It’s that time of the year again – whether we like it or not it is soon going to be shovelling season. With a good amount of snowfall expected this year, it’s best to start thinking ahead about snow removal. Typically over the years, we have noticed at HomeStars that homeowners like to schedule their snow removal jobs early in October and November. This gives them and pros like yourself ample time to plan ahead. As pros, you will also need to check up on your machines and their maintenance or buy the right equipment if you offer snow removal services. As the snow season is upon us, we have put together a complete list of snow removal equipment for you and which is best suited for different kinds of snow tasks.
Snow Thrower
Usage: Sidewalks, small areas and walkways
Best For: Light and fluffy snow
Snow throwers, usually available in a single-stage model, use a horizontal spinner to expel snow from a chute after gathering it up. It can throw snow up to 15 to 25 feet away. While some models need to be plugged in, there are cordless battery-powered models available too for easier snow removal. They have a snow clearance width of up to 26 inches, making them a popular choice for many.
Snow Blower
Usage: Parking lots
Best For: Heavy, wet or icy snow
Snow blowers are more powerful than snow throwers and are available in two-stage and three-stage models. With a snow clearing width of up to 36 inches, they are ideal for larger spaces. It uses a rotating auger to pick up the snow and is then expelled by a powerful fan-driven impeller which can throw snow up to 50 feet away. They also come with heated hand grips to keep you warm and headlights to operate in low light.
Skid-Steer Loader
Usage: Space between buildings, fences
Best For: Heavy snow
This open-cab and compact heavy-duty vehicle can use various attachments to remove snow. They can come with either wheels or tracks and it’s important to make sure that you are using snow wheels for better grip and traction.
All-Wheel Steer Loader
Usage: Parking lots, Narrow spaces
Best For: Heavy snow
As the name suggests, these are almost the same as skid-steer loaders but are easier to maneuver and can clear larger amounts of snow. They have a better grip on the ground and do not damage the ground and also come in closed-cab options.
Wheel Loader
Usage: Larger spaces and roads
Best For: Several feet of snow
These powerful machines can remove up to several feet of snow and can be used during a snowfall and in low light as they come with headlights. However, they cannot be used in narrow spaces but they do offer plenty of visibility through the large windows.
Backhoe Loaders
Usage: Larger spaces
Best For: Wet heavy snow
Along with lifting snow to move it, backhoe loaders can also be used to compact snow. They can be used for the heavy snow that has been sitting for a while and also for fresh and fluffy snow.
Mini Track Loader
Usage: Sidewalks
Best For: Dry and heavy snow
These hand-guided loaders are perfect for difficult-to-reach or narrow spaces. Like backhoe loaders, this too can compact snow along with doing the heavy lifting.
Attachments For Snow Loaders
- Snow buckets: These can be used to scoop up and transport large quantities of snow.
- Snowplow blade: These angle plow blades work on hydraulics and can be used to move snow into piles. These are best suited for open spaces.
- Snow pushers: Available in different sizes, they can push snow but cannot scoop or lift the snow.
Use This Equipment To Make Snow Removal Easier
As you are already gearing up for snow removal, you can suggest and schedule preventive measures for snow removal as well. Here are two simple tasks you can add to your list for when you’re hired:
- Salt Spreader: As the name indicates, these wheeled vessels can be attached to vehicles or mounted on them. After the salt is loaded into a chute, it uses a rotating disc to dispense the salt to break up ice from roads. This greatly reduces the risk of accidents and also helps in easier snow removal.
- Ice Melt: This is yet another salt-based product which can be spread on driveways and pavements before and during snowfall. This helps to make shovelling or snow removal easier after the weather has cleared.
If you offer snow removal services, you can upgrade to these types of equipment to schedule and complete snow removal jobs with ease. Make sure you mention owning these types of equipment in your HomeStars profile description along with some pictures of these types of equipment in your profile gallery. This information will help ready-to-hire homeowners make a quick decision about your services.
If you are interested in getting more snow removal jobs during the slow season, make sure you upgrade your category for the same. Contact your dedicated account manager today for more information!
