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Equipment plays a vital role in the effectiveness of winter operations. Maintenance staff should know how to operate the various pieces of equipment for winter operations. This section briefly describes the most key equipment used in winter operations however, this section does not include all equipment in the UDOT fleet.
PLOW TYPE, DIMENSIONS, SETUPS, & AREA OF COVERAGE
Table 8.3.1 Plow Coverage Area
First Responder (FRS):A plow truck that has the ability to place solid deicing material as well as liquid material.
Figure 8.3.1 First Responder
All Liquid: A ten wheeler that has been outfitted to apply only liquid deicing agents.
Figure 8.3.2 All Liquid
Figure 8.3.3 Ten Wheeler
Snow Plow: A ten wheeler that has been outfitted with a head plow and can be of various sizes and capacities.
Figure 8.3.4 Tag Axle
Tow Plow Trailer: A deployable trailer that is pulled behind a tandem axle snowplow and is able to swing to one side. A snow plow with a tow plow trailer can cover approximately 22 to 26 feet of pavement width, depending upon the manufacturer. A representation of a tow plow can be seen below, not that the dimensions show may vary. (see Figure 8.3.5).
Figure 8.3.5 Tow Plow Trailer
Figure 8.3.6 Echelon/Tandem Plowing
Snow Cat: Tracked machines used to traverse steep embankments of snow to push, and plow snow and ice.
Figure 8.3.7 Snow Cat
Snow Blowers: Or “Blowers” move deep piles of snow on mountain passes and seasonal roads where large amounts of snow have accumulated (see Figure 8.3.8).
Figure 8.3.8 Blower
Front End Loader: Typically used to load deicing material from a stockpile into the sander bed of a snow plow. The front end loader can also be used to move snow in parking lots as well as help remove snow from barriers, gore areas, and other locations difficult to plow snow.
Grader: Used for a variety of winter operations including clearing areas that are difficult to plow, relocating snow to provide additional access at parking lots or chain up areas. Graders can be outfitted with head plows as well. (see Figure 8.3.9).
Figure 8.3.9 Grader with Head & Wing Plow
Equipment Accessories
Equipment Accessories
Head plow: A plow blade that is mounted to the front of a snow plow and can be of various sizes and shapes.
Bow Tie: Plow blade made in the shape of bow tie. This plow blade is useful in throwing snow off the roadway and onto an open shoulder. Typically used as a head plow.
Wing Plow: A deployable (raising and lowering) plow blade that is mounted to the side of a snow plow that can provide additional clearing width (see Figure 8.3.11) shows a typical wing plow on a snow plow.
Plow Blades:
Fixed Plow Blade: A plow blade that is made of a single part and acts as a continuous blade.
Articulated Plow Blade: A plow blade that is made of sections that are allowed to move vertically to remove ice and snow.
Plow Lighting Whips: an LED lighting stick mounted onto the edge of a snow plow blade to delineate the end of the plow blade or wing for greater visibility for the plow operator as well as the traveling public. These are generally colored green.
Sander: A V-shape insert that is placed into the bed of a ten wheeler that allows for storage and disbursement of solid deicing materials. Material is dispensed onto a track or conveyor belt and sent to the back of the truck where it is dispensed by means of a spinning auger wheel. The actual shape, size and capacity varies by manufacturer but the sander’s main function spreads deicing material onto a roadway.
Figure 8.3.12 Bow Tie Head Plow & Right and Left Wing Plows
Figure 8.3.10 Bow Tie Head Plow
Figure 8.3.11 Right Wing Plow Blade
Pre-Trip Inspection
Pre-Trip Inspection
Before the start of every snow plow driver’s shift, a pre-trip inspection ensures that the snow plow truck is in good condition and is safe to operate. The plow driver records the results of the pre-trip inspection. The driver should report any unsafe, mechanical, or electrical issues to the station supervisor immediately.
Fixed Anti-Icing Spray Systems
Fixed Anti-Icing Spray Systems
Another useful piece of equipment used in winter operations is a fixed anti-icing spray system. These types of systems involve the installation of spray discs and heads placed directly in the roadway as shown in figure 8.3.13 or mounted on the side of the road. These systems include pavement sensors, a pump house and tanks that hold the deicing agent, various types of valves, connections, and piping that allows the pavement sensors to trigger the application of anti-icing agents onto the pavement.
Figure 8.3.13 Fixed Anti-Icing Spray System
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