Which Snow Plough Is Suitable for Your Machine?
When winter snow is waiting to be cleared, a common question arises: which snow plough is right for my machine? A snow plough is an excellent tool, but choosing the correct one requires consideration of both the plough type and its compatibility with your machine. This article explains where different types of snow ploughs perform best and which model suits your tractor, compact tractor, or loader.
Why Choosing the Right Snow Plough Matters
Using the wrong type of snow plough can reduce efficiency, increase wear, and negatively affect machine performance. Selecting the correct plough according to machine size, working conditions, and application ensures:
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Maximum reliability
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Efficient snow removal
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Minimal wear
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Lower fuel and maintenance costs
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Extended equipment lifespan
Main Types of Snow Ploughs and Their Features
Below is an overview of various SAMI snow ploughs and snow buckets, including their key technical characteristics and applications.
Diagonal Plough
The SAMI diagonal plough is designed for snow removal on paved roads. It features an asymmetric mouldboard shape that rolls and throws snow further away.
The plough has a robust construction and is equipped with a shock absorber for collision protection. Thanks to its floating hitch system, it follows ground contours for improved cleaning results.
Specifications:
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Working width: 2714–3242 mm
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Weight: approx. 840 kg
Application: Large work sections and paved roads
Suitable machine: Larger tractor or loader
Recommended tractor weight: 6–12 t
U-Series Snow Ploughs
SAMI U-series snow ploughs are designed for wide areas, parking lots, and urban streets. The independently adjustable wings allow the plough to form a U-shape, enabling snow pushing, collecting, and piling.
Features include adjustable working width, floating hitch system, and hydraulic wing control for smooth and efficient operation in varying conditions.
Application: Urban environments, large areas, situations where snow must be collected or piled rather than simply pushed aside
Suitable machine: Tractor or loader
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UL-3000: Recommended tractor weight 2–3.5 t
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UPA-4200: Recommended tractor weight 5.5–8.5 t
VB and VBA Series Snow Ploughs
The SAMI VB and VBA series are designed for professional road maintenance on streets and parking areas.
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VB series blade angle: 0°
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VBA series blade angle: 15°
These are particularly suitable for smooth asphalt surfaces. The ploughs feature hydraulic wings and are manufactured from durable SSAB steel. The floating hitch ensures optimal ground contour following.
Application: Large-scale snow removal requiring reliability and high efficiency
Suitable machine: Larger tractor or loader
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Machine weight: 5–10 t
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Power: 150–250 hp
VM and VMA Series Ploughs
The SAMI VM and VMA series are designed for professional use.
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VM series blade angle: 0° (suitable for roads and sidewalks)
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VMA series blade angle: 15° (ideal for flat asphalt surfaces)
Working width (VM series): 2120–3280 mm
(Models: VM-2400, VM-2800, VM-3200)
Application: Medium-sized tractors operating on both roads and sidewalks, including narrower or more diverse environments
Suitable machine: Tractor or loader
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Smaller models: 2.5–4 t
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Larger models: up to 5–6.5 t
VL Compact Series Snow Ploughs
The SAMI VL is the smallest plough series, designed for smaller machines and narrow environments such as sidewalks and smaller streets. Spring-loaded cutting edges improve safety over obstacles and ensure cleaner snow removal.
Working width: 1340–2120 mm (Models: VL-1600, VL-1800, VL-2000)
Application: Narrow areas, sidewalks, smaller streets
Suitable machine: Compact tractor or compact loader
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Recommended weight: 1.5–3.5 t
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Power: 30–80 hp
Rear Grader Blade (Rear Snow Plough)
A rear-mounted snow plough (rear grader blade) attaches to the back of the tractor and is a versatile year-round tool. In addition to winter snow clearing, it can also function as a road grader.
The blade angle can be adjusted hydraulically for precise operation.
Compatibility:
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Medium series rear blades: 40–100 hp tractors
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PRO series rear blades: 100–180 hp tractors
Straight Front Plough
SAMI FB series straight front ploughs are suitable for efficient snow pushing on various smaller tractors and loaders. Bolt-on mounting brackets allow broad compatibility.
Depending on the model, ploughs may include side wings that can be positioned forward for snow collection or aligned straight for narrower configurations. The blade angle is hydraulically adjustable left and right.
Suitable machine: Tractor or loader
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Recommended weight: 1.2–5 t
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Power: 30–100 hp
Forklift Snow Plough
Snow clearing on company premises becomes easy with a forklift-mounted snow plough. With the necessary equipment available, there is no need to rely on external service providers.
Bolt-on side wings can be aligned straight or positioned forward for improved snow collection.
Recommended forklift weight: Up to 4.5 t
Snow Bucket / Winged Snow Bucket
A snow bucket differs from a snow plough in that it allows you to collect snow mass, not just push it. If your work requires piling or transporting snow, a standard plough may be insufficient. In that case, a snow bucket should be selected to suit either a loader or a tractor.
For example, the SAMI WSB-1400 is well suited for a small tractor with a front loader or for a loader. It has a maximum working width of 2754 mm and is recommended for machines weighing 1.5–4 t.
Another example is the WSB-2800HD winged snow bucket, which has a maximum working width of 5360 mm and is suitable for loaders weighing 8–15 t.
Which Plough Fits Which Machine?
Below are practical recommendations on how to choose a snow plough according to machine size and area of use.
Snow Plough for Tractor
If you have a medium-sized tractor weighing, for example, 2.5–6.5 tonnes with a power output of 80–180 hp, and you operate on roads or larger surfaces, the suitable snow plough series are VM/VMA or VB/VBA.
For example, the VM-2400 is suitable for tractors weighing 2.5–4 t. If you require greater working width and capacity, and you are clearing parking areas or handling large volumes of snow, the VB/VBA series and the UPA-4200 ploughs are suitable for larger tractors or loaders (5–10 t).
Using a plough that is too small in front of a large tractor means the machine’s power is underutilised. Conversely, a plough that is too large in front of a smaller machine may reduce manoeuvrability, increase fuel consumption, and potentially damage the equipment.
Snow Plough for Compact Tractor
If you have a smaller tractor (for example 1.5–3.5 t) or a compact machine, you should consider the VL series or the UL-3000, as their working widths are well suited for narrower environments. For example, the VL-1800 has a working width of 1610–1940 mm.
The UL series snow plough is suitable when the working area is wider but the machine itself is not very large. The UL series is designed for snow collection, and the plough wings can be adjusted independently.
Snow Plough for Loader
For snow clearing with smaller loaders, compact models such as the VL, UL-3000 or specialised snow buckets like the WSB-1400 are suitable.
For larger loaders, you can also consider VB/VBA series snow ploughs, U-series snow ploughs, or winged snow buckets such as the WSB-2800HD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tractor weight is suitable for the SAMI VM-2400 snow plough?
Recommended tractor weight: 2.5–4 t
Recommended power: 80–120 hp
Is the VL series suitable for loaders?
Yes. Designed for smaller machines including loaders and compact tractors (1.5–3.5 t, 30–80 hp).
Which blade angle is recommended for asphalt surfaces and large areas?
A 15° blade angle is recommended, such as VMA or VBA series.
What is the difference between a snow plough and a snow bucket?
A snow plough pushes or throws snow aside.
A snow bucket collects snow mass and enables transport or piling.
Conclusion
Choosing the right snow plough is critical for work speed, efficiency, and equipment longevity. A properly matched solution reduces costs and improves results.
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Small machines (1.5–3.5 t): VL compact series
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Medium tractors (2.5–6.5 t): VM/VMA series
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Larger machines (5–10 t+): VB/VBA or U-series
If you need assistance selecting the correct snow plough model, contact us for professional guidance.
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