Snow Plow

[MS3DALE]

Hey guys,I usually hang out in the light-duty section and I'll post this question there also,but I know most of you guys with plows have HD's instead of 1/2-tons.

As some of you might know I'm the parts manager at a GM dealership,We currently have an '04 2500HD Regular-Cab with the 6-liter and a Meyer 7-1/2' plow with a steel blade,They are now giving me a brand new '08 2500HD Regular-Cab also with the 6-liter,We want to put a brand new plow on this one also,The guy I talked to at the plow place talked me into a Western plow instead of another Meyer plow like we've been using the last 15 years or so,He said its easier to mount/dismount from the truck,Then he offered me a "Poly-Blade" plow instead of a steel blade for the same price,So I said OK...give me the poly blade plow.

So my questions are.....What are the pros/cons of the Meyer vs. Western Plows,and what are the pros/cons of the steel vs. poly blade plows.

Did I make a mistake going with a Western instead of a Meyer,And was it a mistake of getting a "Poly-Blade" instead of a steel blade?

Keep in mind the truck only plows snow on our lot and never leaves the lot or property with the plow attached to it.

Also I know the one con of the poly-blade plow is its about 70-80lbs. heavier according to the guy I spoke with,Is this a major issue also,or a good thing?

Thanks guys!

[Q101ATFD]

You made a fine choice by going with Western. There are no huge differences between any of the major plow manufacturers. As long as it angles left, right, up, and down, they are mostly the same - especially if you're only using it on one lot. The main difference between the poly and steel is that the snow will not stick to the poly blade, whereas it has a tendency to stick to the steel blades. The extra ~80 lbs of the poly blade will help the plow break through ice more than the steel blade. Also, the poly blade won't rust out like a steel blade will after years of use. Again on a single small lot, that shouldn't have been a selling point but it can't hurt to have it since the poly generally costs more than the steel blades. The new Westerns are a lot easier to put on and take off, and the '08 2500HD should handle that plow with no effort. The Western you got weighs about 730 lbs, but that truck is easily able to carry a 950 lb plow. Remember to add ballast while you are plowing to re-gain your rear traction.

 

You'll enjoy the new Western...

[MS3DALE]

Thanks Q101ATFD,He mentioned about the snow not sticking to the poly-blade,and about it not rusting also,Both of which will be nice.

Snow sticks like crazy to our Meyer steel blade,and its only 3 years old and is rusting around all the welds and joints,and I'm constantly waxing and spraying it with WD-40 to prevent rust.

What do you recommend for ballast? We've never used anything before,but it wouldn't be a bad idea to use something in the future.

He ordered the plow today and hopefully he'll get it in and get it installed in the next two weeks. Until then we'll be using our current '04 HD like we had to use yesterday to plow!

[Q101ATFD]

Thanks Q101ATFD,He mentioned about the snow not sticking to the poly-blade,and about it not rusting also,Both of which will be nice.

Snow sticks like crazy to our Meyer steel blade,and its only 3 years old and is rusting around all the welds and joints,and I'm constantly waxing and spraying it with WD-40 to prevent rust.

What do you recommend for ballast? We've never used anything before,but it wouldn't be a bad idea to use something in the future.

He ordered the plow today and hopefully he'll get it in and get it installed in the next two weeks. Until then we'll be using our current '04 HD like we had to use yesterday to plow!

 

450 lbs will give you the traction back on the rear wheels that you lost by installing the plow. It'll keep your back end from sliding sideways and into all those brand new cars! More ballast won't hurt, as the truck is rear wheel drive in 4x2. Keep the ballast as far behind the rear axle as possible for the best results. Most people use bags of sand or salt, but I've used anything from salt to sand to elevator weights to steel plates - just make sure it is secured so it won't slide around...

[MS3DALE]

OK,Thanks for the response.

I'll get a 2x4 board and put across the rear of the bed and use bags of salt for weight.

Plus we do also have a salt spreader,the type that slides into the hitch,so that helps add some weight also,especially when its full because it will hold about seven 50lb. bags.

[cerbomark]

Last storm I push snow from my deck onto the rear of the pkup I used for plowing. Filled it half way and it was heavy . Had nothing else handy and it works well in a pinch.

[MbpsychoSS]

I do remember reading something but not sure with the poly (clear) blades , you don't need the lights .

[MS3DALE]

Well the poly blade plow from Western is Red,Not clear,I remember him telling me that that was one of the pros of the poly blade,was that if it gets scratched,or gouged,its Red all the way through.

[joe04]

Well the poly blade plow from Western is Red,Not clear,I remember him telling me that that was one of the pros of the poly blade,was that if it gets scratched,or gouged,its Red all the way through.

MS3...... You WON'T be sorry with the Western. I've plowed for 22 years with one. Started with a Fischer. Didn'tlie the bottom kick plate. felt like dsboard was coming loose every time I hit a curb. I've got a 7 1/2 foot on my 07 Classic 1/2 ton. I plow around 5 driveways, and our lot at work, and have NEVER used any rear weight. Plow smart, you'll never get into trouble. Upstate NY, about the only trucks you find Meyers on are Mopars. Don't really know why.

[MS3DALE]

Thanks Joe,Like I said we've been using Meyer plows ever since we bought our first plow about 15 years ago (Before that we had a guy come in and plow the lot for us) So going with something else is kinda' like going from a GM truck to a F@*d truck!!! It just doesn't seem right!!!