Hi,
Please let me introduce
myself. My name is Pat Johnson and I'm a
freelance writer currently on assignment to write an article on snow
removal from roofs. I'm located in Northern Illinois approximately 50
miles south of Milwaukee Wisconsin and 50 miles north of Chicago
Illinois. Our area had a record snowfall during the month of December
2000 and as a result locals are experiencing problems with roofs
leaking, etc.
I
was hoping that since you are in the snow removal business that
you might be able to give us some snow tips. I'm interested in WHY the
snow creates a problem to begin with and what action can be taken to
eliminate the problem. Any assistance you would be able to provide
would be sincerely appreciated.
Patricia L Johnson
Hi
Particia,
Snow on roofs has been a
problem here in the high Sierras for as
long as their has been houses. The snow really presents two problems.
The
first problem is that snow is heavy. Left alone, snow can
build up and actually crush a house. Here we have steep roofs designed
to shed snow. Our houses are also designed to support high snow loads.
Winters
that bring heavy snows support an industry that goes up
onto the roofs to saw the snow into large blocks and push it off the
roofs.
The
second problem is that it is warm in your house. The heat
raises and melts the snow touching the roof. This turn the snow to
water. The water starts to run off the roof. When the water reaches the
eaves, it is cold again , the water turns to ice. The ice builds up
creating a dam. This forms a lake sitting on you roof. The water
eventually finds a way into your home.
Many
houses here have electric heat strips on the eaves to prevent
ice dams from forming. You can use an ice saw or other tool to cut
notches in the ice dam so the water can drain. These notches freeze
close and have to be cut again as long as the ice dams are forming.
We
have recently sold an equipment broom to be mounted on a
excavator bucket. This is so they can reach up and actually sweep the
snow off of the roof. This idea is now in R&D.
I
am in the snow and ice removal equipment business, not the
roofing business. A professional roofer may have more information to
add. I hope this helps.
Mr.
Plow
Hi
Mr. Plow,
I got into a conversation
with a guy that has a plowing company and
he said that having a plow on your truck really puts a strain on your
front suspension because of the weight of the plow when it's lifted.
But
then I thought to myself, how do all these other companies
plow and seem to not have a problem. Maybe they have to replace or
repair their front ends every couple years....? What do you say about
this?
Brian
Hi
Brian,
Some snow plows are very
heavy, others not so heavy. You need to
make sure that the plow is the right size for the truck. Plows that
hang from chains transmit shock loads to the vehicle front axle. Direct
linked plows ride smoother.
It
is important that the front axle rating of the vehicle is not
exceeded.
There
are also plow features that help reduce front axle wear. How
you plow is also important. Try to plow as smoothly as possible.
I
will not go into recommending a plow. To properly do this I need
to know about your vehicle. It would also help if I knew the type of
plowing, you plan to venture in to. However equipped with the correct
plow, used correctly, your front axle should have a long happy life.
Thanks
for writing,
Mr. Plow
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Dear
Snowplownews,
I work with animals. When we get a lot of snow, we have to move the
animals into small, covered yards. The walls of the big yard are too
high for a snowblower to send snow over -- so we have to remove it all
by shovel and wheelbarrow. Does anyone manufacture equipment that might
help us? A blower that catches the snow? I'm not really sure what we'd
be looking for.
Thanks,
Christine
Hello
Christine,
I may be a little out of my element here. There are snow blowers
for the front of pickups that blow the snow into the back of the truck,
perhaps with a dump bed. There are snow blowers that can load a dump
truck next to it, or even ones that push a dump truck ahead of it.
Maybe what you need is a walk behind snow blower and a pickup with
a dump bed inserted into it. You might want to have one high side board
to keep the snow from blowing over the truck.
You could also have a hydraulic snow blower for a skid steer loader
blowing snow into a pickup with a dump insert.
There are also gas powered little walk behind dump devices.
I am not sure what you call them. I would think John Deere would
make one, or you could contact Lawn&Landscape magazine at
www.lawnandlandscape.com.
I hope this helps.
Mr. Plow
Hi Mr. Plow,
Im having a lot of problems keeping my truck batteries charged while
plowing snow.
I do a lot of plowing and my charging system can't keep up. I have
a Meyer E47 plow on a 1991 Ford F350 Diesel. The charging system checks
out fine. I've been told I could put a relay in the system, but do not
know where or what size or type to install.
Randy D Stevens
Dear
Randy,
Most snow plowing is done at low engine speeds. You can reduce your
alternator pulley diameter. Just a little will help a lot. Maybe an
eighth or a quarter of an inch. Also did your shop check your low speed
alternator output? High amp alternators do not have much low speed
output.
A smaller pulley will increase your alternator speed.
A weak or too small a battery will not store a lot of energy. Did they
check the plow ground ?
Did they check to see if your plow or anything else is drawing current
with the ignition switch off ?
Have them check to current draw of your plow pump motor.
Also time how long it takes to raise your plow. If it take too long it
will eat power. Since this could be a ten year old plow.
This could be the problem. Maybe the pump, screen or valves.
You can get a Meyer's Service manual from our friends at Angelo's phone
# 1-800-ANG-ELO2 (for 5 or 6 bucks)
I don't think adding any kind of relay is a answer. If everything is
right - everything should work fine.
I think a trip back to your shop is in order. I suspect they missed
something. Most problems are found in the basics. Back to basics.
Print this letter and take it with you.
Did you have a qualified automotive electrical shop check your
charging system ? Have your cranking system checked also. Your starter
could be the problem also.
Good luck!
Mr. Plow
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