6 Tips for Fastest Plowing of Lots & Removing Snow
The sooner you finish clearing snow and ice from a client’s property, the sooner you can get to the next paying customer. If you break it down to its barest essentials, a snow removal business is all about how much you can get done in a day, within reason.
So, what is the fastest way to plow snow? We’ll be the first to admit that there is no magic bullet solution, nor can any of the tips we’ve highlighted be considered hacks of any kind. No; they’re what will take your business to the next level, get as much out of your manpower as possible, and keep your clients and employees happy with utmost efficiency.
Have a Snow Removal Plan
It might seem obvious; after all, a hope without a plan is just a wish. Don’t just rely on chance to get things done on-time and to your clients’ satisfaction. Instead, write out as much of your strategy using a snow removal plan template.
When you have a solid plan in place that means everyone is on the same page. When everything is spelled out in an official snow removal strategy, then you’re that much closer to the kind of consistency that clients respect.
Understand the Tricks of the Trade
There are some insider tips and tricks that will move you on your way to becoming a seasoned plow operator. The more you know about how the industry works, the better equipped you are to take it by the horns.
Our tips and tricks article is full of these productivity-boosting ideas that can get you more bang for your buck, whether you’re the sole operator at your business or manage an entire fleet.
Enlist the Right Equipment
Accessorizing isn’t just a technique for making a fashion statement. Yes, even a plow truck can be equipped with plenty of bells and whistles that make your job both safer and easier. Many of the things that come stock on your favorite truck might not cut it when you’re pushing snow in the middle of a Midwest blizzard.
Check out our article that compiles the best snow plow truck accessories to get started in upgrading your ordinary plow truck into an extraordinary one. You’ll wonder why you never considered outfitting your truck before when the dark, snowy commercial lots are lit spectacularly with a brand new pair of high-powered floodlights.
Use the Right Products
Rock salt, snow-melt, and deicer; what does it all mean? We’ve taken the time to give you some useful stats on the differences between ice removal products so you can invest in one or two that are right for you. Plus, you’ll know when to use them so they’re applied at peak performance.
Using the right products means faster, more effective, and longer-lasting results, which will make your clients happy and allow you to prioritize your time better.
Strategize Your Piling
It can be challenging to stick to a strategy under the stress of time, especially when snow and ice are involved. However, we suggest you plow in a way that piles your snow in one spot. Furthermore, your municipality more than likely has local laws that will tell you where you can and cannot pile snow. Whatever the case, pushing a pile of snow from one side of a lot to another without a clear plan will mean you double or triple your efforts.
If your laws allow it, we suggest trying to pile your snow near a storm drain. As things thaw out the snowbanks will gradually melt and have an easy escape. If you pile snow in the wrong place you could unwittingly create a new water feature for your client come spring—one that they didn’t ask for and don’t want.
Be the Calm Before the Storm
Snow and ice management isn’t a reactive business if it’s done right. As the owner of said business, it’s in your best interest to offer your services before a weather event rears its head. If you keep tabs on the regional weather, then you should know exactly when to deploy your fleet before the first snowfalls.
Truth be told, applying rock salt and ice melt before the snow and ice establish themselves can give you a proactive edge. If these surfaces already have these products applied, then snow will melt on contact and ice will have little chance to form. Just make sure that you’re well-stocked.
These Tips Have One Thing in Common
If you look closely, there’s one common thread running through these snow removal tips. While they all have snow removal in common, we’d like to point out that they all involve good old fashioned hard work and strategy. As the owner of a snow removal business you probably already know that there’s no way to make your job easier; there are just ways to make it smarter.
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