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M-DOT takes new 'tow plow' for test drive

PORTAGE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - There's a new tool in the snow plow game, and on Wednesday, the M-DOT southwest region took the tow plow for a test drive.

It's basically a plow towed by a plow, making snow removal faster and easier.

It tows at a 30 degree angle, clearing a much wider space, which makes it much easier to keep up with the kind of snow we've had of late.

The tow plow clears 25 feet--two full lanes--in one pass.

It's in Kalamazoo for a few days while the southwest region decides whether or not to buy one.

"We've got a couple of days to play with it and make sure it's the right fit, but this is obviously impressive," said Nick Schirripa, with M-DOT.

Gary Schultheis, a tow plow driver, has been driving one in the Brighton area for the last two months.

"I think it works great, it allows us to go out there and do 2 lanes with one vehicle in one pass," he said.

As the plow swings to the side to do that, though, it can be a little confusing for drivers, but Schultheis says it's pretty easy to use.

"It has a joystick that deploys it out and pulls it back and you can raise and lower the blade that way," he explained.

As for M-DOT, they like what they see, considering that it saves time and money.