Comparing Plow Blade Wear and Tolerances on NHDOT Trucks and Roads

Different plow blades wear at different rates. There are varied technologies and systems being promoted at a range of pricing. Plow blades that are changed less frequently and wear longer enable staff to focus more on plowing saving time and the associated labor costs. A more expensive, lighter plow blade can also result in fewer injuries to highway maintainers and NHDOT personnel and potentially fewer workers comp claims. The goal of this research is to determine which blades are the most cost effective and to share this research data with national organizations collecting similar data from other states. The research consists of sampling 3 to 5 different types of plow blades on trucks with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) installed to accurately measure the miles plowed and to record plowing speeds. Research results are dependent on snowstorm weather so trucks with the blades can be used in real time and authentic conditions. A tally of related injuries during the use of these blades would be factored into the total cost with comparison to heavier plow blades.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $50,000
• Contract Numbers:

  42372O

• Sponsor Organizations:

  New Hampshire Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Research
  Box 483, 5 Hazen Drive
  Concord, NH  United States  03302-0483
• Managing Organizations:

  New Hampshire Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Research
  Box 483, 5 Hazen Drive
  Concord, NH  United States  03302-0483
• Project Managers:

  Nash, Deirdre

• Performing Organizations:

  New Hampshire Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Research
  Box 483, 5 Hazen Drive
  Concord, NH  United States  03302-0483
• Principal Investigators:

  Gray, David

• Start Date: 20230101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blades (Machinery); Snowplows; Wear
• Geographic Terms: New Hampshire
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01867111
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: New Hampshire Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 42372O
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 13 2022 3:48PM