SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/43432
Facility&Operations mid-size parking lot. A 10-foot snow pusher will be ideal for clear- ing narrower aisles, handicapped parking spaces, and will even work in the case of plowing during the day, when traffic is present. Finally, an accurate estimate of how long the job will take can be determined. Many contractors that use containment plows use a formula based on acres and pushing capacity of these types of plows. For example, one 10-foot containment plow with a pushing capacity of 13-yards will take roughly 30 minutes to plow anywhere from two to three acres; of course, this will be dependent on several outside variables that will change from event to event. A snow event with a 4-inch accumulation of heavy, wet snow will take longer to clear than an event dropping two inches of light, fluffy snow. A contractor using, for example, a 16-foot model with a 28-yard ca- pacity can estimate the same job in the same weather conditions to take about half the time. But running an efficient snow removal operation involves more than just sending out the crew and instructing everyone to start plowing. Having a plan in place for how to clear the lot is crucial for maximized efficiency, especially in the case of larger properties. For example, it may be wise to divide the area into sections and assign each operator his or her own area. This gives each individ- ual a specific portion on which to focus efforts, leading to more efficient plowing and eliminating the possibility of doubling-up on a single area. Parking lots pose additional challenges you must be aware to en- sure quick and thorough plowing. Parking lots often include obsta- cles such as light poles, medians, etc. Noting and planning for these small details will make a big difference, in providing top-notch serv- ice and preventing accidents. You also need to factor in appropriate equipment and personnel for curbs and sidewalks, which require additional time and re- sources. This level of adequate preparation is key, as every minute in snowfall response time can be crucial. But rather than take the time to plan for fast, complete snow removal, many contractors rely heavily on salt as a primary tool. Salt has advantages, but also comes with its fair share of disadvantages, all of which you must be aware. THE RIGHT PLOW There's no doubt salt can be beneficial in some situations, but re- cent shortages have affected many of us. In addition to shortages and of course, the high cost of salt, the narrow window of its effec- tiveness is another factor to consider. "Salt is most effective when the temperature reaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above, and the sun is out to activate it," Strait says. Experience shows that these types of ideal days are few and far be- tween. The best bet is to remove the snow and ice as completely as possible to reduce or fully eliminate the need for salt, and prevent >> KNOW THE DETAILS of each property in advance to ensure the proper equipment is used. Though it may seem like the obvious choice to always use the largest snow pusher, a smaller one will be best for small entranceways and tight corners. Photo courtesy of Randy Strait. 28 SportsTurf | October 2011 www.sportsturfonline.com