Snow can be one of nature’s great joys. It’s pretty watching it come down and fun to play in. Building snowmen, having snowball fights, and sledding are good winter pastimes. For kids, snow can mean a day off from school. On the downside, snow can slow or completely stop travel. Clearing snow off roadways, from parking lots, and out of driveways can be a massive job. There are several tools to help with this such as the humble snow shovel and the snowblower. For removing snow from large areas, the best option is a truck equipped with a snowplow. State and municipal highway departments have fleets of plows. Individuals can put plows on their trucks, clear their own properties, and maybe make some extra cash.
Choose the Right Vehicle
Before you begin to try your hand at plowing snow, you want to make sure you have high-quality equipment that is up to the job. For example, carbide snow plow replacement blades are strong and durable. It all starts with your truck.
You need a vehicle with a high enough Front Gross Axle Weight Rating to handle a plow. This is at minimum, a 3/4-ton truck, and the bigger the better if you plan to do commercial work. If you are just going to do your own driveway, a half-ton truck will do just fine.
Choose the Right Blade
Next, you need to choose the right kind of plow blade for the work you intend to do. The two basic types are the straight blade and the V-plow. Straight blades are popular because they cost less and are well-suited to basic jobs such as driveways. V-plows are more versatile and definitely what you want if you’re plowing as a business. These blades can be angled to direct snow to specific places. They are also excellent at breaking loose snow that has frozen overnight and the V configuration can plow through large piles of snow with relative ease. Carbide Commerical Snow Plow Blades are also recommended. This combination will leave you well-prepared for the toughest plow jobs.
Choose the Right Method
Plowing is best done using a methodical approach. It’s basically just lowering the blade, driving forward, and pushing the snow. Once you get to where you want to pile it, back your truck up. But there is a way to do things efficiently, saving time and fuel. If you are plowing a large parking lot, start on the opposite end from where you are going to pile the snow. Work across the lot, clearing away the snow, and continue this way, creating new paths until the entire area is done. At that point, check to see if there are some areas that you need to go over again. Using this method, you can clear a parking area fairly quickly.
For driveways it’s best to start at the bottom and push the snow up to the end and where you want to deposit it. Start at one side and make as many passes as you need to clear the entire surface. An angled blade is better suited to long driveways as you may need to deposit snow along the side of the driveway throughout its length. Be careful to avoid the house, garage, and anything else located near the driveway. A plow can do considerable damage.
When it snows, it can be fun but also wreak havoc with roads and parking areas. Having a truck equipped with a plow can be incredibly useful in ensuring you can get in and out of your driveway and can also be a good way to earn some side money during the winter months. Be sure to use quality equipment and good technique.
