If you've spent any time shivering in a driveway trying to line up a heavy steel blade, you know why the western ultramount 2 was such a game-changer for snow removal. It's one of those designs you don't really think about until you've dealt with an old-school hitch that requires a sledgehammer and a lot of swearing to get into place. Western basically looked at the struggle of solo operators and decided there had to be a way to make the process faster and, more importantly, less of a literal pain in the back.
The whole system is built around the idea that you shouldn't have to get out of your truck more than absolutely necessary. When it's three in the morning and the wind is whipping sideways, the last thing you want to do is fight with a stubborn locking pin.
Why the Design Actually Works
The standout feature of the western ultramount 2 is its mechanical simplicity. It uses a pivot bar that allows the plow to tilt, which is huge when you're trying to hook up on uneven ground. Let's be real—how often is the spot where you drop your plow perfectly level? Almost never. Usually, there's a bit of ice buildup or a slight slope that makes traditional mounts a nightmare.
Because the frame can pivot, it compensates for those height differences. You drive into the receiving pockets, and the system kind of "finds" its way home. It's a fast, reliable setup that relies on gravity and a simple lever action rather than complex hydraulics just to get the thing attached to the truck.
The Shoe and Stand Mechanism
One of the smaller details that people often overlook is the integrated stand. On the older versions or competing brands, you sometimes had to mess with separate jacks or blocks of wood to keep the plow at the right height. With this version, the stand is built right in. When you pull the handle to release the plow, the stand drops down automatically. It keeps the hitch at the exact height of your truck's receivers for the next time you need to hook up. It's a simple mechanical trick, but it saves a ton of time.
The Visible Receipt
Another nice touch is the visual indicators. When you're pulling the locking levers, you can actually see and feel when they've snapped into place. There's no guessing game. You don't have to wonder if one side is loose while you're driving down the highway at 50 mph. If the handle is down and locked, you're good to go.
Getting the Hookup Right Every Time
Even though the western ultramount 2 is designed to be easy, there's still a bit of a learning curve if you're used to different systems. The trick is all in the approach. You want to line up the truck so you're centered, but you don't need to be millimeter-perfect because the flared receivers are pretty forgiving.
Once you drive into the mounting horns, you just hop out, flip the lever, and plug in your electrical. The electrical is actually where a lot of guys get tripped up. Western uses a "Fleet Flex" system now, which usually means fewer plugs to worry about, but you still want to make sure those pins are clean. Always use a bit of dielectric grease. It sounds like a "dad tip," but it prevents that green corrosion that ruins a perfectly good night of plowing.
Dealing with Uneven Ground
If you do find yourself stuck trying to hook up on a patch of frozen, lumpy slush, don't panic. Since the western ultramount 2 has that pivoting bar, you can usually just give the plow a little shove to line up the pins. If it's really acting up, you can use the truck's weight to your advantage. Just make sure the "shoes" of the plow are sitting flat before you try to drive away.
Maintenance That Actually Matters
I know, nobody likes talking about maintenance. We'd all rather just park the truck and go sleep after a long shift. But the western ultramount 2 has moving parts that live in the worst environment possible: salt, slush, and constant vibration.
Every couple of weeks, you should really take a look at the pins and the pivot points. If they get bone-dry, they'll start to bind. A quick spray of lubricant or a dab of grease goes a long way. You also want to check the bolts on the truck-side receivers. Over time, the constant "clunk" of the plow hitting the frame can loosen things up. It's better to tighten a bolt in your garage than to have your receiver start sagging in the middle of a blizzard.
Spring Tension and Adjustments
The springs on your plow are what allow it to "trip" when you hit a manhole cover or a hidden curb. If they're too loose, the plow will flop forward every time you catch a bit of heavy snow. If they're too tight, you're going to break something (or your neck) when you hit an obstacle. The western ultramount 2 frame handles this stress well, but you should still check the tension at the start of every season.
Comparing It to the Competition
There are plenty of other mounts out there, like the Boss SmartHitch or the Fisher Minute Mount. They all have their fans, but the western ultramount 2 usually wins people over because of the lack of "extra" steps. You aren't toggling switches inside the cab to move the hitch height, and you aren't wrestling with heavy chain lifts.
It's a mechanical system through and through. In the world of snow removal, mechanical is usually better than electrical because wires hate the cold. If a handle is stuck, you can hit it with a hammer. If a sensor fails, you're stuck in the driveway. That's why so many fleet owners stick with Western; it's rugged enough to survive an employee who's had way too much coffee and not enough sleep.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
Every piece of equipment has its quirks. With the western ultramount 2, the most common issue is usually the locking pins not fully engaging because of ice buildup. If the lever won't go all the way down, don't force it until you've cleared out the snow from the receiver pockets. A small screwdriver or even a stiff brush is handy to keep in the door pocket for this.
Another thing to watch for is the "kickstand" getting bent. This usually happens if someone tries to drive away before the plow is fully detached. It happens to the best of us, but a bent stand makes the next hookup a nightmare. If it's slightly tweaked, you can usually straighten it out with a pipe wrench, but if it's mangled, just buy a replacement. It's a cheap part compared to the frustration it causes when it's broken.
Electrical Gremlins
If you hook up your western ultramount 2 and nothing happens, check your ground wire first. Nine times out of ten, a "dead" plow is just a bad ground or a loose battery connection. Since the plow draws a massive amount of current, those connections need to be tight. Give the plugs a quick wipe to make sure there's no road salt inside the connectors, as that can cause a short that'll blow your fuses.
Final Thoughts on the System
At the end of the day, the western ultramount 2 is popular for a reason. It's built for the guy who's doing thirty driveways in a night and doesn't have time to mess around. It's fast, it's tough, and it doesn't require a degree in engineering to figure out.
Whether you're a pro or just the guy on the block who helps out the neighbors, having a reliable mounting system is the difference between an easy morning and a miserable one. Just keep it greased, check your pins, and try not to hit the curbs too hard. Your truck (and your back) will definitely thank you for it when the big storms finally hit.