Is this a good chioce?

[rtdiggr]

In my opinion, 2wd sucks i have a F-350 diesel 2 wd with a dump, the other day i got stuck in my own driveway twice and it is a flat drive.
I do not have any weight in the back the truck weight almost 9000lbs. when i bought it, it was a city truck and was set up with hydraulics in the front but i can't believe they could plow with that.
The truck you are looking at looks nice and is definately larger then mine and the salt would help weight it down. The price seems fair, that is a good size truck i would love something a little bigger.
my 2 cents
Shane

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

To be totally honest, I was looking for a 1 ton or larger 4x4 to buy as a plow. I came across this rig and thought about how the town was using this size truck for a good portion of the plowing. The price seems right but I don't want to pigeon hole myself with the type of plow jobs I can do. This would be a little money generator for me outside of normal hours. I talked to a few private guys around here. They're charging $100 for every 3". The sanding is extra. I think a truck like this could be a good earner in the summer too. Delivering materials to homeowners and haul off's.

Matt T.

 

[Rara Avis]

In my opinion, 2wd sucks i have a F-350 diesel 2 wd with a dump, the other day i got stuck in my own driveway twice and it is a flat drive.
I do not have any weight in the back the truck weight almost 9000lbs. when i bought it, it was a city truck and was set up with hydraulics in the front but i can't believe they could plow with that.
The truck you are looking at looks nice and is definately larger then mine and the salt would help weight it down. The price seems fair, that is a good size truck i would love something a little bigger.
my 2 cents
Shane

Onspot of North America

 

[Builder]

I emailed the seller about the plow. He said I could come take a look, but he had no pics. He said he hadn't used the plow. The sander looks interesting. I take it you fill the bed with sand and then tilt it to feed the sander? I'm alittle concerned about getting stuck with it though. This last storm we had there were plenty of larger plows stuck. I think this truck will be good for town roads and parking lots but not real good on hills and driveways. Is the engine in it around the same size as my poerstroke? What do thede thrucks cost new? Is this too much truck to start with?

Matt T.

You worry too much. First, you bought a fine plow truck as long as you keep it on relatively level surfaces like roads & parking lots. It's not the ideal truck for hilly driveways. Most bigger plow trucks are 4x2. The reason is big 4x4's (like mine) are very expensive and easy to rip-up. The other reason is with a 5+ ton load of sand/salt/cinders in the back of a 4x2, traction can be excellent. Also, you have the option of tire chains which give a 4x2 darn near the traction of a 4x4 in snow, and maybe better on slick ice. You can remove the chains when the snow's over and have a nice streetable truck in warm weather.

Yes, you fill the bed and tilt it to feed the tailgate sander.

Anyone can get stuck. i've seen lots of 4x4's (your's truly included) get stuck even with 4x4. Sometimes 4x2 keeps you more conservative and careful. Getting stuck is nothing to worry about or be embarrassed of.

Yes, it's the IH medium duty version of a Powerstroke. Typically, they're turned down a little on HP so they'll live longer and put less stress on the drivetrain.

A truck like that new would cost ~$50K. A tailgate spreader and plow is another 20K installed.

I'm sure others will present receipts for plows and sanders and trucks and all kinds of contradictory info, but I've plowed many storms with lots of different equipment owned by me, and I can tell you that's a good plow truck that's reliable, easy to own & insure and drive/plow with.

 

[rtdiggr]

Onspot of North America

I like that thanks Paul,
GWH i did like BUILDERS reply, my truck is around 9000lbs, with the one you are looking at being over 23000lbs. would make a huge difference on traction. I have never plowed with this truck, so i definately listen more to someone who has used this type of set up before.

Shane

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Those chains a awesome. I can't seem to pin down the seller to look at the truck. He has a few offers on it he hasn't accepted. I may not end up with it but it sure is a good weapon to have. I think that I could make out very well with this type of truck. If this one gets away I'm going to keep looking. How much are you folks paying for the plowing insurance? I got a few quotes and they seem lower than I'd expect.

Matt T.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Those chains are awesome. I can't seem to pin down the seller to look at the truck. He has a few offers on it he hasn't accepted. I may not end up with it but it sure is a good weapon to have. I think that I could make out very well with this type of truck. If this one gets away I'm going to keep looking. How much are you folks paying for the plowing insurance? I got a few quotes and they seem lower than I'd expect.

Matt T.

 

[MikeD74T]

Matt, Check with the town to find out if the 10' plow is the right type for the plowing they want done. A parking lot plow is different than a highway plow. Also make sure they can accomodate your hours of availibility or vice versa.
Without being a negative, the only people I've known that make real money plowing are never in the truck, they have employees for that. They also have other seasonal needs for their trucks that they don't have in the winter. I've also never seen a plow owner that wasn't claiming to be making a fortune every time it snowed. I think there is money to be made sanding though, provided you have access to sand/salt. I enjoy plowing & wish you the best of luck. MikeD74T

 

[Builder]

Great White Hunter,

What you need to decide is what type of plowing you want to do. That IH would be good for plowing parking lots or roads as a subcontractor (unless you're "connected" with big customers and can get contracts like that for yourself. Usually you need a lot of years in the business and lots of equipment before you get the big contracts.

A one ton 4x4 dump with a power V plow would be my weapon of choice as an all around plow truck for a small contractor. They're small enough to do hilly driveways, yet with a 9' plow, big enough to do small commercial work. You can add a V-box or tailgate spreader for ice control. Then you can use it all summer to do dirt work, pull trailers, etc.

However, a 1-ton 4x4 dump is a lot more expensive and not as heavy duty as that IH.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Something like this? 1999 Ford F350 Diesel Truck
If this truck had a vee plow I'd already be driving it. Do they make sanders to fit in these rack bodies? This truck would serve me quite well too. I'd get another diesel to tow with and a rack body for side work (I'm an electrician) so I think it would be a good starter for plowing. I'd only be using it maybe once a week so the miles don't scare me. What do you guys think? Builder I really value you opinion on this as your make a living at it. Thanks!

Matt T.