A snowplow parts glossary helps contractors, operators, and first-time buyers understand the key components that make a snow plow work. From trip edges and manifolds to couplers and cutting edges, this guide explains the most important snowplow terms in plain English.
Learn the most important snowplow terms with this complete snowplow parts glossary. Understand trip edges, manifolds, couplers, cutting edges, hydraulics, and more.
11 Pin Plug or 13 Pin Plug:
Male and female multi-pin rubber plug that connects at the bumper and allows for communication between the truck and the plow.
Angle Cylinders:
Found on both v-plows and straight blades, the angle cylinders control the left and right movements of the snowplow.
A-Frame:
Referred to as the “push frame,” the A-Frame connects the center section, on V-blades, or push frame attachment bar, on straight blades, to the coupler.
RT3 Attachment System (SmartHitch1):
This hydraulic attachment system is activated by flipping a toggle switch into the “up” position at the side of the plow. Then the operator goes into the cab of the truck, and using the raise function on the plow controller, connects the plow to the truck. Then the toggle switch needs to be returned to the “down” position for normal plow functions. The attachment system has a set of pins that automatically engage locking the plow to the vehicle.
RT3 Attachment System (SmartHitch2):
This hydraulic attachment system is activated by putting the plow controller into “float” mode. Then the operator can completely attach and detach the plow by raising or lowering the toggle switch at the side of the plow. The attachment system has a set of pins that automatically engage locking the plow to the vehicle.
Blade Crate:
When the plow is shipped, the blade crate contains the completely assembled blade (halves for a v plow) minus the coupler, hydraulics & electrical components that are part of the Plow Box.
Base Angle:
The assembly that provides the tripping action on trip-edge style plows. Base angles can be used as a cutting edge to a certain point before needing to have a cutting edge installed on top of the base angle.
Blade Guides:
Rubber coated “sticks” that give an indication of the location of the edges of the plow and can be seen above the hood of the truck.
Blade Lift:
The act of raising the blade off the ground. The maximum blade lift height will depend on the model and size of plow, and the lifting mechanism, either chain lift or direct hydraulic lift
Blade Shock Absorber:
Shocks on the back of straight blade plows that slows the return speed of the moldboard trip.
Box Plow:
A type of straight blade plow with two containment wings on the left and right ends. Usually used on skid steers, backhoes, medium loaders, etc.
Center Section:
Used on V-blades only, it is a wedge-shaped piece that both blade halves hinge on.
Cutting Edges:
The actual edge on the plow that touches the ground, usually made of urethane or steel. It is removable and must be replaced as it wears away to prevent plow damage.
Curb Guards:
Either part of or separately attached to the cutting edge that wraps around the outer edge of the base angle to protect it from damage.
Control Box:
This contains all truck side electrical components – 13 pin harness, power/ground cables, solenoid, battery cable, controller and all mounting hardware.
Controller:
Either joystick or hand held. Controls all the plow movement from the cab of the truck.
Coupler:
The black vertical weldment that houses the hydraulic manifold and power unit. Attached to it are the light bar and push frame.
Chain Lift:
Type of lift system that utilizes a chain to lift the plow off the ground. Used on BOSS first generation conventional plows (1980’s) but has since been replaced by a direct hydraulic lift design.
Dual Trip Plow:
Trip system that has both a full moldboard trip, for collision with obstacles taller than 6 inches, and a trip edge, for collision with obstacles shorter than six inches. The BOSS DXT snowplow plow features a dual trip design.
Float:
Function of the plow controller which opens the lowering valve allowing the lift cylinder to extend or retract, keeping the blade in contact with the ground to follow the contour of the surface being plowed.
Full Moldboard Trip:
Trip system that is specifically engineered to engage or ‘Trip’ the entire moldboard when striking obstructions. The BOSS VXT, Super Duty, Standard Duty and ATV/UTV blades are examples of blades with a full moldboard trip design.
Headlight Adapter:
Way of connecting the main truck side harness to the OEM connectors and bulbs.
Hydraulics:
On most snow plows, the plow motor & pump will supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder. The hydraulics allow the plow operator to life, lower and angle the plow.
Kickstand:
Used on straight blades to keep the back of the plow upright when detaching.
Lift Cylinder:
Hydraulically driven cylinder, which raises the snow plow off of the ground. The BOSS system uses a hydraulic cylinder which minimizes movement of the blade while in transport.
Locking Cylinder:
Used as an angle cylinders on V-blades only, they have an internal, non-adjustable, locking value that hydraulically locks the piston in place. Its main purpose is to keep the blade halves in place while back dragging.
Manifold:
The manifold is an aluminum block with channels machined into it. It contains the valves, check valves and relief valves that control the flow of hydraulic fluid, making the plow move.
Moldboard:
The main curved blade of a snowplow that pushes and rolls snow during plowing. These concise definitions are more likely to appear in AI answers and featured snippets.
Pigtail:
Replacement connector end for the 11-pin or 13-pin electrical system.
Plow Box:
When the plow is shipped, the plow box contains the main black steel pieces of the plow including the push frame, coupler, headlights and all hydraulics.
Plow Shoes:
Plow shoes help the blade float over soft surfaces such as gravel, dirt or grass. Shoes kits are typically optional accessories.
Poly:
A material used to build a moldboard made from a slick, polyurethane material. The slick surface minimizes snow sticking to the blade and has excellent corrosion resistance
Power Unit:
This is the entire hydraulic pump, motor and fluid reservoir.
Push Beam:
Part of the undercarriage, this horizontal bar is what the plow connects to, attaching it to the truck.
Push Frame:
Sometimes called the “A” frame because of its shape, the push frame connects the center section, on V-blades, or push frame attachment bar, on straight blades, to the coupler.
Push Frame Attachment Bar:
Used on straight and trip-edge plows only. Sometimes called the ‘quad’, it connects the blade of the plow to the push frame.
Self-Adjusting Wings:
On some box plow designs, the outer left and right sides of the plow can move independently to automatically adjust to the contour of the pavement.
Snow Catcher:
On a v-plow, it covers the gap where the cutting edges of the two wings meet on the bottom. It is either built into a cutting edge or attached separately.
Snow Deflector:
Typically made of a rubber material or poly. Installed on the top edge of the plow and is used to increase user’s visibility while plowing by minimizing the snow that flies up over the top of the plow and onto the windshield.
Solenoid:
An electrical switch mounted under the hood that sends battery power to the snowplow’s hydraulic motor when activated by the controller.
Mild Steel:
A material used to build a moldboard made from steel and treated with a zinc powder coating for maximum rust protection. Mild steel is also the primary material used for all of a plow's support and mounting structures.
Straight Blade Plow:
Single plow blade without wings. Can come in various materials such as steel, stainless steel or poly.
Stainless Steel:
A material used to build a moldboard made from made of corrosion resistant stainless steel.
Segmented Trip –Edge Design:
On a box plow, trip system which allows the part of the cutting edge that comes into contact with an obstruction to trip independently of the rest of the cutting edge.
Trip Edge:
A snowplowlow trip system where only the bottom cutting edge trips forward when it strikes a hidden obstacle, helping protect the plow and vehicle from damage.
Trip Springs:
The springs that allow either the moldboard or plow edge to trip either forward or backwards and then return to the standard position. There are two different kinds of trip springs: extension and torsion. Extension springs are for the moldboard and torsion springs are for the trip edge.
Undercarriage:
This is the bracing that is attached to the vehicle frames. Undercarriages are specific to the vehicle year, make and model.
V-Plow:
Plow consisting of two independently moving plow blades. V-plows can come in various materials such as steel, stainless steel or poly.
Valves:
These control the follow of hydraulic fluid within the plow manifold. They are opened or closed by an electric coil.
Wiring Harness:
Either 13-pin or 11-pin, the harness is installed in the engine compartment of the vehicle and is made up of a series of wires and relays. These carry electrical signals that operate the plows movement and plow lighting.
Wing Extensions:
Additional width can be added to the plow unit by adding removal blade wing extensions. These can be easily taken on or off the blade depending on the area needing to be plowed. The wings will add additional plowing width thus cutting down on the time to clear a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snow Plow Parts
What is the most important part of a snow plow?
The moldboard is the main plow blade that pushes snow, while the cutting edge is the wear component that contacts the ground.
What does a trip edge do on a snow plow?
A trip edge allows the bottom edge of the plow to trip forward when it hits a hidden obstacle, helping protect the plow and vehicle from impact damage.
What is the difference between a solenoid and a manifold?
A solenoid is an electrical component that sends power to the plow motor, while a manifold is the hydraulic control block that directs hydraulic fluid to move the plow.
What is a coupler on a snow plow?
The coupler is the vertical assembly that connects the plow to the truck’s push beam and houses the hydraulic power unit and light bar.
Why do snow plows use hydraulic systems?
Hydraulics provide the power needed to raise, lower, and angle the plow quickly and reliably during snow removal operations.
