For snow professionals,, selecting and utilizing industry best practice snow removal tools can be crucial during the winter, when traditional business opportunities can be limited.
The mistake that too many landscape and snow removal businesses make, however, is basing their decision on acquiring snow plow or pusher attachments on the initial cost. This overlooks long-term expenses, improved efficiency, quality of clearing and the potential to secure additional projects. When considering these factors, the optimal return on investment is achieved through the utilization of adaptable and agile attachments, even if the upfront expenditure is a little higher.
For snow removal services, it is tempting to focus on the lower initial purchase cost or to simply order the same attachments other companies use. This leads many to just “rinse and repeat” for par thinking.
However, for the greatest overall returns to landscape professionals, more attention should be given to the ROI that higher quality attachments provide. These attachments offer more flexible choices that allow a variety of movements in tight spaces, while adding to the value of skid-steers, which are specifically designed to be nimble. Unfortunately, many standard snow plows and pushers have limited functionality, and if big and bulky, turn a nimble skid-steer or wheel loader into a large, clumsy piece of equipment with limited maneuverability.
Of course, given the harsh environments where snow removal is required, these attachments must not only perform efficiently but also must last over time.
Once snow removal companies crunch the numbers, they can see how much time high quality attachments can save, how much on-site equipment can be eliminated, how much quicker operators can work and how much longer the equipment lasts.
Once you start to think about the ROI with the goal of doing more with less equipment, using a more flexible, quality attachment is a no-brainer for many snow removal companies.
Specialized attachments
Many landscape contractors offer year-round service that includes snow removal in the winter for large commercial and government-owned properties.
Many of the facilities are zero tolerance, which means that if they ever had to shut down, they could lose a lot of revenue every hour. So, the ability to quickly and safely clear snow from a site is essential. Snow removal companies need their entire fleet of equipment effectively performing every day during snow events.
For snow removal, there are OEMs offering specialized attachments that allow operators to switch between angle plowing, wide-angle plowing, pushing and back dragging on the fly.
A key feature of the design is the ability to extend and retract its side wings independently, depending on the width of the road or the amount of snow cleared. This allows operators to efficiently clear wider swaths of snow without manually adjusting the plow’s position, increasing productivity and reducing the need for additional passes.
Look for snow plow attachments that only require one hydraulic circuit for efficient operation. No additional wiring is necessary, and there are no specialized controls. The attachment can be angled left or right with a standard control feature on the joystick. The user-friendly design simplifies operator training.
These unique snow removal attachments have all the great aspects of a fixed box, along with the ability to easily angle and back drag. These have a very simple setup with just two hydraulic lines.
This new uniquely designed equipment now available involve multiple snow plow attachment cutting-edge sections with individual adjustability and adaptability. The floating cutting edges allow for more precise snow removal even on varied surfaces and minimizes the need for excessive salt or deicing agents. Additionally, the plow edges are now following the contours of the pavement a lot easier.
The amount of time to clear a complex area can be been reduced by one-third, which often means an additional machine is not required. Due to its ability to conform to surface contours, this type of attachment edge more effectively clears the area, reducing the necessity for additional passes or excessive salt applied post scrape.
Although decreasing operator time is important, there are other ancillary factors that contribute to the ROI. A major factor is the ability of the equipment to withstand the rigors of annual snow clearing. Look for equipment that is durable and that is easy to repair when it requires maintenance.
While the initial cost of equipment like snow plows or pushers can be a significant factor, it is essential to evaluate their long-term benefits, including increased efficiency, better quality of clearing and the ability to handle more jobs.
By opting for more flexible and nimble attachments, snow removal companies can enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness.
