Snow Plowing in the Company Yard with Skid Steers
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If you own a company, chances are you also have quite a large yard that comes with the place at which it is located. You probably never pay too much attention to it until winter comes and you need snow removal services. How many times did you have to arrange for a contractor to remove snow from parking lots and driveways? I bet the answer is 'endless' and you get a headache at the mere thought of winter and snowfalls. What if you could do it all yourself and save plenty of money avoiding constant struggle with making arrangements with snow plow drivers? We are here to give you some options and present the best solution to all your snowfall-connected problems.
Selecting the Right Plow for Skid-Steer Use
Firstly, you must decide what type of machine you want to operate. There are three main types you can use to clear snow on residential streets, company yards, or main roads. These are:
- wheel loader,
- skid steer loader (skid steer,
- compact track loader (CTL).
When you use appropriate attachment they will do a great job removing snow. The attachments you can use for this purpose are a bucket, broom, pushers, or a plow blade. For this article, we will focus on the most common and versatile machine of the above, skid steer.
Selecting a plow
If you own a skid steer, the attachments you should mostly consider are a pusher or a blade (to scrape the snow).
What is the difference? A plow uses angled blades to move snow to the sides of the driver. A pusher is a box plow that has side wings. The whole construction can contain a large quantity of snow which can be moved from one side of the area to another, where it is piled up.
What to consider while choosing a pusher:
size- it must match the size of the machine. Pushers designed for larger skid steers will not work well with smaller models. It is imperative to choose a pusher compatible with your equipment for appropriate snow and ice management. The sizes of snow pushers vary between 6 feet and even more than 25 feet. Small skid-steers usually require a snow pusher of the size between 6-13 foot up snow pusher.
What to consider while choosing a plow:
size- it strongly depends on the area you want to plow. It is recommended to measure the area to ensure that the location can be plowed at a high speed. To achieve that, many professionals advise purchasing a smaller size, which allows to access tight spaces and perform a safe and quick job. The appropriate plow size also reduces the chances of hitting objects which may in turn damage the plows or injure the operator. Smaller attachments are also easy to maneuver.
Tips for effective operation: push snow from one side of the site to another and create large piles.
Type of edges
When it comes to cutting edges of the plows, they have a significant impact on the surface, therefore, it is crucial to choose the right ones.
Cutting edges can be made of rubber, hardened steel, or carbide. Asphalt and pavement cause little damage to the cutting edges, whereas concrete damages the edges substantially. Therefore, the operator should choose rubber, steel hybrid, or steel edge. On surfaces made of decorative cobblestone or similar material, the rubber edges should mostly be used.
The type of edges is also important when it comes to the type of snow you are dealing with. Rubber edge snow pushers are perfect for heavy and wet snow. Steel edges work great in icy weather conditions as a more aggressive scrape is usually needed.
Tip for effective operation: think through what type of edges you need before starting a job as it is not possible to change cutting edges once started. Use rubber edges in such instances as parking decks or cobblestone surfaces. If you need extra durability, choose carbide edges (e.g., asphalt surfaces). Steel edges should be sufficient for asphalt use. If cutting edges wear down at an abnormal pace, you might need additional operator training in using your attachments.
Dangers of Skid Steer Operation
Once we discussed the importance of the right choice of equipment, the time has come to consider the dangers of skid steer operation. Below, you can find the most common dangers operators can experience and the best ways to avoid them.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians are not only present in residential areas and sidewalks but can also be a hazard in parking lots, or courtyards. Operating a skid steer can cause pedestrian accidents, especially when removing snow during business hours.
How to avoid accidents? Train skid steer operation in actual parking lots and practice all the most common blind spots to always see a pedestrian approaching.
Collisions
A skid steer has a different steering, wheel size, and center of gravity than any other industrial machine. If you had contact with any such vehicle before, you will most probably still have to devote time and learn how to maneuver skid steer.
Additionally, if you operate the machine in the parking lot, you will be working among constantly moving vehicles. Be aware that not everyone around you understands and follows health and safety procedures.
Tip Overs
Similarly to forklifts, skid steers (if not operated properly) are in danger of tipping over or rollovers. Thankfully, skid steers are equipped with specific safety features that prevent injuries once the tip-over happens. Injuries are mostly incurred after the accident happens when the operator tries to exit the machine and disturbs stability. It is worth remembering that the safest place in the whole vehicle is the operator's seat and in case of an accident, you should stay there until the vehicle regains stability.
Dangerous Conditions
Snow and ice are hazardous to our safety when we walk. Operating a skid steer in such conditions is all the more dangerous. Therefore, it is important to practice the operation on slippery surfaces before attempting snow removal from parking lots or courtyards.
Safety Precautions in Using Skid Steers for Snow Removal
Last but not least, we would like to present a few good practices in operating a skid steer so you can enjoy an easy and safe snow removal process and minimize potential accidents.
Frequent Inspections
Before every operation, make sure you inspect your skid steer and the attachment. Create a skid steer safety checklist that you can use daily, and ensure the safe operation of your skid steer.
Use Personal Protective Equipment
Operating a skid steer requires wearing sturdy boots and protective glasses. You should also make sure that you use an inspected pair of skid steer arm supports. They work well when the bucket is raised and you want to protect the surroundings from their sudden fall. With arm supports, no matter what the state of the hydraulics is, the arms will stay up.
Get to Know the Location
The skid steer operator must know the place of operation. Run the machine dry in the parking lot or courtyard where you will work. Map the space, and you will have greater confidence to perform the plowing.
Get High-Quality Equipment to Avoid Failures
There is nothing worse than investing in equipment that does not work properly. Failures, damages, and malfunctions happen, but they are more frequent if you purchase low-quality parts. Purchasing attachments from a trusted supplier is the only way to guarantee a successful operation not only in the case of a snow event but for all applications. Browse through our snow attachments (snow blades, snow blowers, and snow pushers) and find a high-quality part made of the best, American steel to satisfy all your snow removal needs.