January 2007

Here it is 2007. I hope you all enjoyed the holidays.

  You guys in Colorado are thinking if “I can just get through one more storm…“ Many of you are now working one shift for your customer and one for the city. Those of you in city government must be thinking, “We could have bought a lot of new equipment, with the money we are paying out for snow removal. Not to mention the revenue the airport is losing on freight and passengers.” Loads of  of you "Mile High City" folks and other Colorado residents, are now hauling snow through crowded and snow blocked roads to dump sites. I know that snow melting is cheaper than snow hauling. I also know where a few snow melters are available. You can call me (Tom) at 530 862 1284 regarding snow melter availability.

 We also hear of record snow falls in New Mexico, Okalahoma, and Kansas. The Weather channel along with the press has given us very little information regarding your conditions. Please contact us and update us. Snow Plow News 530 862 1284 (Tom)

   Hey! Colorado, New Mexico, and Okalahoma residents - send us your stories and/or your photos. The plowing world would like to know what's actually going on that the media has not told us. I am sure some of you have some great stories.

 Portable snow melters are combustion units that melt snow. You load snow into the top and water flows out the bottom. The water is cleaner than the snow that went in. This might be a very valuable service in and around Denver. Most shoppers do not like to snow shoe to the mall, because there is snow blocking all the parking spaces.
 
    Most of the rest of us are saying “ If only, I was in the swimming pool construction business.”
 
    Out west were I live we are still awaiting our first stick snow. It is now two months old. We plowed once, mainly to see if everything still worked. I actually plowed the oak leafs off of our road on Friday.

 Unfortunately the Sno-Way ST and MT sale has ended. This was a great deal and a lot of you got in on it. We have been in contact with Sno-Way, in regards to extending it. Stay tuned.

  Being right smack in the middle of the Tahoe National Forest, the lack of snow pack is a little frightening. We lost a couple of thousand acres last year in the Bassett’s fire. Maybe some of you saw pictures by Keri, myself, and others. It made for scary times for everyone in Sierra County. If we get another one like that after a winter with inadequate snow pack, F.E.M.A. might show up here. You along the Gulf know that’s not good.

 Plow guys are truck guys. Southern Motor Company is introducing the Southern 358. Perfect for taking the wife, or girlfriend, or both to Church on Sundays. Watch for the 358 in the “What’s New” section (soon). Southern Motor Company has a web site at www.southernmotorcompany.com

 Some of our web visitor, have new products that you manufacture or work for companies that do. Send us your press releases. We like showing new products on “What’s New” pages. We have a better response when we have content of products that happened within that calendar year. Check it out.

 Snow Plow News also offer very affordable and effective advertising. Your ad is seen by thousands of snow plow companies every week. Ads are also linked directly to your home page or other designated location. All of this for less than $60.00 per month, and without bidding, or additional charges by the click.
editor@snowplownews.com

  S.I.M.A. offers help with your training, bidding, salt calculations, contracts, insurance and more. I strongly suggest that you join. S.I.M.A. You can contact them at www.sima.org or by simply clicking their ad banner.

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Now A Word From Our Editor In Cheif...  
April 2006

Spring is finally here, I think.
    As you all know, this snow plow season was odd, to say the least. Winter came, and went, came and went, and came and went again. Then the floods came and 5 or 6 weeks of rain. Local rivers flooded, receeded and flooded again. Then levees in the valley (that I helped patched with Mud Cats 25 years or so ago), now seem to need repair {Duh!}
    Fuel prices are extreme and look to get even worst. Tax credits are being given to “hybrid” vehicles. I wonder if World War 1 and World War 2 submarines would qualify for the Hybrid tax credit?
    I know of no one who has tested a hybrid truck for a snow plowing operation. Is there is anyone listening in Detroit who knows – if so give us a holler.
    Now that we dust our selves off and look for that tackle box. “I know it’s here somewhere.” How do we prepare for next season? Last year we did preseason snow removal contracts in the fall, and then fuel costs doubled. How do we protect ourselves from that? Do we add a fuel surcharge clause? What will we do about freight costs on new equipment? Do we order early, or wait hoping fuel costs go down? The sad truth is… I don’t know the answer. In my almost 60 years, I have never seen as much uncertainty in the market place. “Where is Mistress Cleo now that we need her?” (I may have just dated myself.)
    For those of you in hurricane prone regions, I strongly suggest, taking a good look at box plows, site boxes, skid steer loaders and wood chippers. There is still plenty of work left form last season with more to come.
    For those of you that haul snow off site, take a serious look at snow melting equipment.
    The fuel savings might just save your business. Cities and counties should also take a good look at the snow melting equipment. The fuel savings could leave your budget with enough money left in the spring for pot-hole repair. Nothing pisses off a voter more than a pot-hole on his street.
    Those of you clearing parking lots can save fuel by using box plows. I have a feeling that box plow maker inventories will run out early this year. Contact a dealer about pre-season order savings. It just might offset that freight bill. This is also a good idea for municipal yards and small airports.
    Driveway snow plowers try to group your customers into tight little areas. Assign one piece of equipment to each group. Spend more time in the driveways and less on the street. Have one truck (maybe a small one) standing by to take care of small complaints, problems and inspections. In some areas it is more fuel efficient to us a small snow blower than a plow. This varies greatly with different areas, snow conditions and terrains.

    Information on most of the products mentioned is available at www.plowsunlimited.com. Plows Unlimited also has added new products such as Unimog multipurpose trucks and attachments, Daewoo skid steers, Loftness skid steer snow blowers and other attachments. Wolf Paw high traction skid steer snow tires, Rokon all wheel drive trail bikes, Cone-Head chippers, Timber Wolf wood splitters and Arrow forks have also been added to our fine line up vendors.
    We are trying to help someone restore a Bolens small articulating snow blower. I believe that the State of Alaska had several of these at one time. If anyone can help with new or used parts, please let us know. (Pictures above and ID tags to the right.) Additional associated names are Allen Industrial Inc and Stolper Inductries Inc.
    Let’s go back to the fuel crisis for a moment. High oil prices will also drive up the cost of tires. It will also make equipment tire even more difficult to buy. I suggest stocking or talking to your tire shop about early ordering tires. This should be a big concern to you loader users.

I am leaving this advice from last spring, as this grows even more important. Read below.

SNOW TO SUN = PLOW?
WHY TO BUY A NEW PLOW OFF SEASON

    The end of April has come and gone so that means it is fishing season right? Well, yes but not in this case. It is the right time to look at you snow plow needs!
    Don’t miss the current “End Of Season” sales or the “Early Order Program Available.”
     “End Of Season” sales have large discounts. You can buy now, and drop off your truck for the installs. Then go fishing. When you come home, park the plow, and you are ready for the first storm. (No matter how early it arrives.) California alone had major snow storms on the first day of fall last season. Many cities in the state of Nevada paid out millions to snow removal contractors; simply because they were no prepared for a huge event. The city of Reno had 80 inches of snowfall in a 12 day period.
     “Early Order Programs” consist of placing a small deposit on the plows needed. In return for your early order you will receive a discount on your brand new equipment. The plows ship to you in the fall. You pay for them or use one of our lease programs available. You also receive the best of the latest products and features.
    Here’s something else to consider, especially if you are in the market to buy a new truck. Some manufactures are offering a rebate for snow plow purchases. New truck, new plow sounds good to us, how about you?

    Don’t let next winter catch you with your pants down and your hook in the water.  

Tom
Editor
Snow Plow News
tom@snowplownews.com

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