Choosing the Right Snowplow Part 2

Plow and Tell: Choosing the Right Snowplow, Part 2

In Part One of this two-part series, we explored how to match the right snowplow blade style with your vehicle and specific needs. Now, let’s take a closer look at some advanced features that can further enhance your snowplow’s safety, performance, and efficiency.

Trip Technology

Trip technology is designed to protect both the snowplow and the vehicle from damage when encountering obstacles. This technology is available in two configurations: bottom-trip and full-trip.

Bottom-Trip Plows
As the name suggests, bottom-trip plows allow only the bottom edge of the blade to fold back or "trip" when hitting an obstacle. The rest of the plow blade stays upright, allowing the vehicle to continue moving without interruption or damage. This trip feature is an effective and versatile choice across different applications, but it can make the plow more susceptible to damage if it hits a large obstacle.

Best For
Areas with few obstacles and even surfaces where the blade won’t trip as frequently, as well as for use on v-blade plows. The Meyer Diamond Edge, Super-V3 LD, and Super-V3 feature bottom-trip functionality. The Road Pro 36 municipal plow is also available with the bottom-trip feature.

Full-Trip Plows
Far more common, full-trip plows are designed to allow the entire plow blade to fold forward or "trip" when encountering an obstacle, preventing damage by distributing the impact across the whole blade. The simple design works very well. It provides great shock-absorbing protection for the plow, vehicle, and driver while also being the most cost-effective option from initial purchase to maintenance.

Best For
Users looking for a cost-effective solution and operating in areas with more obstacles or uneven surfaces. Take a look at the Meyer Wingman, Drive Pro, Lot Pro, Lot Pro LD, Super Blade, and Road Pro 32 and Road Pro 36 municipal series plows that feature full-trip capability.

Expandable Wing Plows

Expandable wing plows feature adjustable wings that can change the plow's width during operation. This flexibility allows the plow to adapt to different plowing tasks and conditions on the fly.

In many configurations, the variable width of the plow can be extremely helpful for maneuvering through both wider and tighter spaces without getting out of the vehicle. Additionally, the larger width options reduce the number of passes required to clear an area due to the increased snow capacity. However, as you may imagine, premium capabilities can come with a higher cost.

Expandable wing plows are advanced equipment with impressive moving parts, but those same moving parts require more expertise to operate and maintain. This type of plow also requires more powerful vehicles to handle the weight and functionality effectively.

Best For
Professional contractors and large commercial operations where flexibility and efficient snow removal are priorities. The Meyer Super Blade features expanding/retracting wing technology.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right snowplow involves matching the plow to your vehicle, needs, budget, and desired performance. Whether you need a plow for personal, commercial, or municipal use, having the right plow equipped with the right features can make all the difference between efficiency and frustration.

For more information on which Meyer snow plow is right for you and your vehicle, visit Meyer's configuration tool, browse our full-line catalog, or reach out to your nearest Meyer dealer for assistance.