A real Russian winter with large snowdrifts and frost is a familiar thing for both the townspeople and the villagers. The only difference is that in large settlements snow removal is carried out by city utilities, and in the outbacks it is often necessary to limit oneself. With the help of a shovel, you can clear the yard territory, but the road is unlikely. Therefore, sometimes you can not do without a snow blade.
How does the device work?
The principle of operation of the design resembles the impact on snow with a scraper or a large shovel. Pushing the snow mass in front of him, the device throws it to the side. The snow blade is installed on the following types of equipment:
- cars (in particular, off-road vehicles);
- freight transport;
- ATVs
- tractors;
- motoblocks and other equipment.
Installing cleaning equipment on light modes of transport will help to eliminate small deposits of snow - up to 15 cm. Volumetric snowdrifts will require powerful units with a large mass, four-wheel drive and wide tire tread.
Assembly design
In appearance, large equipment consists of simple elements:
- a knife;
- fastenings;
- leverage.
The material used to make the knife is usually 3 to 7 ml thick steel. The shape may 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 movement of the vehicle, there is no risk of the knife lowering below the set limit.
The levers allow for optimal positioning of the structure relative to the vehicle body and the road. The control system of the device can be:
- hydraulic;
- electric;
- manual.
Hydraulic control is provided by the movement of fluid and is connected to the body lifting system.
Electric is represented by electric motors and powerful gearboxes.
Manual snow blade 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 changed conditions.
- Promptly respond to changes in the characteristics of the road will not work.
The type of fastener is determined by the model of equipment on which it is planned to install cleaning equipment. Thus, before buying, you need to know exactly for which auxiliary device a snow blade is purchased.
Kinds
Depending on the type of construction, all cleaning units can be divided into several types:
- One-sided dumps. They can be installed both in front and on the side of the equipment. The smaller the angle of inclination of the knife, the higher the likelihood of raking snow in front of the vehicle, rather than tipping it to the side.
- Double-sided plows. The main purpose is to lay a track, so snow is thrown on both sides of the equipment.
- Unregulated knives. They have limitations in functionality. In one position, they can either rake the snow in front of them in a pile, or clean the road, throwing the snow mass onto the sidelines.
- With mechanical adjustment. Most often found in everyday life. Do-it-yourself snowplows are adjusted using wrenches and other tools.
- Hydraulic construction. The main condition for their work is to connect 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.
For domestic needs, a snow blade with mechanical adjustment is quite suitable. You can do this design with your own hands, having a welding machine and the corresponding 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 on which car the snow blower will be mounted.
The power of special equipment directly depends on the volume of snow drifts. Thus, to clear city roads, squares and adjoining territories, one cannot do without a snow plow for MTZ. Today, the most popular tractor used is Belarus. It was for him that a large number of models of snow blowers were specially developed. It is widely used by public utilities for clearing urban areas.
For personal plots and private houses, a mechanically adjustable snow blower attached to a passenger car is quite suitable. Such a unit is able to cope with clearing the entrance to the garage or rural country road with a small snow cover - up to 15-20 cm.
And for sidewalks from mosaics or paving slabs, the best choice would be a snowplow blade for a walk-behind tractor. In addition to the knife, the design has a brush that provides gentle cleaning of the work surface.
Overview of prices for various models
The cost of snow cleaning equipment depends on the model and method of fastening to the equipment. Thus, a conventional snow blade for a passenger car with mechanical adjustment from different manufacturers ranges from 3,500 to 12,000 rubles.
A device for a walk-behind tractor will cost 5,000–25,000 rubles.
And for special equipment, professional equipment can reach 200,000 rubles.
Design Benefits
The main competitors of plow units are different screw rotor devices and their varieties. Both those and these perform the same function: they get rid of snow on the roads.
Despite this, it is worth noting that snow dumps are best cleared of fresh snow of small depth. If the snow deposits are more than one meter, then the screw models will cope with this task better.
However, if the equipment is professional, and high-power vehicles, it is not difficult to clear city roads with a snow blower.
Russian models of snowplows are in no way inferior to foreign-made models. After all, the working element is a knife that cleans the snow. And to make it better or worse is impossible. The difference lies in the price: for the "foreigner" they will ask for much more than for the "compatriot".