Built to endure the toughest winter extremes
Only the cutting edge trips—keeps the moldboard upright so you keep pushing snow forward.
Entire moldboard pivots forward on impact—softer on the machine and operator.
Hydraulic side wing widens your path, windrows efficiently, and speeds corridor clearing.
| Aspect | Trip Edge | Full Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Behavior | Only the cutting edge pivots back when it hits an obstruction; moldboard stays upright so you retain your snow load. | Whole moldboard pivots forward to absorb impact and protect truck & plow. |
| False-tripping | Rare; typically trips only on immovable obstacles. | Common in wet/heavy snow or on hard pack, forcing a reset and costing time. |
| Operator Feel | Harsher strike; often built heavier to compensate. | Softer on operator and equipment when striking obstacles. |
| Down-pressure Compatibility | Works well with full down-pressure; delivers a cleaner scrape. | Should not be paired with full down-pressure; typically scrapes less aggressively. |
| Cutting Edge Wear | Faster wear expected due to added pressure on the edge. | Edges often last longer (no full down-pressure in most setups). |
| Typical Pairing | Common on full down-pressure plows. | Common on floating plows. |
The lower cutting edge pivots backward on contact with an obstacle (e.g., manhole covers, curbs), absorbing the impact while the moldboard stays up so you continue pushing snow. Helpful on uneven surfaces where hidden obstructions are likely.
The entire moldboard pivots forward when striking an obstruction, cushioning the impact to reduce stress on truck and plow. This improves comfort and lowers damage risk but can false-trip under load or in heavy, sticky snow.
Primary Function: Widen cleared paths and improve productivity per pass. Ideal for highways, multi-lane roads, and large commercial lots.
Hydraulic Operation: Side-mounted (front, mid, or rear) hydraulic wing raises/lowers and extends. Some flared or multi-position wings cast snow farther when windrowing; heavy-duty variants support benching operations.
With full down-pressure, trip edge typically delivers a cleaner scrape because the moldboard maintains contact with the surface. However, expect faster cutting edge wear as a trade-off due to the increased pressure and direct impact absorption.
Under heavy, wet snow or stubborn hard pack, the force on the moldboard can exceed the trip threshold even without hitting a hard obstacle. This triggers the safety mechanism, requiring a reset and costing valuable time during operations.
Wing plows require suitable mounting points and hydraulic capacity. Not all trucks or existing plow setups can accommodate wing attachments. A professional assessment is recommended to determine compatibility and optimal configuration.
Trip edge plows typically require more frequent cutting edge replacement due to increased wear from down-pressure operations. Full trip plows may need trip spring adjustments and mechanism maintenance. Wing plows add hydraulic system maintenance requirements.
Share your truck specifications, route types, and typical snow conditions. Our specialists will recommend the optimal plow configuration—trip mechanism, cutting edges, and wing options—to maximize your operational efficiency and surface quality results.
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