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
slip-and-fall hazards as well. In order for you to success- fully achieve clean, clear results, a good snowplow is an essential part of the snow removal team. A snowplow is more than just a piece of equipment, it's the real workhorse of a snow removal operation. The better the plow, the better the snow removal job will be, leading to less chance of excess ice build-up. For example, containment-style plows, also known as box plows, have come a long way over the years, and many different styles and models exist, each with their own technology and features. Looking for a plow that incorporates features de- signed for fast, efficient removal of snow and ice will be key in effective operation and preventing liability issues. Many snowplows incorporate steel cutting edges, which are very effective at scraping even hard-packed snow and ice down to the pavement. Some manufacturers offer sectional moldboard designs, which contour to vari- ances in the pavement grade, allowing the plow to get into dips and depressions in the pavement. This allows for cleaner results, and more snow and ice to be removed with each pass. Recently, special drop-and-go hitch de- signs have been introduced to further enhance the amount of snow and ice removed with each pass. These hitches let the plow move freely from the equipment and automatically adjust the plow to any change in pavement. Beyond boosting the effectiveness of a snowplowing operation, the equipment can affect your ability to respond to and handle each snow event quickly and efficiently. To ensure the equipment doesn't slow down the crew, it's imperative to keep inventory well maintained and serviced. >> USING A PLOW that incorporates features designed for fast, efficient removal of snow and ice will reduce the need to use salt, which is less effective in cloudy, colder conditions. Photo courtesy of Randy Strait. replace the damaged one immediately will eliminate costly down- time. Rather than leaving a machine idle while its plow is being fixed, it can be fitted with a backup unit and be right back out on the jobsite. READY WHEN YOU ARE All snow events must be handled with urgency, as every minute KEEP EQUIPMENT IN CHECK In nearly every area of the country, a snow event will show up unannounced at some point. It's not uncommon for the weather to go from 60 degrees Fahrenheit one day to blustery, blizzard-like conditions the next. It is crucial to keep all machines adequately maintained so they're ready to tackle any job and last throughout several hours of tough plowing. The first step in any proper routine maintenance plan is the most basic—keep the snowplow clean. Taking just a few moments at the end of each shift to quickly clean the plow will provide a two-fold benefit. First, a good cleaning will remove any excess ice or salt that could damage the plow or cause corrosion. Second, it will allow the operator to spot any obvious issues, such as damaged or severely worn parts. Replace these immediately to avoid a de- crease in performance or a full-scale breakdown in the middle of a plowing job. Good maintenance is an ongoing process, and should receive adequate attention, both during the season as well as the off-sea- son. Investing a small amount of time into basic plow upkeep will pay dividends, as the plow will be ready and waiting to go as soon as the flakes begin to fly. It's beneficial for a snow removal fleet to include more equip- ment and machines than needed at any given time. In the event a plow becomes damaged during use, having an extra one on hand to www.stma.org counts. When it comes to the argument of whether to wait for the snowfall to stop before plowing, or get out there an attack the white stuff while it's still coming down, Strait's philosophy is sim- ple: "Don't hesitate for a minute. As soon as the snow begins to fall, we're out there immediately." When faced with an impending winter storm or blizzard, Strait urges how crucial it is for the operator to respond quickly so the snow doesn't get too far ahead. The longer it takes a crew to re- spond, the more time snow has to accumulate and ice to build up and the more likely it will be to cause a detrimental slip-and-fall ac- cident. The first impediment to a quick response time is obvious: bad weather. A snow event will make travel conditions to the jobsite less-than-ideal, so the closer personnel and equipment can be to the jobsite, the faster they can respond. Finally, even the simplest policy can save time. Consider back- ing equipment on the lot, facing the exit, so it's ready to go in an emergency. This will shave off crucial minutes in the event of an urgent snow situation, leaving less time for snow accumulation and less chance of a slip-and-fall accident. Although responding to a snow event immediately seems like the obvious way to handle a storm, it's easier said than done. Knowing how to prepare, and for what to prepare will ensure every snow event is handled quickly and efficiently. ■ SportsTurf 29