Figure 7. The author in Kosovo in 2000 inspecting HMMVW snowplows

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plows and sand/salt spreaders.

The plow uses a quick-connect and disconnect system called a Minute-

Mount (see Appendix F). Once the frame push-plates and the wiring harness,

including the plow controller, have been semi-permanently installed on the

HMMWV, the basic plow unit and all other attachments, including lights,

directional signals, controlling pump and motor, in a single package, can be

mounted and dismounted in less than a minute. The mounting frame push-plates

do not normally require drilling, cutting, welding, or other modification on the

HMMWV. Instead, bolt holes already in the frame and the bumper are used. The

24-volt wiring harness plugs into the current lighting harness and the power cable

goes from a solenoid through the firewall to the battery. A controller cable is run

through the firewall on the driver's side to the plow control switch, which is

mounted on the dash with Velcro.

USACRREL had a complete snowplow set designed and made up for the

M-998 series HMMWV. A plow was obtained by USACRREL, mounted on a

HMMWV, and demonstrated and evaluated on hard-surface and gravel roads,

trails, and off-road at the Vermont Army National Guard Ethan Allen Training

Center in Jericho, Vermont. Snow depths averaged from four to nine inches in

both new and old snow or a combination thereof. Snow density varied from light

to heavy and the capability of the HMMWV with snowplow varied only slightly,

and in all conditions was impressively successful. In accordance with data from

previous studies, and common use throughout the industry, snowplowing opera-