Alberta’s winters are legendary, and when it comes to clearing snow, choosing the right truck and snowplow is essential for getting the job done efficiently and safely. Whether you’re a commercial snow removal contractor or just taking care of your driveway, the right equipment makes all the difference.
Like trucks, snowplows come in a variety of models, designs, and features. Choosing the right plow depends on the type of work you’re doing, the truck you’re driving, and your performance requirements.
When it comes to clearing snow, you don’t want to cut corners. The right plow can make the difference between getting to your destination or getting stuck on the side of the road.
We’ve all heard the saying, "You get what you pay for," and when it comes to snowplows, this couldn’t be more true. Snowplows work tirelessly in extreme conditions-heavy snow, sub-zero temperatures, and the toughest terrain. The last thing you want is to find yourself dealing with breakdowns in the middle of a storm. When you invest in a reputable brand, you’re paying for peace of mind.
Ultimately, buying quality equipment saves you money in the long run.
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At Alberta Forest & Garden, we primarily work with SnoWay and SnowEx snowplows-both known for their durability and performance.
Ready to get your truck and snowplow set up for the Alberta winter?
Each plow also has a rated cubic yard (yd³) capacity, which tells you how much snow it can handle at once. The larger the plow, the more snow it can move-leading to faster, more efficient snow removal.
Each truck is unique, and the variables and features of your vehicle will determine the ideal snowplow for your needs. The main reason you can’t mount a larger plow than recommended by the manufacturer is because the plow may be too heavy for your truck’s specifications. When your truck carries too much weight, it can lead to premature wear and potential damage, often affecting the suspension and other vital components.
Furthermore, it’s illegal to drive a truck that exceeds its rated weight, and you could face hefty fines, a revoked business license, or even jail time if you're caught driving an overweight vehicle.
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Diesel engines are known for their torque and are often the preferred choice for towing and hauling, offering excellent fuel efficiency. However, when it comes to snowplows, a diesel engine’s additional weight can actually become a disadvantage.
To counter this, some truck brands offer "snowplow prep packages," which include a stronger front suspension and larger alternators to support the added weight and electrical draw of the plow's lights and hydraulics. If you're concerned about weight, you can also add ballast to the truck bed or flat deck to help balance the load, as long as the GVWR isn’t exceeded.
Ballast refers to adding weight to the rear of your truck to counterbalance the weight of the plow mounted at the front. This ensures that the plow blade sits flush against the ground for optimal operation. The most common types of ballast are sandbags, patio stones, or other heavy objects placed in the truck bed. Even your truck-bed spreader, loaded with salt or sand, can act as ballast.
Installing a snowplow is a complex task that requires knowledge of both your truck and the plow. At Alberta Forest & Garden, we offer snowplow installation for $1195 and spreader installation for $595. We recommend scheduling your installation ahead of time, as availability depends on our schedule.
Types of Snow Plows
First, consider the type of work you’re doing. If you're a residential contractor with a smaller truck, the SnoWay 22 Series might be a great choice. It's lightweight and efficient for residential driveways. For larger areas, like highways or parking lots, you might want a V-plow or a winged plow.
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Here are some common types of snow plows:
- Straight Blade: Straight-blade snowplows are affordable, easy to operate and allow you to clear snow like a pro.
- V-Plow: V-plow snowplows combine power, productivity and performance. They’re extremely versatile for all snow types and depths.
- Winged: Winged snowplows are perfect for snow clearing in highly populated areas where it’s important to cover a lot of ground fast. The wings automatically adjust to provide the most flexible and efficient plowing configuration for any job. They also help minimize ridges when plowing around obstacles and narrow spaces.
Snowplow in Montreal
Here are some examples of front mounted wing systems:
- Front mounted wing system for Ford F550 / Dodge 5500 chassis with minimum 19,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style snow plow wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear lift.
- Front mounted wing system for International CV / Chevy chassis with minimum 22,900 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear lift.
- Front mounted snow plow wings for chassis with 23,000 to 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear lift.
- Front mounted snow plow wings for chassis with 23,000 to 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style snow plow wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear lift. Single wing arm with hydraulic extension.
- Front mounted sow plow wings for chassis with 23,000 to 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Leveling style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back, or in the travel position. Hydraulic front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear wing lift. Front post heights of 36”, 48” and 60”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Cable and sheave front post with hydraulic rear wing lift. Front post heights of 36” and 54”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Available with hydraulic or cable front post. Full moldboard safety trip with Timbren block and single wing arm with hydraulic extension.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Hydraulic style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back or in the travel position. Hydraulic front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control. Rear and front post heights 36”, 48” and 60”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Cable style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back or in the travel position. Cable front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control. Rear post heights of 36” and 54”. Front post heights of 36” and 72”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Hydraulic style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back or in the travel position. Hydraulic front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control. Rear and front post heights 36”, 48” and 60”. Full moldboard safety trip Timbren block. Heavy-duty single wing arm with hydraulic extension.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Cable style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back or in the travel position. Cable front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control. Rear post slider travel of 34” or 54”. Front post slider travel of 68” or 86”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed. Straight rear cabinet reduces footprint by 3 to 4” behind the cab.
- Front mounted wing system for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Cable style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides multiple position use, deployed on the road surface, leveling wing for pushing banks back or in the travel position. Cable front post, rear wing lift and rear slider control. Rear post slider travel of 43” or 55”. Front post slider travel of 68” or 86”. Full moldboard safety trip options include torsional spring, Timbren block and non-trip fixed. Rear slider face canted forward 25 degrees.
- Mid Mount Wing systems for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating, designed to improve chassis weight distribution over front and rear axles. This patrol style wing system has a 10” front post tower, a single arm with a rear mechanical float of 8” and 6” front mechanical float. The extendable arm allows an extra 15” reach. Designed for a fixed dee.
- Rear mounted wing systems for chassis over 33,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating. Patrol style wing system with heavy-duty durable design provides two position use, deployed either on the road surface or the travel position. Hydraulic front post and rear wing lift. Front post height 10”. Full moldboard safety trip with Timbren block.
Table of Snow Plow Types and Their Applications
| Snow Plow Type | Applications | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Blade | Residential driveways, small parking lots | Affordable, easy to operate |
| V-Plow | Various snow types and depths | Versatile, powerful, productive |
| Winged Plow | High-population areas, highways | Efficient for covering large areas, minimizes ridges |
In 1992 one of the biggest snow removal contractors in Canada faced a problem: how to keep up with some of the worst winters in the world. As a solution they designed and built a containment plow to drag behind a tractor. They quickly realized that this invention made them three times faster than plowing with a straight blade. They began manufacturing box plows to fit their other heavy machinery and an industry was born.
The Snow Bull is a walk-behind snow plow that will have you ditching those exhausting and ineffective snow removal methods of the past. No more wasted time clearing out the clogged augers and chutes of snow blowers with wet snow. No more exhaustive shoveling to avoid throwing ice and other debris on storefronts, passing pedestrians, employees, or nearby vehicles. A walk-behind snow plow provides a solution for all these obstacles and challenges.
The Snow Bull has been meticulously engineered to provide the user with the utmost ease and efficiency when clearing snow. Save yourself time and energy while still getting the results you are looking for. The dual tracks provide great traction, and even heavy, wet snow won’t slow you down. The Snow Bull’s plow angle is easily adjustable, making it perfect for roadsides, walkways, parking lots, and driveways. This walk behind snow plow brings innovation to regular winter maintenance.
Orec is dedicated to continually improving and updating our machines in order to provide superior customer satisfaction. Since it was originally released in 2016, the Snow Bull has seen numerous upgrades such as quick-release side walls, optional urethane scraper attachment, wider stance, and longer tracks, all to make your snow clearing experience as safe and effortless as possible.