Why don't people with plows on the front of their trucks keep the plow down all the time?

Question

I live in Iowa and we have recently gotten a foot of snow and traveling back and forth to work is a pain. What bugs me is that no truck I see with a plow attached to it ever has the plow down, what's the deal? Just because their not getting paid they don't want to make the road safer for everyone?

Answer 1

It cost a lot of money for a plow and to keep it maintained. The cutting edge itself is about $150 or so, this is the edge that scrapes up the snow and ice. The private plow owner will only plow the parking lots he is paid to do. The city and state drivers have a set route to do as well. Someone plowing where there not supposed to isn't making things safer and could possibly make things worse.

Answer 2

It's illegal for a private plow to use it on a state funded road. Kinda sucks, doesn't it? That's our government for you.

Answer 3

I wouldn't drop my plow if I wasn't getting paid, that's if I had one. Or maybe it's a liability issue. Do you do your job for nothing?

Answer 4

If you are referring to private individuals it's probably because they don't want the wear and tear on their plows. When the plow makes contact with pavement it wears the metal strip on the bottom of the plow. They are replaceable, but not cheap. There is also a lot of things on public streets - manhole covers, reflectors, concrete islands etc. that can do tremendous damage if you hit them. It also takes a lot more gas to push heavy snow.

Answer 5

Spend your hard earned money on a plow and go clear the roads. Do you work for free?