Start by making a pass down the center of the lot, and then push snow in windrows to the outer edges. If there has been a significant amount of snowfall, push as much bulk off the lot as possible. Then go over it again. In large lots it may be best to break your plowing down into smaller areas.
Plowing Driveways
Turn the vehicle around and back into the cleaned area. With the blade angled to the center of the driveway, push the snow to the end of the driveway. Finish by pushing the snow into the corners at the end of the driveway. Be careful to not leave snow on the road or on sidewalks.
How many inches of snow before you plow depends on your lot, its traffic, and many other factors but most businesses plow their lots after 2 to 3 inches. Snow removal rates vary by contract, environment, and more but you can get a free estimate by calling your local landscape or snow removal service.
One of the most common vehicle problems encountered while plowing is damage to the transmission. Overheating the transmission fluid as well as improper use, can contribute to the problem. Keep the following tips in mind when heading out on your next snow plowing run to minimize damage to your plow truck’s transmission.
Most modern plows will have a float mode which allows the plow to move up and down over bumpy or uneven terrain. … If your plow doesn’t have a float mode, simply press the down button until the bottom edge of the plow touches the ground.
The best speed for plowing snow is about the same as for spreading salt, but for different reasons. A snowplow going 30 to 35 mph will do the best job of clearing the road without burning up too much diesel fuel, said Michael Flick, spokesman for New York’s North Country transportation department office.
For short straight driveways, back dragging the snow works best, especially if there is a car or cars in the drive. Start as close as you can to the top of the driveway and work your way back toward the street, pulling snow with you. Never rely on mirrors or on-board vehicle cameras when backing up.
If you expect snow accumulation of greater than one inch, you should plan on plowing. If snow gets too deep, it may actually become almost impossible to plow. If snow sits too long, there’s also a greater chance of it hardening up, which makes snow removal that much more difficult.
Salt can help keep those slippery flakes from tripping you up. … Rock salt is meant to be put down before snow falls, and keeps it from sticking to the surface, says Nichols. “But most people shovel, get it clear, then put down the salt.
Overall, pre-salting the road forms a separating layer so if snow falls, it doesn’t freeze onto the road surface and can be removed easily. Therefore, we would recommend salting driveways before snowing as it is always easier and more efficient than doing it after.
A 50-pound bag of the material will hold about 80 cups. One cup will melt about 20 square feet of ice. So one bag will typically take care of about 1600 square feet. You can figure an average home has about 1000 square feet of driveways and walkways, including steps.
Snowplow trucks tend to have hard, short lives. … They’re some of the hardest working trucks on the road and they don’t last very long. Snowplow trucks work hard clearing streets of the freezing impediments and hazards of snow, sleet and ice. And these heavy-duty workhorses often fall victim to their own treatment.
Plowing pushes snow to the side from the middle of the street naturally, and, unfortunately, this results in snow piling up in front of driveways. Snowplows typically push snow to the right of the travel lane and the driver has no control over this.
Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Shoveling | $25 – $75 per hour |
Blowing | $25 – $75 per hour |
Plowing | $30 – $100 per visit |
Roof Raking | $200 – $500 per visit |
Basic Pricing of Companies
Every time snow is cleared, an amount of $30 to $50 is charged per push. Most companies charge on the amount of snow cleared per inch. Per inch $60 to $95 is charged up to 6 inches. For an additional inch, $30 is charged.
How fast can you drive with a plow? It’s always in your best interest to follow the speed limit, while not to exceeding 45 mph. If you’re plowing in the middle of a storm, you may want to go even slower.
Unless you’re on a really tight budget, it’s probably not worth buying a truck already fitted with a plow, since the previous owner might have gently used it over one winter or (more likely) beaten it like a rented mule for years. … It’s probably also worth considering a new versus used plow setup.
These products generally range from about $3,000 – $4,500; but of course, the specific price will depend on the size and model of the plow.
The blade should not ever touch the ground.
The general rule for a plow is 20-25 hp per bottom. 4 wheel drive and whether or not the engine is gas or diesel will also effect the tractors ability to pull the plow.
For minimizing wear on your plow 4-4.5mph is recommended, but not realistic. I like to run around 6-6.2 mph to get the job done. This was spring 09, fall plowing 09 (includes sod turning) is coming soon.
The Chisel Plow performs the initial loosening of the soil while leaving the trash on top. It is usually set at 8″ to 12″ deep. The maximum depth is 18″. It is normally pulled at 4 mph and requires 10 hp per shank and good tire traction to operate it.
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