The Definitive Guide to Buying a Snow Pusher

Choosing the right snow pusher for your heavy equipment can feel overwhelming, but it’s a critical decision for efficient and profitable snow removal. This expert guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from matching the pusher to your machine to understanding the key features that ensure durability and performance.

Step 1: Match the Pusher to Your Prime Mover

The single most important factor in selecting a snow pusher is ensuring it’s correctly matched to the machine you’ll be using. A pusher that is too large will be difficult to control and ineffective, while one that is too small will waste time and fuel. Your machine is the “prime mover,” and its specifications dictate your options.

Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders

These are the most common machines for commercial snow removal in small to medium-sized lots.

Horsepower: A skid steer with 50-75 horsepower can typically handle a pusher between 8 and 10 feet wide. More powerful machines can handle larger models.
Operating Weight: The weight of your machine provides the traction needed to push heavy, wet snow. A lightweight machine will struggle with an oversized pusher, resulting in wheel spin and inefficiency.
Mounting: Most snow pushers designed for skid steers use a universal quick-attach plate, making them easy to connect and disconnect.

Compact and Utility Tractors

Tractors are also excellent prime movers, especially for clearing longer driveways, private roads, or agricultural properties.

Horsepower and Weight: Similar to skid steers, the tractor’s power and weight are crucial. A 40-horsepower compact tractor might be well-suited for a 7 or 8-foot pusher, while a 100-horsepower utility tractor could easily manage a 12-foot model.
Mounting System: Ensure the pusher’s connection is compatible with your tractor’s front-end loader arms. Many use the same universal quick-attach system as skid steers, but always verify.

Wheel Loaders and Backhoes

For large-scale operations like industrial parks, expansive parking lots, and municipal work, wheel loaders are the machine of choice.

Size and Capacity: These powerful machines can handle the largest snow pushers, often from 12 to 20 feet or more.
Durability: Pushers for wheel loaders are built with thicker steel and heavier reinforcements to withstand the immense forces generated by the machine.

Step 2: Select the Right Size

Once you’ve identified your machine type, you can narrow down the appropriate size. The goal is to clear snow in the fewest passes possible without overburdening your equipment.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a pusher that is at least one foot wider than the total width of your machine’s wheelbase. This ensures you cover your own tire tracks with each pass, preventing you from packing down snow that you then have to clear later.

8-Foot Pushers: Ideal for smaller commercial lots, tight spaces, and residential complexes. A great match for most standard-frame skid steers.
10-Foot Pushers: The most popular size for commercial contractors. It offers a great balance of clearing capacity and maneuverability for medium to large parking lots.
12-Foot and Larger Pushers: Reserved for large properties and powerful machines like wheel loaders. These move massive amounts of snow quickly but require significant space to operate.

Step 3: Choose the Correct Cutting Edge

The cutting edge is the part of the pusher that makes direct contact with the ground. The type of edge you choose depends entirely on the surfaces you’ll be clearing and the conditions you expect.

Steel Cutting Edge

A steel edge is the most aggressive option.

Pros: Excellent for scraping hard-packed snow and ice down to the pavement. It’s extremely durable and has a long wear life.
Cons: It can easily damage delicate surfaces like decorative concrete, pavers, or asphalt that has been recently sealed. It’s also noisy and can be jarring for the operator.

Rubber Cutting Edge

A rubber edge is a more forgiving and versatile option.

Pros: It glides over uneven surfaces and protects the pavement from damage, making it perfect for most commercial lots. It is much quieter and provides a smoother experience for the operator. It also conforms better to irregular ground, resulting in a cleaner scrape on uneven terrain.
Cons: It does not scrape hard-packed ice as effectively as steel. It will also wear out faster than a steel edge, though high-quality rubber edges can still last for several seasons.

Step 4: Examine Build Quality and Key Features

Not all snow pushers are created equal. When comparing models from different manufacturers, like Kage, BOSS, or Pro-Tech, pay close attention to the details of their construction.

Moldboard Design

The moldboard is the large, curved part of the pusher that rolls the snow forward. Look for a design with significant structural support. High-quality pushers feature multiple vertical ribs or gussets welded to the back of the moldboard to prevent it from bending or flexing under the weight of heavy, wet snow.

Side Plates

The side plates contain the snow, allowing you to push a large volume without it spilling out the sides. Check for thick steel construction and reinforcement at the corners where they connect to the moldboard.

Skid Shoes

These are replaceable wear parts on the bottom of the side plates that allow the pusher to glide over the pavement. They protect the pusher’s structure from wear and help set the scraping height. The best skid shoes are made from abrasion-resistant steel, often called AR400 steel, which provides a much longer service life than standard steel.

Back-Drag and Pull-Back Kits

A standard snow pusher can only move snow forward. This makes it difficult to clear snow that is up against a garage door, loading dock, or building. A back-drag or pull-back kit is an invaluable accessory. This feature, often a secondary blade that can be lowered, allows you to pull snow away from obstacles before pushing it into a pile. This can save an enormous amount of time and eliminate the need for follow-up work with a shovel or snow blower.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between a snow pusher and a snow plow? A snow plow has an angled blade designed to cast snow to one side as you drive forward. A snow pusher, also called a containment plow, has a straight blade with side plates, designed to contain and push a large volume of snow straight ahead to a designated stacking area. Pushers are generally more efficient for clearing open lots.

Can I use a snow pusher on a gravel or dirt driveway? Yes, but it requires some care. You should adjust the skid shoes so that the cutting edge floats just above the gravel surface. This will push the snow without scraping up and moving all of your gravel. A rubber cutting edge is also highly recommended for these surfaces.

How do I maintain my snow pusher? Maintenance is simple but important. Before each season, inspect the entire pusher for cracks in the welds or frame. Check the cutting edge and skid shoes for wear and replace them if they are worn down. After each use, it’s a good idea to clean off any salt or de-icing chemicals to prevent rust.