Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/391858
alleyways and sidewalks are cleared enough for customers to safely go about their business. Sev- eral other RAI crews are doing the same at other locations in the area. Curry is no different from thousands of land- scaping and construction company business owners across the country taking advantage of removing winter's white mess for a steady revenue stream of green. One critical key to success in the snow-removal business is having their fleet of primarily 3/4- and 1-ton 4x4 pickups set to plow. That means having trucks up to snuff on all engine and transmission maintenance/repair is- sues, making sure the snow-plow prep compo- nents are in prefect working order and the blades double-and triple-checked for both function and structural integrity. As for the plows, the manufacturers are con- stantly striving to make stronger, lighter, more durable and versatile offerings for the new trucks. Trip edges are reacting faster, and moldboard technologies are continually being researched and improved. We are seeing more stainless steel and poly- carbonates being utilized to reduce corrosion and move snow faster, further refinements to mounting systems for faster reconfiguration and electrical and hydraulics being more efficient and better protect- ed from the elements. Such advancements lead to increased produc- tivity with less downtime for maintenance and repairs. Those running older plows may want to check out updating to the newest technology: doing so could increase profits by reducing mechanical is- sues and improving overall snow-removal perfor- mance. A newer, lighter-weight package could also reduce the associated wear-and-tear on the truck it's mounted on while saving fuel. A plow is a big investment that can cost well into the thousands by the time the edge contacts the first flake of snow, which is why it pays to shop carefully. Compare the different brands and models available for your particular trucks and needs with those of your current plows. Run the numbers. If you are setting up a new pickup for snow removal, make sure everything is in compliance with its warranty guidelines for such use, as well as meeting those requirements of the plow manu- facturer. There are dozens of makes, models and options to fit any budget and job. What we've highlighted here is just skimming the top of the newest in pickup snowplow offerings. O C T O B E R 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 57 ProPickup After you pick the perfect plow for your business, make sure to maintain it. That includes checking hydraulic levels, lights and cutting edges. See a full checklist on page 59.