Move over snow, there’s a new plow in town

A new kind of snowplow to be tested this winter on roadways in Des Moines, Waterloo and Sioux City may get a few double takes from motorists.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will introduce its first three tow plows to the public Wednesday in Grimes. As the name implies, they are pulled behind the truck instead of pushed in front of it.

The DOT owns about 900 snowplows. It is buying three of the $70,000 tow plows, because they can clear two lanes of travel, about 25 feet wide, with a single pass. Another advantage of tow plows is that the 26-foot-long blade can be pulled in when needed.

“We will need one

less truck and one less person out on the road,” said Annette Dunn, winter operations administrator.

The state of Missouri has 60 tow plows, Dunn said, and has reported savings of 10 percent to 30 percent in labor, truck and fuel expenses.

One of many things DOT will be exploring is different applications for the truck. The state initially wants to try the tow plows on roadways with three or more lanes.

Using tow plows on narrower roadways isn't out of the question, Dunn said, adding that Missouri uses them on some two-lane expressways.

Wednesday's rollout is partly to inform the public about how the tow plows work, so motorists don't endanger themselves or the plow drivers, Dunn said.

Iowa is buying the tow plows from Viking-Cives Midwest Inc. in Missouri.