When you’re enjoying the beautiful weather on a warm, summer day, the first snow fall is the last thing on your mind. But winter will soon return, and along with it will come the white stuff…
Will you be ready? Stay ahead of the seasonal curve…
If you recently installed a snow plow on your truck, performing a pre-season snowplow inspection is a yearly practice that’s recommended. Any needed maintenance work should be done prior to the first winter storm warning.
The people who installed your plow can do the inspection. Many dealers offer a pre-season snowplow inspection for a small fee. However, if you installed it yourself, you will probably do the inspection.
If you’re planning to DIY it, here are some things to remember:
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Change the hydraulic fluid.
- Make sure to wear proper safety gear (safety glasses, gloves, etc.)
- Remove the drain plug. The drain plug is accessible from the bottom of the hydraulic pan on the plow. Remove it and drain the fluid.
- When refilling, add about a quart of BOSS branded hydraulic fluid.
- Attach the plow to the truck and cycle the plow wings several times. This purges the air from the system.
- Then keep the plow attached to the truck, lower the blade, and put the wings back in the V position.
- Top off the fluid to the point where you can just see it in the bottom of the fill elbow.
- Properly dispose of the old hydraulic fluid.
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Grease the vertical pin (on v-plows) and other important wear points.
- Grease any exposed chrome on the lift cylinder rod and on the angle cylinders to protect them from corrosion.
- After greasing is complete, power the lift tower forward until the lift cylinder is completely compressed. This will add an additional layer of corrosion protection.
- Also, if you own a v-plow you will want to grease the coupler spring pins and the vertical hinge bushings.
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Clean, inspect and grease all electrical connections.
In addition to the lift cylinder, it is also important to grease the electrical components. Disconnect all electrical plugs and coat each connection with dielectric grease (lights, valve assembly, pump, pump solenoid and battery). Then install all dust caps and plugs provided.
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Check all nuts and bolts for tightness.
Torque all fasteners according to the torque chart.
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Check the plow cylinders, hoses and pump for leaks.
Keep an eye on your couplers and change them if they are leaking. Couplers are critical to proper plow operation. They are not a place to take the cheap route. If they are rusty, replace them. If they are leaking, don’t watch the drips, replace them. Remember where oil leaks out water can get sucked in.
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Tighten the trip and return springs.
If the seatbelt return is worn, it probably should be replaced.
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Inspect all welds in plow structure and vehicle mount.
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Inspect and re-torque all fasteners on the vehicle mount.
Torque all fasteners according to the torque chart.
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Inspect the lights and properly adjust and align the plow lights.
- Make sure all plow functions work properly.
- Prevent suspension sag.
Your front and rear suspensions must have adequate helpers to prevent sag, sway and broken springs.
If you need help with your suspension problems, check out the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System.
