Help me decide.....quick!!!

[Got Snow?]

i'm passing papers tomorrow on a 04 f250 4x4 reg cab 5.4 3.73ls auto and am considering an 810 for it.

a couple of questions:
enough truck for the plow? too much weight for the front end?

i do all residentenital driveways as of present. do you think i'll see the same productivity increase as you would in a larger area?

how does the 810 back drag?

what can i expect in regards to reliability and durability of the 810?(compared to fisher 8')

will i need any auxilary help in the front springs?

is a 100 amp alternater enough?

which control do you use? (joystick or other)

Thanks for your feedback!

Ken

[cat320]

I would put a set of timbens in front and I would make sure you go that place in NH that does them for $3900

[Pelican]

Ken, I service about 100 residential drives on my route. Prior to my purchase of the Blizzard 810, the route took 12 to 14 hours on a typical 4 to 6" storm. I've cut that down to 8 hours with the 810. The wider blade, plus the canted forward wing has reduced the number of passes required almost in half. There 's no spillage off the leading edge and you need just a 6" overlap in passes, not 1/3 blade like a straight blade.

The 810 is set up so most of the weight rides on the edge, so back dragging works great! I'm making 3 passes backdragging instead of 4 in front of a 2 car garage. You'll probably want to install additional return springs in the wings so they will carry a bigger load backdragging.

I put Timbrens on my F-350, you can either do this or replace your front springs with "X" code springs to carry the load. The front axle on the F-250 is the same as the one on the F-350, so carrying the plow is no problem.

I've had zero problems with my second 810, the first I had some maintenance issues which have been addressed with the updated design. You can not match the production of the 810 for overall plowing with any other light truck plow.

You'll be running at the limit with the 100 amp alternator. I'd opt for the duals or install a larger aftermarket one.

I've got the joystick control and I love it. I've read on the board here where others either have or have tried the touchpad and are not happy with it. The detents in the pad are not significant enough to operate it without looking at it. With the joystick, you can keep your eyes on your work.

Good luck!

[Got Snow?]

thanks a million pelican. i'm that much closer to doing it. also, how can i check for the "x" springs on the new truck and is the second alt already wired in with out it? (passing papers tomorrow)
we need to talk about you 100 drives!!!

cat320- i already have the last 810 on hold up there. $4050 cash and carry

[Pelican]

I think the x springs will have to be installed after purchase. They are the springs found on the 550, but will bolt on the 250.

I'm not sure if the harness for the second alternator is there, and on second thought, I'm not sure it's available with the gas engine. It was an option on the 7.3 diesel, I'm not sure again if the 6.0 has it available or not. Non the less, there are aftermarket alternators you can put on that are high output.

[urethane dino]

Near as I can tell the days of the 3995.00 blizzard 810 are gone from that dealership. My 810 is bwing installed Wed up there for 4599.00 The salesman said it is the last one. WHo knows, but the price is better than others I have gotton locally.
Dino

[Joey D]

Got Snow, I just paid 3900 cash and carry from Pro Image in Manchester NH 603 644 8480. I also got a U edge and they bought back my steel edge. I am going there today and can check the inventory if you like.

[cbsuperduty]

If you are buying a new SuperDuty you can verify by seeing if it has the Snow Plow Prep Package (only package to include X Springs on 3/4 & 1 ton trucks). This will include X Springs. Yes they are standard F550 springs as well. You can purchase these afterward if the truck you want doesn't have them. For some reason $180.00 per spring stands out in my mind. You may also consider adding a leaf or set of Timbrens (never used them so don't ask me about them). If you have any more SuperDuty questions feel free to ask me.

CB

[John DiMartino]

Ken,go for the 810.I love mine. You have enough truck,you should run some ballast in the bed though ,600-1000lbs would be ideal.But anything is better than nothing.Since your running only the light 5.4 engine and a reg cab truck,you might not need quite the x springs,they maybe too much,and make the truck sit nose high. If you know someone whio went to x springs who has an excab or crew cab diesel.they woud likely be plenty,and theyd be cheap too.Sone guys have added a leaf to the existing pack with good luck.Id just try it stock first with the ballast,with the light engine it may be good enough stock.The timbrens work good too,probably the easiest and cheapest way to go,but expect the ride empty to be pretty firm.

[slplow]

Hay ken, Call portmouth ford in NH . that's where I got mine. If you want to take a close up first at the blizzard, you can stop by my house. What ford dealer are you buying from?

[Got Snow?]

Scott,
I'd love to have a look at your set-up. I pick my truck up at Framingham Ford at 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday) Any chance you'll be around?

As far as the front springs are concerned:

The snow plow prep package contains 6000# springs ( x code as cbsuperduty said) and yes john it already sits high in the front with no plow.

John and Scott: what percentage of plowing do driveways/residential represent for each of you?

can't wait til 2pm!!!!!!!

[slplow]

Ken, I might be home. I will be plowing 40 drives.

[John DiMartino]

I do 95% commercial,but the 810 works as well in drives as in big lots. It allows you to push the snow further off thr driveway without sinking the tires of the truck in the lawn.And combined with my wing plow most of my drives are one push in maybe one forward reverse by the house and back out and go to the next one.

[wyldman]

Go take a close up look at the Blizzard.I'd be highly susprised if you buy anything else afterwards. :D

[mikelawtown]

portsmouth ford had about 30 blizzards in the back lot and 20 fishers today . I drove there to look at the new mustang GT. I know they wont go anywhere in a storm:burnout

[Got Snow?]

:D

[JD PLOWER]

Good man :cool:

[wyldman]

Nice Ballast ! :D

[BWhite]

congrats . I like to see the install !

[John DiMartino]

Congratulations! :D .

[BWhite]

It's like Christmas with all the new equipment etc being bought .....Business is good :D

[BWhite]

I would like to see Blizzard make a stainless version 810 :D

[Got Snow?]

Originally posted by BWhite
I would like to see Blizzard make a stainless version 810 :D

how about a poly version

[slplow]

Now there are two silver truck's around with blizzards .:D :D Where did you get your 810 ?

[Crimedog]

I hope that you cut off the wrapping to use as a shop banner!

Congrats on the new plow!!!

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by Got Snow?
:D That's how mine came