Snow Plough for Forklifts - Clearing Warehouse and Production Yards

In short: A snow plough mounts onto the forklift's forks or carriage, turning the machine into a winter snow clearer when a dedicated loader isn't available. Choose the width based on the gates and roads you'll be clearing, and keep in mind that a wide plough affects the forklift's stability and steering.

When is a snow plough useful on a forklift?

In warehouse complexes and production sites, the forklift is on hand and ready anyway. If a dedicated snow clearing machine isn't available or is busy elsewhere, a forklift can clear the parking area, the space in front of the loading dock and access roads without calling in another machine.

This isn't a substitute for clearing large areas or public roads, but it works well for a local area, such as the front of a warehouse and the truck loading zone.

Straight plough or angled plough?

• Straight plough: pushes snow directly forward, suits narrower areas and access roads where snow can be piled against one fixed edge.
• Angled plough (V- or angle plough): directs snow to the sides, more convenient for clearing wider areas and yards in a single pass.

Which one to choose depends on the shape of the area and where the snow can be piled.

What to consider when choosing width and mounting?

• Gate and road width: the plough must not be wider than the narrowest passage you need to clear.
• Mounting on forks or carriage: most models mount between the forks, larger models mount directly on the carriage. For carriage-mounted models, the size must match the machine's FEM class, which we cover in more detail in our FEM frame bar article.
• Rubber edge: it's an advantage if the plough's lower edge is rubber, as it protects both the asphalt and the plough itself.
• Visibility: a wide plough up front reduces the view ahead, so it's useful to combine it with safety mirrors.

Common mistakes

• Too wide a plough: strains the machine's steering and stability more than necessary, especially when snow is wet and heavy.
• No snow chains: on snow and ice it's also worth considering snow chains so the forklift doesn't slip.
• Lack of maintenance: it's worth checking the rubber edge wear and the tightness of the mounting points at the start of each season.

You'll find all forklift attachments in our snow plough range. Send us your forklift's make, model and the area you need to clear, and we'll recommend the right width and type. Feel free to ask via our contact page.