Mark in Colorado
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- Oct 21, 2019
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We got 10” of snow last night here in Colorado Springs and I wanted to share a real-usage report on how the Defender XT Cab with ProMount 72” Steel plow did. These were tough conditions: 13F, 10”, very steep (20% grade in spots):
- CanAm 27” Chains: Excellent. Used 4WD but not the lockers. Great engine-hold down hill, superb traction uphill. Work Mode seemed ideal (I tried them all). I did hit the rear lockers once with it in 2WD just for the fun of it - I swear it would climb a tree. What an amazingly capable machine. Fun!
- ProMount 72” Steel - Good, but the stock paint would not shed snow or allow for a good blade roll (see picture). It loads up badly and sticks. I’ll be painting the with a Meyer Plow blade paint. My wife suggested Pam spray! No issues with the power angling hydraulics at all (even when frozen).
- Heater / Defroster - AWESOME! With the winter radiator front it stayed warm (hot really) and fog free under horrible conditions.
- Brakes - Hmmmm, had to mention this: as the machine began to freeze up outside after about 45 min, the brakes required about 3x the foot pressure to stop. I’ve got a heated garage and I’m thawing then now. Will research... wrong fluid DOT rating maybe?
- Wiper - Almost Perfect... I’d pay cash money for a wiper delay relay of some kind. Anyone know of an upgrade? I found myself constantly reaching up to turn it on/off. Never once had to use the washer. The windshield stayed warm to the touch even at near-single-digit temps and blowing snow.
- Headlights - GREAT, but need A Roof Light Bar - a classic plowing problem, but won’t put that CanAm unit up there: ugly, too expensive, too high. Will wire up a 52” LED bar shortly.
The Can-Am runs circles around my old Bronco plow rig!
- Mark
- CanAm 27” Chains: Excellent. Used 4WD but not the lockers. Great engine-hold down hill, superb traction uphill. Work Mode seemed ideal (I tried them all). I did hit the rear lockers once with it in 2WD just for the fun of it - I swear it would climb a tree. What an amazingly capable machine. Fun!
- ProMount 72” Steel - Good, but the stock paint would not shed snow or allow for a good blade roll (see picture). It loads up badly and sticks. I’ll be painting the with a Meyer Plow blade paint. My wife suggested Pam spray! No issues with the power angling hydraulics at all (even when frozen).
- Heater / Defroster - AWESOME! With the winter radiator front it stayed warm (hot really) and fog free under horrible conditions.
- Brakes - Hmmmm, had to mention this: as the machine began to freeze up outside after about 45 min, the brakes required about 3x the foot pressure to stop. I’ve got a heated garage and I’m thawing then now. Will research... wrong fluid DOT rating maybe?
- Wiper - Almost Perfect... I’d pay cash money for a wiper delay relay of some kind. Anyone know of an upgrade? I found myself constantly reaching up to turn it on/off. Never once had to use the washer. The windshield stayed warm to the touch even at near-single-digit temps and blowing snow.
- Headlights - GREAT, but need A Roof Light Bar - a classic plowing problem, but won’t put that CanAm unit up there: ugly, too expensive, too high. Will wire up a 52” LED bar shortly.
The Can-Am runs circles around my old Bronco plow rig!
- Mark
Your firsthand experience with the Defender XT Cab navigating 10 inches of snow on a 20% grade is invaluable. The CanAm 27” Chains and the ProMount 72” Steel plow seem like a formidable combo. Have you ever considered using a 
