Snow removal doesn’t start when the first flakes of snow hit the ground. Before the winter season begins and the snow starts piling up, it’s a good idea to create your game plan for maximizing your skid-steer loader for snow removal. This means preparing your skid-steer loader and attachments ahead of time so you can use them effectively and efficiently when the first snowfall arrives. Whether you're a one-person operation or managing an entire fleet, the right attachments can turn your skid-steer loader into a snow-removal champion designed to clear anything from a few inches to a few feet of snow.
To prepare for the busy season, snow removal operators in both residential and commercial spaces should inspect their equipment in the fall to address mechanical work that might need to be completed. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while surveying your equipment:
Inspect all equipment
Inspecting your skid-steer loader for wear and damage is essential, but don’t forget about your attachments. Give these tools the same attention as your skid-steer loader and make sure they are in good working order before winter. Visual checks of your machine and attachment components such as hoses, cylinders, guards, cutting blades and edges can help determine if wear is developing or damage has occurred. Everything that engages with the ground should be looked at before operating.
Some attachments also require fluid-level checks and lubrication. Connecting the attachments, testing them and building up pressure are important ways to ensure the attachment hasn’t changed while idle and is in working condition. Doing so will allow you to know what equipment and parts need to be replaced or fixed. This will save you from one more headache during the upcoming winter season.
Stock up on spare parts and equipment
Often, contractors prepare for unexpected mechanical issues by purchasing spare parts and equipment. That way, they don’t find themselves in the middle of a blizzard and unable to assist their valued customers and communities. Having ready-to-use spare parts and equipment easily solves this issue, allowing you and your team to stay on schedule. Using original equipment manufacturer parts and accessories ensures compatibility, reliability and longevity to maximize performance and minimize the risk of breakdowns or malfunctions.
Continue inspections throughout the winter
You’ve completed your preparations, and now winter has finally arrived. Even though you are well-equipped to tackle snow removal, don’t put inspections on the back burner. Snow removal is tough on individuals, teams, and—most often—their equipment. Here’s a checklist to follow to ensure your skid-steer loader and attachments continue to perform throughout those long winter months:
Make sure equipment is prepared for the day
As winter ramps up, inspections should, too. Frigid temperatures affect the viscosity of engine and hydraulic oil and the grade of fuel you should use. Tire treads and pressure are also affected by the cold, impacting your skid-steer loaders’ lift and push capabilities. Tires should be filled to the proper psi based on information from your operation and maintenance manual. Make sure features like cab heating, defrosting and vehicle lights are all in working order so you and your crew can stay comfortable and effective.
Check equipment for damage at the end of the day
Snow season can be demanding on your loader and your attachments. As the severe weather takes a toll on your equipment, set aside time at the end of the workday to inspect for signs of wear and damage on your equipment and attachments, so issues can be addressed before the next working day.
Stay in the know
To fully take advantage of these multifaceted machines, stay in the know: know the tools, know the snow and know the site.
Know the tools
There are a variety of attachments that can help you clear all kinds of snow and ice on almost any surface. Snow blades, snowblowers, angle brooms, and spreaders are some of the most popular and hardest-working tools in the winter months. Whether you’re pushing huge drifts, blowing snow out of the way or clearing ice, skid-steer loaders can be paired with a variety of versatile attachments to make snow removal fast and efficient.
Know the snow
Not all snow is the same. Whether it’s light, heavy, packed or deep will dictate which attachment will work best and the amount of power you’ll need to complete the job. To clear light snow and avoid damaging surfaces, attach an angle broom to your skid-steer loader. If you’re obstructed by stubborn, hard-packed snow and ice, use a scraper to break it up. When wet, heavy snow piles up, use a v-blade to plow through drifts. When minimizing slippery surfaces, use a spreader attachment to effortlessly apply salt and sand.
It is advantageous to use multiple attachments on each site. With a team, one person can operate a skid-steer loader with a snow blade to plow through drifts with precision while another person uses a snow bucket or snow pusher to carry and dump or push snow into other locations.
Know the site
Like snow, jobsite demands can vary greatly. In the months before winter, snow removal contractors should consider surveying sites to note and mark potential obstacles and hazards. They can also assign their operators to one location each season so they can memorize these hazards and avoid any possible damage to properties and equipment.
Snow removal attachments are versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, so you can pair the right tool with the right site. A snowblower attachment is perfect for driveways and sidewalks, allowing you to clear snow and move it away from the area. Smooth, flat surfaces are always ideal, but they are unfortunately not always reality. Attaching a snow pusher allows you to remove snow from uneven surfaces so you can avoid damaging paving stones, decorative concrete, or sloped sidewalks.
Snow removal can be a demanding job that challenges operators and equipment alike. However, like most jobs, proper preparation, maintenance and the right attachments can make your winter season a successful one.
This article was originally published at ForConstructionPros.com.
