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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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
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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
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Ramps
Stalled vehicles
Barriers
Curves
• Include additional maneuvers as needed
THANK YOU!