Plow Truck

[74FirefighterEMT]

Just wanted to get peoples thoughts on the best mini bar or any lights for a plow truck. Nothing overboard ( thats my pov lol) just something functional and not overly expensive.

 

[dmathieu]

I run mine with just a Whelen L31. Works great, and has a lot of options. See my truck in " your installs section", 2007 F250 Plow Truck - L31 beacon.


Dan

 

[aberfitchguy2472]

A lot of people around here have started using the Sound Off Mini Pinnacles. They are fairly inexpensive for a mini bar and they have a ton of light output. PM me if you want a quote on one.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Rotating halogen beacons are the best. They create heat and melt snow, and are very well seen.

 

[philyumpshus]

FedSig HighLighter or Whelen Guardian, both in halogen.

 

[rwo978]

Agreed with John and phily.... stay halogen.


Highlighter, Guardian, or a Responder. As mentioned, stay away from Code 3 unless hardwiring. Their factory cig plugs are junk.

 

[Chasselber1]

Yea, I use C3 420 and the plug gets hot as hell! I was gonna ask about it but decided to just replace the plug...

 

[DLuccia]

I use a amber mag mount whelen mini edge i picked up for 25 bucks years ago on my pov on the truck i plow with for my buddy i have a 8 strobe edge bar

 

[Steve0625]

I've seen more than a few trucks outfitted with amber LAW's just in the rear. They seem to work particularly well for those plow operators who have to do a lot of backing out into the roadway.

 

[rwo978]

You could do LAWS, but personally, I'd still do HAWs.

 

[philyumpshus]

I've seen more than a few trucks outfitted with amber LAW's just in the rear. They seem to work particularly well for those plow operators who have to do a lot of backing out into the roadway.

I thought about doing that on the truck I use for plowing but I only do 3 driveways when it snows, so the cost isn't really justifiable. You could always mount something like a TIR3 on the side of the bumper, too.

 

[74FirefighterEMT]

Thanks for the input guys, I do like the soundoff pinnacle but due to the ice/snow build up issue i think ill go halogen. I like the whelen guardian with high speed rotators alot, anyone selling one??

 

[Cam]

As someone who has spent more then a few hours plowing I will say this; if you are going to he mag mounting this be careful about the bar you get if you do go halogen. Some of those bars will drive you crazy, it is like a meat grinder going on the roof. If you have to go halogen get a belt driven bar with somekind of rubber covered mounting system (or better yet do a BackRack or something). As for LED bars, my company has almost all LED bars on our one ton and under trucks now and have no problems with snow and ice build up. To me it seems that if it are clear when you start, they don't have build up. I would say do the LED bar for sure.

 

[Richard P]

For the backing out of driveways, I did this:

Mounted TIR3s in my reverse lights facing the rear.


I agree with going rotator, Star warning makes some inexpensive bars, extremely durable rotators (ball bearing rotator shafts, shock absorber mounted rotator assembly to reduct vibrating, prolonging bulb life) But my personal favorite is the old turbo beams, 16 square inch reflectors! I think theyre the biggest yet! I run an 8 strobe turbo flash, same 16 square inch reflectors, 8 bright (they do warm up) strobes.

 

[VolEms]

Stick to US made LED's.

 

[Steve0625]

For the backing out of driveways, I did this:

 

[JaBradt85]

22" Turbo Beam.

 

[dmathieu]

I have found no snow/ice build up, even in the worst storms, with the L31 beacon. This was an initial concern when buying the L31, but did not manifest itself. There seems to be enough heat generated to eliminate that problem, especially if you start with a clean light. I have also used numerous halogen rotators, and while they give a superior warning signal, I, and many other plow operators find that the beams rotating and flashing off of the falling and fallen snow tend to be very distracting, especially at night. The more, and the faster the rotators, the greater the distraction. I have found myself turning off the rotators, defeating the purpose of having a light, and other plow operators opting for no light, due to this distraction.


That's my experience.


Dan

 

[philyumpshus]

22" Turbo Beam.

Been using one since 1999 haha. Great light.

 

[Richard P]

Been using one since 1999 haha. Great light.

Fromt trbo beam collector, thats what I like to hear! best bar around!