Western DEFENDER Compact Plow User manual

March 15, 2019
Lit. No. 78532, Rev. 02
This manual supersedes all editions with an earlier date.
DEFENDER™ Compact Plow
Owner's Manual
Original Instructions
A DIVISION OF DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, LLC
CAUTION
Read this document before operating or
servicing snowplow.
Western Products, PO Box 245038, Milwaukee, WI 53224-9538 • www.westernplows.com

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Lit. No. 78532, Rev. 02 3 March 15, 2019
OWNER INFORMATION
Register your snowplow online at www.westernplows.com
Owner Name: ______________________________________________________________________________
Date Purchased: ____________________________________________________________________________
Dealer Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _________________________
Dealer Address:_____________________________________________________________________________
Vehicle Model/Year: _________________________________________________________________________
Snowplow Model/Year: _______________________________________________________________________
Snowplow Type/Size: ______________________________________________ Weight: ______________ lb/kg
Ballast: No ___ Yes ___ Amount: ___________lb/kg
Hydraulic Unit Serial Number: __________________________________________________________________
Blade Serial Number: ________________________________________________________________________

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE.................................................................... 6
SAFETY ...................................................................... 7
Safety Definitions.................................................. 7
Warning/Caution and Instruction Labels ..............7
Safety Precautions................................................ 8
Hydraulic Safety.................................................... 8
Fuses .................................................................... 8
Personal Safety..................................................... 9
Fire and Explosion ................................................ 9
Cell Phones........................................................... 9
Ventilation ............................................................. 9
Battery Safety ....................................................... 9
Noise..................................................................... 9
Vibration................................................................ 9
Snowplow Weight ................................................. 9
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SNOWPLOW.............. 10
Vehicle Application Information .......................... 10
Snowplow Components ...................................... 11
NIGHTHAWK™ Snowplow Headlamps.............. 11
Vehicle Mount Kit ................................................ 11
Hydraulic Unit...................................................... 12
System Capacity................................................. 12
Controls............................................................... 12
MOUNTING SNOWPLOW TO VEHICLE ................. 13
OPERATING YOUR SNOWPLOW........................... 14
Hand-Held Control.............................................. 14
Joystick Control................................................... 15
SECURITY GUARD™ System Operation .......... 16
Smooth Stop ....................................................... 18
One-Touch Float ................................................. 18
Blade Positions ................................................... 19
Snowplow Headlamp Check............................... 19
Blade Drop Speed Adjustment ...........................20
Transporting the Snowplow ................................ 20
Driving and Plowing on Snow and Ice ................ 21
Plowing Snow ..................................................... 21
Parking with Snowplow Attached .......................22
Towing Disabled or Stuck Vehicles..................... 22
Checking Hydraulic Fluid Level........................... 23
DETACHING SNOWPLOW FROM VEHICLE .......... 24
MAINTENANCE........................................................ 25
Aiming Headlamp Beams ................................... 25
Preseason Check................................................ 26
In-Season Maintenance...................................... 26
Postseason Maintenance.................................... 27
Storage ............................................................... 27
Hydraulic System ................................................ 28
Annual Fluid Change.................................... 28
Hose or Fitting Replacement........................ 29
Procedure for Installing Fittings and Hoses .. 29
Fuse Replacement..............................................30
Vehicle ................................................................ 30
Recycle ...............................................................30
Emergency Parts/Tools ...................................... 31