The Green Industry's Resource Center

ryde307 · #71 02-17-2013, 04:59 PM

I am not a plow expert by any means but a V is definitely more efficient than a straight blade. As is a scoop style plow. (blizzard) We run v's on all the trucks.
I am firm believer that almost any equipment is better than trucks however.
There are numerous reasons but in terms of productivity most equipment (skids,tractors,loaders) is much more maneuverable than a truck. We try to concentrate route so that equipment can be used and drive time is not a factor. Right now we have 6 routes that a skid or similar piece of equipment can be used and is. All are tight pockets of work with no more than a 3-5 min drive time from site to site.

For the other stuff trucks are needed because of the drive time. Trucks are good at going straight and windrowing snow one direction or another. In the open bigger sites a truck is good because of speed but anything with islands, loading docks, corners or any amount of back dragging a truck just can not keep up.

In terms of residential we got out of it this year. We have always had 40 or so drives. they were just not worth the headaches anymore for us. In terms of what plow is best i have used both straight and V. Both are about equal. The biggest was having a backdrag blade. If it was me I would find a way to use a tractor, toolcat or a jeep.

JContracting · #72 02-17-2013, 05:15 PM

Wow you guys definitely keep your routes tight! I have almost 10-15 min between some sites but others are 5 min at max, which kills me but as this is my first year plowing I took on whatever accounts I could, they're priced correctly but the time in between does slow things down a bit. A good goal for next season is to add an additional driveway near the ones I have already and add a couple commercial properties near each existing. And hopefully some larger ones that can justify the purchase of a skid or finding a sub.

ryde307 · #73 03-01-2013, 06:21 PM

It has been warm here for the last week. (warm for us anyways) So we have been focused on spring but it looks like a snowfall coming on sunday night should remind us of winter.
Nothing to exciting to take pictures of yet for summer work or equipment. Should have some in within a few weeks.
Working on a few exciting things right now. One of which is we had a new website made. Or in the process of.
You can check it out here. Nothing crazy but a good site I think. www.cclawnsinc.com

sticklelm · #74 03-01-2013, 10:04 PM

that website is looking nice

JContracting · #75 03-01-2013, 10:35 PM

The site is looking good!!

ryde307 · #76 03-02-2013, 01:00 PM

Thanks, She is stil working on it obviously but I like the direction it is headed.

ryde307 · #77 03-06-2013, 09:38 AM

Quick snow shot from the other night. We got 9 inches of snow over 2.5 days.

SterlingLawn&Landscape · #78 03-06-2013, 11:43 AM

Some really nice work! Love the snow operation you guys really use those skids how do you like the CAT compared to the bobcat? I did see one is wheeled and the other is tracked

ryde307 · #79 04-01-2013, 04:36 PM

Posted in marketplace but figured I would put here also.
I have a 2010 Bobcat s205 we do not need any more. It was used for snow and at the shop in the summer.
900 hrs
2 speed
Standard controls
radio
power bobtach
$24,500
Does not come with a bucket.

ryde307 · #80 04-21-2013, 08:47 AM

Some winter pics. Hoping spring comes soon.

Moving our salt bin.

Hauling snow off a sidewalk in Downtown Minneapolis. A customer called and said we have a new business opening at 3 PM today (it was 11AM) Do you think you could clear the 4 ft plow ride on the sidewalks? Had to sit and time with traffic to shuttle across the road to dump in the truck parked on the median.