Missoula Retires Iconic Snowblower After Decades of Service

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - To catch a glimpse of Missoula’s past, take a moment to visit the intersection of Russell and Broadway and see the iconic giant Oshkosh diesel-powered snowblower that has served the city for decades.

I met Brian Hensel, Deputy Public Works Director for Streets in front of the snowblower to provide a bit of Missoula history.

Brian Hensel Recalls the History of the Giant Snowblower

“Well, it would technically be described as a truck-mounted snow blower that was manufactured originally in 1957 and these are intended, I think, primarily for clearing airport runways. The city acquired it through a surplus auction from Malmstrom Air Force Base, I think back in long before me, probably in the 80s, or maybe in the 70s, and then it was sent back to the Oshkosh factory to get refurbished, updated, whatever they did back in 1980 and then the city has continued to use it that entire time.”

Hensel Said He Loved the Noise and the Sheer Size of the Machine

Hensel described what he loves most about the iconic snow machine.

“It's loud, it makes a lot of black smoke and has a lot of horsepower and really likes diesel fuel, but it can sure pick up a lot of snow and do it quickly,” he said. People have probably seen it downtown, where we have the center berms. This machine enables us to pick those berms up and directly load them into a tandem axle dump truck, and do it in about 12 to 15 seconds per truck.”

Hensel said the sheer age of the truck has been the reason for its recent retirement.

“The problem with it is that it's aged over these years, and the entire time I've been here, we’ve always struggled to get parts for it, and it doesn't have some of the modern features to it. Whereas, if this thing sucks up a plow edge or a piece of concrete, it just grinds to a stop, and all that horsepower just stops and things break.”

Hensel Said it was Time for the Iconic Snow Removing Beast to Retire

Hensel said, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, including this iconic snow-removing beast.

“It's had a long, illustrious career,” he said. “It's time to go into the sunset and retire. The guys that have operated it all have a soft spot in their hearts for it. And I mean, it's just impressive that the power and the noise and how quickly it works are phenomenal. If you want to see it in person, come down to Broadway and Russell, and you can see it sitting out here with some Christmas lights. We'd appreciate it if people would stay off of it because we don’t want anyone to fall and get hurt.”

Hensel said the Oshkosh truck-mounted snowblower will eventually be sold at auction.