This
article was published in the September 2023 edition of NTEA News.
Snow
Control Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SCEMC) is one of NTEA’s oldest
affiliate divisions, operating since 1979. Participants include manufacturers
of snowplows, salt and sand spreaders, and related snow and ice removal
equipment. The group engages OEMs on issues related to snowplow installation on
pickups and vocational trucks.
SCEMC’s
most significant contribution is its development of strong relationships with
chassis manufacturers, communicating with them during early stages of vehicle
creation in an effort to continue OEM programs allowing snowplow installation.
These programs encompass Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard compliance,
safety assessment, electrical interface issues, plow mounting locations and
vehicle durability testing. SCEMC works with the next generation of trucks from
chassis OEMs to maintain the variety of snowplow-capable vehicles for the work truck
marketplace.
Cooperation
between snowplow manufacturers and OEMs has enabled continuation of preparation
option codes for many pickups in the commercial vehicle market. Without such
support, it would be too costly for snowplow manufacturers to perform all
testing needed to meet current requirements.
To help
buyers and upfitters identify necessary items for vehicle-specific snowplow
configurations, SCEMC offers a list of best practices. These guidelines are
based on important aspects of the snowplow manufacturing process and designed
to ensure safe, efficient products. The group regularly checks and enhances its
standards to stay up-to-date on market changes.
SCEMC best
practices guidelines
- Follow the truck and/or snowplow OEM
recommended guidelines and approved model offerings (e.g., stay under the rated
front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and within defined weight
distribution percentages).
- Snowplow OEMs: provide weights and centers of
gravity for snowplow kit offerings.
- Ultimate responsibility for installing snow
control equipment lies with the distributor/upfitter/installer. A weight
distribution analysis is required to determine if equipment to be installed is
within the vehicle’s limits for front and rear GAWR, gross vehicle weight
rating and required weight percentage for front and rear axles, and any
applicable federal, state and local standards and regulations.
- Snowplow OEMs: provide distributors with
instructions for installation and adjustment procedures for auxiliary headlamps
offered with front snowplow kits.
- Snowplow OEMs: provide owners’ manuals.
How to
join
Membership
is open to NTEA member companies in good standing engaged in the manufacture of
snow control equipment. For more information or to join, visit ntea.com/scemc or email
Bob Raybuck, NTEA director of technical services, at bob@ntea.com.
SCEMC
officers
Chair
Scott Moorman – Buyers Products Co.
Vice Chair
Lou Orazam – Meyer Products
Treasurer
Darren Sutton – Arctic Equipment Mfg. Corp.
SCEMC
members
Arctic
Equipment Mfg. Corp. (Oakville, Ontario)
Boss
Snowplow (Iron Mountain, Michigan)
Buyers
Products Co. (Mentor, Ohio)
Hiniker
Co. (Mankato, Minnesota)
Meyer
Products LLC (Cleveland, Ohio)
Sno-Way
International Inc. (Hartford, Wisconsin)
SnowEx
(Madison Heights, Michigan)
Swenson
Spreader LLC (Lindenwood, Illinois)