A real Russian winter with big snowdrifts and frost is a common thing for both townspeople and villagers. The only difference is that in large settlements, snow removal is carried out by city utilities, and in the outback it is often necessary to limit oneself. With the help of a shovel, you can clear the yard, but the road is unlikely. Therefore, sometimes you can’t do without a snow plow.
How does the device work?
The principle of operation of the structure resembles the impact on snow with a scraper or a large shovel. Pushing the snow mass in front of it, the device throws it aside. The snow plow is installed on the following types of equipment:
- cars (particularly SUVs);
- freight transport;
- ATVs;
- tractors;
- motoblocks and other equipment.
Installation of cleaning equipment on light vehicles will help to remove small deposits of snow - up to 15 cm.
Assembly design
Large-looking equipment consists of simple elements:
- knife;
- mounts;
- levers.
Knife material is usually steel with a thickness of 3 to 7 ml. The shape can be flat or rounded. A thick rubberized strip is attached to the bottom of it to prevent damage to the road surface.
Thanks to the ski supports, which slide smoothly with the vehicle when the vehicle moves, there is no risk of lowering the knife below the set limit.
Levers allow for optimal positioning of the structure relative to the vehicle body and the road. The instrument control system can be:
- hydraulic;
- electric;
- manual.
Hydraulic control is provided by fluid movement and is connected to the body lift system.
Electric is represented by electric motors and powerful gearboxes.
Manual snow plow is used in domestic conditions and has significant disadvantages:
- To set up the equipment, it is necessary to completely stop the transport, then with your hands, using special tools, adjust the knife to the changedconditions.
- It will not be possible to promptly respond to changes in the features of the road.
The type of fastener is determined by the model of equipment on which the cleaning equipment is planned to be installed. Therefore, before buying, you need to know exactly which accessory the snow plow is being purchased for.
Views
Depending on the type of construction, all cleaning units can be divided into several types:
- Single-sided plows. Can be installed both in front and on the side of the equipment. The smaller the angle of the blade, the more likely it is to shovel snow in front of the vehicle, rather than throwing it to the side of the road.
- Bilateral plows. The main purpose is to lay a track, so the snow is thrown on both sides of the vehicle.
- Non-adjustable knives. They have limited functionality. In one position, they can either rake snow in a pile in front of them, or clean the road, throwing the snow mass to the side of the road.
- With mechanical adjustment. Most often found in everyday life. DIY snow ploughs, adjustable with wrenches and other tools.
- Hydraulic structures. The main condition for their work is the connection of the system to the transport hydraulic pump. You can control such equipment without leaving the cab.
- Industrial units. Manufacturers offer many different models of any shape and design. However, the price of such installations is very high.
Forfor household needs, a snow plow with mechanical adjustment is quite suitable. You can make such a design with your own hands, having a welding machine and the appropriate material.
Selection Tips
In order not to make a mistake with the choice of cleaning equipment, it is necessary to clearly understand what tasks the future equipment should perform and which vehicle the snow blower will be mounted on.
The capacity of special equipment directly depends on the volume of snowdrifts. Thus, for clearing city roads, squares and adjacent territories, one cannot do without a snow plow for MTZ. Today the most popular used tractor is "Belarus". It is for him that a large number of snow blower models are specially designed. It is widely used by utilities to clear urban areas.
For household plots and private houses, a mechanically adjustable snow blower attached to a car is quite suitable. Such a unit is able to cope with clearing the entrance to the garage or a rural country road with a small snow cover - up to 15-20 cm.
And for sidewalks made of mosaic or paving slabs, the best choice would be a snow plow for a walk-behind tractor. In the design, in addition to the knife, there is a brush that provides gentle cleaning of the working surface.
Price overview for various models
The cost of snow removal equipment depends on the model and method of fastening totechnique. Thus, a conventional snow plow for a passenger car with mechanical adjustment from different manufacturers ranges from 3,500 to 12,000 rubles.
Adaptation for a walk-behind tractor will cost 5,000-25,000 rubles.
And for special equipment, professional equipment can reach 200,000 rubles.
Design Advantages
The main competitors of plow units are different auger devices and their varieties. Both of them perform the same function: they get rid of snow on the roads.
Despite this, it is worth noting that snow plows are best cleared of shallow fresh snow. If the snow deposits are more than one meter, then auger models will cope with this task better.
However, if the equipment is professional and the vehicles are high-powered, then clearing city roads with a snow blower will not be difficult.
Russian models of snow plows are in no way inferior to foreign-made models. After all, the working element is a knife that cleans the snow. And it is impossible to make it better or worse. The difference lies in the price: for a "foreigner" they will ask much more than for a "compatriot".
