Tow Plow Operators Training

Tow Plow• Trailer snow plow designed to be towed with a truck

and standard plow configuration– 25’ clearing path with a 12’ front plow

• Improve services by:– Providing faster results– Reducing cost for equipment, fuel and labor

Contact Time• 12 total contact hours (required)

– 8 hours• Classroom, hands-on and closed driving course

– 4 hours • Dry-run (pre-winter) • Experienced operator will drive to demonstrate proper procedures• New operator will drive and be evaluated by experienced operator• Checklist to be completed

• During storm check ride (optional)– No set amount of contact time

• As required by supervisor• Experienced operator will drive to demonstrate proper procedures• New operator will drive and be evaluated by experienced operator• Release to operate the Tow Plow on decision of experienced operator• Checklist to be completed during check ride

Course Objectives

• Identify Tow Plow key components• Identify all safety hazards, terms and labels• Perform a pre and post-trip inspection • Describe preventative maintenance• Identify and become familiar with all in-cab operator

controls• Demonstrate on a closed course the safe and proper

Tow Plow operating procedures

Training

• This training will focus on standard configuration

• There are many different configurations based on district specific orders– Tow Plows may be outfitted with on or more of the

following:• 1000 gallon liquid chemical tank• 8 cubic yard spreader

– Become familiar with your Tow Plow– Train with equipment to be used – Train in area that the operator “typically” will be assigned

to

Safety• Become familiar with all operating characteristics

prior to operation during a winter event

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Must be able to see the Tow Plow

– Clean windows– Clean mirrors– In-cab adjustable mirrors– Supplemental night lighting

Safety and Warning Labels• Become familiar with all safety warnings and labels– Replace labels when:• Damaged • Not legible

• In addition, become familiar with additional equipment on the Tow Plow including:– Spreader– Liquid chemical tank(s)

Lockout / Tagout

• All employees shall follow MoDOT’s lockout/tagout procedures prior to performing any work on the Tow Plow

• Control of hazardous energy shall be complied with under Section 2.7 The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout / Tagout)

• Follow manufacturer’s procedures– Tow Plow– Accessory equipment installed on the Tow Plow

Inspections

• Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the inspection and maintenance schedules

• Hydraulic fluid level on tow vehicle• Inspect tires for damage, proper inflation and that all

lug nuts are in place and have not become loose• “STAY BACK 100 FEET” sign installed on rear of Tow

Plow• All safety and warning labels are in place and legible

Inspections Continued• Visually inspect all hydraulic hoses and connectors

for wear, damage, and leaks

• Check all cables, chains, and sheaves for excessive wear and damage

• Visually inspect all plow and wing units– Inspect cutting edge and shoes for excessive wear– Do not allow cutting edge to wear down into the

mounting angle on the mold board

Inspections Continued• Inspect mounting arms for excessive rust, damage,

cracks in welds or bent and broken sections• Inspect mounting holes on the arms and lugs for

excessive wear– Mounting holes greater than 3/16” clearance are to be

repaired

• Dump air from the brake storage tanks on tow vehicle and the Tow Plow to remove excessive moisture and ensure that the system air pressure returns and does not leak

• Add air brake drier to brake system to prevent air brake freezing during extremely cold weather

Lubrication• Grease all required components– All plow harness sheave nipples– All hydraulic pump drive shaft nipples– Front and rear tower sheaves and swivel blocks– Wing extension arm nipples– Front and rear tower guide tracks– All front harness pivot points– Check for loose or missing fasteners (nuts, bolts, cotter

pins, lock rings, etc.)

• Follow lubrication procedures for the Tow Plow and accessory equipment, such as spreaders

• Refer to the owner’s manual for specific intervals

Hydraulic Set-up• Check hydraulic set-up prior to use– System pressure should be 2300 psi– Set hydraulic trims/flow for steering and mold board

operation

• Ensure that Tow Plow response is:– Consistent– Smooth– Not too slow (may reduce reaction time for obstacles)– Not too fast (could cause handling issues and damage)– Include operator to ensure response is adequate to the

operators preference and needs

Installation• Standard Configuration

– Connection of hydraulics and liquid chemicals for spreaders and liquid tanks may vary

– Refer to your experienced Tow Plow operator or District General Services for additional requirements

• Attach Tow Plow to tow vehicle pintle hitch• Pintle receiver locked• Raise landing gear into full up position and handle stored in tow position• Air brake lines/glad hands connected (no leaks)• Connect Tow Plow safety chains• Connect plow lift hydraulic circuit• Connect steering hydraulic circuit• 7 wire trailer plug installed and all Tow Plow lights operational• 6 wire plug installed and all operator lights are operational• Inspect all lighting for damage and proper operation

Operational Preparation • Ensure brakes are released and not frozen– Gently pull against the Tow Plow with brakes released to

ensure brakes are not frozen

• Remove mold board lock pins– Stand behind mold board– Start at center pins working out

• Installing mold board lock pins– Install for transport or when deployment is not required

for extended duration– Stand behind mold board– Start with outside pins and work to center

Operational Check• Perform operational check prior to leaving

maintenance facility

• Steering (deployment and retraction)– Steering wheels move freely through full stroke of

activating cylinder while moving forward

• Mold board (up and down)– Determine that the mold board moves freely from full up

to full down

Deployment / Retraction• Visually check to ensure that the Tow Plow is clear of

traffic

• USE YOUR MIRRORS

• Do not deploy or retract while stopped to prevent damage to the Tow Plow’s tires

• Full deployment is not required to operate– Deploy to any desired position– Always deploy to a position that will clear all obstacles– Deployment (steering) and mold board functions (up and

down) can be performed at the same time if desired

Deployment

Low Visibility

• Always retract the Tow Plow in low visibility conditions

• Always have plenty of sight distance • Give yourself time to react and retract the Tow Plow

for:– Stalled/stopped vehicles– Pedestrians– Roadway hazards– Obstacles– Guard rails, bridge ends and signs

• When in doubt, pull in the Tow Plow

Steering• Use Tow Plow deployment to “steer” while

negotiating tight turns– Left turns with right hand Tow Plows– Right turns with left hand Tow Plows

• Avoid turns that require you to stop and back up

• If retracted to tow position during turns, raise the mold board

• Can be left in deployed position with mold board down and adjusted for obstacles to clear larger intersections

Steering Through Tight Turns

Pre-trip Inspection• Before each use:

– Make sure that all nuts and bolts are in place and properly tightened

– Make sure that all other fasteners are in place and are performing their specified function

– Make sure all safety signs are in place, clean, and legible– Replace any damaged parts or excessively worn parts– Inspect for damage to any part of the plow mold board or push

frame• Examples include broken or worn bolts or pins, cracked welds, bent

sections, and/or excessive rusting

– Inspect for damage to trip mechanisms, such as broken springs, cracked welds, and worn or broken bolts

– Check all hoses for cuts, cracks, and leaks– Dump air from air brake reservoir to remove any moisture

Plowing Operations• Always try to position the Tow Plow in lanes that keep

the plow farthest away from obstacles, such as guardrails, signs, etc.

• Position the Tow Plow based on type of operation and configuration of the plows

– Single operation• Plow two lanes as best as possible• Plow center turn lanes

– Gang operation• Have enough plows to cover shoulder to shoulder• Utilize single plow trucks for clearing shoulders and ramps• Have single plow run shoulders next to guard rails

Gang Plowing• Try to position the crown of the road between the

tow vehicle and the Tow Plow

• For clearing first priority (high volume) routes, operational speeds should be within the following:– Safe for conditions present– Safe for traffic volume and conditions– Reduce spacing appropriately for limited visibility– Paced so that multiple gang trucks do not become

separated– Spaced so that traffic may not pass between the gang

plows

Starting Operations with a Gang• Communication is key– Ensure all operators know the procedures to be used – Ensure that all operators know their position in the gang– Enter traffic at speeds that are safe and allow the gang to

stay together

Plowing Operations• Plowing heavy snow loads may require adjusting

plow / truck position– Snow loads may suddenly decrease and allow the plow to

skew back to it original position, such as clearing snow under bridges and overpasses

– Tow may strike guardrail and other roadside devices when it returns to its normal position after the heavy snow load is released

• Plowing aggregate shoulders– Raise mold board 2” to 4” above ground

Emergency Stopping• Maintain a safe distance from traffic in front of you• The Tow Plow is equipped with ABS braking system• Brake as you normally would• The procedure for stopping a trailer skid is:

– Recognize the trailer skid by seeing it in your mirrors– Check mirrors anytime you brake hard to make sure the trailer is

staying where it should be– Once the trailer swings out of your lane it is hard to prevent a jackknife– Stop using the brakes to get traction back– Do not use the hand brake (this will cause the trailer to continue to

skid)– Once the wheels start to grip the road again, the trailer will start to

straighten out and follow the tow vehicle– If the Tow Plow is deployed during a skid, leave in the deployed

position

Lighting• There are two groups of lighting on the

Tow Plow:– Work/warning– Operational (DOT)

• Tow Plow lighting is connected to the truck via two separate trailer plugs:– 7 wire large plug for DOT vehicle lights– 6 wire plug for work and warning lights

Laser Guidance

• Lasers can be used to determine Tow Plow position in relation to roadside obstacles – Can be helpful to determine Tow Plow position when fully

extended– Mounted to the truck– Only represents full Tow Plow extension

Tow Plow Inspection

• Used to assist operator in Tow Plow inspections– Use to pre-trip– Can be used for pre-storm inspections

Dry-Run Check List• Performed pre-season– Dry-Run– Allows operator to become

familiar with the Tow Plow– Identify hazards– Identify turnaround points– Discuss and plan plowing

procedures

Closed Driving Maneuvers• Provides several plowing scenarios including but not

limited to– Ramps– Stalled vehicles– Barriers– Curves

• Include additional maneuvers as needed

THANK YOU!