In a seasonally perfect topic, Tim forwarded this link that included a video that has some vintage video of jeeps moving snow with Meyer plows. The video notes that Meyer has been selling plows since World War II. I happened upon a second Meyer video on youtube, featuring 1960s innovations. Finally, below the videos are four pages from a 1947 special equipment book showing early Meyer ads.
http://www.smithbrothersservices.com/meyer-drive-pro-plow-jeep-wrangler-install-picture-page.html
Video from the page above:
A video of Meyer products from the 1960s featuring a wagon and an FC using a plow:
1947 Special Equipment ads for Meyer products:
back in the 1950’s & 60’s, there always was a debate going on as to which was a better plow for Jeep vehicles. Although Meyer received the Jeep seal of approved equipment, in the early days, Willys Jeep sold both Meyer & Western plows. Westren made a heavier plow set up including the undercarriage which was preferred by some Jeep owners including my self. Although being a heavier plow set up, the Western plow tended to weigh down the front end suspension when raised, the Meyer plow, being of lighter construction, didn’t have that same effect. My dad bought a Western plow new from the dealer in 1962 for $200.00 installed for our 1950 CJ3A, and I’ve used Western plows on my Jeeps from that time on. Any comments, thoughts on this subject? inquiring minds want to know.
I have been around,plowed with and worked on snow plows for over 30 years, and worked at a dealership that sold Meyer plows.I prefer the western over the Meyer for dependability in a fleet environment.Another gripe I had was the Meyer frame hung closer to the ground on the trucks that we had them on.I have not used a plow on a Jeep,I can see how the weight of the frame attatching to the vehicle would be a factor. I am sure that there are owners of Meyer plows that are happy with their plow.This is just my opinion. 🙂
I believe that the Meyers plow was a lighter plow, but that was actually better for jeep use, not so hard on the front end. I have had both and l liked the Meyer Plow better for Jeeps. I prefer the Western Plow for my 3/4 ton Dodge truck. Both Meyers and Western now make lightweight versions for smaller vehicles. Like everything, the price of plows have increased greatly, easily over 5k for many.
Having never used a plow. let alone one on a jeep, this is a useful thread. Any thoughts on the other early plows such as the Blackhawk, Champion, Rogers, Scheneker, or Dozerette? (the Dozerette and Rogers plowers were more earth scrapers than plows). Given the season, I will do a post on all the different plows. I have old brochures for all of them.
Another plow not mentioned was FISHER, popular in NJ during the 1960’s, even heavier than Western. Now and then, I’d see one one a Jeep, but that was rare. Their big “Perceived selling point” was FISHER “Down Pressure Plow”. Not so sure that was a good thing, a cleaner sweep with the plow, but a stiffer bumpy ride took its’ toll on the vehicle’s suspension.
Dave,
Do you have anything on Hy-Lo hydraulic systems? I’d love to find a complete system some day. The stuff I’ve looked at is always either trashed or missing too many parts or over priced.
Did the they use one type of plow or many.
thx
Brian
Great stuff , Love the videos !!! I have been plowing tons of snow for alot of years with every type of Willys jeep made and they all work awesome . All three of the big brands worked great including the Scheneker units .Cab Overs and Commandos plow great but I have always been partial to the smaller 2As 3As 3Bs etc as they were smaller and could fit into tight spots .Military weed chains all around and a bunch of weight in the back and they become mini dozers able to climb big piles of snow.Rumor has it and someone can correct me on this if Im wrong is that the early FC 150s were having big problems endoing while pushing snow so they came up with the rear counter weight to help balance things out . Love the Vplow in the video , was never lucky enough to find one in all the setups Ive had. Did manage to score a really cool factory optioned snow scoop (either a Western or Meyers not sure will check tag) from a fellow jeep buddy this past year.Cant wait to hook it up and goof around with it. Looks like it will work well with mulch and maybe even small scoops of dirt.Let it snow!!!!
Brian, The HY LO units were very basic and mounted on top the the generator on the old Willys flat head engines. As time passed and the engines and horsepower became more sophisticated, the basic unit remained the same with modifications to fit the type of engine. Basic changes were belt pulleys were mounted to the engine block with a separate oil reservoir mounted somewhere under the hood. Later on when the power angle plow was introduced, all that was required was the addition of another valve to the original pump. These hy lo units are very easy to repair and very low maintenance. If you find one that’s frozen up for lack of oil, buy it for cheap, rebuild kits are available. I’ve seen the basic Hy lo pumps on Ebay for under $75.00. I my self always preferred the Hy Lo units as opposed to the Electrolift. Plow all day and all night, your battery will never go dead as on the Electrolift units.
Ted, the FC 150s needed the weight to just drive in gravel too. We had two or three guys hang on the back of a 150 that was missing the weight in Jesse’s driveway once to help get it moving.
Thx Mike. I will keep looking. I have a 1960 CJ5 with the stock F head. It has a 12V generator.
Fisher Engineering out of Rockland, Maine has been making plows since at least the late 50’s. My Dad had a Fisher plow on his 46 2A. We then moved it to a 61 CJ5 and finally to a 69 CJ5. They were everywhere in New England and the northeast. Still a great American product.