Bryan, you need to learn a few things about big trucks and big plows, and front end weight. For a class 6 and 7 trucks, ie F 650, F 750, International 4700, and 4900. Frink blade is too much weight for most class 6 and 7 trucks front ends (its the same reason why ya don't put a 9' plow on a 1/2 ton truck). Granted a Frink plow is very tough, you can't kill the beast, however it will destroy a truck that doesn't have the font end to handle it. Yes with a lighter duty plow (fisher, western, meyer, ect) you may have to replace you moldboard after 10 years of hard use, i don't know maybe it will last longer (than 10 years, have had one long enough to know for sure). However i would rather replace a moldboard after 10 years, then destroy the front end every 5 years.
Class 8 trucks, Ie Ford L 9000s, International 4900 ( may be a heavy class 7) International 5000i series are class 8. I am not sure on chevy's models, which is class 6,7,or8, so i won't speculate. However these larger trucks, have the front end to handle a Frink or other brands of heavy duty plows well.I have been told by a Frink dealer, that you can put their plow on a Class 6 or 7, but the truck won't be liken life. This is why a Fisher MC or Western Pro Plow, or even the Meyer Heavy weights, work well for class 6 or 7. Bryan, just don't give someone the wrong advice, you know a lot, but there ya still have a lot to learn, just like everyone else.
Yes, when i replace one of my L 9000s, i will buy a 2 axel truck to replace it, for my private roads. It will be a heavy truck just like the L 9000, with a Frink Plow and wing, double acting body, and all the toys. However the Price tag today is just shy of 100K. A Frink blade, not counting hydro, lift frame, frame kit, lights, controlls, is 6K just for the blade. So why don't i use one of my L 9000s now? They are all tri axels.
Ok This is what i have for big plow trucks:
2 F 650 Under CDL
Both have 10' Fisher MC Plows, Video cameras, on spot chains, auto, and the cat engine. My 2000 Bought last fall, has a low profile body (sides i think are 18" tall) this truck has a V-box spreader. My other 2000 F 650 bought this summer, has a under the tailgate spreader run off a central hydro system with electric valves (this truck also has a standard size body). Now the plow currently is run off the fisher electric pump, however if the pump fails or has probles, i can run the plow off the central hydro system in a matter of mins ( its all wired, and piped for a plow).
My 750 (requires cdl), bought this summer. Is the same exact setup as the F 650 bought this summer, only its a F 750.
Last year the F 650 plowed very well, and never had a traction problem. I believe Ford's F 650 and F 750 are very good trucks, i like the interior design easy to drive, and a good trans/engine combo. If you going to plow get an auto, no matter what brand truck you buy. The end result is, that everyone of those trucks would work well. However you will have to decide if you want to spend a little more for brand a vs brand b. Don't be afraid to spend a little more for the one you want, because you will have the truck for a long time.
Oh yea my Fisher 10' had 10 ( i believe it plow an actually 300 miles for the season) miles of road to plow last year, and some lot work. No Problems with the blade, the Fisher 10 and 9 MC's are built tough, a lot tougher than most people think. Plowing roads, and lots, what else are you going to do with the truck? What application wouldn't this blade work well for, ok High speed over 25 mph highway work.
Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.
Geoff
[Edited by GeoffDiamond on 10-11-2000 at 01:31 AM]
