Best Set-up for plowing, Dream rig

[MtBraun]

If I ever get this TBI swap done and my brakes complete, I'll post up a pic of our snow plowing rig. 78 K15, gen 1 350, TH350. I would recommend a limited slip rear, I don't think you need front or rear lockers. To each their own. We don't get a lot of wet heavy snow here so am rarely at a weight disadvantage on the truck vs. the snow. If I am, I put some sand bags in the back. And most if not all plow blades float so if the snow gets too deep, hard or wet the blade will float on top. Also remember all that weight has to get pulled out if you ever get stuck. Auto trans is nice for efficiency. A great set of tires is required. Studs, if allowed in your state are awesome.

Get a huge headache rack mounted LED light. At least on the older plows, the lighting isn't very good and often times is partially blocked by the plow blade itself.

Oh, and throw in a shovel and tow strap (for the other guy).

 

[SDJunkMan]

I plow with my 80 3/4 ton, 400/400. It has a 7'6" Myers plow. I have plowed with it off and on for over 25 years.

When I got it, I didn't realise the previous owner had removed the cast inspection cover and truss rods from the tranny and replaced the cover with the light tin one that goes on 2WD tranny. After a couple of years of plowing, I broke the bell housing portion of the tranny. The tranny shop said it was because the cast cover and truss rods were missing. Since replacing the tranny and installing the proper cover and truss rods, I haven't had any trouble.

I have plowed with both a stick (Mercedes Unimog MB494), and an automatic while it might be a little easier with an auto, I wouldn't pass up a manual if I was looking for a plow truck.

My last plow was a 88 3/4 ton 350/700R4 with a 8' Western V plow. I hated the front suspension on it, especially with the heavy V plow. No matter what truck I used, the front springs were too weak, and needed to be replaced.

I hope to be running dual batteries and a larger alternator on my plow this winter (haven' t done it yet), because with the lights, wipers, heater, radio, and hydraulic lift going, I have run the batteries pretty low ( I plow a large parking lot, with a lot of short runs and a lot of backing up).

I have never run studs or chains ( but I do carry chains). On flat roads and parking lots, I have never really needed them.

I'm still on the fence about a V plow vs straight plow. I like the V if I have to bust through a drift or move snow a long distance, but my V leaves a small "windro" where the blades meet in the center, and the main lot I plow is very flat, this "windro" melts, and since the lot is flat, doesn't run off, and when it cools down at night it freezes and turns the lot into a big ice rink. I didn't have that problem with the straight plow.

Tall narrow tires seem to be the way to go. I don't usually add weight in the back, and do fine. I did run a sander in the back for a short time, but took it out because it blocked my viasbility since I have to back up so much.

 

[SDJunkMan]

Even better is a one ton with a big block. The extra weight does wonders.

I think the big block would be too much weight up front. My 400 has plenty of power, and the plow is adding a heck of a lot of weight to the front end, especially a V plow.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I think the big block would be too much weight up front. My 400 has plenty of power, and the plow is adding a heck of a lot of weight to the front end, especially a V plow.

Ah the extra weight is only when the plow is up should stabilize once you drop the blade, some fer locking diff up front and out back would be a big plus. Well LSD in the front anyway.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

Are either of your plow trucks lifted? I have a 6” lift and 35’s and may be wanting a plow soon. Will it work?

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I’m not a plow guy but I’m thinking the frame work for the plow would need to be drastically changed to make up for the height chance and as far as a forward momentum stand point you’d want your weight mass lower. Just my .02

 

[tiredtiretodd]

I’m not a plow guy but I’m thinking the frame work for the plow would need to be drastically changed to make up for the height chance and as far as a forward momentum stand point you’d want your weight mass lower. Just my .02

Copy that!

 

[shiftpro]

There's a few guys out here in my woods with big trucks and plows. Makes it easier to see over the plow I would think.

 

[shiftpro]

I think the big block would be too much weight up front. My 400 has plenty of power, and the plow is adding a heck of a lot of weight to the front end, especially a V plow.

I'm not knocking your setup, just stating my preferences. I would want everything on your truck hung on a BB one ton. Not only the weight of the BB but the one ton, 14 bolt, D60... My dream rig.

 

[tiredtiretodd]

I’ll be bringing C20 Suburban with me as well.

 

[SDJunkMan]

I'm not knocking your setup, just stating my preferences. I would want everything on your truck hung on a BB one ton. Not only the weight of the BB but the one ton, 14 bolt, D60... My dream rig.

No offense taken, my 3/4 ton has 14 bolt axles, and I thought the 3/4 and Tonners had the same frames. I just don't think the extra weight in front is beneficial, and my rig sucks enough fuel as it is!

I do have a pair of 454's in my shop, but don' t think the plow is the place for them ( maybe my 56 Stepside?).

 

[Honky Kong jr]

No offense taken, my 3/4 ton has 14 bolt axles, and I thought the 3/4 and Tonners had the same frames. I just don't think the extra weight in front is beneficial, and my rig sucks enough fuel as it is!

I do have a pair of 454's in my shop, but don' t think the plow is the place for them ( maybe my 56 Stepside?).

1/2 and 3/4 tons share a frame 1 tons are bigger and thicker 1/2 and 3/4 ton front rears are the same too they just churched up the 3/4 tons with 8 lug

 

[SDJunkMan]

All of this is fairly new to me, I just drove the truck, and never really paid attention to the details. I guess the reason I thought the frames were the same is because the plow mounts are the same for 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton.

I know my truck has heavier axles then a 1/2 ton, they are 14 bolt, I assume the truck was special ordered with them. The truck started life as a ranch truck, and I 'm guessing they ordered the heavy duty package?

 

[vkh]

I think the trailering special got you the heavier frame. My truck is an 81 c2500 trailering special and it's frame is beefier than our 1/2 suburban. Also on my option sticker it says heavy duty chassis, and on the title it's actually listed as a 1 ton.

 

[MtBraun]

Are either of your plow trucks lifted? I have a 6” lift and 35’s and may be wanting a plow soon. Will it work?

There's no commercial plowers up here that have anything but a stock height truck for plowing.