Scenario: a buyer orders a “blade” and receives the wrong part, because the supplier meant something different. Direct answer: terms are used loosely across suppliers, so match words with drawings, dimensions and part numbers. The definitions below are working meanings. One source I read, FAA AC 150/5220-20A, describes a snow plow as consisting of a cutting edge to shear snow from the pavement and a moldboard to lift and cast the dislodged snow to the side. Other terms below are informal usage and not from a standard.
Glossary
| Term | Working meaning | Source status | Ordering tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting edge | The part that contacts the pavement to shear snow | Described in AC 150/5220-20A | Give length, thickness, hole pattern and material |
| Moldboard | The curved plate that lifts and casts snow | Described in AC 150/5220-20A | Do not use it to mean the edge |
| Plow blade | Used by some to mean the whole plow face, by others the cutting edge | Informal; varies | Always add “cutting edge” or “moldboard” and a part number |
| Wear bar | A replaceable bar or strip that takes the wear; used differently across suppliers | Informal | Send a photo and measurements |
| Segment or insert | A section of a segmented edge, or a carbide piece set in one | Informal | State quantity per set and segment length |
| Shoe | A skid that holds the edge above the pavement | Informal | Give mounting and height |
| Hole pattern | The spacing and size of the bolt holes | Technical term | Measure centre to centre and hole diameter |
| Carriage bolt, plow bolt | Fasteners used on edges; names overlap | Informal | State size, length, thread, head type and grade |
How to avoid a wrong order
Most wrong orders are measurement or vocabulary failures rather than supplier failures.
- Measure with calipers: length, width, thickness, hole size and spacing. A tape measure loses the last millimetre.
- Photograph it from three angles, with a ruler.
- Give the plow make, model and year.
- Use the supplier’s part number where there is one.
- Ask the supplier to repeat the order back in their own words and drawing.
- Check the first delivery against the old part before you stock more.
Limits
These meanings are not a standard. Ask the supplier how they use each term.
Boundary: Only the cutting edge and moldboard descriptions come from AC 150/5220-20A; other terms are informal and vary, so confirm each with your supplier.
Sources and further reading. External references are dated; where a figure is quoted, the link shows where it came from.
Federal Aviation Administration: AC 150/5220-20A, Airport Snow and Ice Control Equipment (PDF text) (Issued 2014-09-24; FAA document page lists status Active and an errata sheet dated 2016-11-02 (not read); read 2026-10-24) ↗What Packed Ice Does to a Standard Cutting Edge ↗Mid-Season Blade Audit: A 60-Minute Check That Prevents February Failures ↗Carbide snow plow blades ↗Segmented vs Full-Length Edges: Handling, Wear and Replacement Granularity ↗Trip-Edge Plows and Replacement Edges: What Changes? ↗Mid-Size Trucks and Plow Weight: Why Edge Weight Matters on the Front Axle ↗
