We got just 3", but was out plowing in one of our older plow trucks this morning. Thought about it a bit, this good ole 1996 Chevy 3/4 and 8.5' western has been plowing for 20 years. This isn't just occasional plowing, we run 8-12 hour routes typically. There's a brother to this truck her too that has done the same thing, Dad bought both new. I believe without looking at my records that this one is on it's third transmission at least. But, the engine has never been apart and it has it's original front end, rear axle and diff and transfer case. I think that's pretty good. I remember when we bought an '89 which was our first with IFS, everyone said you can't crank up those torsion bars and that front end will never last. Well, I cranked them all and they are still working! The plow is the original to the truck too. Guess some things do last if you take care of them. It's on a strict maintenance schedule and never sets outside.
- Thread starter OliverGuy
- Start date
I don't plow any more but used to with a couple of those ifs trucks. 1989 & 1990. Loved those trucks. Both had the 454 and would push some snow. Used about half the fuel my old 78 with a 350 did.
I never had any issues with the front ends. I actually think they're better than a solid axle for plowing. I used to do the steering u-joints on the solid axle trucks about every year. Never changed a cv shaft. Also they don't hop around when turning like a solid axle truck.
It is pretty impressive that you've been using the same truck for 20 years. It's definitely not an easy life plowing snow.
I never had any issues with the front ends. I actually think they're better than a solid axle for plowing. I used to do the steering u-joints on the solid axle trucks about every year. Never changed a cv shaft. Also they don't hop around when turning like a solid axle truck.
It is pretty impressive that you've been using the same truck for 20 years. It's definitely not an easy life plowing snow.
I used to call on a school bus operator about 10 years ago that had a '88 Chev 3/4 ton with a plow.
This truck did the parking lot at the bus barn and little else......it had 17,000 miles on it and looked mint. I had at that time a 1989 3/4 ton with unknown miles on it and FAR from mint.
This truck did the parking lot at the bus barn and little else......it had 17,000 miles on it and looked mint. I had at that time a 1989 3/4 ton with unknown miles on it and FAR from mint.
i used to do it for many years then gave it up about 12 years ago, the real estate crowd did some advertising in ca, and got a bunch moved in up in the next town, well since as high as real estate had got to be here, its twice at least that in ca, with money to spend everyone of them bought new trucks then had to hang a plow on it since they were up in the mountains, we went from around 10 privately owned snowplows to 60, and most of them were running for the fun of it, not trying to make a living, just wasnt any point in having one
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
The City I used to work for bought 2 one ton dually Chevys with the 454. Power up the ying yang, lucky if you got 6 mpg empty and 4mpg plowing. They were only slightly better than our 7500 Dumps with a 427 and 7 yds of salt, spreader and underbody.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
City" (& county) trucks always show very poor gas mileage. Why? Because employees hide out, parked in a quiet place to nap , with engine running for heat in winter & A/C in summer!
I currently plow my drive, over 2000 feet long and windy. Dirt drive trought the woods. One long straight section of about 820 feet. Use a 1990 Chevy W/T pickup with a 4.3l v6 and 5 speed manual. Only normal maintenance. Replaced original clutch at over 170000 miles. Just put in 2nd clutch after 8000 miles on old clutch, insurance company paid for it. A mouse got up into the bell housing and put a nest in the clutch. Will probalby have to chain the tires again as the ground has a coating og ice again this yeat in Mid-Michigan.
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