The 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty is making a big move this winter, garnering a best-in class plough rating, thanks to an available Snow Plow Prep Package, which includes heavy-duty springs specific to gasoline and diesel configurations and an up-rated alternator.
Available for 4x4 pickups, the package grants the gasoline SD (powered by the 7.3-litre V-8) a best-in-class rating of 635 kg (accounting for mounting hardware), while the diesel pickup (6.7-litre Power Stroke V-8) is also rated best in class at 585 kg.
“Super Duty is a real workhorse in the snow removal industry,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford F-Series Super Duty chief engineer. “With our new Snow Plow Prep Package, we’re really delivering for folks who clear the way after a big storm. Being able to safely hook up bigger plows means roads, driveways and parking lots are cleared quickly and drivers can move on to the next job.”
The Ford Super Duty is already the top choice in the estimated US $18-billion snow-clearing industry (which is reportedly seeing 3% annual growth), accounting for 50% of the market made up of 22,000 commercial contractors and more than 75,000 sole proprietors.
New features for the pickups include heated seats and steering wheel and windshield wiper de-icer, which pre-heats the windshield under the wipers to keep blades free of ice. White or amber strobe lights are optional, as is Deep Snow/Sand mode (which changes throttle and traction control settings) on models equipped with the 10-speed TorqShift automatic.