Snow pusher vs snow plow – what is the difference?

Winter is coming along with the duty that many fears – snow removal. If you own a skid steer, such an activity is a piece of cake for you. However, another question arises: what is the best snow removal tool, snow plow, snow pusher or maybe just a bucket? Let us outline the features and advantages of snow removal tools so you can choose the best one for your needs.

What to consider when choosing your snow removal attachment?

The choice of snow removal attachments based on their features depends on a bit more than just your personal preference. The things you need to pay attention to include:

The type of ground you work on

Depending on the type of ground the snow lies on, you will need either an attachment with a rubber edge or a steel edge. Steel edges are relatively cheap and work perfectly with uneven terrain. If the surface is made of asphalt or concrete, the rubber edge will do the best work, as it prevents damage to the ground lying below the snow. Rubber edges are also perfect for gravel and dirt surfaces and in general, are more durable than steel edges. Both, snow pusher attachments and snow plow attachments come with either rubber edges or steel edges.

The snow conditions and the amount of snow to be cleared

Light and dry snow is best removed with the attachment with rubber edges. It can either be a snow plow or a snow pusher. Steel edges work perfectly with hard-packed, wet snow and icy conditions. If you decide to use a bucket attachment for that task, be aware of the risk of overloading the bucket with heavy snow. Your skid stir might then tip forward.

The disposal of cleared snow

If the snow you clear is going to be piled up in one place, you can either use plow attachments, which will ensure great visibility or push attachments, which on the other hand, will guarantee good snow containment. You might also decide to haul the snow away. In such a case, a snow bucket attachment will be your best choice as it can carry the load and dump it in the desired location.

Snow plows

Another popular name for snow plows is angle plows. They are perfect for paved surfaces. The main difference between snow pushers and angle plows is that the latter push snow to one side whilst the skid steer is in movement. A good angle plow can also help with moving snow away from objects, such as entrances. Thanks to their quick and continuous work, angle plows are mostly chosen for urban use as they can clear long stretches of road without interrupting the traffic.

Snow plows features

– The possibility to adjust the angle to the side where the snow will be pushed
– Come in a variety of sizes and with rubber and steel edges
– Consist of more moving parts and have a more complex design. This also means more maintenance is required
– Are suited for wide-open spaces where plowing occurs in multiple directions
– Best used where the snow can be moved to the sides
– Maximum efficiency – the edge is in contact with the surface and snow is being moved almost constantly and without unintended interruptions

Snow pushers

A snow pusher is also referred to as a containment box. They consist of a curved moldboard and a sidewall at the ends. As the name suggests, snow pushers push snow forward. You can choose the size of the pusher based on the amount of snow you need to clear. The size range of this heavy-duty piece of equipment varies between 6 and 30 feet in length and 30 inches and 4 feet in height.

Snow pushers features

– They cannot be used to load or carry snow
– Appropriate for pushing and stacking snow but not moving it off to one side
– Are less demanding of your skid steer
– Have fewer moving parts that can be damaged or malfunction
– Mounted closer to the cab of a skid steer. This causes difficulty in seeing the ends of a push attachment but, on the other hand, improves the overall driver’s visibility
– They come with rubber or steel edges as well as optional back drag or rear pull mounts to clear spots that are harder to reach
– Reduced efficiency – snow pushers are not suited for large, wide-open areas as they cannot angle

Snow buckets

One of the less popular but also useful snow removal attachment is a bucket attachment. While plows move snow to the side, pushers push it forward, a bucket can transport the snow from one place to another. This is also a good solution for those who only own a bucket attachment and would not want to spend extra money on an additional snow pusher or angle plow just to use it over the wintertime.

Snow buckets features

– Are especially used to load snow for transport
– Precision in piling and loading
– Little time efficiency
– Carrying capacity is limited – overfilling the bucket may cause the skid steer to tip
– Come in a variety of sizes but mostly with steel edges

Now that you know your options, we hope you could easily decide which snow removal attachment is best suited to your needs. Thanks to skidsteers.com’s vast choice, you can select a perfect attachment at a reasonable price. Removing snow is no longer an issue!