I won't intentionally rain (ok, snow) on your parade, but...

1. That guy makes that money because of the fact he has an excellent
plow rig. (I have a similar Dodge 2500 with a plow). He can do things
that your smaller rig won't handle at all. You'd have to go out more
often (smaller rig won't push as much snow as a big rig) but with
going out more often you can't charge more... So your per/hour rate is
much lower.

2. To plow commercially you *must* have a reliable rig. The first time
the truck won't start, breaks, or whatever, your customers will
disappear just like snow in June.

3. Plow trucks break. New trucks are better, of course. I've blown
transmissions, broken frames, and done other damage plowing. It goes
with the territory. Smaller trucks break more often, you have to push
them harder to get the same results.

4. Plows are complex devices, engineered with many years of
experience.

5. Plowing commercially with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck is
risky. Sure you can plow with a Jeep Wrangler (I have friends who have
used them for years to plow--but it is really rough on the vehicle.)

6. DOn't forget that if you plow, you also have to sand... Your
customers won't want to deal with two services, if you don't sand then
your competitor who does will get yoru jobs after the first ice storm.

7. Insurance! You *MUST* have insurance to cover the cases where you
hit someone's house (seen it happen), someone's car (seen it happen),
landscaping (seen it happen), whatever... Commercial plowing insurance
is not cheap!

8. If your truck looks good, be prepaired to loose those good loooks!
The odds are that you will slide into something every season. I've
backed into more than one tree, I've wacked some stumps so hard that
the plow blade bent.

9. Don't put things into the truck that can move under any
circujstances. Those steel plates would have to be well welded to the
frame. If not, they will end up in the front seat with you.

10. Plowing consists of hundreds of 5 MPH crashes each storm. Have a
wet snow, and add incredible loads on the drive train.

11. Some will tell you to get a stick. I've had both. I've blown
manual transmissions. I've never lost an automatic. Plowing is a busy
task, both hands have lot's to do (left to work the plow, right to
steer) and shifting adds more effort. You also have better control
with an automatic.

12. Good tires. Chains. A good heater. Good wipers. A yellow flashing
light (required, by law!) Read all your state's plowing laws--there
are many. No pushing snow across a right of way. No dumping snow in a
water body or river. Flashing lights etc.

13. Sure you could perhaps make $500 in a snow storm. Deduct fuel
(god, does plowing drink fuel!) maintenance, and bad debts ("I'll pay
you when I get my check, when my tax refund comes...", or other good
story that you will only hear AFTER you plow their drive! I recommend
cash only, at the time of plowing if you are not a 'legal business'.
Don't forget taxes, both yours and the customers (some states may
require you to collect sales tax). You won't get away with not paying
taxes--your competitors will make sure of that!

OK, now to dry up your parade:

1. Don't build your own plow. You can't do it, if you have those
skills you would not be asking these questions.

2. There are plows made for small trucks. In the end, they are a good
value.

3. You could buy a used plow, and get new mounts (or fabricate your
own, I've done that too.) Used plows are cheaper, but may not be in
the best condition.

4. Even a light truck (I've plowed with Isuzu Troopers, successfully!)
can be made to work. Takes longer. More work. But it can be done.

5. Talk to a couple of commercial operators... they will tell you just
what is involved.

I could go on for several hours... But there's snow out there, and
I've got to plow. Then take the truck to the dealer to get it fixed!


On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 17:13:15 -0800, > wrote:

>Snow plows for small 4x4's?
>
>I am going to either build a snow plow or purchase one. And put it on the
>front of a Jeep or an older K5 Blazer that I have access to. I was over at
>the store and there was a guy and his wife plowing snow in a Dodge 4x4
>diesel, long box and extended cab. I asked him how much he was making and he
>said if he hustled, he could make about $200.00/hr. Damn good money, if that
>is true??? I will have to ask around.
>
>12 hours of plowing at that rate would equal $2400.00. 24 hours would equal
>$4800.00, before expenses. We have 18" of snow here right now and these guys
>are working around the clock. Something to consider for next year.
>
>Any one know of any plans available on the web for building a small plow
>unit for a small vehicle, such as a Jeep or a K5 Blazer or a Ford Bronco?
>
>I would like to keep the blade no longer that 6.5 feet wide. I like the idea
>of the small vehicle for being able to maneuvered easily in small areas. The
>weight of the vehicle should be no problem. If it's too light, I could weld
>in steel plates to the interior of the vehicle to offer it more traction.
>And I could strip out the interior of seats and carpet to do this. I noticed
>a lot of the guys plowing in 4x4 pickups had their boxes loaded with snow
>for added traction. I did not see many 'plowers' using chains at all, most
>likely as chains wear quickly on roads that have been cleared and are salted
>and sanded.
>
>Also, any reconditions for tires and gear deferential(s) for this specific
>application?
>
>Any help or ideas here would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. I would like
>to get this set up for next year.
>