Cab Control Location

[npswi]

I am buying a 8'6" Boss Plow for a 2000 3/4 ton Dodge (AUTO)

Where do you like to mount the controls in the cab? I am just talking the standard factory switches...

What do you use for a "Snow Flap" on top of plow blade?
Boss wants $188.00 for a 10" wide chunk of rubber!

Thanks for the info.............

[Chuck Smith]

Well, here's how I set up my 80 GMC. Not exactly what you have, but it gives you an idea. Everything should be easy to reach. I still to this day don't know how guys can mount the plow controls on the left side of the steering wheel. It makes no sense to me. On the right, you can reach them easily, without ever taking one hand off the steering wheel.

<img src="http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/images/plowcn_1.jpg">


This is my brother's 95 Dodge Ram. You can see the yellow Meyer touchpad. Also, you can see the tailgate salter control box mounted under the dash on the right just in front of the 4wd shifter.

<img src="http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/images/plowcntrls95ram.jpg">

I know you are going with a Boss, but I suggest finding a place on the right side somewhere. Just my preference, but if you think about it, it makes the most sense to use one hand to shift, and operate the plow.

~Chuck

[Snow Pro]

Try to hook the controls up to your brain with wires and a helmut so it could read your mind. If that doesn't work, put the controls anywhere you don't have to reach for them. It will save you stress and fatigue. The automatic was a smart move. You'll appreciate having the controls as close as possible when you're plowing while talking on the cell phone and your pager is going off and the old lady sitting on 2 phone books pulls out right in front of you and you've been plowing 36 hours straight and and and

[npswi]

Thanks Chuck...

Your brothers truck is the same as the 1995 Dodge that I traded in. I had a 8'6" Western Pro Plow on it with controls on the right. The salesmen is trying to tell me to put the new ones on the left... I agree with you that the right seems easier. That is why I asked for input...

Although on the right it is difficult to control the plow,shift,run the radio, and drink coffee...

As for the guy worried about a old lady hitting me, I plow in the middle of the night in Northern Wisconsin ( average 200to 300 inches year) in a town of 227 people.

[Chuck Smith]

I also always figured if I hit something while plowing, I would know it was my own fault, because I know I have my left hand on the wheel. If I'm shifting, I have it on the wheel. Moving the plow, and shifting into drive with my wrist, and my left is still on the wheel.

With the controls on the left, plowing, and having to move the plow, and shift, or drink coffee, or answer the phone, or.... well I only have 2 hands. I suppose some of the more macho guys here may have a third member they could steer with......

A few years back I mounted a Western Pro Plow on a friend's 95 Chevy 1500, with a manual 4 speed. I put his on the right too, and he loved it. In first gear, he could reach the controls with his fingertips.

~Chuck

[diggerman]

All of my boss controls are velcroed to the seat next to the driver,alot of guy like the dash it is just thatit seems to me that it is easier to rest your hand on the seat next to you.Also because we always have new guys I have found it easier for them if I turn the switch pad in the box so the switches for the blade halves do what the blade will do. For example when the driver pushes forward on the left switch the left wing goes forward and push on the back side of the switch the blade retracts,and the same for the right.then if you want to swivel the blade push the bottom of one and the top of the other, the up down is easy to get used to.As for the joy stick I am not fond of it but alot of my guys like it.It seems it does not respond like I would like it to,to much feed between the internal switches.

[thelawnguy]

On my 95 Dodge I have the controls on the left mounted to the knee bolster. This way I can shift and steerr with right hand while working the plow with the left. Oh and the wires come thru the dash in the grommet to the left of the brake so it made it that much easier.

[Chuck Smith]

I guess maybe I'm just used to the controls being on the right, like in backhoes, tractors, and front end loaders. Never saw front bucket controls on the left. Just feels more natural for me to use my right hand to control the plow (bucket) with my right hand. Even the blade engage lever on the Toro Groundsmaster 72 I used to mow with was on the right, along with the deck lift lever.

~Chuck

[cat320]

Well the controls i always likesd on the left so i can shift with my right.You can get a piece of old conveyor belt from a junk yard that's what i put on mine and it works great keeps the snow off the truck but flexable enough to pill too.

[Chuck Smith]

Cat, I had to read your post three times to understand what you meant. You like the plow controls on the left, and suggest conveyor belt for the top of the blade, ok. And the conveyor belt is tough, yet flexible enough to pile snow.
Whew!

~Chuck