Snow Plow News interviewed a variety of snow contractors and dealers to ask which spare plow parts they recommend keeping in a truck. Who better to ask than these professionals?
February 4, 2022 | Dawn Krueger
Recommended Spare Snow Plow Parts to Keep in a Truck at All Times
Snow Plow News met up with a variety of snow and ice management contractors and dealers to ask which spare plow parts they personally recommend keeping in a truck. Who better to ask than these professionals with many years of experience using, selling, and fixing snow plows.
Here’s a break down of what the dealers and contractors we interviewed had to say:
Steve Jennings of Jennings Welding & Fabrication in New York
- Quart of Fluid
- One Return Spring
- Lift Cylinder Hoses
Will the Welder of Xtreme Fabrication in Maryland adds these items to the list:
- Motor Relay
- Solenoid
Jeen Stork of Stork’s Plows in Pennsylvania added:
- Dielectric Grease
- Strap or Chain (to hold it up if something breaks)
- Hose (stock the longest to it covers every application in a pinch)
Other dealers mentioned some of the same things. For example, Tod Bozer from Bob’s Services in Alaska thinks the most important things are spare hoses and extra fluids.
Dale Chestnut from Double D Services in Wisconsin agrees that a solenoid is important, and also to carry a trip spring, oil and a lift chain. He says those are the things that typically fail unexpectedly that a driver can fix himself.
Rondo Ziegler of Rondo Enterprises & Trailers in Illinois also mentioned fluid, common hoses, a solenoid, and some of the relays depending on your plow type.
Eric Flores of Push-N-Pull in Pennsylvania agrees that dielectric grease, fluids, and hoses are key.
Jerry Heyer of Jerry’s Service in Pennsylvania added a few new items to the list. It may seem obvious, but these items are easy to forget:
- They should have common sense
- Phone numbers of other snow plowers for help if needed
- Basic knowledge of not only how the plow operates, but how to fix basic things that can breakdown and stop you in your tracks
- Jumper cables
- Ratchet strap & small floor jack (to pick the plow up if needed)
Snowplow Part Recommendations Video
Check out the complete video below from our interview with a number of different snow plow dealers and contractors.
Grease, fluids, and hoses seem to be the most common recommendations. If you aren’t carrying those items in every truck that carries a plow, you might be taking unnecessary risks. Nothing costs you money like downtime. Make sure you equip your trucks and train your drivers to make fast and easy repairs while on the road. Of course, the absolute best way to save downtime is to rigorously and regularly maintain your equipment. Another great resource from Snow Plow News is our interview with Dealers on How to Extend the Life of Your Plow. Check it out!