Snowbear Snowplows for Rangers/BII's???

[CraigK]

Not sure this is the right forum.

Looking at low cost snowplows for my '87 BII. This would be a personal use application only, not commercial. I live in MD, and the new house has about a 200 yard driveway until where the neighbor plows with a serious machine.

Has anyone got any firsthand experience or knowledge of the Snowbear brand snowplows that fit BII's and Rangers? They are reasonably priced at $1600 for the entire kit, and look small enough (13230-61100 - 82" model) for my BII. Functional? Any insight appreciated. Winter approaches.

CraigK

 

[Defective]

I've used one on an older 81 f150 a lot over the past few years. It's worked well for what it is, but you have to be careful with them, they are a little weak. This will be the last year I use this one I think. It's getting bent on the outside 1/3's of the blade from where somebody else was hitting the snowbank to hard and got it started bending. The angling mechanism is also getting bent up and doesn't work proper anymore. It keeps coming out of the channel that holds it in place and allows the plow to dangle around. I just wrap a tow chain around it a bunch of times and leave it in the straight position now. That's another thing, they are manual angle. Not a huge deal, but power angle has added benefits, like the ability to get you unstuck in some situations. A lot of plowing and manual angle do not go together well.

Personally, I would never purchase one of these new. I might consider purchasing a used one if the price was right though. I'd rather spend that kind of money on an older used electric/hydro setup. You're probably going to want to angle the plow for 200' of driveway, so consider that when purchasing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Of course everybody's driveway is different, but I wouldn't have a blade I couldn't angle.

I throw it one way for two passes, then spin it around and push backwards for awhile, then I clean it up and throw the opposite way I did the first time. Mine is on the back of a tractor though.

 

[CraigK]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have been looking for a used snowplow for some time, but I'm not finding anything in my area that is smaller or that fits a Ranger/BII. Even used (Meyer/Fisher etc.) plows to fit F150's are more expensive used than the Snowbear unit new.

I wouldn't mind the manual angle (perhaps one might be able to rig up something electric/hydraulic?), but the weakness you mention seems problematic.

I tried to find an image of the angling setup/example of the Snowbear plows. It's very odd that even on the Snowbear website, the images of the plows mounted on trucks are actually fake, with the plows "Photoshopped" (very poorly) onto the the images of trucks!

CraigK

 

[Captain Ledd]

I tried to find an image of the angling setup/example of the Snowbear plows. It's very odd that even on the Snowbear website, the images of the plows mounted on trucks are actually fake, with the plows "Photoshopped" (very poorly) onto the the images of trucks!

CraigK

I was curious about how badly they were chopped and HOLY COW! You really can't mount a few on some trucks even temporarily for a photo shoot? Not having done much research or even any plowing experience, but just from these pics I'd say to remain a bit more patient and find something better.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was curious about how badly they were chopped and HOLY COW! You really can't mount a few on some trucks even temporarily for a photo shoot?

They can't even get a pic of a truck in snow.

 

[SnowBearLTD]

Not sure this is the right forum.

Looking at low cost snowplows for my '87 BII. This would be a personal use application only, not commercial. I live in MD, and the new house has about a 200 yard driveway until where the neighbor plows with a serious machine.

Has anyone got any firsthand experience or knowledge of the Snowbear brand snowplows that fit BII's and Rangers? They are reasonably priced at $1600 for the entire kit, and look small enough (13230-61100 - 82" model) for my BII. Functional? Any insight appreciated. Winter approaches.

CraigK

The SnowBear Snowplow system is a perfect alternative to a hydraulic snowplow. Hydraulic snowplows are usually in the $3000-$6000 price range and are meant for more commercial applications, the hydraulic plows are typically 50% heavier than an 82" SnowBear plow which makes it very difficult for a small truck to gain traction during use because the front end dives when the plow is raised.

The SnowBear plow is very easy to assemble and easy to operate. The SnowBear plow being light weight makes it easier to maneuver with a small vehicle and also easier to mount/dismount from the vehicle. See below for Ranger/B-series fit.

As for the images, we realise that our website is lacking proper images.. We are striving to improve this. It's trying to get the weather to co-operate when getting ready to do a photoshoot. Here is our most recent image of the 82" SnowBear Snowplow on my particular vehicle.

The SnowBear Snowplow will fit the following:

Ford Ranger

1983-2011 - 2wd and 4x4


Mazda B-series

1986-1993 - 4x4
1994-1997 - 2wd and 4x4

*Note: Some applications may require the removal of the bumper skirt

I hope I've answered some of your questions..


SnowBear LTD.
Trailers, Snowplows and ATV plows
Proudly made in Canada

 

[alexpmcmurphy]

i dont know about their plows but its cool that they would join up just to answer some questions

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i dont know about their plows but its cool that they would join up just to answer some questions

+1, very cool.

 

[Captain Ledd]

i dont know about their plows but its cool that they would join up just to answer some questions

And not only that, but quickly too. I'm thinking I underestimated them. It shows they really care about their product and reputation.

I gotta ask though, how new is this company? I'm just still scratching my head at these pictures. They're in Canada, but can't get a day with snow? Seriously guys, those things are killing you. Get some real pics up ASASP. Even pictures without snow to show the mounting/function or at least something.

 

[colby450xc]

The SnowBear Snowplow system is a perfect alternative to a hydraulic snowplow. Hydraulic snowplows are usually in the $3000-$6000 price range and are meant for more commercial applications, the hydraulic plows are typically 50% heavier than an 82" SnowBear plow which makes it very difficult for a small truck to gain traction during use because the front end dives when the plow is raised.

The SnowBear plow is very easy to assemble and easy to operate. The SnowBear plow being light weight makes it easier to maneuver with a small vehicle and also easier to mount/dismount from the vehicle. See below for Ranger/B-series fit.

As for the images, we realise that our website is lacking proper images.. We are striving to improve this. It's trying to get the weather to co-operate when getting ready to do a photoshoot. Here is our most recent image of the 82" SnowBear Snowplow on my particular vehicle.

The SnowBear Snowplow will fit the following:

Ford Ranger

1983-2011 - 2wd and 4x4


Mazda B-series

1986-1993 - 4x4
1994-1997 - 2wd and 4x4

*Note: Some applications may require the removal of the bumper skirt

I hope I've answered some of your questions..


SnowBear LTD.
Trailers, Snowplows and ATV plows
Proudly made in Canada

Ship me a plow and I will mount it, and show pictures of it being used......Free of charge!

 

[CraigK]

SnowBearLTD Guy

1. Thank you for your for your rapid response.
2. It's OK to use your name.
3. Woud it possible to post a few top view pix of the plow with the attachment mechanism? Especially of the plow in the three different angle positions? (Images don't need to be fancy.) I've never plowed or purchased a plow before, but seeing the angling capability is likely a go/no go purchase issue for many buyers.
4. Are the plows actually made in Guelph? (just curious)
5. How long has SnowBear been offering these plows?

Forum: Although Canada has lots of snow, it's not a year round thing. Especially in Guelph, Ontario. (Mom lives there and I visit every summer.)

CraigK

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Forum: Although Canada has lots of snow, it's not a year round thing. Especially in Guelph, Ontario. (Mom lives there and I visit every summer.)

CraigK

We don't get snow year-round in Iowa either, but I have a bunch of pics of my blade on my tractor in varying amounts of snow.

 

[alexpmcmurphy]

dont know when it happened but when you click on Personal Snowplows from their website this is the first thing i see

http://www.snowbear.com/images/stories/contents/snowplowmainpage.jpg


nice

 

[SnowBearLTD]

SnowBearLTD Guy

1. Thank you for your for your rapid response.
2. It's OK to use your name.
3. Woud it possible to post a few top view pix of the plow with the attachment mechanism? Especially of the plow in the three different angle positions? (Images don't need to be fancy.) I've never plowed or purchased a plow before, but seeing the angling capability is likely a go/no go purchase issue for many buyers.
4. Are the plows actually made in Guelph? (just curious)
5. How long has SnowBear been offering these plows?

Forum: Although Canada has lots of snow, it's not a year round thing. Especially in Guelph, Ontario. (Mom lives there and I visit every summer.)

CraigK

Yes, the plows are actually made in Guelph Ontario. SnowBear has been manufacturing Snowplows for almost 20 years. We stand behind our product and are always open to feedback from our customers.

Here you can watch our plow being assembled
http://youtu.be/gKG1Nn2Mttg

Here you can watch one of our customers showing how the plow is angled
http://youtu.be/ig5TAihg8js

Here you can see what SnowBear is all about
http://youtu.be/Ll_q1HVsYWg

My name is Brad and I am the Product Development Specialist

Happy Plowing!