Features Ice & Snow Equipment Snow & Ice
Longing for longevity

It’s not that hard to walk into a dealership, take a look around, and pick out one of the least expensive snow blades. It’s new. It’s made to move snow. And, the price seems reasonable.

It’s harder to know if that shiny good deal will pay off in the long run. Sure, it’ll get a new contractor into the snow removal business or add to a contractor’s existing fleet – and it’ll likely do a good job to begin with. But, how long will it last before another bargain blade needs to be purchased? And how much downtime might there be if components aren’t made for the rigors of the elements?

While there’s no easy answer, there are a number of factors that will help a forward-focused snow removal contractor lengthen their blade life. From blade choice to preventative maintenance to operator training, it all helps extend a blade’s lifespan and, as a result, provides better return on investment.

Before the buy
It all begins with matching the plow to the carrier. While it may be tempting for a contractor who just bought a new carrier to save money by using a blade already in his fleet, he could be putting efficiency and longevity at risk. Using a bigger carrier than recommended for a blade will cause stress fractures and cracks in the blade, significantly shortening its life. Meanwhile, using a carrier that’s not big enough for the blade can’t maximize the blade’s potential.

Beyond finding the right match, some blade features and components are simply better engineered and built to withstand harsh day-to-day conditions and last longer than others. Choosing a new or even used blade with such features will lead to years of use with little downtime.

Carbide edges are a prime example. While they cost about four times more than steel edges, they can last as much as seven times longer, which means fewer replacements and, in turn, less downtime. If a contractor goes through two sets of steel edges in a season, a carbide edge will last more than three seasons. That’s a half-dozen fewer stints of downtime to replace the edges, coupled with 43 per cent savings over those seasons in product cost.

That savings multiplies when compared to rubber or polyurethane edges. These softer materials may fare OK on smaller, lighter-duty blades and are even required for some applications, such as airport runway jobs, but for clearing large parking lots or roadways, they are impractical. Rubber and poly wear faster than steel and much faster than carbide even when lubricated in wet conditions. In cold, dry areas, rubber gets brittle and wears down even faster over dry pavement.

When it comes to cutting edges, carbide isn’t the only feature that contributes to longer wear life. Reversible edges that can easily be flipped and replaced will double the edges’ useful life.

Material type matters beyond the cutting edges, too. The thicker the blade’s steel, the heavier duty it is, but there’s a caveat: more steel means more weight and thus more strain on the carrier or the need for a larger carrier. Some manufacturers combat this by using steel that offers the right balance between steel gauge, weight and abrasion resistance. Choose blades with cutting edges that are made with steel that has abrasion resistant properties of AR400 or better. This will ensure a long wear life without a significant weight increase. Blades that incorporate steel tube frames also better resist flexing, helping the blade last longer.

Threats to a blade’s wear life also lurk beneath the snow, as it’s inevitable the blade will hit something hidden below. While best known for improving productivity, segmented blades that trip over obstacles will lessen damage. To get the longest life from these trip edges, look for a model that connects the panels with parallel steel linkages rather than polyurethane block systems. Parallel systems keep the moldboard properly aligned during use, eliminating the risk of damage when piling and stacking snow.

Hydraulic systems also can make or break – literally – a good ROI. The simpler the hydraulic system, the less it should cost to maintain and the longer it should last since there are fewer cylinders and pins to wear or break and need replacement over the life of the blade.

Maintaining for the future
Besides hydraulic system simplicity, regular visual inspections of the system go a long way in getting the best life out of a snow blade. Check the hydraulic lines and linkages daily, looking for wear, cracks and loose connections. Sure, it’s probably not feasible or even the first thing on an operator’s mind when heading out at 2 a.m., but it should at least be done at the end of a shift.

If a hydraulic line does come loose, it can get caught in the carrier or pinched or cut by the blade. What could have been a minute spent checking and tightening the line becomes a more time-intensive process to repair or replace the line. Not only is that downtime unnecessary and undesirable, but, Murphy’s Law says it’ll happen in the middle of a big snowstorm. Even less dramatic damage, such as cracks in hydraulic hoses, can lead to significant downtime if left unchecked since hose chafing causes leaks and leaks cause component failure.

Maintaining a regular schedule of greasing a blade’s moving parts also adds to the product’s life. Check the owner’s manual for recommended grease points and set a schedule so it’s not forgotten. Be sure to choose grease with an adequate cold rating as well as strong moisture-repellent qualities. It’s common knowledge that snow melts, and if that water gets into areas lacking lubrication, it can seize a blade’s moving parts. If components lock up, maintenance time increases exponentially.

While it’s important to keep moving parts moving, it’s just as essential to keep stationary parts stationary. Regularly check a blade’s parts and fasteners, ensuring they’re tight and in place. Pay special attention to bolts along a blade’s cutting edge. Blade operation causes vibration and stress, which can loosen bolts. If a loose bolt isn’t spotted and tightened, it may shear off when going over a manhole cover or other obstacle, requiring the operator to stop and make repairs.

For the best blade life, annual maintenance checks – whether at the beginning or end of the season – should be done. Before storing a blade for the summer or taking it out in the fall, thoroughly clean the equipment. Once cleaned, it will be easier to spot issues, from loose parts to cracks. Tighten parts where feasible and replace others, as needed. Whether completely worn or not, some parts benefit from annual replacements, and changing them will ensure greater uptime during the peak snow-removal season. Swap out skid shoes annually, for example, and replace the cutting edge, if needed. Using OEM parts and keeping backups handy not only increases uptime, it lessens the risk of using a less-than-optimal replacement in a time pinch and ending up with damage.

When inspecting the cleaned blade, also look for areas where the paint is scratched or worn. Use custom-matched spray paint from a manufacturer or dealer to cover any damage. While this goes a long way in terms of resale value it also helps prevent rust, prolonging blade life.

Drive toward longevity
Getting the most use from a blade isn’t just in the selection and upkeep. Correct operation also has an impact.

Intuitively, the faster something goes, the quicker the task will be accomplished. That’s not the case with snow removal, though. Rather than finishing the job faster, excessive speed often results in blade damage. Similarly, strong down pressure may seem to be the best way to scrape a road right to the surface, but that, too, can backfire. Excess pressure causes premature wear, especially on cutting edges. Plus, the combination of down pressure and speed will cause damage since something will inevitably be hidden under the snow and, when hit with extra speed and pressure, will be more likely to damage the blade.

Operators also should avoid angling the snow blade forward. While doing this can occasionally clean the surface better, long-term use will be detrimental. Manufacturers design blades to be used perpendicular to the ground, so tipping the top forward will wear cutting edges and blade wings faster than if used properly.

Call in backup
When longevity is needed, customer support is key. The more experience a manufacturer brings to the design and engineering process, the more likely their products withstand long-term use.

Additionally, a manufacturer that backs its products with a favorable warranty is more confident in how it will hold up. Look for a product that will be supported at least through its first couple of years. That way, if something goes wrong, there’s no stress in getting a fast replacement. More often than not, though, the longer the warranty, the less worry there will be of a breakdown.

When it comes to making a snow blade last, there’s more to consider than purchase price. From the buying process to day-to-day use, the right choices and actions add up to a blade ready to go the distance season after season.

Ryan Frey is general manager at Horst Welding in Listowel, Ont. Horst Welding has been manufacturing equipment solutions for the snow removal and agricultural markets for more than 20 years. Its HLA brand of snow removal equipment is one of the most extensive snow removal product lines on the market. The HLA brand includes the two-in-one SnowWing blade as well as snow blades, snow pushers, six-way blades, fixed V-blades, snow buckets and baskets and the ScatterShot salt and sand spreader. The line also includes the Razor blade – a floating, segmented blade for clean results over variable height pavements. For more information, visit www.hlasnow.com or www.horstwelding.com.