(c) 2008 www.Edgeolite.com http://www.edgeolite.com/ en-us http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/ http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * Snowplow creators were issued their patents for snow plows in the 1800s. Several years passed before the plow designs were put to use. The plow made of wood was attached to a cart drawn by a team of horses through the snow covered streets. until the steam trains arrived and made their appearance several years later. They pushed their way through heavy drifts with giant plows attached to their front ends. Salt was used in a few cities, but was not appreciated because it ruined the streets for sleighing and damaged the shoes and clothing of pedestrians. Plows were a necessity to city dwellers, enabling winter transportation to recover more rapidly from storms than in previous years. However, this solution was accompanied by a new round of problems, some of which remains with us today. Plowing cleared the main streets for traffic, but effectively blocked the side roads and sidewalks with huge, uneven mounds of compacted snow. Does this sound familiar to you? Businessmen and shop owners initially hailed the success of the plow, but later complained and even brought lawsuits against the plowing companies. Gas and diesel engine’s also changed the snowplow machine , leading to motorized dump trucks and plows in the early 1900’s . Many cities rushed to update their snow removal fleets, abandoning most of their horse-drawn carts. In conjunction with the new trucks, cities began to use (Caterpillar tractors) known as “HOLT-Cat” equipped with plow blades. To haul the snow away, they used steam shovels, cranes, and railway cars to get the snow off the streets and dumped into the rivers, and water ways. However, the need for laborers was a must to make sure the areas where snow removal machine could not get, the laborers could. Then Barber-Green snow loader, was successful and several cities purchased snow loaders that same winter. The snow loader was an ingenious piece of machinery. Riding on tractor treads, it was equipped with a giant scoop and a conveyor belt. As the snow was plowed, it was forced up , caught by the conveyor belt which carried it up and away from the street into a chute at the top where it was dropped into a dump truck parked underneath. It effectively made snow removal easier and more effective for the cities by making the process much less labor and time intensive. However, this was all great. But you have to think of then and now to really get the understanding of how much we have advanced in snow removal from then until now. Back in the beginning of the 1900’s the word hydraulic wasn’t even in the vocabulary like it is today. The snow plow operators of that time was exposed to the winter climate as the were working removing snow in storms, they did not have a climate control cab. The plow designs where also primitive, They had big bull nose one way plows like you see on trains today . The ability to move snow from one side to the other while moving was not even an idea. Today an operator can change the radio with one button while moving snow with another button at the same time. Snowplows have certainly come along way. The advancement you can see just in the past 20 years. Snowplow pumps where driven on a belt off the engine pulley, the more you would rev the engine up the quicker the plow would move. Now snowplows are run electrical over hydrualic with electric motors and solenoid valves, quicker ,lightweight, and can be installed in smaller area’s. There is also big change with using laser guided devices to assist the snowplow operator in locating the roadways he needs to plow, while looking at a big white blanket. Snow removal has come a long way and will continue to change in the next decade. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * So you are looking for a used snowplow truck to buy? Hey what the hell it’s less then a new snowplow truck. Is it really? I guess that all depends on what you are doing and what you are looking at to buy. The first thing I would have to think about if I was looking to buy a used snowplow truck, is what am I going to do with it? Will the snowplow truck be used for just my driveway? Will it be used for a residential snowplow account, mainly driveway work?. Or are you subcontracted by a municipality for snow removal on major road ways. The answer to this questions is of major importants. OK, for the first application if your plowing just you own driveway an older snowplow truck that is being retired is fine, as long as all the major components work proper like the brakes, 4 wd, and the snowplow it self. If you are doing residential work you want thoroughly check out the snowplow truck prior to buying because now that truck is your reputation. Homeowners do not like to be told their driveway won’t be ready for them to go to work because your truck broke down. So when you are looking for a snowplow truck for sale you want to check out all the major components. Also run the plow makes sure everything works as it is suppose to. The other thing to keep in mind the brand of the truck, yes that’s right. You do not want to buy a snowplow truck that is a special model because you will feel the pain when you need to get a part for it and you have to wait a few days instead of being in stock. Remember the auto parts stores stock what sells best not what doesn’t. The next thing to consider is if you are subcontracted by a municipality, this is usually being paid be the hour for your snowplow truck and you. Remember, this is not start and stop type of plowing this is usually continuous plowing on town road ways. They will usually give you a certain section in your town to plow. When you are looking at snowplows for sale , you again want to keep this in mind. You do not want a six foot snowplow, you will want a truck with an 8’ foot snowplow blade and with a rubber deflector. Good luck trying to plow a roadway with out a snowplow deflector on it at 30 mph or better. If you are looking at snowplow for sale this is what to look at, and do, pre-trip the truck first of all and that should cover all lights , tires ect. Then get on your creeper and start looking underneath check drive shafts, brake lines, cooler lines, wiring harness, fuel tank straps, exhaust and exhaust hangers, and check for fluid leaks. DO this inspection with the engine cold and then at operating temperature. After dong that then cycle the plow many times not just once or twice why?, because, it takes a few cycles to warm up the hydraulic oil in the the snowplows system and then that’s usually when the seals start to leak, and need to be replaced. After the inspection, if everything seems up to snuff and in good working order then make the seller a fair offer. Try not to wait to long, because if the truck is in good shape and everything is fine someone will buy it. Time is money you do no want to spend the plow season looking for a truck especially if you found what you are looking for. I will come out with more on this topic on our snowplow Blog in the next few weeks in the mean, time happy hunting. Tags: snowplow for sale, snowplows for sales ,snow plow trucks for sale, snow removal equipment for sale http://www.edgeolite.com/snowplow-for-sale.html http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * When it comes to snow equipment there are many different things you should know. I guess the first thing I would consider is what my application is. Am I plowing driveways? Parking lots? Or country roads or highways? What it doesn’t matter! Wrong it does matter! The next thing to look at is the front gross axle weight of the truck you are putting the plow on. You want to have an idea of what the front end of your truck can support before putting a snowplow blade on. I laugh, when I see a ½ ton truck with a 8 ft steel plow on the front of it and the poor truck suspension is struggling to keep the plow 1 inch off the ground as the driver passes you on the road. I think to myself when he hit’s a bump that’s going to hurt. So you want to make sure your truck can keep its front end height up enough where it is safe to go down the road and not have any problems. The next thing when thinking about snowplow equipment is the shape. If you are plowing tight driveways with little room to push the snow you might want to consider the 7 foot VEE plow. But when shopping for this look at the size of the hydraulic cylinders steel support holding the swing frames and structures to the snowplow blade. Keep in mind that you want something that is easy for you to repair and maintain. Especially, if the plow goes down in a storm you do not want to spend a lot of time taking it a part to repair it. Some designs will vary do to patents and engineering this is something you want to look at. You want your snowplow equipment to last and the more movable parts the more that it can wear so make sure you get a well designed plow frame. Let’s not forget the curve of the plow that’s also important, deeper the curve the more the roll when plowing and obviously the more shallow the snowplow blade curve the more push and resistance on the truck when plowing. The other thing we need to touch on is the materials they use now to manufactures snowplow equipment. Years ago it was basically steel frame and steel mold board. Why? because plastic and chemicals where not as advanced as they are now. There are plastic and urethane parts today that are on the market that can take more of a beating than any steel parts can in certain applications. The advantage to these style snowplow equipment is they are lighter and faster in weight opposed to steel. Less stress on the front end of the truck. However these can also effect the down pressure of the snowplow blades when plowing. SO thats why I say snowplow equipment, WHATS THE DIFFERENCE, because what equipment you need in New England may not be what you need in Michigan. So take your time when deciding on what snowplow EQUIPMENT to use. http://www.edgeolite.com/snowplow-equipment.html http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * Snowplow markers, snowplow reflectors and plow guides are they necessary? Anything that helps a driver be able to see in lower visible nights is basically a no brainer. When you are plowing at night which is when most roads are being cleared, so commuters can get to work. The less strain you put on your eye’s to see the better for a snow plow driver. They already work long hours to keep up against the snow storm , anything to give them less fatigue the better. So in essence any type of snowplow markers or snowplow reflectors is a must to assist in professional snow removal. Another concern that is usually not talked about and something snowplowers should consider is snowplow safety. Remember that snowplowing is a business, which means they are responsible to make sure their vehicle’s are in safe condition on the roads, and that’s why most states have a yearly DMV inspection. Unfortunately for the snowplow operator and snowplow owners in today’s world, they could be liable in a lawsuit in the event of an accident with a other motorist. So you want to make sure as a snowplow operator that your snowplow equipment has the up to date safety snowplow markers, and reflectors. They assist passing vehicles in seeing the edge of your snowplow helping to avoid collision. Not having these items on your plow could make you liable for safety negligence in the event of an accident. Something plow owner and snowplow operators should consider when they pre trip their trucks. To have snowplow reflectors installed are a very low cost to pay to make snowplowing easier on the driver as well as for the on coming motorist, when clearing roads in the treacherous winter weather. So the question you have to ask your self . Why would anybody not want to put these low cost snowplow parts and on their snowplow most would agree it is a no brainer to use a very easy to install snowplow reflectors and snowplow markers. http://edgeolite.com/snowplowlights.html http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * When it comes to snow blades there are many different things you should know. I guess the first thing I would consider is what my application is. Am I plowing driveways? Parking lots? Or country roads or highways? What it doesn’t matter! Wrong it does matter! The next thing to look at is the front gross axle weight of the truck you are putting the plow on. You want to have an idea of what the front end of your truck can support before putting a snowplow blade on. I laugh, when I see a ½ ton truck with a 8 ft steel plow on the front of it and the poor truck suspension is struggling to keep the plow 1 inch off the ground as the driver passes you on the road. I think to myself when he hit’s a bump that’s going to hurt. So you want to make sure your truck can keep its front end height up enough where it is safe to go down the road and not have any problems. The next thing when thinking about snowplow blades is the shape. If you are plowing tight driveways with little room to push the snow you might want to consider the 7 foot VEE plow. But when shopping for this look at the size of the hydraulic cylinders steel support holding the swing frames and structures to the snowplow blade. Keep in mind that you want something that is easy for you to repair and maintain. Especially, if the plow goes down in a storm you do not want to spend a lot of time taking it a part to repair it. Some designs will vary do to patents and engineering this is something you want to look at. You want your plow to last and the more movable parts the more that it can wear so make sure you get a well designed plow frame. Let’s not forget the curve of the plow that’s also important, deeper the curve the more the roll when plowing and obviously the more shallow the snowplow blade curve the more push and resistance on the truck when plowing. The other thing we need to touch on is the materials they use now to manufactures snowplow blades. Years ago it was basically steel frame and steel mold board. Why? because plastic and chemicals where not as advanced as they are now. There are plastic and urethane parts today that are on the market that can take more of a beating than any steel parts can in certain applications. The advantage to these style snowplow blades is they are lighter in weight opposed to steel. Less stress on the front end of the truck. However these can also effect the down pressure of the snowplow blades when plowing. SO thats why I say snowplow blades are not just the normal, because what blade you need in New England may not be what you need in Michigan. So take your time when deciding on what snowplow blade to use. http://edgeolite.com/snowplowblades.html http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * Purchasing a grill guard bumper for its collision protection, is going to provide safety and will save you money. These heavy duty grills are available in many different styles, installations and prices, but the added protection from damage that will result to your Truck will save you a lot of money especially if your Insurance deductible like many is about $ 3,000.00. Whether you call it a grill guard, deer guard, cow catcher, cattle guard, roo bar, moose bumper, bull bar - it's collision protection is exceptional. When you plan to buy accessories for your truck you find out that the options are endless and there starts the confusion of what to buy. What you need to have on your truck and for what purpose will help you to choose the best and appropriate accessories for your truck. It is always good to take some time and research which type and style of bumper and grill to buy. The prices also vary, but do be sure to get the correct size and style that fits your needs. You may have to pay little more but it will be worth it for the added protection you will receive. Many of the manufacturers of the grill and bumpers provide information on their websites as to their choices of the make style and design. They have quick release systems available which allow you to remove the assembly if you do not want it on the truck or need to open the hood. Most of the grill guards are made of high strength aluminum. This allows for the durability during impact. This is why it’s a very important addition to your Truck especially for the drivers whom travel roadways that are have a higher risk for these types of accidents that cause a lot of damage. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * If you are in the market for Tractor trailer or Semi truck financing the process is very different than financing a consumer vehicle. There are limited lenders available, in most cases even if there you find one that has an office in your area, you most likely will be paying a higher premium instead of getting a great deal. The best options for financing or even leasing trucks or commercial vehicles is shopping online getting rates from the specialty banks and financing companies that specialize in these loans. They will also offer more choices in payment structures and the choice of different down payments. Online semi truck financing is faster and easier. They are very easy to work with and many times, the funds can be wired directly to you or the company from whom you are purchasing your truck. This makes the turnaround time so much quicker. Another great thing about online semi truck financing is that they usually have more flexible payment options. This allows you to pick the payment schedule that works best for you. Taking financing through the dealership that you are purchasing your truck from purchase is not always the best way to go. There will be higher rates than form other lenders since the dealership will usually have an arrangement to offer their financing through just a few specific lenders. They don't offer a lot of different choices, which means less than ideal rates for you. While these arrangements may be great for the dealership, they are not going to be so great for you. In most cases your neighborhood bank is almost never the right choice for semi truck financing. Even if your bank does offer this sort of loan, they will lake understanding of the financing and the choices will be limited. Unless of course you have a contact or connection with the bank in your community they may be able to give you a better interest rate, depending on the amount of the loan will matter also. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * A Rubber snow deflector helps to deflect snow down and away from the windshield . They play an important role in better visibility and safety on winter roads. Rubber deflectors come in and are available in any length or width, They can be custom made . The use of the deflectors is not mandatory but is definitely an asset to most snowplow operators that have them installed on their plow, These deflectors or flaps are made from a skirt board material the durometer is usually about 60. These flaps are very durable they are abrasion and weather resistant. Keeping the deflectors visible for the oncoming vehicles as they approach is also very important. There are products like, Edge-O-Lite snowplow safety reflectors which are a great addition to install on the plows blade or deflectors. They are very heavy duty, weather and abrasion resistant. There are different applications for the use of this plow and deflector safety reflector product but they will illuminate the edges for the ultimate visibility. This is a collision avoidance product helps keep everyone safer on dark winter roads. As many snowplow operators and contractors head out this winter season it is important to be better equipped with the best accessories and safety products to keep you and other drivers safer during nighttime or low-visibility winter weather. It is very important that the motorists and equipment operators have the safest possible atmosphere during winter road maintenance, especially on dark rural roads. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * If you are considering getting into the trucking business, or have owned a trucking businesses for years, as owner of a any trucking business, buying and securing yourself with the correct Commercial Truck Insurance is one of the important and major investments you will have to make for you and your business. Commercial Truck Insurance provides truck insurance for all types and size trucks like straight trucks, pickup trucks and tractor trailer trucks. The type of truck you are trying to insure will determine the type of Commercial Truck Insurance which will be right for you. Also if your independent or and independent leased to another company will be a factor in the type as you may only need bobtail insurance if you are leases and under a companies authority. Getting the appropriate kind of Commercial Truck Insurance can be the difference between getting back on the roads with minimum financial loss and business interruption or going bankrupt after a serious financial blow Take the time to understand Commercial Truck Insurance it can seem confusing and difficult for even experienced truckers, But if you take the time and understand the process you will be much better equipped to get the best package of insurance and to customize your insurance package. Things that are evaluated for this process are the age and Condition of the truck or equipment, your driving record, credit score, Liability limit, operation type and cargo being transported. Get rates from different companies do not feel pressured to take the first insurance company that you speak with. Some states require you to go through a special insurance broker and the choices of the insurance companies that specialize in commercial trucks , tractor trailers etc. are limited there may be only 2 or 3 Insurance carrier companies within your state and location. Tips for the unfortunate situation of being involved in a accident whether you fault or not. Always have a camera that you can keep in your truck to take pictures of the damage to the vehicles and the scene around you. Always call for a police officer to be present and to produce an accident report. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * The numerous choices for purchasing a snowplow blade is definitely a little more involved. The past couple of decades the snowplow industry has greatly changed. the Industry has introduced many new products that make snowplowing easier, faster and safer. There are things you really have to consider from makes to models and materials the blade is made of. Check to see how easy it is too attach and detach. Are the controls easy for you to use, are the hydraulics made well, do you want poly or steel. These are decisions you have to make beforehand. Snowplow blades come also in straight- blade and multi-position. This is the best place to start what type do you need or want. After making this choice you should decide on the material the poly is new and seems to be very popular is just as strong as steel scratches do not show because of the multi-surface color saturation all the way through the plow and they do not rust. The brands of the plow do matter along with the lights try and purchase a plow with a light assembly of HID they are brighter and last longer then even standard halogens. It is a wise idea to take the time to assemble and disassemble the different styles to see if it is easy to attach and disconnect. Its very important to make sure the hydraulics are dependable and the controls are easy to use. There are many ways to check online to see reviews about snow plows check snowplowing web site forums there are also questions and answers for problem shooting questions they tell a lot in regards to problems with plows and a lot of advice for which to buy. Also be sure to take a look at some of the safety accessories and safety reflectors that can be added to your snow plow and snow plow blade for better visibility and safety on dark roads. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/ http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * Truck tires are very important they are responsible for the large amounts of weight in transport for trucks and fleets. There are a wide range of sizes and brands to choose from. The more common name brands like Michelin, Bridgestone. Goodyear are usually more popular. knowing and getting the correct types of tires that you need also depends on your type of transport and load weights, this is very important. Your daily driving distance , Load weights, long or short distance and driving locations, city or highway all play a part in the correct type of tire you should purchase. Michelin Radial tires are manufactured for trucks. This tire has a large base and stands a large amount of inflation. They use a different kind of steel lining between the tread and the apex. The shuffle between the tread is much less in radial tires and the contact area with the ground does not alters at all even after the tire worn out. A bracing with metal is used in stabilizing the movement of the tread. The casing is of the cross ply model in radial tires that are manufactured for trucks by the Michelin team. They have greater resistance during rolling and the tire noise is very much less and in some cases there will be no noise at all. Anti splash is a type of long distance tire for the trucks from Michelin. The new improved model has a tread that is 10 mm wider than the previous models for the front end tires. This model of tire is very versatile in nature and is aimed at producing very high mileage for the trucks. Other characteristics of anti splash XF2 is the grip during sudden brakes and the visibility range improvement. This is due to the anti splash deflector that will decrease the projection height of the water by a number of four. XZU2T is a model of tire for trucks that have their driving range with in the city. The thread has a excellent resistance to impacts and other damages that occur during curbing. This also helps in improving the mileage of the vehicle in a different manner and compensates the mileage loss due to heavy traffic. They have better stability in case of heavy load and it is one of the risk free tires produced by Michelin. The cost is not so high which is the nature of the Michelin tires. The cost is mainly for the name of the brand. keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure is integral for the safety or yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/ http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * HHO heating home or truck diesel units for fuel savings great concept and fuel source. The units separate the hydrogen from the water and then burns it as the fuel. If installed correctly it is an incredible heat source and fuel saving device. It is both low in cost and environmentally friendly. The HHO concept has triggered great controversy among many, but if its installed correctly whether in a diesel as an enhancer or home I can truthfully say it works. There are units and designs which do work better for many reasons but, if you are using a well built and correctly built unit you will be very happy with it. HHO will change the way many people heat there homes. Water is an abundant and efficient energy source, it is only logical to utilize this gas to its practical purpose. Most units use as much power as an average home computer and will effectively heat an area of over 1000 square feet, depending on the unit size. With record cold and sky rocking heating bills water is the practical solution for all of us. It will help decrease the amount of fossil fuels being used for home heating and the unit itself burns absolutely clean. The only emission is heat and a small amount of moisture when some of the hydrogen recombines with oxygen to once again form water. HHO is definitely a future fuel system that should be quickly adopted. Many people all over the world have home built or purchased working devices creating HHO gas for there heating source using little power any very little money. Disassociating water into H and O have been known about and proven for over 20 years. There is no expense in creating HHO gas, and there is no need to store it under high pressure as it can be safely created on-site, at low pressure, on demand. Using self-generated HHO to power our trucks or heating our homes is no more dangerous than using gasoline. http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml http://www.edgeolite.com/ http://www.edgeolite.com/edgeolitenews.xml * As technology brings in a wide range of LED lighting products , the trucking industry has quickly adopted them for the interior and exterior lighting features for the quality and safety they provide. LED Lighting is a very durable light source. They provide a farther distance of illumination hence creating better visibility on dark roads and highways. Keeping you much safer and clearly noticed is a great advantage. The LED lights have a safe glare and brightness they are available in a wide variety of applications and installations to choose from. Always check to be sure that when replacing or installing LED lights you adhere to you color codes and guidelines following the correct requirements for front, back and side. The LED lighting products and designs are numerous ranging from light bars, tailgate lights, truck step lights, the usual headlights and brake lights etc. Research to find your products as there are many truck and car websites to shop for them and many types and styles to choose from. If you are looking to make your Truck safer, more visible at night or for customization purposes definitely upgrade to LED lights.