I'm new to snow removal and have 19 driveways to do (2/3 of them we have to clear the walkways as well). We're looking at somewhere around 20" of snow to end by tonight. Should we go out now and get started or just wait till it's all down? there's already a foot out there
I'm new to snow removal and have 19 driveways to do (2/3 of them we have to clear the walkways as well). We're looking at somewhere around 20" of snow to end by tonight. Should we go out now and get started or just wait till it's all down? there's already a foot out there
We had a storm like that in Chicago back in 2010 and all my customers know that once 6inches are down Im plowing it. I refuse to let it accumulate on my bigger lots. I got about 3 plows out of that storm. I have had all my customers for 10 years if you are reliable and exsplain to them that much snow kills trucks they will understand. If they don't then I would move on from that customer. GOOD LUCK out there
What kind of blower? Single stage, GET OUT NOW! two stage, depending on motor size you could probably wait, but why risk killing your equipment. I'd get out now clear your drives, then when the storm is over it won't take as long to clear, and your customers are happier.
What kind of blower? Single stage, GET OUT NOW! two stage, depending on motor size you could probably wait, but why risk killing your equipment. I'd get out now clear your drives, then when the storm is over it won't take as long to clear, and your customers are happier.
when it's like that here for resi's anyway, we do "cheap and dirty" no clean up in front of garage door, etc. Just try to keep everything functional, if anyone would need EMS service or ??? Most of them aren't going to make it very far even if they do have a running start from a clear driveway.
What kind of blower? Single stage, GET OUT NOW! two stage, depending on motor size you could probably wait, but why risk killing your equipment. I'd get out now clear your drives, then when the storm is over it won't take as long to clear, and your customers are happier.
I'm new to snow removal and have 19 driveways to do (2/3 of them we have to clear the walkways as well). We're looking at somewhere around 20" of snow to end by tonight. Should we go out now and get started or just wait till it's all down? there's already a foot out there
You can't leave your clients with a foot or 20'' even in a storm. You need to take care of the foot and the sidewalks now, Should of been long done. This makes no difference if your on seasonal or per trip that's a lot of snow. Should of had at least two trips on a foot.
Yeah once 6" is down it really should be done. We are around 4 inches now so ill give it another few hours. I also like to think about how long it takes me to do my route. It takes me 8 hours and I know ill hit it twice, and they say it will stop around midnight... It makes sense to go out at 4pm. Just be smart. But with a foot down already you shouldnt be on plowsite, you should be blowing
You can't leave your clients with a foot or 20'' even in a storm. You need to take care of the foot and the sidewalks now, Should of been long done. This makes no difference if your on seasonal or per trip that's a lot of snow. Should of had at least two trips on a foot.
Yes, this!!! You have no business leaving a foot of snow in somebody's driveway. What about pregnant wives, guys that have to get out to go to work, ambulance visits in an emergency??? Get out there and service your customers. Don't mean to be rude, but this would be a big deal to me if I were the homeowner.
What about the 30mpg + wind?
Clear the drive just so it can drift in...?
Just do a quick messy job at best if you do at this time.
Get the bulk out.
There not going anywhere any way.
Call your customers and see when they have to get out.
Watch the weather.
When it starts to wind down, go hit it hard.
If EMS can get to them.
They can get to the house.
Yes, this!!! You have no business leaving a foot of snow in somebody's driveway. What about pregnant wives, guys that have to get out to go to work, ambulance visits in an emergency??? Get out there and service your customers. Don't mean to be rude, but this would be a big deal to me if I were the homeowner.
The drives should be cleared you guys are right but my guess is these are secondary roads and probably havent been plowed yet so even if you can get out of your drive where you gonna go.
I've gone into sub divisions at 2 a.m., 2 feet of snow, bigger drifts. Get 1/2 way down once there's 2 trucks stuck in the road. I plow around them, pull them both out. They aren't customers of mine. Then they want me to plow the rest of the road so they can get home. I told them no, asked them what happens when I get stuck? The closest neighbor came out from all the commotion. I plowed his driveway so the other guys had a place to park and they walked home.
Other time, I drive in, there's one of my competitor's truck and trailer stuck in the middle of the road, they are unloading the tractor from the trailer to blow a path. I turned around and went home for a 2 hour nap, then went back and did my drives.
Sometimes you have to draw a line.
Good times!
The only thing you're going to have luck with is your snapper. The craftsman will move too really help much, engine is too small (I have one as a back up and it's way underpowered). Hope you went out earlier, and everything went alright. Be safe.
I used 2 stage blowers for 9 years doing residential drives. And, 2 small 3,500 SF commercial jobs that opened late, short hours, not open every day.
None of my residential customers needed to have their drive open up to go to work.
Combine that with blowers are too slow to do anything twice and all my customers had no problem with waiting for the storm to end before I started. So there was no advantage to doing them twice when there was a storm.
Using a plow is a different animal. Because it makes sense push with a storm does not mean that's the way it should be done with a blower.
When you go out twice with a blower to do 6" in the middle of the storm then go out at the end and do another 6" is not going to make you faster. Basically all you are going to do is make the job take twice as long then if you went out once and did 2"
Your going to need 3 other guys to go out with you because you will need to have all 4 machines running to get that work done.
4 machines on 1 drive will be too much with everyone getting in others way.
Best to split up the work into 2 routes. With each route using a single stage and 2 stage. This way the 2 stage can get drive way opened up and the mail box cleared while the single stage is left for the easier stuff.
Your going to need 3 other guys to go out with you because you will need to have all 4 machines running to get that work done.
4 machines on 1 drive will be too much with everyone getting in others way.
Best to split up the work into 2 routes. With each route using a single stage and 2 stage. This way the 2 stage can get drive way opened up and the mail box cleared while the single stage is left for the easier stuff.
The single stage won't do anything with 20" of snow. Maybe make quick passes with 2 stage and clean up with single? I'd be tempted to leave the singles at home and just use 2 stage. Also, again that 5 HP craftsman isn't going to do much in 20+" of snow unless it's in first gear moving about an inch at a time, stoping, then going another inch. I've done it, and it's miserable... Wished I hadn't wasted money.
The drives should be cleared you guys are right but my guess is these are secondary roads and probably havent been plowed yet so even if you can get out of your drive where you gonna go.
Amazing, I read all these posts from the beginning, got to yours and chuckled. Cause I was literally thinking the same thing. We havent had any substantial snow here this year but the previous 2 winters in the sub I had lived in if you didnt have 4x4 or live on my street you didnt get out for 2 days. So even if your driveway was bare pavement didnt matter.
The single stage won't do anything with 20" of snow. Maybe make quick passes with 2 stage and clean up with single? I'd be tempted to leave the singles at home and just use 2 stage. Also, again that 5 HP craftsman isn't going to do much in 20+" of snow unless it's in first gear moving about an inch at a time, stoping, then going another inch. I've done it, and it's miserable... Wished I hadn't wasted money.
So I guess the client won't care that his neighbor was clean and plowed with a truck. I also guess the client will close one eye because his service provider does not show up because he uses a walk behind blower. As a home owner I would expect the same service regardless of choice of equipment provided by contractor. Unless the clients are expecting the OP after the storm and agreed upon this is bad service. I would think a guy just starting out would perform a little better for repeat business. A foot of snow is a lot of snow to me. Or am I acting high again.
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