When it comes to skid steer snow plows, very few companies can compete with the durability and reliability of KAGE Innovation. KAGE’s flagship product, the SnowFire, revolutionized the snow removal industry 15 years ago and remains one of the best plow systems for skid steers today. Cognizant of the rapid rise in costs for snow removal equipment, in 2023, the Wisconsin-based company released a more affordable skid steer snow plow attachment based off of the SnowFire – called the SnowFire BLAST. Here we’ll point out the similarities and differences between the two attachments.
What do the original SnowFire and the BLAST have in common?
The SnowFire BLAST utilizes much of the proven technology of the original SnowFire system that has made it so popular of the last decade and a half – most notably its moldboard and trip edge. This includes the following features:
- a 65-degree attack angle
- 8-inch-tall trip edge which folds back 70 degrees
- high carbon steel cutting edge
- tri-formed box reinforcement
- oscillation slot plate mounted above the cutting edge
- high quality steel blade face, curved for optimal snow roll
- 6-, 8-, 9-, 10- and 12-foot width options
- Poly skids
- floating skids (standard on the BLAST, optional upgrade on the SnowFire)
- floating cutting edges (upgrade option on both)
What does the SnowFire do that the BLAST doesn’t?
The SnowFire system’s biggest claim to fame is its ability to convert from a snow blade to a snow pusher in 3 seconds or less, without leaving the cab or using hydraulics on the plow itself. The SnowFire BLAST does not offer the ability to remove and re-attach the side panels on the go as the containment box is fixed in place making is strictly a snow pusher.
The detachable box on the SnowFire also allows the box itself more float capabilities through either the standard cam lock system or a floating cam lock upgrade option.
The SnowFire’s industry leading 35-degree power angling capability is driven by hydraulics. Due to the removal of hydraulics from the BLAST, it does not angle plow.
With a 31-inch-long pivot frame on the SnowFire, the operator has greater visibility and can see past the blade. The BLAST has pulled the moldboard much tighter to the attachment plate, which does reduce the visibility when used on a skid steer, but increases the stability and performance when used on the loader arms of a tractor.
What does the BLAST offer that that the SnowFire doesn’t?
One of the biggest benefits of the BLAST is that it does not require hydraulics – meaning fewer parts to break, especially when the operator is tired.
With the elimination of hydraulics, KAGE introduced float right at the quick attach for the BLAST. This is not available in the 2-in-1 SnowFire system.
With fixed sides on the containment box, the BLAST also offers an optional top mounted back drag kit with increased visibility of the back drag cutting edge. This allows you to get closer to objects you need to back drag the snow away from. With the SnowFire, getting this close would require removing the box, however, your visibility would still be impeded more by the height of the moldboard.
With the simplified design of the BLAST, you’ll also see a much lower price point, allowing those with a much more limited budget the opportunity to take advantage of the safety and performance features-packed snow pusher.
Skid Steer Snow Plow for Everyone
Whether you are just starting out in the snow removal industry or you are seasoned professional, KAGE Innovation offers the best skid steer snow plows on the market. Both of the KAGE plows/pusher options for skid loaders are overbuilt by design through real life application to make it easy and efficient for skidder operators to do their jobs.
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