The first and most important step is to plan ahead. In some areas of the country the snow stays until spring. Not planning ahead is like painting yourself in a corner. You need to have room to store snow all winter long. Look for drop-offs and good places to ramp snow. Push those first snows back out of the way of future snows. Just because it does not snow much in your area, doesn't mean that you can't get hammered this year.

Place marker poles to guide you if or when the snow gets deep. Mark all the hazards, things like propane tanks, gas valves, flower beds, fire hydrants and anything you or your client does not want hit.

Ask the client if there is anything that they would like you to mark, and ask if things like bird baths, trolls, cupids, whatever could be moved until spring. Explain that once they are under the snow there is no way you can see them, or avoid hitting them. Explain that you can only be held responsible for the things that you can see or that are marked. As you are signing up clients draw a little map showing both the areas that are safe and the areas where hazards exists.

You don't want to lose all winter's profits to damage claims in the spring.

Try to get a mix of "by the season" and "by the hour" clients. This way to will have an income base if it snows and even if it doesn't snow.

Have "flag down" or "call in" rates prepared. Tell your "call in" and "flag down" clients that you can not be held responsible for items under the snow. It would be a good idea to have waiver forms in you trucks or loaders stating this for them to sign.

You also need to determine, who is responsible for ice control.

One other important thing is try to keep your service area compact. If not you spend all day driving and not much time plowing snow. Your fuel bills will give you sticker shock if you have 25 driveways scattered all across Pittsburgh.

For contract forms and snow removal liability issues call the Snow and Ice Management Association (S.I.M.A.) they can be reached at 814-835-3577 or visit them at www.sima.org. They can also help you extend your client base.

You should start doing the above, in the fall. Another important thing to remember is; don't over rate or under rate your equipment. What I mean here is don't sign a contract to plow the "Meadow Lands" with one pickup and plow, or to have 4 driveways signed for your loader.

Another good idea is to make an arrangement with another plower to cover for each other, in case of breakdowns or other emergencies. Remember a contract is a contract - you don't want to be out there with a shovel while your truck is getting a new head gasket.

Now that you are ready for winter, assuming that your equipment is in top notch shape, let's talk about plowing snow.

When ever possible plow down hill instead of uphill. This saves fuel, tire, chain, and drive train wear.

Try to plow to the low side of the road. Your roads will close up quickly if you are plowing snow into the side of the hill.

Try to plow snow to the sunny side of the street. You want as much snow to melt as possible.

If you are plowing streets, try to unload your blade before you get to a drive way. Try not to berm in residents too badly. This will make you a popular guy, and you won't lose time waiting for the sheriff to respond, because you have a resident throwing rocks or shooting at you.

Now for drive ways. Many communities levy fines for plowing snow into the street. So don't do that. If you have to, feather it into the curb so it doesn't look like you did. Some communities also require permits for snow plowing. Check into this.

Now for how to get snow from the front of garage doors, if you don't own a SnoWay D.P. plow or a Hinniker C plow or some other method of down pressure, like on a loader. If you have room to plow across the front of the doors, by all means do so. If you have to back drag snow from in front of the doors, follow these steps.

1. Remove all the snow you can from the drive way.
2. Drive up to the doors lower your plow and back up.
3. You may have to do step two again.
4. Now it gets tricky, with your plow down drive toward the garage door, then lift your plow, and lower your plow on the back side of the snow you just plowed up, with the blade down back up. This step take a little practice, you don't want to push snow into the garage door, or to hit the door with you plow. So use extreme care. This method has served me well over the years.
5. Now just tidy up.

Keep your clients from climbing on your equipment. If you client insist on talking to you - climb down or get out to talk to them. This is much better than a law suit for them breaking their leg falling off your loader or getting hit by your plow truck.

Remember: Stay calm, be polite, check the weather often, be careful, keep your equipment in good shape and you and your clients should have a great snow season.

End

Beth Edgman is a certified welder and a long time snow plower. She is one of the owners of Plows Unlimited and a columnist for Snow Plow News.

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