesn't have to be a hard right either, a continuing right bend in the drive is enough.. Get the 7.5 Fisher and add wings as you have a light duty 1/2 ton.. It will do all that you need..