Top 10 Mistakes That Cut Your Commercial Snow Plow’s Lifespan in Half – & How to Avoid Them
Commercial snow removal is challenging work that relies on high-performing equipment. Operators need top-tier plow attachments, such as hydraulic wing plows and snow pusher plows, that can take constant impact, abrasion, and hydraulic stress throughout the season.
However, even the best commercial snow plows can fail early if they’re not used or maintained correctly. Avoiding these common mistakes can dramatically extend equipment life and reduce downtime for your snow removal business.
10 Mistakes That Reduce Snow Plow Lifespan
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Failing to check cutting edges on plow blades daily leads to worn steel scraping into moldboards and causing structural damage.
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Operating with plow wing angles thrown out of alignment results in uneven component wear and can cause premature hinge and pivot failures.
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Overloading snow pusher plows – especially with wet or icy snow – places excess strain on the frame and side plates, increasing stress fractures and bending.
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Operating your hydraulic wing plow at excessive speed accelerates edge wear and drastically increases impact damage to hydraulic wings.
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Using improper cutting edge materials, such as steel edges in sensitive areas or poly edges on heavy ice, can cause unnecessary wear and reduced pushing efficiency.
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Neglecting to change hydraulic fluid and filters leads to cylinder scoring, slow wing response, and pump failure in hydraulic wing plows.
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Operating with loose hardware on snow pushers or hydraulic wing plows can result in uneven scraping and damage to the mounting frame.
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Skipping routine pre-season and mid-season service decreases snow plow lifespan and increases the risk of unexpected mid-storm breakdowns.
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Storing snow plows outdoors without proper protection exposes them to moisture and freeze-thaw cycles that cause corrosion, damage seals, and weaken structural welds.
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Using the wrong equipment for the job, such as a snow pusher plow on narrow roads or a hydraulic wing plow in high-impact loading zones, will result in excessive wear and costly repairs.
Why – & When – Should You Replace Snow Plow Blades?
Cutting edges on hydraulic wing plows and snow pusher plows are designed to protect the moldboard, but they aren't designed to last forever. Running edges past their wear indicators exposes the moldboard to direct pavement contact, causes uneven scraping, and increases the risk of equipment damage.
You should consider replacing cutting edges when:
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The edge has worn to within half an inch of the wear line.
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The wings on your hydraulic wing plow scrape unevenly or leave inconsistent patterns.
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Steel edges become cupped or rounded, or rubber edges begin to chunk or split.
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Your plow has started to leave visible snow trails, even on smooth pavement.
The Replacement Cycle for Commercial Snow Plow Blades
It's generally recommended to replace the cutting edges on commercial snow plows after every 50 to 120 hours in operation. Factors that can influence the replacement cycle include:
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Pavement type
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Typical snow type
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Type of edges used
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Operator habits
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Frequency of high-speed or high-impact plowing
Common Signs of Plow Wear & Tear to Look For
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Snow trails left behind by uneven cutting-edge wear, loose hardware, or worn wing edges.
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More passes required to achieve the same results, often caused by edge wear or alignment problems.
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Sloped or uneven scraping, which indicates wing misalignment or pivot issues on hydraulic wing plows.
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Vibration or skipping during plow operation; a sign that the cutting edge is worn to the point it can no longer maintain ground contact.
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The moldboard is scraping pavement, which means you're dangerously overdue for edge replacement.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Snow Plow?
It's worth investing in repairs for your commercial snow plow if:
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The cutting edges of your plow are worn down but moldboards are still intact.
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There are minor leaks in hydraulic hoses or cylinders on the snow plow.
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Shoes, pins, or plow hardware are loose or worn.
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Snow plow frames or wings have small cracks.
You should replace your snow pusher plow or hydraulic wing plow if:
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The moldboard on your hydraulic wing plow is severely gouged or warped.
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Structural welds on your snow pusher plow are cracked through.
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Plow hydraulics show cylinder scoring or chronic pressure issues.
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The plow repeatedly leaves snow behind despite new edges and alignment.
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Your snow plow's frame or wing components have bent beyond safe repair.
Do You Need New Snow Plows for Your Fleet?
If the time has come to replace your snow plow attachments, make sure to work with a trusted vendor who is committed to supplying high-quality parts. Connect with Storm Equipment today if you're interested in purchasing hydraulic wing plow or snow pusher plow attachments for your commercial snow removal fleet.
