LED Snow Plow Lights Enhance Safety
Snow plows often perform in conditions of limited visibility. Weather conditions, time of day and the lighting systems on plow vehicles all influence the ability of the operator to see the roadway ahead. Lighting on snow plows must provide forward illumination for the operator as well increase the ability of other drivers to immediately recognize the plow. This is a critical safety measure since plows often move at slower speeds than other traffic during winter maintenance operations, which can be potentially hazardous to motorists who get too close.
LED Headlights Improve Plowing Visibility
Incandescent bulbs have been used for vehicle headlamps for over a century, but in the last two decades automobiles, including trucks, have increasingly used halogen and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs as light sources. A recent study showed that LEDs improved visibility by allowing for easier viewing of objects at greater distances compared to halogen bulbs.
LED’s Lower Plow Maintenance Costs
In addition to offering enhanced safety, LEDs are extremely energy efficient and have a long service life when compared to other headlamp bulbs. LED snow plow lights can last 25 times longer than standard bulbs and fixtures, which means a significant reduction in maintenance and replacement costs. While it may cost more initially to replace halogen or incandescent bulbs with LEDs, this will save money over the long term.
Types of LED Snow Plow Lights
LED snow plow lights are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles, ranging from strobe lights to beacons, work lights and light bars. Although they come in a variety of colors, including green, blue and white, amber bulbs and fixtures have long been the standard for snow plow lighting because of their ability to reflect the greatest amount of light. They are highly visible in cloudy conditions and minimize glare from snow, ice, sleet and rain, helping reduce the chance of snow plow accidents.
NEW Western Nighthawk LED Headlamps Offer 100% LED Performance
Western’s new Nighthawk LED Headlamp features the company’s exclusive EdgeView™ technology. A dedicated LED bulb directs light through the outer edge of each headlamp to provide a full 180 degrees of light visibility from plow edge to plow edge. This provides operators with an all-around view of their plow’s operating environment, no matter what the time of day or how bad visibility may be.
Available as an option to upgrade existing Western truck plows, the Nighthawk LED plow light kit offers 100% LED performance. Every bulb inside the headlamps is an LED bulb, so these LEDs provide up to two times the light output of halogens for maximum visibility.
Enhanced solid-optic elements for both low and high beams focus the light into a specifically tuned pattern, shining the light exactly where it needs to be, rather than relying on reflectors to try to aim the light outward. The result is a wider, fuller and brighter light pattern so operators have better visibility while driving and plowing.
Western LED Spreader Lights Improve Nighttime Operations
Western also offers LED work lights for better nighttime visibility at the rear of your Tornado spreader. Encased in anodized aluminum and good to less than minus 20 degrees, this LED light will put over 1000 lumens where needed. Western’s Additional Work Light kit integrates with the original Work Light Kit, making it easy to add one, two or more lights to your spreader.
At Plow Parts Direct, we can help you choose the accessories that are right for your snow plow operation. Our experts can provide advice and expertise on everything from vehicle compatibility to installation. Call us at 201-327-6050.