Merits and Uses of the Two Types on Snow Pushers
When it comes to clearing snow, the most powerful machine is a snow box pusher, also called snow pushers or just box plows. Greatly prized, snow box pushers do not depend on windrow plowing, the method where plows angle snow off to the side of an angled snow pusher. Instead, a snow box pusher is capable of removing loads of snow entirely, transporting the loads to a safer, designated location.
There are many variations of this incredibly useful machine, far more than the uninitiated might guess at first. All of these variations, however, can be divided into two general categories. These two categories, and their benefits and common uses are outlined here.
Steel Trip Edge
This version of a snow pusher has a cutting edge mounted to the plow, which then scrapes along the pavement. This steel blade is spring loaded to allow it to navigate up and over obstructions. When the blade encounters something blocking its path, it springs up on a hinge, tripping over the obstruction. This type of box plow is employed in response to more frozen conditions, where the sharp blade can cut through the harder ice or frost on the ground. Steel trip edge plows require less power to operate because the steel edge creates far less drag than its rubber counterpart, however, the more moving parts a machine has, the more places is can break. This makes it a more fragile option.
Rubber Edge Pushers
These box plows have composite rubber on the edge of the plow blades. One of the first benefits of this is that it prevents snow from going underneath the machine, leaving a cleaner wake. Unlike the steel edge, rubber edge snow plow has no springs to bounce the blade, primarily because of their ability to bend and flex, making tripping over road blocks unnecessary. This type of blade may be at a disadvantage over icy ground, but anywhere with a slushy snow, these box plows essentially squeegee the water and much off the ground, leaving the steel edge version in the dust. The rubber edge can also act as a brake, but they are difficult to power up to speed, as the rubber provides extra drag.
These types are well complemented. Together, the two types of heavy duty snow plows can conquer any snow problem you might face.