Snowplow ballast weight considerations

From an NTEA member We are a truck equipment distributor that regularly installs snowplows, and have heard that ballast weight can be used in the rear of the truck to offset weight of the plow on the front axle. Is this true, and what factors should we consider for using ballast weight? This is conditionally true. Some chassis manufacturers include statements for using ballast weight in their respective snowplow application guidelines. However, these ballast weight usage guidelines do not dismiss other snowplow application requirements, so they must factor in the remaining considerations for a proper plow application. Also, the guidelines should be used only if necessary and in conjunction with meeting all other Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and manufacturer requirements. For example, ballast weight must not be used to offset excess weight in order to install a heavier plow than the vehicle or snowplow manufacturer lists for the vehicle model application. Also, ballast weight must not be used in an amount that would cause the total vehicle weight to exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), any of the gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) or a center of gravity location outside of the chassis manufacturer’s guidelines. Ballast may be used to help reduce the total front axle reaction when all other conditions and requirements of the chassis and snowplow manufacturers are met (i.e., the vehicle is equipped with an OEM snowplow preparation package; the vehicle is being upfit with a suitable plow and mount per vehicle and snowplow manufacturer specifications; the vehicle is loaded in a manner consistent with the vehicle and snowplow manufacturers’ guidelines for passengers and cargo, etc.). If you believe ballasting may be necessary, first review the ballast recommendations for the specific vehicle and snowplow model applications. In general, OEM recommendations call for ballast weight to be securely attached, behind the rear axle, and may include other specifics. In some cases, the OEM will establish maximum limits for the amount of ballast that a particular vehicle model may accommodate, so a plow setup requiring offset weight beyond these limits should not be considered, as it could cause adverse vehicle handling/braking, especially in a scenario where the ballast is still installed and the plow blade is disconnected. The plow manufacturer may be able to provide details on how much ballast is required, but a thorough weight distribution should be performed to understand the overall vehicle loading and effects of the plow, plow mount, any other equipment on the vehicle and any specific customer cargo requirements. Equipment that is not permanently attached, such as removable plow blades and temporarily installed ballast weight, would be considered as cargo and must be reviewed within the available cargo capacity. Permanently installed equipment, such as the plow mount, add to the vehicle’s curb weight and reduce the available cargo capacity. Note, these considerations factor into labeling for vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. For equipment mounted behind the rear axle, such as a tailgate spreader on a pickup, its weight can proportionally reduce the amount on the front axle when installed, but you will need to ensure vehicle limitations are not exceeded, whether the spreader is or is not installed or loaded, etc., as part of your weight analysis considerations. For example, if it’s determined that a constant ballast weight of 200 pounds is necessary at a position on the vehicle where a removable tailgate spreader would be installed, and the customer is purchasing a spreader that weighs 200 pounds when empty, the spreader could serve as the ballast whenever the plow is installed. Without the spreader, ballast of some other form can be used at a different location, but the required weight will change with the location relative to the rear axle. Additionally, considerations must be made for loading the vehicle when the spreader is full. The weight of material in the spreader (salt, sand, etc.) must be compared to the vehicle’s remaining cargo capacity. Also, the reaction on the rear axle with added weight in the spreader must be compared to the rear GAWR, and effects on the vehicle’s overall center of gravity must be compared to any chassis manufacturer recommendations. Thorough weight distributions for various loading scenarios are key to identify what must be done to properly distribute weight on the vehicle. To review chassis OEM guidance for plow installations, including ballasting, on their respective truck and chassis models, members can use NTEA’s chassis manufacturer directory (ntea.com/oemdirectory) as an option for accessing various body builder websites. If you have additional questions, contact NTEA’s Technical Services Department (800-441-6832/info@ntea.com) for help.

Snowplow ballast weight considerations

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