NTEA 2009 Blizzard plows

[Jerre Heyer]

OK So here are some of the Blizzard picts more to follow

[Jerre Heyer]

more picts

[Jerre Heyer]

more blzd picts

[Jerre Heyer]

more picts of blzds

[Jerre Heyer]

latch assemblies

[snowplowjay]

Should be interesting to see how this "new" edition of the Blizzard PP holds up to serious commercial useage in the 09/10 season in the field...

I take it DD incorporated their insta-act system to the Blizzard and that is why the hydraulic package cover is substantially smaller..

[Pickering Snow]

thanks for the pics J looking at the new line up it reminds me of the year i found out there really wasnt a Santa....

[Jerre Heyer]

OK Fred so I posted picts of the plows. How about bribe Krissi to post new picts of Koulton and Ally............................

[BWhite]

I like the lights . Where is the chain ?

[T-Zab]

Originally Posted by BWhite

I like the lights . Where is the chain ?

The chain was used to restrain J from getting to close to critique the new blades any further. However the holes are there on the a-frame (exactly like the wideout) if you feel the need to add them for show.

[BWhite]

Originally Posted by T-Zab

The chain was used to restrain J from getting to close to critique the new blades any further. However the holes are there on the a-frame (exactly like the wideout) if you feel the need to add them for show.

Good Idea . A lifting arm and chain for show .

[jbutch83]

Originally Posted by Pickering Snow

thanks for the pics J looking at the new line up it reminds me of the year i found out there really wasnt a Santa....

Wait, don't tell me there isn't a Santa. Thanks Fred, you just ruined my Christmas.

[Crash935]

Was looking at how it hooks to the truck, looks like it will be using a ultra type mount and will pin up in place of the pockets. Yes, no?

[Prosno]

Well the beefy A-frame is gone and whats up with that crappy little bracket where it pins to the blade?
Ya thats gonna hold up just fine, looks like its a whole lot weaker in my opinion.
Why does a corp like DD always take a mint product and completlt frig it up?
ARRRGGGGG now I have to find another brand plow because I wont be DD guinea pig and you cant tell me that rinki dinki setup will hold up.
Oh well time to start shopping.

[Andy Detwiler]

I wonder if i will still be able to hook it up? That was always a good selling point when someone would be in my shop looking at a plow,"I can do it with my foot in njust a couple seconds"

Andy

[GMC Driver]

Well, I'm a little surprised this thread isn't on it's 3rd page already, considering the changes. I think it might be a reflection of the somewhat stunned reaction.

Can't say I'm all too surprised - it seems like this was inevitable. But it is very very dissapointing. All I can wonder is who is DD turning to for end user input? Where do they get the idea that the Blizzard line needed to be changed? I can only speculate that Western and Fisher's versions weren't posting the sales they had hoped for, and this is one way to narrow the choices. If they feel they needed the lights to come off to be able to increase sales, then they certainly need to review their market research. I can't see anything in those pictures that would lead me to believe that improvements have been made.

I certainly hope someone somewhere sees this as a huge opportunity.

[slplow]

IT looks like it will hold up to me. What I don't like, is that it looks like the lift mech sits lower than one I own and mine bottoms out a lot.

[Jerre Heyer]

Well on the 810's the first thing I mentioned was the increased clearance on the A frame, Followed by the fact that the lift cyl sits lower than the draw latch and the whole cyl is now in the impact zone.

More picts later guys.

J

[hlntoiz]

Originally Posted by GMC Driver

Well, I'm a little surprised this thread isn't on it's 3rd page already, considering the changes. I think it might be a reflection of the somewhat stunned reaction.

Can't say I'm all too surprised - it seems like this was inevitable. But it is very very dissapointing. All I can wonder is who is DD turning to for end user input? Where do they get the idea that the Blizzard line needed to be changed? I can only speculate that Western and Fisher's versions weren't posting the sales they had hoped for, and this is one way to narrow the choices. If they feel they needed the lights to come off to be able to increase sales, then they certainly need to review their market research. I can't see anything in those pictures that would lead me to believe that improvements have been made.

I certainly hope someone somewhere sees this as a huge opportunity.

U pretty much took the words right out of my mouth Dave. Complete change in the latching system to get the lights mounted on the frame . Just stupid if you ask me.

I am really happy I picked up another LP this year. 2 should last me a very long time especially after the new one gets modded. I know the dealer I got mine from has a huge amount there. I can double check. If anyone is interested.

Nothing like screwing up a good thing. I have a feeling the LP will be dissapearing also

[John DiMartino]

I havent said anything,because until someone actually uses it in harsh conditions,we wont know how it holds up.There will always be critcism when a new design is released,especially when they are changing a proven design.I love my old blizzards,but they arent perfect either.I remember everyones comments on the XLS when it was released,but Fred Pickering proved it was a very strong plow,its weekness only its weight,slow lift speed,and needing a set of polar edges.After a full Michican winter it looked better than my 810 after 2 snow storms.
I wish they left it alone,but I will reserve judgement until they have been out a while.The patent has to be up soon on the expanding plow design anyway,they were out in 99,so anyone should be able to make one soon.

[Pickering Snow]

Originally Posted by John DiMartino

I havent said anything,because until someone actually uses it in harsh conditions,we wont know how it holds up.There will always be critcism when a new design is released,especially when they are changing a proven design.I love my old blizzards,but they arent perfect either.I remember everyones comments on the XLS when it was released,but Fred Pickering proved it was a very strong plow,its weekness only its weight,slow lift speed,and needing a set of polar edges.After a full Michican winter it looked better than my 810 after 2 snow storms.
I wish they left it alone,but I will reserve judgement until they have been out a while.The patent has to be up soon on the expanding plow design anyway,they were out in 99,so anyone should be able to make one soon.

John

I agree my comment came more from the respect of the new mounting system taking away the abilty to quick change from the older Blizzards to the new.

I only owned a Ultra mount one season a MVP however i did like the floating system for hooking up it made dumping the plow on the service truck easy when we were not plowing.

Concerns there will always be for new designs , one i can see is the wing cylinder hoses at least in Jerre's pics look like they would be short lived with the trip spring that close maybe its just the pic but it looks mighty close.

The smaller angle cylinders will get the speed back however i have to wonder if changing the lift cylinder if it would shadow the problem of the XLS lifting slow with a full load of snow. I guess will see has people buys these and report on them.

Forgot something , i belive John Murphy told me the new Blizzards get the same powder coat treatment in the Tenn plant this would help on the rust issues. Not sure Jerre would know this if my Speed Wing was pre DD or not but that blade seems to have the better Powder coat blade still looks good after three seasons except were the springs and cables ride the main board still looks good.

[T-Zab]

Originally Posted by John DiMartino

I havent said anything,because until someone actually uses it in harsh conditions,we wont know how it holds up.There will always be critcism when a new design is released,especially when they are changing a proven design.I love my old blizzards,but they arent perfect either.I remember everyones comments on the XLS when it was released,but Fred Pickering proved it was a very strong plow,its weekness only its weight,slow lift speed,and needing a set of polar edges.After a full Michican winter it looked better than my 810 after 2 snow storms.
I wish they left it alone,but I will reserve judgement until they have been out a while.The patent has to be up soon on the expanding plow design anyway,they were out in 99,so anyone should be able to make one soon.

John, as far as I know the new mold board style came out mid season last year. So there were a handfull of these out last season. I wont comment on what I was told, as every thing was second had info to me.

IMHDAO I doubt Blizzard will be around much longer. After chatting with a few dealers, and EX dealer they brought up valid points that tend to lean in the direction that once the hardcore Blizzard expanding plow guys bail the partys over. You will still be able to get one in red or yellow, and the speed wing will end up in red or yellow as well.
I am speculating on this, but the "universal design" of the white one tends to lead me to believe it wil be short lived.
The other fact of Blizzard not offering a V plow, and nothing in the works tells me there not serious about the long haul either.
After all Every serious contender in the market offers a v, except Blizzard. How hard would it be to paint one white, and use a lift cylinder ?

[MCV]

I'd love to hear a technical breakdown of Jerre's opinion. Exactly what's changed, what's good and what's bad....and why.

*edit - I'm leaning towards the same thoughts as T-Zab has just posted above.

[JD PLOWER]

Well having just the photos to go on and what’s been posted so far I would have to agree on what John D has posted. Let’s wait a little while before passing judgment on the plow in its entirety one way or the other. One thing I do like is the two plug system as opposed the one massive plug blizzard has. In the ten plus years I have had MM1 plows the plugs have never corroded even remotely close to what the blizzard plugs have. With the fisher plugs I just apply dielectric grease twice a year and that’s it. Unfortunately my blizzards have needed constant attention due to water infiltration and I have had to replace both a plow and truck side wiring harness from this. Also on really cold days the plug is a giant PITA to deal with since it’s like trying to slam two pieces of ice together. The lights I like. Not saying I need them attached to the plow, but the lights themselves and the light frame seems to be much beefier than what is currently in use by blizzard which I find to be almost useless without modifications.

[specialtylc]

Meyer has come out with a Blizzard copy I seen on their Web.