Ice Breaker Added to Snow Plows in Central Wisconsin

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – With more ice storms hitting the state these days, City Public Works are changing up their winter weather removal strategies.

Wausau snowplows now have a new ice breaker tool, attached to the truck.

It’s a big steel drum with a bunch of ice spikes that attaches to the front-end loader. This pokes holes into the ice or compacted snow. With a plow unit behind it.

The City of Wausau Public Works says the drum with spikes will break up the snow and ice and then the plow scrapes it off the roads. Allowing for better traction and reducing the need for large amounts of deicing chemicals.

Not only does this improve the lives of those driving in slippery conditions, but it also helps the city save money.

It’s supposed to remove ice without damaging the equipment. Before they said that the grader would beat up the machines.

Minnesota DOT has been using this for years, and on their highways, with tandem trucks going along the lanes. So if this goes well for us here in Wausau, the department will be looking into getting more.