What are the types of snowplows?
4 Answers
Snowplows can be categorized into pushing type, snow-throwing type, and snow-blowing type based on their working principles. Pushing-type snowplow: This type involves installing snowplow blades or snowplow shares on large vehicles like bulldozers to push snow away, creating a passageway. The piled snow is then transported away by other vehicles. The drawback is that this type can only push snow to the roadside without the ability to collect or throw snow. It is only suitable for fresh snow or broken ice and snow, with low cleaning efficiency, a high risk of scratching the ground, and significant time consumption. Snow-throwing type snowplow: This type first collects the snow and then uses a snow-throwing pump to throw the snow to the roadside or onto transport vehicles. The most common variant is the spiral type. Snow-blowing type snowplow: This type uses an aircraft engine to generate a powerful high-pressure airflow, which is blown out through a nozzle to clear ground snow. Snow-blowing snowplows operate at high speeds with high productivity, but they are very costly. The disadvantage is that they are only suitable for fresh snow and can only be used at airports, bridges, and highways, making them unsuitable for developing small-scale products.
There are quite a few types of snowplows, and I often see various kinds in the community. One is the most common snowplow blade, usually mounted on the front of a truck or tractor, used to push snow to the side. It's simple to operate but tends to miss small corners. Another type is the snow blower, also known as a snow thrower, which uses rotating blades to break up and throw snow, making it highly efficient for handling large volumes of snow—commonly used in ski resorts and parks. The snowblower is a smaller version, available as walk-behind or ride-on models, suitable for homes and small pathways. My neighbor uses one to clear their yard in winter. Then there are salt spreaders—vehicles equipped to spread salt on snow to melt it and prevent roads from icing up, frequently used by highway maintenance crews. Large industrial snowplows, like the city’s big trucks, can clear major roads of snow in one go, working quickly but making a lot of noise. Each type is suited to different snow conditions, and choosing the right one can save a lot of effort. I recommend understanding local needs in advance to avoid wasting money and time.
Snowplows can be categorized based on their intended use. The push-plow type, mounted on the front of a vehicle to directly shove snow aside, is straightforward and rugged but only suitable for open areas. Snow blowers use high-speed rotation to throw snow away, making them effective for deep snow and commonly used on construction sites. Snow throwers are lightweight and easy to operate, with manual or electric models frequently seen in residential areas. Salt spreaders combine snow removal with salt distribution to prevent refreezing, which is quite practical. Urban and rural needs differ—households often opt for compact models for ease of use, while commercial operations prefer large units for quick road clearance. I usually pay attention to such equipment and find their designs ingenious. From a safety perspective, they help reduce winter accidents, and knowing more about them can lead to smarter purchases.
Snow removal vehicles mainly include snow plows, which directly push snow and are suitable for small to medium areas; snow blowers use rotational force to throw snow, making them ideal for heavy snow clearance; snow throwers can be operated manually or mechanically, with lightweight household versions being popular; salt spreaders distribute salt on snowy surfaces to melt snow, commonly used for road maintenance; large specialized trucks efficiently clear streets. Each type has different applications, and matching them to the right scenario is crucial.
