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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Does anyone measure their properties,keep track of the time to plow an area and then figure time per square foot for certain snowfall amounts (1-3 3-6 ect). I have to price a property that has 4 lots totaling @29,000 sf. The problem I'm facing is alot of the snow has to be pushed out of one area between all the buildings (@11,000 sf). I figure this will take alot of extra time and will double from 1-3 and 3-6 inches. Any input or figures will be appreciated
 

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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
with all the professionals viewing this site no one is keeping track of time??
 

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I just saw your post. I keep track of time and all the places I plow. I show start and finish time. I also keep track of how much snow is present when I arrive if the account is broken down for inches. At 29,000 sq ft, even with a small area that has to be moved, it still shouldn't take all that long assuming you have the right equip. We just got 6 light inches and with one 30,000 sq ft restaurant that I do it took 38 minutes, soup to nuts including waiting a couple times for cars to move. Yours will likely take a bit longer if you have to move a lot. Although layout plays just as much part as size. Good luck!
 

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NLS1;468290 said:
I just saw your post. I keep track of time and all the places I plow. I show start and finish time. I also keep track of how much snow is present when I arrive if the account is broken down for inches. At 29,000 sq ft, even with a small area that has to be moved, it still shouldn't take all that long assuming you have the right equip. We just got 6 light inches and with one 30,000 sq ft restaurant that I do it took 38 minutes, soup to nuts including waiting a couple times for cars to move. Yours will likely take a bit longer if you have to move a lot. Although layout plays just as much part as size. Good luck!
What equipment are you using to do a 30,000 sq. ft. lot in 38 min???????
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
I've been checking my numbers and I come up with 29,500 sf per hour average. That is with an (1) 8 foot and (1) 9 foot blades. I hope to see the average rise with the 8 foot blade now being a 9.5 foot v blade. Would anyone else care to share some numbers?
 

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What? :dizzy:

I do a 3 acre lot (132,000 square feet) that's pretty wide open (although it's not an ideal shape), below 6" it takes 1.5 hours. 8' blade with wings. My guy does it that quick also (1 hour 40 minutes) and he's been plowing all of one season.

I do a 2 acre lot where everything has to be piled on either end (two HUGE piles). 2 to 4" takes about an hour, 4-8" takes about 1.5 hours.

I do two other lots that are both about the same size, both are about 1/2 an acre(25,000 square feet), it's got a ton of backdragging and and moving around (not a nice easy push), 2 to 6" inches takes about 30 to 35 minutes.

It depends on the lot and the layout more than the actual square footage, but you should be able to do 1 to 2 acres an hour for 2 to 6 inches. Bigger lots are usually considerably faster per square foot (less stupid stuff to work around)
 

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Why don't you find an arial photo (or draw it to scale) of this area and the site can give you some accurate estimates to time. The bidding/estimating forum has pretty good agreement.
 

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gene gls;468431 said:
What equipment are you using to do a 30,000 sq. ft. lot in 38 min???????
Obviously not accounting for obstacles, this lot could be 100x300... not a bad size at all. Are you saying 38 is too much or too little, because it actually seems like too much time to me.
 

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YardMedic;470258 said:
Obviously not accounting for obstacles, this lot could be 100x300... not a bad size at all. Are you saying 38 is too much or too little, because it actually seems like too much time to me.
I was just courious as to his plow setup. I have a simular size lot that takes me an hour plus. I spend a bunch of time chasing trailings because I'm limited to where I can pile. I need to make a change in plows but haven't decided on a " V " or one of the expandables. I'm leaning toward a 9.5' Fisher X Tream V -SS but my dealer is in favor of a 8.5' instead. What do you run?
 

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gene gls;470397 said:
I was just courious as to his plow setup. I have a simular size lot that takes me an hour plus. I spend a bunch of time chasing trailings because I'm limited to where I can pile. I need to make a change in plows but haven't decided on a " V " or one of the expandables. I'm leaning toward a 9.5' Fisher X Tream V -SS but my dealer is in favor of a 8.5' instead. What do you run?
Only about 15 spots to backdrag. A few medians, a light pole, a couple planters, etc, but pretty open in the main lot. I have a Boss 9'2" poly v. This didn't seem that fast, just normal, no 100 mph backing or anything. Layout has more to do with it than size. If all I had to do was a totally open lot, I could do it way faster. Of course when you have to jumpstart the guy closing the place it takes a little longer. LOL:D I use what is in the sig. The time is from the minute I pull in until I leave the lot. I write both down, and that is not an exaggeration, just what it is. I also have an apartment complex with two lots, two turn arounds and two drives, just about the same total area. It takes about an hour due to all the messing around with cars, the turnarounds etc, layout has more to do with it than size.
 

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38 minutes sounds about right to me. I have an apartment complex with two seprate lots seperated by garages, two medians and a long winding drive. With just five cars in the lot it took me an hour, but empty it took 25 minutes. Layout, not square footage is key. Some guys on here spend way to much time trying to create some master formula. If you have some experience, you should be able to ballpark it on a drive through.

Running circles and avoiding stopping and shifting is how you shave time. I chuckle when I see those rookies out there. No matterwhat the layout, its forward-back-forward-back-replace transmission-repeat.
 

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big acres;470535 said:
Layout, not square footage is key. Some guys on here spend way to much time trying to create some master formula. If you have some experience, you should be able to ballpark it on a drive through.
exactly!!!!!

Running circles and avoiding stopping and shifting is how you shave time. I chuckle when I see those rookies out there. No matterwhat the layout, its forward-back-forward-back-replace transmission-repeat.
Now that's a truth for the ages.
But that's it, there is no magic formula, just hard work.
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Have you ever put yourself in the wrong ball park? I am hoping to come up with a formula (or some thing ) to back up my ball park number.
 

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WINTER 3;470933 said:
Have you ever put yourself in the wrong ball park? I am hoping to come up with a formula (or some thing ) to back up my ball park number.
me?
mis-bid a job?

Never!!!!!! :rolleyes:

yeah right
Of course I have, everyone has, it happens. It happens less with more experience.
Seriously, post a pic on the bidding and estimating forum, I'll bet the numbers come right in the same. (they generally do)
 

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LoneCowboy;470086 said:
What? :dizzy:
It depends on the lot and the layout more than the actual square footage, but you should be able to do 1 to 2 acres an hour for 2 to 6 inches. Bigger lots are usually considerably faster per square foot (less stupid stuff to work around)
WINTER 3;470933 said:
Have you ever put yourself in the wrong ball park? I am hoping to come up with a formula (or some thing ) to back up my ball park number.
I agree with cowboy, 1-2 acres per hour usually. Open lots are SOOOO much faster it's silly. Turning, backdragging, obstacles, relocating the snow, etc. any of these slows it down a lot. All this obstacle talk makes me want a skid steer with a blade and a Kage.:rolleyes:
 
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