4X4 a must for plowing?? [Archive] - LawnSite.com™ - Lawn Care & Landscaping Business Forum

View Full Version : 4X4 a must for plowing??

DoetschOutdoor

01-30-2009, 03:07 PM

Might be a stupid question but is 4wd necessary for those that plow? I gotta get a better work truck this year and alot of the flatbeds or utility beds I've been looking at are 2wd. I've been having so many customers ask about snow removal that I have to get into it next year and would be putting a plow on the truck. Gotta have 4wd/highly recommended for plowing? thx

Lakewlc

01-30-2009, 03:14 PM

4x4 is really good for plowing... but if you have ALOT of weight like a full sander you could get away with 2x4

Dirt Digger2

01-30-2009, 03:20 PM

it helps...but not "required"...i plow in a 550 with dump body...loaded with salt i didn't have to put it in 4 wheel at all

technically you are plowing the snow in front of you so you are driving on blacktop...driving between jobs is a different story though...4 wheel can be very useful when it comes to that

Guzman Properties

01-30-2009, 03:49 PM

Nope not at all......as long as you have enough weight in the back you'll be fine. Besides, when your in 4X4, you loose turning radius.

Marek

01-30-2009, 03:54 PM

If you are doing residential drives I would go 4 x 4 . But if you have large open lots with big runs 4x2 is fine. Smaller lots with lots of back and forth or cutting in 4x4.

punt66

01-30-2009, 04:05 PM

anything 3500 or less a 4x4 is a must. Above that they can carry enough weight for traction. I have been plowing for 20 years. Take it from me and get a 4x4.

Truck_Stuff

01-30-2009, 04:14 PM

www.PlowSite.com

We sponsor both.

Dirt Digger2

01-30-2009, 04:16 PM

dont ask that question on that site...a lot of guys on that site are water head as$holes

Truck_Stuff

01-30-2009, 04:32 PM

They can be mean, but its worth searching at least.

Petr51488

01-30-2009, 06:25 PM

Yes, especially if you hate spinning tires. I can plow in 2wd, but its very annoying when the wheels slip here and there. In 4wd i can plow much faster. I would say buy a 4x4 truck for plowing and have the option for 4wd whereas the 2wd your stuck with 1 wheel spinning.

DBFlawn

01-30-2009, 06:34 PM

dont ask that question on that site...a lot of guys on that site are water head as$holes

hell yes they are....TRUST ME on this one. i have no plowing experience so i asked a question over there ( i figured what better place to ask then plowsite.com.....and what DICKS!!)

sorry i cant help you though :cry:

Gravel Rat

01-30-2009, 08:02 PM

mattfromNY

01-30-2009, 08:08 PM

In VERY light snow, or if you have plenty of room to push/ stack the snow, you MAY be ok w/ 2wd. If there is ANY packed down snow or ice, or if trying to push heavy/ wet snow, or trying to push any real amount of snow, you will find it is much more effective w/ 4wd. Also, in 4 wheel, the front tires help to steer into the snow w/ the plow angled. You lose that ability in 2wd, and sometimes the front end will slide to the side off the snow you are pushing.
I will run my truck quite a bit in 2wd on light snows. Obviously, as stated before, more weight= more traction.

CLARK LAWN

01-31-2009, 10:42 AM

Put it this way a dually in snow sucks anyway you slice it you need to chain up. Now chains on a residential driveway is enough to get your azz kicked.

If you want to do plowing then get a regular 3/4 ton 4x4 just for plowing if your doing residential work. A srw 4x4 will go in the snow where a dually will not.

ive been plowing with a 2wd F350 for a few years now and i have never had to chian it. i only to parking lots with it and i few flat straight drives that i can push foward. by the way it a F350 dump with about 2-3 tons of salt in it.

if your doing mostly residential i would go with a 4wd

DoetschOutdoor

01-31-2009, 02:00 PM

Ha, I was just getting ready to join plowsite and start asking questions but maybe Ill hold off. When it comes time to get the truck, I know Ill end up getting 4wd since I do alot of winter driving anyways and will have mostly residential driveways and small commercial lots for the beginning at least. Dang I got alot of questions regarding plowing so Ill just do some research sometime before long.

Dirt Digger2

01-31-2009, 03:26 PM

as far as plowing in general shoot me a PM and i might be able to help you out

newtostone

01-31-2009, 04:46 PM

If our plowing a light snow or an open lot you will be fine.

When it comes to driveways not a chance.

Someone else said F350 or smaller not a good idea. Even with 1.5 tons in the back and brand new tires. Still not a good idea.

My 4x4 went out this last storm on my F350 SRW with a 2 yard salter and I barely made it and only covered half my list and had to have my other trucks cover me.

meicher806

02-04-2009, 01:29 PM

I would recommend 4x4 if you dont need it i wouldnt use it, i run a chevy 1500 most of the time i run in 2 wheel earlier this year i was clearing one of the bigger snows and i snaped the 4 bolts that hold the front shaft in:hammerhead::hammerhead: it took me an extra hour to finish the job:cry:

02DURAMAX

02-04-2009, 02:50 PM

It sure helps...but not required... I plow with a C4500 2x4 and works great!