Blizzard Wing Damage

[mac]

New This Year 810 Billzard After A Few Good Storms
Both Wings Cracking.
Is this happening to anyone else?

[mac]

Another

[mac]

Last One

[Pelican]

My older 810 did that, it was due to wet snow sticking on the moldboard and getting compressed when angling the wings. The newer plows have heavier gauge material there to prevent it. I welded the cracks on the other plow, but they reappeared.

If I were to do it again, I'd weld the crack first, then grind it smooth. Next I'd put a 4 x 4 x 1/4 patch centered over the crack. Then just smooth the welds a bit with the grinder and paint.

[Lawngodfather]

Can you get us a pic of the back of the entire plow and the pump cover off?

[urethane dino]

I am not going to say a word.
Dino

[Ohiosnow]

Lawngodfather: Can you get us a pic of the back of the entire plow and the pump cover off?

I think it's a old model :p right ;) to rusty to be a NEW model :confused: because this can't be happening again :headwall

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself :greenange

Lawngodfather: It does look old & used so maybe it is a 1 yr.old model ;)

[Lawngodfather]

He said new this year, but the plow looks well used, it very well could be a new plow to him but an older model.

Hey Dino........................:argue

[urethane dino]

Sounds like a new plow bought in the fall, but left over from last season with out the 03-04 up dates. That being said, not impressed that a plow would start cracking with in its first season.
What is the word from blizzard about permanant repairs for this problem. 100 % upgrade to the new design?? Did your dealer who you bought the plow from know it was last years model? Did he tell you that it was left over? Just trying to get a feel for how Blizzard corp handles things like this. Steve is that one of the reason you traded up to the new model? Do you think you will have to up grade again to a 04-05 model? I am not flaming here, for real, as a potential owner, I just want some feed back much like many others here.
Dino

[chtucker]

500+ hours on my 02-03 and I have not had that happen.

People don't take pictures (as much) of their success with the Blizzard.... MUCH MUCH easier to show damage pics. It is kinda hard to take pics of saving 30% time wise....

I see no reason to upgrade, just put my third cutting edge on in less than a year.

Howard

[mac]

Bran New
New Model. (Red Maniflod, Upgraded Pump, Only Two Wing Cyclinders, etc.)

The plow works great, no problems. Just those two cracks have shown up. After +175 Hrs of uses.

We have a call into the dealer.

[KLMlawn]

Not trying to spoil the party, but something just occured to me .... thinking from a manufacturers and dealer point of view ...
What is a reasonable length of time for warranty on a plow, should it be measured in years (probably the easiest way) or hours of actual plowing (nearly impossible to do).
But in fact, the amount of hours would be more of a test than how many years of ownership. Say you have a guy in a southern region who gets little if any snow in a season or a fellow from up north or Canada who averages close to if not over 100" a season.
Who is putting more stress and wear on the unit and who will most likely have a failure or problem quicker?
Just something to think about .....

[REED384]

:) I HAVE BEEN USING MY 810 FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A CRACK AS THIS. I WAS EVEN T BONED IN THE LEFT WING WHILE IT WAS EXTENDED AND ALL IT DID WAS BEND IT ALITTLE AND SNAPED THE CYLENDER MOUNT .NOUTHING A WELDER AND A LITTLE BENDING FROM A LOADER AND GOOD AS NEW . USE IT FOR BACKUP AS INSURANCE BOUGHT ME NEW ONE. SO AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THEY ARE ONE TOUGH BEAST. IWILL PUT PICS UP SOON

[Dockboy]

Rick,

Welcome to the site:D

NO MORE CAPS PLEASE!!!!!!:mad:

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by urethane dino
Sounds like a new plow bought in the fall, but left over from last season with out the 03-04 up dates. That being said, not impressed that a plow would start cracking with in its first season.
What is the word from blizzard about permanant repairs for this problem. 100 % upgrade to the new design?? Did your dealer who you bought the plow from know it was last years model? Did he tell you that it was left over? Just trying to get a feel for how Blizzard corp handles things like this. Steve is that one of the reason you traded up to the new model? Do you think you will have to up grade again to a 04-05 model? I am not flaming here, for real, as a potential owner, I just want some feed back much like many others here.
Dino So do you tell anyone when you sell them a 2 year old U edge? One not up to date......

Hey my older uedge is wearing weird, I want a new one. BTW it has 175 hours on it and not much left, what's the word will you replace it? What's the U egde MFG saying about that? Is there a difference from Blizzard plows and the failing u edges?

BTW I got about 60 hours on mine and just loosing the stickers.

Would you chance or sacrfice a little more maint time for a 30-50% savings in plow time. I know I will

[John DiMartino]

I got about 90 hrs on mine now,Im losing the stickers too,AND I got a nice scratch in the left wing where I kissed a pintle hook with it:D .Scratches add character;) .

[BWhite]

Just a thought , that plow has the new updates and has an old problem . Do you think the wings were leftovers they wanted to use up ? I would try to confirm if those are old wings and if they are demand the revised ones. You bought the latest plow. One thing I have noticed about Blizzards .....They start to look old real quick . They lose that new shine . I saw it again on JDplower new Blizzard he bought a few months ago

[urethane dino]

"So do you tell anyone when you sell them a 2 year old U edge? One not up to date......

Hey my older uedge is wearing weird, I want a new one. BTW it has 175 hours on it and not much left, what's the word will you replace it? What's the U egde MFG saying about that? Is there a difference from Blizzard plows and the failing u edges?

BTW I got about 60 hours on mine and just loosing the stickers.

Would you chance or sacrfice a little more maint time for a 30-50% savings in plow time. I know I will"

I will adress your issues in order.
Yes I do, my customers definatley are told when the edge was made, if it is a left over, old stock, what type of edge it is. In fact old edges are usually discounted, and that makes the difference in some peoples minds.
If the edge is 1 year or newer we will make good 100 % on any of the issues you bring up in the second paragraph. If the edge is more than a year old we look at it on a case by case basis.
If I owned a bizzard and the stickers were falling off, it wouldnt bother me, as long as it still works.
As for the 30-50% savings, that is another matter. I dont look at the issues of springs breaking or wings cracking, or entire plows and truck frames being tweaked as maint. issues. Except for the last one, they are all design issues. When it comes to plows reliabilty wins over productivity.
I dont see the benifit of shaving 2 hrs of my route in plowing time, if I need to perform 2hr of repair work and possible down time. Now I am not saying that this would happen with a blizzard, but the ossibility is there, plus the nearest dealer is over 2 hrs away. Now we have said time and time again that dealer service and ability to get parts and reapirs done is more important than what type of plow.
I also think that questions I raised would be important to understand and have answers too. How dealers and manufactures respond to issues is of utmost interest to any potential and current owners. Your comparing u edges to blizzard plows is a tad off base anyway. Its like apples and oranges. To compare a 4500.00 plow against a 300.00 edge really skews things. For one I would expect more from a 4500.00 plow than an edge. Alot more engineering and design is put into the plow, and it is a much lager investment. That all being said, a 300.00 edge is alot easier to handle from a warranty standpoint, because its value is alot lower. But isnt it nice to know that dealers and manufactures of quality products are willing to back up there product.
Now I think blizzard is a quality company, lets see how they handle these problems.
Dino

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by urethane dino
Your comparing u edges to blizzard plows is a tad off base anyway. Its like apples and oranges. To compare a 4500.00 plow against a 300.00 edge really skews things. For one I would expect more from a 4500.00 plow than an edge. Alot more engineering and design is put into the plow, and it is a much lager investment. That all being said, a 300.00 edge is alot easier to handle from a warranty standpoint, because its value is alot lower. But isnt it nice to know that dealers and manufactures of quality products are willing to back up there product.
Now I think blizzard is a quality company, lets see how they handle these problems.
Dino First off, we are not compairing the 2, U edge was used as an example due to, "you sell them" which brings up many of the point you keep asking about. Someone gets a U edge and the dealer is hours away, same point to doing warrenty repair or replacment themselves instead of driving hours to the dealer.

BTW I don't see you jumping in on most of the other plow problems with the "other" brands.

You have concerns about the Blizzard cause you wants one. That's all fine and dandy, but nothing is perfect, and yes dealer supoort is great, but will this guy alert his dealer about the problem? The MFG or dealers don't know of problems unless you inform them.

I have been on these boards for a long time, and many many times I have read people ave issues with equipment, yet they spend the time to right it here, and neglect to inform anyone else. Mosr imprtantlly the people who shoukd know about the problems to get them fixed.

Promlems will arise on any piece of equipment, we are not out there using these with the people repoting on them, and hope they have not smacked it against a curb a few time and forget t tell us that part, so we count on truthfull experiances like Pelican has tried to provide.

Look at Chuck Smiths thread about cracks and creases on the Western larger V plow. Like you said about a tweaked truck frame, the driver abused the plow and truck, would it happen with another brand or would the plow colaps? Were we there to experiance this while it happened.

I have seen similar problems with smaller plows, and much larger ones DOT's use. I am not saying anything about this guys in paticular, or singling anyone out, but plowing habbits have much to do on how a plow hold up.

And I have caught a few sew lit covers that shook the hell out of the truck, moved a concrete storm drain cover caught ice and slid the truck sideways, and ZERO damage to anything except my pride at the time. Oh, done the same thing with other brandes of plows and they took it the same way............

Now if you bought a air compressor and crushed the plug end, would you take it back or fix it yourself?

[urethane dino]

My issues with other plow brands are well documented. I have gone toe to toe with fisher reps in person and over at plow site. Many also know of my disdane for all things Meyer related. In fact discussing meyer plows is how I met Chuck Smith many years ago. The meyer v plow was a disaster along with their pumps.
Most of my customers have steel edges around for back ups, however u edge failures if you will usually comprise of edges breaking on the corners, and while being a nuisance it wont take the plow out of service.
I also realize that the blizzard problems discussed recently didnt take the plows out of service, but the cracking wings could be the beginning of a more serious issue. Mac also mentioned that he has contacted the dealer.
The compressor analogy doent make sense to me, but here goes if I crushed the plug end that would be my fault, and I would fix it myself. If I unboxed the unit and found the end crushed, I would return the compressor and get a new one, as I would be concerned with other damage. What that has to do with snowplowing is beyond me. Apples and oranges again.
In this vein let me ask you this. If your truck wears the front brake pads out at 2000 miles do you fix it yourself, new pads do not cost much. Or have the dealer look at it, as it may be a symtom of a larger issue, like a hanging caliper, or improper brake bias.
People are different, some are extremely picky, and others let alot of things go. I may be more picky than some when it comes to what I expect from a product. When blizzard was first released we all had concerns of too many moving parts, before I drop 5 K on a plow I want to be rest asured that these concerns have not only been adressed but resolved.

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by urethane dino
If your truck wears the front brake pads out at 2000 miles do you fix it yourself, new pads do not cost much. Or have the dealer look at it, as it may be a symtom of a larger issue, like a hanging caliper, or improper brake bias. Yes, if I have the time or want to, but I am also a mechanic. I can also diagnose a problem myself, or be the wise one to ask for advice from someone else.

Just as you keep pointing out, I am giving you my opinion.

Hey these debates can be fun eh?:argue

The thing is, Blizzard plows are in the spotlight. They get a lot of attension on here.

[BWhite]

Dino, has HAMMERED Fishers V plow . He has been no nonsense with all manufacturers . I guess you were not around

[Lazer Man]

Alright Dino thats enough. I've had enough of this apples and oranges stuff you trying to insinuate I or others on this board don't eat healthy, how about saying Doritos and Pringles now doesn't that sound a heck of alot better. ROTFLMAO. Dino some of what you say does make sense and I've seen or better yet read of some of your well lets just say discussions on that other board and this one on other brands, but sometimes it seems you are looking for reasons to find faults with Blizzards but that alright, I still enjoy reading and learing stuff on this forum. What I can't believe is some guys actually like Meyers, go figure ! !

Bob :grinz :grinz :grinz :burnout

BTW I'll always take Doritos over Pringles LOL

[Waterchikn]

This issue could go on forever..and almost has. Doesn't matter which product, most problems with equipment boil down to the most common problem..a loose nut behind the wheel. I don't have any apples or oranges, but I do have a meyer plow, do I like it? Sure, its done a fine job for the last 3 years. Has it been welded on and repaired at 4 in the morning?..of course it has. I am easy on my equipment and take some pride in what I am accoplishing by plowing snow for the safety of others.

New designs are going to have issues. Bottom line. How anyyone got to comparing a plow edge to a plow I will never know. It seems the pro's and con's of each piece of equipment have been outlined very well here. Saying that, if you are used to urethane edges and have good dealer support for them..use them. If you don't ..don't use them. sheeeesh. If you like the Blizzard plow and have dealer support, buy one, if you don't, then get something different. I don't even see room for debate in that aspect! I feel we are fortunate to have something like this forum to educate us rather than learning real world. Its alot cheaper that way. Appreciate everyone's input and eveyone will be appreciated. Wow am I rambling..lol Now I have this strange craving for doritos.
:)

[Pelican]

lol Now I have this strange craving for doritos.
Doesn't happen to be a haze in the air there, eh Chikn?

[Waterchikn]

HA..no haze here. I am a law abiding citizen. Just something about doritos in this thread got me thinking about them.

THAT was funny....:D

[diginahole]

So what's the word Mac? Is Blizzard and/or DLS going to make you happy?

[mac]

Blizzard sent two new wings down and new decals for the whole plow.

They are installing them torm.

[Adams Plowing]

thats good to hear that their standing behing their product and changing out the wings.

[John DiMartino]

Mac,excellent news! Im glad to see that Blizard isnt giving you the run around,as far as terming your use as "abuse". If you can try to see if the wings they sent you are any beefier then the ones on the plow.I seen where they are cracking and im not overly concerned myself.it looks to be an easy fix if it happens out of warranty.

[diginahole]

That is great news Mac. I'm happy but not surprised to hear it.

[bossplower]

Mac, That's great that they are going to fix it.
Now you need to buy a u-edge from Dino. lol
Steve

[urethane dino]

Mac
WHo is installing the new wings??? If you are I hope blizzard is going to compensate accordingly.
Dino

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by urethane dino
Mac
WHo is installing the new wings??? If you are I hope blizzard is going to compensate accordingly.
Dino Just to bring this in the spectrum you are thinking.........

I buy a U edge from you, then you have to replace it cause it failed, do I get compensated for the time installing the replacement? Don't matter who installs it.

BTW I do a lot of warrenty repais on my own equipment cause it's FASTER and EASIER on my time schedule than taking a trip to dealer who could be 5 min. away for whatever. This way I could do it on my own time table.

[urethane dino]

We have a material only warranty. However blizzard has a parts and labor warranty, so I would expect them to honor that. If Mac decides to replace the wings himself, that is his business, I was just wondering.
You really have to stop comparing 2 different products as if they were equal in value.
Dino

[4evergreenlawns]

I have said this 1,000 times. I DO NOT want a product with a 20 year warranty I want a product that is DEPENDABLE, DURABLE, and designed to do what I buy it to do.

All this back and forth about who is doing the work it way of point. This product failed due to design not driver error. NO down time should be expected with a new lightly used system.

However, when a product fails not as a result of abuse, but instead due to poor design then that is what we should be looking at when we consider down time and who is doing the work.

For example when Pelican replaced trip springs after they failed. IMHO that should have been done by the dealer and in my case I do not have the resouces to do the work myself so I would be depending on the dealer to effect the repairs while be very upset about getting repairs done so soon. Do not get me wrong, if I had the means to do the work I think I would be doing it myself in most cases but not being happy about it would not change.

In this case Dino does have a good point. A parts and labor warranty means just that and the buyer should not have to do any of the work. IMHO there should not be any work to be done at all unless it is driver error.

LGF makes a good point that sometime doing it yourself it faster because we all know how dealer like to do warranty work after the sale.

Comparing a U edge to an entire plow system is some what of a strech even if Dino is over the top sometimes on his Bilzzard views.

[Lawngodfather]

Only using them cause he sells them, if he sold lug nuts I would us them too. Every time it's brought up he finds a way out. He don't get the examples.

[diginahole]

Originally posted by mac
Blizzard sent two new wings down and new decals for the whole plow.

They are installing them torm.

I take that as the dealer is installing them (they are as opposed to I am). Other than the typo it seems like pretty clear english to me. 'Tomr.' is a common abbreveation for tomorrow.

[Alan]

This thread has managed to come pretty close to several violations of the forum rules.

It is written in the script according to S-C.com that thou shalt not run off at the mouth about a product unless you have first hand experience with it. Speculation about a product should be noted as exactly that!

It is also written, or at the least strongly hinted at, that it is not proper to bait people just to fire them up.

If you want to get all hissy, take it private! I haven't talked to the other moderators about how they feel on the issue but I'm about ready to start cutting out some of the BS.

:soapbox

[Lawngodfather]

That would mean close to 50% of the discussions would end due to they are all speculation.

Just because some don't actually own something doesn't mean they don't have first hand knowlage about it.

But there is a flip side, some who don't have 1st hand knowladge seem to just in and slam something they have only seen pictures of.

You just can't win them all.

[urethane dino]

LGF
You couldnt be more wrong, while I do not have the intricate knowledge of a blizzard plow that say Jerre or even Steve has, since I am working with MPT on designing a u edge system for the plows, I have been all over the bottom of the plow. I have all the edge measurements in hand. However I have never plowed with one. Someone doesnt have to own a plow or product to have first hand knowledge. As for my customer service, I guess you would need to be one of my customers to have any idea what it is like.
Upon rereading Macs last post, I agree it sounds like the dealer was replacing the wings. FWIW there is a thread over at PS about the retracting springs breaking on an 8611. Seems that it may be a fairly common issue.
All I wanted was an update regarding how blizzard was handling the matter, it was not meant to start another me vs blizzard war again.
Dino

[Lawngodfather]

Wasn't talking about you

[REED384]

i feel that maybe certain people need to take a chill pill . this is suppose to be a place for help constructive advise and genral info . now why would people need to turn this into a war zone ?
i used to go to ******** but on advise of jerre i came here as i thought it would be more professional . maybe i was wrong .
thats my two cents.

[mac]

Just to make it clear.

1.Blizzard sent two new wings.
2. Blizzard said nothing about the damage, just sent the parts.
3. The wings were install by the dealer.
4. The wings were sent down ASAP here in 4 days, which is great because of the border.
5. Have nothing bad to say about Blizzard. Was even impressed about the quickness of the warranty service.

[Pelican]

Thank you mac.

With that being said, this thread is closed to avoid further bickering.