Packing It Up Early?

‍9 Tips for Postseason Snow Pusher Pros

The winter of 2016–17 will go down as one of the balmiest in history. Forget about what the Weather Channel or the Farmer’s Almanac predicted. Snowy, long cold winter in the Northeast? Pshaw!
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Even Billings, MT saw 50°F temperatures during the third week of February. Granted, Billings did end that week on a snowy note.
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Yet, if you live in the South, it may be time to pack up your snow pushing equipment. For those snow movers in the Mid-West and the Northeast, these early spring temperatures can be deceiving.
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Old Man Winter likes to surprise you in March or April with one last punch of snow and ice. So you may want to hold off on packing up your snow removal equipment for a few more weeks.
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As you know, the three major objectives for every post season clean-up are:
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• Clean – Give all of your trucks and other snow pushing equipment a good cleaning with a power wash. Let the equipment dry before you move to your maintenance chores.
• Maintain – Then inspect your snow equipment. If your plow or skid steer’s cutting edges or shoes need to be replaced, now is the perfect time to do it.
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Make sure the mounting blocks, springs and joints connecting plows to trucks are secure too. Replace loose bolts, springs and other pieces that keep the moving parts in motion during a blizzard.
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Check and replace snow tires, windshield wipers and all of the other essential parts that make these snow moving machines rock n roll in the winter.
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• Protect – Use this early post-season to spruce up your equipment with some paint and anti-rust lubricant. If you store your snow pushers and other snow removal equipment outside during the growing season, make sure that all nicks and scratches are protected by a long-lasting anti-rust spray. Lubricate all moving parts and electrical systems too.
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Post Season Review (and Party?)

In order to keep your snow equipment working and lasting for many winters, you need to take care of it at the end of the season. The same goes for your clients, employees and subcontractors. Here are some tips to help you get the most of your post season review:
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• Send out surveys (online is better) to all of your current clients asking them to rate your company, snow and ice removing services, and crews.
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Read more about online surveys in TURF Magazine.

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• Visit sites to inspect for any damages.
• Remind clients they could save money with early renewals.
• Once you received your feedback from clients, talk to your crews about what they did right and what needs improvement.
• Review safety and operation manuals.
• And while you were out with post season inspections, drop off some marketing materials or sign up new customers who didn’t get great service from their current snow removal company.
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Remember, it’s also good to end the snow season on a positive note with your employees and subcontractors. If you’re a landscape design/build firm, consider lighting up your fire pit for an outdoor pizza party. And if you don’t have that kind of fancy, then just get together in the break room.
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Read more tips to keeping your snow employees from one season to the next.

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SOURCES:

PAGUREK, KEN, “KEN’S TWO CENTS: POSTSEASON TO-DO LIST,” SNOW MAGAZINE: MAY 29, 2008.

STRAIT, LANDRY, “OUT OF THE SNOW, NOT OUT OF MIND: PROPER POST-SEASON MAINTENANCE IS KEY TO OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE NEXT SEASON,” CONTRACTORS EQUIPMENT DIRECTORY: JUNE 7, 2012.