What the source is: the Clear Roads “Product Experience Feedback 2006-2021” file, on multiple-edge plows. Why it matters: a plow with more than one edge raises questions about scraping, drying the road, wear and fitting, and the file holds entries from three states. I read it on 24 October 2026. The entries are few, from 2008 to 2011 and are opinions, so this is not a verdict on the design.
What the file reports
| State | Season | Quantity | Overall satisfaction | Comment (summarised) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 2008-09 | 1 | 5 | Plow removed the majority of moisture from the road surface and enabled the road to dry quickly |
| Iowa | 2008-09 | 1 | 5 | Described as the best plow the commenter had had in 36 years with the DOT |
| Iowa | 2008-09 | 1 | 1 | A second entry said nobody in that shop wanted the plow |
| Pennsylvania | 2010-11 | 3 | 3 | Vendor response and customer service lacked; the product had to be modified greatly for a truck with a wing plow; blade wear and maintenance were concerns |
The file’s average ratings for the group are 3.5 on overall satisfaction, 4.25 on ease of installation, 3.75 on durability, 3.75 on addressing the problem, 3.25 on vendor support and 3 on instructions, on a scale up to 5.
What stands out
The survey is more useful for its disagreements than for its averages.
- Opinions ranged from the best to unwanted, even within one state.
- The two positive comments were about the road surface left behind, not about cost or wear.
- Pennsylvania’s concerns were about integration with a wing plow, support, wear and maintenance.
Questions this raises for a buyer
Three state trials found different things, which means the answer to “does it work” depends on your fleet rather than on the trial. Put these four questions to any vendor before you buy.
- Will it fit the rest of my equipment, such as wing plows? A unit that clears the lane but interferes with a wing is not a saving.
- How does wear compare per edge, and how many edges must be replaced? Ask for edges consumed per season, not price per edge.
- What support does the vendor give? Training, spare edges and a named contact matter more than a trial video.
- What result do I need: a drier surface, or only a clear lane? The two goals justify different machines and different budgets.
What this does not tell you
The entries are opinions and quantities, and it is worth saying plainly what they are not.
- No measured wear, fuel or cost data are in these entries.
- The designs and support may have changed since 2011.
- Three states and about six plows cannot represent the whole market.
Boundary: Only a few entries from 2008-2011 exist, they are opinions and not controlled trials, and no wear or cost data are given; designs and support may have changed since.
Sources and further reading. External references are dated; where a figure is quoted, the link shows where it came from.
Clear Roads Product Experience Feedback 2006-2021: Combined Results, Blades and Plows (Covers state feedback 2006-2021; accessed 2026-10-24) ↗Building a Three-Year Blade Procurement Forecast ↗We found an insert missing but no broken pieces. Can we tell whether it fractured or pulled out? ↗Carbide snow plow blades ↗Comparing Three Edge Types on One Route Set: A Design for a County Road Commission ↗Where to Find Other Agencies’ Plow-Blade Specs: Public Records and Bid Portals ↗How a Local Agency Can Propose a Winter Maintenance Research Idea to Clear Roads ↗
