He Built BOSS. Then BLIZZARD. Now he's doing it Again.

All right, you guys. I'm with Cal, and Cal, you are no spring chicken when it comes to snow plows. You actually were the inventor of the Boss plows originally. Started Boss. >> Right. >> Then you moved over, and you started Blizzard snow plows. >> That's right. >> And now you have Defiance. You have another name brand that you are creating. >> The Defiance brand was the was the first brand that the the Boss plow was developed around. So, it's it's a throwback to the early Boss plow. >> What do you mean by that? >> When my father and I, and my brothers developed the Boss plow, >> Mhm. >> we branded as the Defiance >> Oh. >> V-plow, multi-position V-plow. >> Okay. >> And shortly after a year or two and uh we later rebranded it the Boss. >> Mhm. >> So, this is a throwback to the uh kind of a tribute to my father. >> Very cool. Now, you've also got something very unique about this plow that I have not seen done by anyone else. Will you walk us through this thing so that we know exactly what's going on with it? Now, when someone with Cal's history and experience designs a new snow plow, I'm definitely going to pay attention. Maybe I should pay attention to my fly, too. Now, just because he has a great resume inside the snow industry does not make what he's working on right now an automatic home run. But, let's check it out. >> Yeah, it's a >> Let's and let's look at it from the backside. >> too as we're doing it. >> This plow was an 8 1/2-ft straight blade plow when the wings are fully retracted and folded behind the main blade. >> Okay. >> So, you got an 8 1/2-ft conventional straight blade plow. >> Okay. >> Easy to transport. Nice and nimble. It can go through the drive-thrus, tight spaces. When you want a larger lot or a or a area that you need to cleared, The wings are independently controlled. They can fold out to a straight 14 ft or pitch forward to a full 12 ft scoop. >> Now, you have it also on a loader. Is there anything different between this truck mounted plow and this loader plow as far as anything? >> Not really. It's essentially the the same plow, same dimensions, 8 and 1/2 to 14. It's 1,535 lb. This is 1,230 lb. >> Okay. Are you concerned that it's a lot of weight on the front of the truck? >> Weight is always a concern. >> Yeah. >> But it is what it is. >> Okay. Okay. >> We we try to do everything we can to reduce the weight, but uh you got a 14 ft plow, you got weight. >> Now, it is what it is doesn't necessarily mean it's good for your truck. There are a number of plows now out there that are pushing that 1,200 plus pound category. And if you are going to be a guy that's is willing to put that much weight on the front of your truck, I'm going to make a recommendation to you that you beef up your front suspension to handle it. I [snorts] put a 1,200 lb plus plow on the front of my F250 and within one season, I knew I needed to do something to that front end and I didn't just put in Timberns and beef it up so that my stops were thicker. I actually ended up putting an entire new suspension system under the front end just so it could handle the weight of that plow. And as these plows exceed that weight rating, this is going to be something I want you guys to put on your radar screen. >> So, show me what we're actually looking at with cutting edges. How did you handle that with and trip edges I should say, I apologize. How did you handle that, Cal? >> Well, we have a segmented trip edge. So, we have four segments for the main blade and each wing trips independently. >> Okay. So, you've got 1 2 3 four segmented and then each one of these trips independently. >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. And as we look Also, it just folds back. >> It's just a trip fold back trip >> just a fold back trip edge. Now, as I'm looking down here, I'm seeing this which I'm not familiar with seeing on a snow plow. What am I looking at with this? >> That's our control module. >> Okay. >> That's going to in production, that's going to be housed inside the pump housing. But that controls the logic of the plow and and what we have in terms of logic is we have a sensor on each wing. And we have one that is on the main blade. And what that does is it allows the the uh control module knows where the main blade is in relationship to the wing so you don't If you have the wing partly folded back, let's see, you can't damage the vehicle. >> Oh. Oh. >> where everything is at in relation to the main blade and the wing. >> So, if you have this folded partially back and you decide to bring it all the way in, it's going to stop it from smashing into the side of the truck. >> Correct. >> Oh, wow. That's a unique way of approaching that. >> So, that's uh That That program is uh being worked out and it's it's about dialed, but we still have a few tweaks to to do. >> Now, this is where the red flags are starting to go off in my head on this design because I'm not a fan of sensors or I don't really want to feel like I needed a green electrical engineering to understand how to keep my snow plow in operation at Sunday at midnight when something goes wrong with it. I want these things to be as simple to to I want these things as simple as possible and it just seems like we're moving away from simplicity to more technology the more advanced these snow plows get and I would love to see a plow design go bass-ackward. Still have a lot of the bells and whistles that Cal has on this thing but have a mechanical ability so that as you're you can flip that wing all the way back by having a hydraulic override cylinder or something very basic and very simple to do. I think Snow Wolf had it back in the day where you when you angled the plow all the way over and then held it one way you could get one wing to flop all the way back. It was just a simple hydraulic cylinder and then when you wanted it to go out you could just do it the other way. I would just love to see a more simplistic design to this so that guys like you and I can stay in operation when we're out in the field and we're trying to make money the little bit of a chance that we have now with the way Mother Nature has been and instead of worrying about something breaking we're just having a good old time running the snow plow. But we're not even close to being done yet with this plow design so let's keep looking at it. Okay, um now what about uh let's say just the standard equipment like lighting and things like that. Cal, what did what did you decide to do with this? >> We're of course we have the LED low profile lights. We think they look good. It's the Abrams brand. Um we have our our own head gear so everything from the from the plow from the truck mount forward is ours. We have a full undercarriage that we also produce manufacture to dovetail with our plow but it will connect to a Boss mount as it sits. >> I I was looking at this going is isn't this a Boss mount? And then right behind it all of a sudden I see the sticker right, that it's a Boss mount. >> So, we we plan to also have a interface with the Western so that it's okay. >> Now, will the wiring be compatible? >> Uh the wiring will be as close to compatible as possible. We we have been told that our uh vendor for harnessing has the interface to the various lights. >> Mhm. >> Um for the various vehicles to be able to make a clean connection with the with the various Boss, Western, and SnowEx mounts. >> Can I see your controller? >> Sure. >> Now, I'm also seeing something that I seen with the Hilltip plows. Um I'm looking at a box frame as we go in to go see the controller. I just happened to look down and I see a box frame. And this is something that is Can I share the rest of your history, your family history, Kel? You're okay with that? The Ants Trailer folks that have one of the most unique trailers and one of my favorite trailers of all times. It is the Ants Trailer is the conveyor belt trailer is my cousin, Stan. >> Yeah, that's it. Yeah, [laughter] for sure. >> It's his >> Cousin Neil, yeah. >> It's his cousin, Neil. And Hilltip is also a relative of yours as well. >> not a relative, but a very close friend. >> Frank? >> Yes, Frank is and and Tom are both very close and dear friends of ours. >> Yes, yes. And these are phenomenal. I mean, these are all phenomenal people. I mean, I I love these guys. I I go on I went on a Love Like You Mean It cruise with our families, our our wives, with these guys, and it was a life-changing event. And I would highly recommend it to you guys. But we were going in to see the uh We're going to go go see your controller. Yeah. >> So, these guys have been in the industry in different forms and applications forever. This is a family that knows manufacturing. >> So, it's a handheld touch pad control. >> Okay. >> And uh very >> Now, is this your design, this controller? >> Uh we we buy these from a vendor. So, they're a it's a may be recognized as a aftermarket controller that person can buy for various plows. And it's customized to do what we need it to do. >> So, parts availability on these and and production. Let's talk about both of those things real quick, Kel. >> Right. >> Are you actually going into production on this snow plow? >> What you're looking at here is like a pre-production unit. >> Pre-production. >> We did a prototype. We did some plowing one season. Followed up with a pre-production unit, and that's what this is. >> Okay. >> Our plan is to be in production for and have product available on this truck plow next season, not this season. >> 2027 to 2028. So, fall of 2027 spring of 2028, you're going to be going into >> Midsummer next year, we should have product available. >> Now, as I look at as I look at how you actually built out the framework, I'm just I'm I'm seeing when I see this I see the box framing that you've done to strengthen. This is a hose protector system right here. >> And it sheds snow off the So, it doesn't pile up. We're going to do the same on the loader plow. You can see where this would be a a snow collector. >> Now, earlier I told you what my red flags and concerns were with this plow, but I have yet to tell you what I appreciate about it. And as I look at the quality of this plow, I can see where they have absolutely not compromised on any of the structural components or the actual build quality of the plow itself. Everywhere I looked, I seen where things were done right. As far as the overall design, the ability to go from an 8-ft straight plow to a 14-ft straight plow to a 12-ft scoop plow is absolutely phenomenal. At that point, when you've got a 12-ft scoop plow, it's basically like you're plowing dollar bills across the lot. So, as I look and break down this snow plow, I could see where he Cal has taken the time to make sure that everything that he could do for you and I is right there. Now, let's take a look at this loader plow and see the minor tweaks and adjustments he's made with that based off from the design of the truck plow. >> So, as we go over to the loader plow, you've got this one Now, this one is just set up I can be set up on any loader, but this one is set up on a skid steer attachment plate. >> This plow is designed for a machine, whether it's a compact wheel loader or a skid steer up to 100 horse. >> Okay. >> With the quick disconnect mount system. >> And this is the folded back position. Now, if you were going to put this plow onto a loader, how are you going to operate the individual functions, the controller, the wings? You're going to do this with a You've got two hydraulic hoses and a 14-pin connector that's attached to the machine or >> We haven't engaged the various manufacturers of the machines in relation to their their plugs. Everyone seems to be different. So, we're running our control cable into the cab >> Yeah. >> and we've got a handheld and it's it's a We found it in our experience a good control system. >> Right. There is no universe That's the problem with loaders like this. It's not a universe You can have a universal coupler, but you don't have a universal electrical system. >> Right. >> Here is what we're talking about. And so, really, it's Why even try to deal with every single species of loader out there and just build your own system and then you have to figure out how to power it. So you've got to probably power it into either >> Yeah, we just run a wire into the fuse panel. >> Fuse size, I was going to say the fuse panel, yeah. >> Power there and it's you're you're running in You can wire this up in 15 minutes, you're done. >> Where do you guys find out more information if they want updates, if they want to see how this is coming along, Cal? Where do we go? >> our website, defiancesplows.com. >> defiances >> plows.com >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's where uh there will be video, there's pictures and details and specs. >> And Now you probably don't want to be a guinea pig for the very first snow plow. I say this to everybody no matter what you're buying, no matter what it is, if it's a brand new truck year, a brand new piece of equipment, the first time they come out with the make and model for that year, you don't want to be the guinea pig. And what I know with Cal is he eliminates that as a possibility. We're going to go into the history of what he did with his back plow earlier. And so that you can we can use what he's done in the past as what he's potentially probably going to do for this plow in the future. >> And >> And Cal, this this is not your first snow plow since starting Defiance. I actually came out and met you 3 years ago, I believe. And you had a back plow that was absolutely un- unreal and in the industry and you actually built 25 of those and sold those out right away. >> Right. >> And you just did that for your own testing, is that correct? >> Yeah, that was like a pilot run to see what the industry thought about them and we we were very pleased. The response was was great. And uh we're getting calls for them even as we speak. Today I was getting some some inquiries about them and we we plan to have to be in production with those as well. >> 27 to 28? Okay, so you're going into full production in that year. >> Yeah. >> Okay, very good. All right you guys, this is the I'd say the grandfather of snow plowing. I mean, when it comes you invented Boss, you created Blizzard, you've got Defiance now. I mean, your history and your family history is phenomenal. >> Well, I say it's it's it's in your blood, you know. >> I can believe that. >> I guess it's in our DNA. >> Mhm. I believe it. >> from the upper peninsula of Michigan and we've been pushing snow and moving snow in a big way up there for years and years, so >> Yep. >> It's part of our life. >> Very good. All right, Cal. Thank you, sir. >> My pleasure. >> All right, you guys. This is it. You're seeing it before anybody else gets a chance to see it. Um and I want to shout out I want a big shout out to Iron Valley Equipment. Right here, just simply because I wouldn't have known Cal was out here today if Patrick, the owner of Iron Valley Equipment, hadn't said sent me a picture of this plow and said, "Hey, they're here today. You want to come out and check this out?" And [laughter] I'm like, "I've got to go. I've got to go." And I laughed. So, I wanted to bring this to you guys. It's not a sponsored video. This is just one of those things that I want you guys to be aware of because you know, we all want the latest greatest toys. We always want the coolest technology, the newest cutting edge things that are out there and to know what's happening inside of the industry. And to me, what you're going to see from these Defiance plows, they are going to be one of those game changers that you might as well have on your radar screen. So, that's it for this one. God bless you guys. Go get them and thanks for going along for the ride. >> Thank you, Stan. >> Oh. >> Appreciate it. >> Thanks, Cal.