A complete WESTERN® plow setup is four things: the blade itself, a vehicle-specific mount that bolts to your truck's frame, a wiring harness with plow lighting, and a controller in the cab. You need all four for a working plow, and our flat $1,000 installation covers fitting the mount and wiring to your truck. Optional add-ons like plow shoes, a snow deflector, and blade markers get chosen based on what you clear.
People shopping plows tend to focus entirely on the blade, which makes sense since that's the part you see. But a blade on its own doesn't plow anything. A working plow is four separate pieces, and if you're comparing prices between dealers or looking at a used setup, knowing all four is what keeps you from getting surprised.
The four pieces
- The bladeThe moldboard, cutting edge, hydraulics, and the plow-side of the mounting system.
- The mountVehicle-specific brackets that bolt to your truck's frame. Different for every make, model, and year.
- Wiring and lightingA harness matched to your truck's electrical system, plus the plow headlamps.
- The controllerThe unit in the cab you actually operate the plow with.
1. The blade
This is the model you picked: HTS, Enforcer, PRO-PLOW® 3, MVP 3™, WIDE-OUT™ XL. It includes the moldboard, the cutting edge, the hydraulic system that raises and angles it, and the plow half of the UltraMount® 2 attachment system. Moldboard material varies by model, and our moldboard guide covers that choice.
2. The mount
This is the part that's specific to your truck. The mount is a bracket kit engineered for your exact make, model, and year that bolts to the frame and stays on year-round. It's also the piece people forget about when buying a used plow, because a blade off a Chevy won't attach to your Ford without the correct mount for the Ford. If you change trucks, the blade usually moves with you but the mount doesn't.
3. Wiring and lights
A harness ties the plow into your truck's electrical system, and it's matched to your vehicle the same way the mount is. This runs power to the plow's hydraulics and handles the plow headlamps, which take over from your truck's headlights since the blade blocks them. Getting the lighting wired and aimed correctly is part of the install.
4. The controller
WESTERN offers handheld and joystick controllers depending on the plow and your preference. Handhelds are the common choice and mount to the dash; joysticks appeal to people who run a plow all day and want a more tactile feel. Both do the same job. If you're spending long nights in the truck, it's worth telling us which you prefer rather than defaulting.
The reason we bring this up is used plows. Someone finds a blade online for what looks like a great price, then discovers they need a mount for their truck, a harness for their truck, and possibly a controller, and the total lands well past a new setup. If you're comparing a used deal to a new one, make sure you're comparing all four pieces.
Common add-ons
| Add-on | What it does | Worth it if |
|---|---|---|
| Plow shoes | Hold the cutting edge above the surface | You plow gravel. Close to essential there. |
| Snow deflector | Keeps snow from rolling over the top of the blade | You push at speed or clear long runs |
| Blade markers | Show you where the blade edges are | You plow at night or near curbs and obstacles |
| Back-drag edge | Improves pulling snow back out of tight spots | You back-drag out of garages and doorways |
| Extra cutting edge | Replacement wear part | You run a lot of hours and want a spare on hand |
None of these are required to plow. Shoes are the one we'd push hardest, and only if you're on gravel, where they're the difference between clearing snow and redistributing your driveway into the yard.
Quick questions
What comes with a snow plow?Blade, vehicle-specific mount, wiring harness with lights, and a controller.
Is the mount included?It's part of a complete setup, and fitting it is covered by the $1,000 install.
Does it come with lights?Yes, plow headlamps are part of the setup since the blade blocks your truck's.
Handheld or joystick controller?Both are offered. Handheld is most common; joystick suits long shifts.
Can I move my plow to a new truck?Usually the blade moves; the mount and harness are truck-specific.
Do I need plow shoes?On gravel, effectively yes. On pavement, no.
What's not included?Optional add-ons like deflectors, blade markers, and back-drag edges.
Why does a used blade seem so cheap?Because it's one of four pieces. Price the mount and harness too.
FAQ
What comes with a WESTERN snow plow?
Is the mount included with the plow?
Does a plow come with lights?
What controller options does WESTERN offer?
Why is a used plow blade so much cheaper?
What add-ons are worth getting?
Get a complete quote
Blade, mount, wiring, and controller for your exact truck, plus the flat $1,000 install. No missing pieces at the counter.