Fall may feature beautiful autumn leaves, but the brisk weather is a reminder that winter isn’t far behind. Now is a good time for maintaining your snowplow so you’re not caught by surprise and find yourself stuck in deep snow.
Preseason & In-Season Snowplow Maintenance Tips
Not being able to clear away the construction site, checking on crops, or getting your landscaping projects done could happen if your plow isn’t maintained. Snowplow maintenance in the fall and throughout winter will prevent these headaches.
Whether it's your snowplow’s first winter or its 20th, here are some preseason and in-season snowplow maintenance tips:
Flush and Replace Hydraulic Fluid
Once a year, before winter, you should flush and replace your tractor’s hydraulic fluid. Regularly check the fluid levels and check for leaks. It is important to flush and replace the hydraulic fluid for your plow to lower and turn.
To flush and replace plow hydraulic fluid, attach the plow to the vehicle and lower the plow to the ground. Remove the drain plugs of the hydraulic system. Loosen the fill plug to decrease pressure. Drain the fluid and replace the drain cap. Remove ram hoses on the hydraulic unit to push out the fluid in the pistons and hoses. Fill the hydraulic fluid reservoir to the full line. Push out any air in the system by running the plow through all its functions.
Adjust the Blade
Over time, the snowplow blade becomes uneven. You’ll notice it’s uneven when you see the blade pushing uneven amounts of snow. When this happens, it can cause excessive wear and tear on one side of the plow.
You’ll want your blade to be low to the ground, but not scraping it. If you have a V-shaped plow, you’ll need to ensure both blades are the same height.
Monitor the Blade's Cutting Edge
The cutting edge of your snowplow blade should be four inches or taller. If it is shorter than four inches, it needs replacement. A blade with a cutting edge shorter than four inches will cause excessive wear and tear.
To adjust your snowplow’s cutting edge, adjust the bumper stop and loosen the trip springs. If you have a straight plow, slowly move the bumper stop forward until the middle of the plow is down. If you have a V plow, move the bumper stop towards the vehicle until both wingtips are down. Tighten the trip springs once the plow is level to the ground.
Keep the Cutting Edge Sharp
A sharp cutting edge easily cuts through snow and protects the snowplow’s moldboard. Replace your plow’s cutting edge when it is around four inches above the ground.
Most cutting edges last 7-10 years. Replace the cutting edges before the frame is exposed. To keep the cutting edge sharp, use a miller or grinder.
Retighten Mounting Bolts, Fasteners, and Runners
Mounting bolts, fasteners, and runners keep your snowplow from falling apart and off your vehicle. If these aren’t tightly fastened or are corroded, the plow will not work properly.
Retighten mounting bolts, fasteners, and runners after the first plow of the season and continually throughout winter. Be sure to adjust the runner so that the cutting edge is half an inch off the ground.
Inspect and Wax The Lights
Your headlights must work so you can see and others can see you. Your lights need to work to avoid a ticket. Dirt, ice, and salt can cloud your headlights and corrode battery terminals, preventing your lights from working. Regularly clean and wax the headlights on your tractor, ATV, or UTV with car wax to prevent clouding and the buildup of ice and salt.
Before and during winter, you should check battery terminals, making sure they are tight and corrosion-free. Rub dielectric grease every month on all battery connections and terminals to prevent corrosion.
Check Welds For Cracks
Cracks in the welds of your plow are indicators that your plow is compromised. As snowplows are made of steel, repetitive, heavy use season after season slowly weakens them. A compromised plow is at risk of getting bent or, worse, breaking. Before winter, examine your blade and fix any cracks you notice as soon as possible.
To fix weld cracks, either take your snowplow to a welding company, fix the cracks yourself with a welding machine, or contact us so that we can apply the correct repairs.
Inspect Plow Shoes
Plow shoes keep your snowplow from scraping the ground. If you plow on hard, rough surfaces, shoes protect your plow from damaging wear and tear. It can also dull your blade, reducing its effectiveness in clearing snow. If your plow shoes are worn or damaged, replace them before the season starts.
Worn-down snow plow shoes need replacement. To change out or adjust the shoe height, raise the plow off the ground. There are two shoes on a plow, one on either side of the blade. With the blade raised, loosen the shoes so they drop out. Replace the shoes with new ones by inserting them into the slot and lock them into place. To adjust the height, follow the same procedures, but remove the washers on the shoes to the desired height.
Check Electrical Connections
Your snowplow’s electrical connections are crucial in ensuring your plow’s lights work. Examine your plow’s connections making sure they are clean of dirt, dust, and corrosion. The connections should all be tight. You can protect your plow’s electrical connections by rubbing dielectric grease on them.
Additionally, be sure to check the electrical functionality of a winch if you attach a plow to your ATV or UTV. Your plow won’t be able to rise or lower properly if the winch’s motor isn’t working at capacity.
Inspect Hoses and Fittings
The hoses and fittings are what make your plow’s electrical and hydraulic systems work properly. A leak to a hydraulic hose can be dangerous to the environment. To avoid an inoperable plow, check your hoses and fittings for rust, leaks, and damage. The fittings and hoses should be tight and be leak- and corrosion-free.
Make sure all pressure is out of the hoses. Look to see if hoses don't rub against anything. Road salt and moisture from snow can quickly corrode and rust the hose fittings. Use couplers to replace damaged hoses and fittings. After replacing the hoses and fittings, flush and change the hydraulic fluid.
Check Tire Pressure
Tires lose around one pound of pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Under-inflated tires cause wear and tear on your vehicle. Flat tires make it difficult to steer and control your vehicle, increasing the risks of accidents. Keep all tires inflated for each trip to extend the life of your vehicle and to keep you safe.
Regularly check your tire pressure with a pressure gauge. Add air to the tires that meet your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.
Tighten The Springs
Your snowplow’s trip and return springs protect your vehicle from shock damage caused by the vibration of the plow. The springs also protect your plow from hard objects hiding under the snow. Proper spring tension is needed to keep your vehicle running properly and safely.
Over time, the springs loosen. To tighten the springs, loosen them, adjust the cutting edge to the proper position, and re-tighten the springs.
Take it to an Authorized Dealer For an Inspection and Maintenance
Having your plow inspected and maintained by an authorized dealer will ensure your business won’t skip a beat in the snow. Having your plow professionally inspected and repaired will ensure your vehicle and plow will make it through the winter season without any expensive repairs or downtime. The professionals at Powersports are knowledgeable experts who can address your plow’s issue.
Need New Blades? We Have You Covered
Whether you’re looking for a straight or V-shaped snowplow for your tractor or ATV, Powersports has you covered. We carry a wide range of Kubota and Land Pride blades that will help you work through the winter.
Kubota Blades
Kubota is known for durable and reliable utility vehicles, tractors, mowers, and attachments. Powersports Company is a proud Wisconsin Kubota dealer that offers a variety of Kubota snowplow blades to help you make it through the winter season with ease.
Kubota’s straight blade features a new curved design that makes the blade roll better through the snow and removes the need for deflectors. The standard position markers, moldboard trip spring protector, and replaceable carbon steel edge mean enhanced safety and a longer-lasting plow blade.
Kubota’s V-shaped snowplow blades are easy to control and handle and comes with independent compression spring trip edges for valve protection. Both wings are sturdy and durable, composing of a C-channel, three vertical ribs, and one diagonal rib. Two acting cylinders on each side provide excellent snow back-dragging.
Land Pride Blades
Land Pride offers a variety of snow trips, snow pushers, and rear blades for tractors of various sizes. Whether it’s on the farm or at a landscaping site, Land Pride’s snow tractor attachments will help you get the job done.
Land Pride’s rear blades are perfect for sub-compact tractors. These blades can be angled up to 30 degrees in either direction, have a heat-treated cutting edge, a 13.5-inch high moldboard, a retractable parking stand, and are landscape rake adaptable.
Land Pride’s snow pushers effectively push the snow straight ahead without damaging the pavement underneath with eight-inch rubber wear edges and abrasion-resistant skid shoes. The blades come in steel or rubber and can be reversed to extend the blade’s life.
Powersports Company Prepares You & Your Vehicles For The Snow
Your snowplow does more than push and clear snow. It keeps your plowing, farming, landscaping, or construction business going throughout the winter season. If you don’t maintain your plow before and during the winter, your business can come to a sudden halt. A snowplow in poor condition can cause damage to your vehicle and further damage to the blade. Snow removal with a damaged plow can be dangerous and time-consuming. If you’re crunched for time, are unsure of what is wrong with your blade, or if your plow is damaged, schedule a service appointment with Powersports Company. Our snowplow maintenance professionals are here to help get your vehicle and plow ready for winter!