Hi all - I attended a local roads conference and trade show yesterday in North Bay, Ontario. Good turnout by vendors. Some day, I plan to travel the distance to the NE states again (I Honeymooned in Skowhegon) and may catch up. SIMA is on my mind.<p>Some of my observations:<p>Lots of changes coming to the pickup plow market: Meyer is bringing out a drive-in quick mount, but I'll reserve judgement.<p>Dino, I asked around for urethane edges - got references to rubber and blank looks. I'll take you up on your offer as the vendors up here do not know their lines very well. <p>I followed Mag-Cl with not much positive comments from the vendors. I'm stumped because the guys here (who use and make a living with it left me with another, more positive impression). I'll read all the propeganda on both products and probably repost a question or two.<p>I saw the first newer style Diamond - they are not sold locally, even by our established Meyer dealer. Not bad looking, certainly more stout that the Meyers. I did have the opportunity to try a Diamond Vee about 8 years ago. I was a radical design at the time, but it would sell well now. <p>A solid plow in Canada, Arctic from London Ont. was represented by their marketing manager. I chatted him out of one hour of his time and some trinkets. I have used their plows for years before switching to Boss for the Vee. Anyways, they have redesigned their line to include a HD poly straight blade, full trip and are introducing a HD poly edge trip to get them into the markets where Fisher dominates. Their unimount system is straight forward and includes a crank jack to re-align the holes after a snowfall. My $64 question was when will the Arctic Vee come out? I was disappointed in the answer here - they want to focus on the straight blade (with wings for the parking lot market!!) for another year before introducing a vee. It will, at this point, have a trip edge and double acting cylinders: again to go after the Fisher/Western market. I argued with him on the wings and double acting hydraulic system - our Boss's with smart-lock are flawless, quick and easier on the pump, batteries and alternator. He used to work for Fisher, so he has that on the brain. Anyway, I chatted with my local dealer, and he had the same concerns as me, as well as several others, and he is taking the manager to task at the regional sales meeting level. Good company, stubborn management.<p>Anyway, why should you guys south of the border be interested in a Canadian-made plow? Afer looking at the Arctic HD straight blades, the slick mount and ... the US-Canada $$$ exchange rate, the Americans have a buying advantage. The hydraulic system is the same, ages-old electric Monarch than serves very well.<p>I also saw a 9', Sweden-made Vee blade/dozer for the backhoe. Very HD - 2,400 pounds and well built, inclucing a pressure-relief accumulator system. The price was very steep - $12,500 plus taxes, but I am heading back at the end of the show to make a rediculess offer....<p>Didn't mean to rattle on so long, Regards<p>John<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Deere John
