Winter is here. It’s time for multiple layers, hot chocolate, and, most importantly, moving ice and snow from various surfaces. For this task, you’ll use your snow plows to clear out packed ice or snow from your parkways and driveways. However, when was the last time you checked the snow plow cutting edges?
Snow plows with steel cutting edges or rubber edges may get the job done, but we’d like to propose a more cost-effective, durable, and noiseless alternative — polyurethane cutting edges.
With urethane-cutting edges mounted on your snow plow, grinding noises and surface damage will be things of the past. Most importantly, polyurethane cutting edges are more cost-effective than they appear, as they’re resilient to the wear and tear brought by the cold months. Look no further if you’re looking at cutting edges for snow pushers or plows that address many of your winter pain points. Choose polyurethane cutting edges instead of rubber or metal cutting edges.
Why? Grab a warm beverage, put away your shovel and salt, and read on.
What is a Polyurethane Plow Edge?
A polyurethane cutting edge is part of a snow plow cutting edge system. It’s an accessory mounted at the base of a plow’s steel cutting edge.
Polyurethane edges attach to a snow plow’s default edges in several ways, depending on their mounting instructions. The most common attachment method is by bolting the polyurethane edges on drill holes.
Using this method, a person attaching the poly cutting edge will bolt a new cutting edge through a drill hole. Attached this way, the poly cutting edge stays on the steel edge and remains secure even on rough surfaces.
A polyurethane cutting edge is smooth, making them plow blades that can eliminate driver fatigue. In addition, cutting edges consist of polyurethane with a low friction coefficient, unlike metal cutting edges.
The low friction coefficient is also an excellent feature for snow blowers, snow plows, and snow pushers meant for more delicate surfaces — like those in residential areas. They also bend on uneven surfaces, making them safe for the driver, the surface, and the snow plow or pusher.
Polyurethane cutting edges also have maximum abrasion resistance because of their specialized urethane formulation. This gives them an edge in long-term durability and structural integrity.
In short, polyurethane cutting edges are perfect for snow plows, pushers, and snow blowers. They are accessories that attach to default-issue steel edges and provide users with a cutting edge that boasts all the qualities of polyurethane.
How Are Polyurethane Plow Edges Built?
Polyurethane plow edges are the products of engineered molding and construction. Manufacturers will often make polyurethane cutting edges in pre-set batches. These batches of cutting edges come in uniform specifications.
A manufacturer uses predetermined specs as guidelines for creating blades made of polyurethane. The specs will cover everything from the plow blade widths to thicknesses.
Unlike steel cutting edges, polyurethane cutting edges are moldable. Their moldability makes them easy and economical to produce, especially after a manufacturer configures and determines specs like thickness and material.
Because a cutting-edge polyurethane manufacturer fulfills massive shipments, there’s little to no room for customization. For this reason, you will receive a urethane snow plow edge that may not be exactly what you want. At best, you’ll get a cutting edge that only closely resembles the specs you have in mind. After receiving the edges, you’ll have to cut them yourself and figure out how to attach them to your snow plow.
Luckily, some companies manufacture custom polyurethane plow blades. If you want cutting edges that meet your ideal specifications, call a manufacturer that incorporates your additional information dimensions. For customized polyurethane snow plow edges, look no further than UniFlex.
Reach out for polyurethane and rubber edges that are engineered and made just the way you want them to be.
Why is Polyurethane Used for Snow Plows?
The steel cutting edge has long been a mainstay for plows. Steel plow blades scrape and move ice and snow from surfaces like cobblestone and concrete. However, steel made plowing potentially damaging, ruining concrete and cobblestone surfaces.
As the demand for plow blades for residential areas grew, more manufacturers experimented with various materials.
Rubber plow blades became available as they proved to be friendly to residential areas. But, unfortunately, rubber was expensive to source. Also, it needs to be more flexible to bend on uneven pavement.
Homeowners desired something with the resilience and long life of a steel cutting edge and the flexibility of rubber edges. The polyurethane fills the gap between steel and rubber blades as an alternative material.
Polyurethane became the material of choice for plows, pushers, and blowers — thanks to the advantages of polyurethane for plow blade manufacturing.
Polyurethane Blades Have a Lower Friction Coefficient Than Steel Cutting Edges
When selecting snow plow-cutting blades, one of the qualities to consider is the friction coefficient. The friction coefficient determines the blade’s abrasive force on a plowing surface. The higher it is, the more friction a blade applies to a plowing surface. A high friction coefficient is desirable for most surfaces. However, a low friction coefficient material like polyurethane is superior for delicate surfaces.
A poly plow edge has a lower coefficient than its steel counterpart. Polyurethane edges can glide on a plowing surface and protect it from excessive abrasion and damage.
A Polyurethane Snow Plow Blade Has a Longer Life Than a Rubber Edge
Plowing can take a toll on even the most resilient or flexible materials. While rubber is flexible, it only takes a short time before the edges wear out. For long-lasting plowing blades, polyurethane is a better material than rubber.
Poly cutting edges are abrasion-resistant. Due to their polyurethane construction, they can withstand multiple plowings even at a fraction of the thickness of rubber edges. Polyurethane’s low friction coefficient also enables polyurethane edges to glide on any surface easily and avoid damage.
Polyurethane Cutting Edges Are Quiet
A poly cutting edge isn’t just protective of every surface. A poly edge is also close to noiseless. We can attribute the quietness of a poly cutting edge to its weight and friction coefficient.
Polyurethane cutting edges can glide on surfaces without causing much friction. As a result, you’ll hear no screeching noises as you plow snow or ice off your property’s surface.
Poly Snow Plow Blades Are Warp Resistant
Adding to the wear-and-tear resistance of polyurethane cutting edges is their warp resistance. Polyurethane is a stable material that doesn’t change when temperatures rise or drop. The polyurethane’s stability allows you to store your blade for a long time without the risk of its shape, width, and thickness changing whenever it gets hot or cold.
Unparalleled Shock Resistance
Due to its construction, a poly cutting edge is more resistant to shock than steel. Polyurethane boasts the elasticity and flexibility that enables your blade to bend on uneven pavement or residential surfaces.
A New Cutting Edge Costs Less Than Rubber
Rubber is flexible, safe, and easy to mount and customize. However, it’s not the most economical option despite being cheaper than steel. On the other hand, Urethane is more accessible to source and mold, making it a more affordable and equally effective alternative to rubber.
When you buy a polyurethane plow blade, you’ll get it at a lower price than a rubber blade. Many manufacturers are now offering affordable polyurethane edges. However, if you’re looking for the best deals for custom polyurethane blades, call us now for a free quote.
Customizability
Polyurethane’s most salient advantage over steel and rubber is its moldability. As the most moldable material for plow blades, polyurethane is almost as easy to shape as plastic. As a result, the material lends itself better to customization.
Unfortunately, only some manufacturers have the logistics and manufacturing capabilities to customize plowing blades to your specs. This is where we come in. Reach out for custom plowing edges that fully reflect your exact specifications.
The Best Time to Purchase a Polyurethane Plow Edge is Now
When is the best time to buy a poly plowing edge for trucks, plows, and pushers? If you’re reading this, and it’s snowing, then the answer is clear — there’s no better time than now.
By ordering your edges during December, January, and February, you’ll be increasing the shelf life of your plow, blower, or truck. With that in mind, consider your new cutting-edge investment for your plow and residential surface.
When You Need Quality Custom Polyurethane Cutting Edges, Think UniFlex
Do you need custom polyurethane cutting edges explicitly molded to your desired specs? Look no further. Call us now for poly-cutting edges for trucks, blowers, and plows built to last and serve you well this winter.