How Do I Save My Cutting Edge From Uneven Blade Wear?

Uneven blade wear is a costly problem that can force you to replace your entire cutting edge while throwing away perfectly good steel from unused sections. The cause is often road crowning patterns or abrasive curb materials. The good news? It’s preventable with the proper use and placement of PlowGuards.

Understanding What Causes Uneven Wear

Uneven snow plow blade wear happens when one part of the edge wears down faster than others, making the blade less effective at clearing snow and possibly damaging your plow. When the ends of your cutting edge wear through, you’ll need to replace the entire cutting edge, wasting unused steel at the center of your blade.

Road Crowning – Many roads have a slightly raised center or crown, which can cause the blade to wear more in the middle than at the ends.

Poor Curb Contact – If your plow contacts the curb at the wrong height or angle, it can cause too much wear on one side of the blade.

Wrong Plow Angles – Setting your equipment at the wrong angle could cause uneven wear, especially when plowing a slope.

Spotting the Warning Signs

You should be actively checking for signs of uneven snow plow blade wear. Visual differences are a major red flag that your cutting edge has begun wearing unevenly. If you’ve noticed that your plow isn’t clearing snow as well as it used to, uneven wear might be to blame.

Check the edge after each snow event. Measure the blade height at the ends and at the center. Be sure to check that the ends are not close to wearing into your moldboard—this is when replacement becomes critical.

Pro tip: Winter Equipment blades are designed with wear indicators that make it easy to see uneven wear with a quick visual check with no need to measure. If the blade is worn to the top of the wear indicator, it’s time to change it before your moldboard is damaged.

If you catch signs of uneven wear early, you can usually fix the issue before it causes more expensive problems.

Prevention Strategies That Work

Proper Blade Usage

Make sure you are buying the right types of snow plow blades for your use case. Whether you’re running steel, carbide, or rubber, be sure you’re using a cutting edge made with high-quality materials.

Avoid Dry Pavement

Try not to use blades when there is too little snow on the road. Snow acts as a slight lubricant which slows wear and protects the cutting edge.

Avoid Back Dragging

Avoid back dragging, which can reduce the life of your cutting edge by causing it to break too early. Back dragging involves pulling the plow backward to clear snow. While this practice may sometimes be needed, try to do it as little as possible. Also avoid too much down pressure, as that can also add to wearing issues.

Correct Installation of Plow Guards

Plow Guards are great tools for evenly spreading wear across the blade. They can prevent an area of your cutting edge from wearing down faster than the rest.

A universal plow guard will extend the life of your cutting edges and ensure the entire edge wears evenly. Make sure to install it correctly to ensure it works properly and provides balanced wear. Be sure you’re using the correct hardware. Check the torque specs for proper guard installation.

Regular Maintenance and Inspection

Regular maintenance and checks are crucial for preventing uneven blade wear. Check your blade’s condition often and ensure that it’s properly aligned and installed. Give your equipment a once-over before and after each job, too, so you can address any issues before they create bigger problems.

The Visual Inspection Test

Here’s a simple way to check: Set your blade down on a flat surface for a visual check. If the blade makes a “frown face,” there is wear in the center, showing you need plow guards in the center of your blade. If it looks like a “smiley face,” wear has happened on the ends, and you would benefit from plow guards on the ends of your blade.

In some cases, wear patterns will show that you need plow guards on one end and not the other. You may also find you need plow guard protection in the center as well as on the ends.

Remember, wear patterns may differ between routes due to road composition, plow speed, and crowning variation. Be sure to check each plow assembly in your fleet for proper guard placement.

Prevent Snow Plow Blade Wear With a Plow Guard From Winter Equipment

Preventing uneven blade wear will help maintain your equipment’s efficiency and longevity. Make sure you use the correct blade type and avoid too much back dragging. Install plow guards at high wear positions and regularly check your cutting edge to further minimize wear and extend the life of your equipment.

Don’t let snow plow blade wear slow you down this season. Winter Equipment can help you find the right plow guard for your machinery. And if you’re interested in a complete snow plow blade system, we’ve got you covered there, too. Contact our team or use our online tool to find the best options for your plow.