How to Get the Most out of Snow Plow Work in Residential Areas

Residential neighborhoods may not seem as profitable to snow plow drivers as commercial work, but in many cases that pre-judgment is wrong. Residential jobs can be very profitable if the driver knows how to market his business. After answering a few specific questions, any snow plow driver will be ready to take on residential properties.

The very first step any driver must make when heading into this specific type of snow plowing work is how they plan to work. This means deciding if they are going to work for cost or quality. Working for cost typically means the driver will have competitive prices to try and beat out the other competition. Consequently, this usually means taking a lot of work at a low profit.

Alternatively, the driver can set their prices at rates that are fair to them. This might lead to less business, but those looking for a job well done will be the ones booking the driver's calendar each snow season. This tends to lead to less jobs than going the competitive route, but the monetary difference will be made up with well-paying clients.

The snow plow driver will also need to think of ways that they are different from their competitors. They need to advertise what they are known for and be sure to stick to it so clients will spread the good word about the driver's snow plowing business.

Also, any guarantees to clients should be in writing and should specify exactly what that guarantee means. For instance, if the driver promises to remove snow between a certain set of hours, but a large snowfall hits at the end of the driver's day. This should be made clear that there is no time to complete the job that specific day, and the contract makes sure to point instances like this out.

The owner of a snow plow company should also be sure to plan for each season. This means drivers know the routes they will be taking beforehand, all equipment has had the proper maintenance and is in correct working order, and that the company has a dependable service to go to in case of any breakdowns or malfunctions.

Last, a snow plow driver should take care to pay attention to the little things. On any residential job the driver should apply any and all customer requests. They should make sure to avoid burying hydrants, mailboxes, and especially parked cars, and be considerate to the rest of traffic that may be on the road. Each of these is a way to provide excellent customer service and create long lasting customers that return to the driver's snow plow business each year.

Source:  http://grounds-mag.com/snow_ice/1998_august_profits/

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO’s, as well as general truck repair and maintenance to the greater Reading Pennsylvania area.  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municipal purchasing program (Contract #025-072).

Snow Plowing Safety Tips

Snow plow operators have a very important job that must be taken seriously. They are responsible for clearing the roads of snow and ice to make them safe for everyone else to travel on. In the process of performing their job, they must also adhere to several safety protocols to ensure that no accidents occur while making the roads safe again.

There are three main steps that every snow plow driver or company needs to follow to maintain the safety of the drivers and other individuals on the roads.

1. Follow Snow Plow Operations
1. Drivers should be trained in standard operating procedures. This should include becoming familiar with snow plow routes before the winter season as well as participating in training each year to make sure the driver is fully up to date on all procedures.
2. Snow trucks and other equipment must be road ready before the season starts, and each truck should have preventative maintenance ready, such as Levan Machine and Truck Equipment, in case of breakdowns.
3. All snow plow drivers should get the correct amount of rest to avoid being tired in bad weather conditions, which could impact their safety and quality of work.
4. All snow plow drivers should avoid drug and alcohol usage.
2. All Snow Plow Drivers Should Use Defensive Driving Techniques.
1. driver should keep their hands ant 10 and 2 positions on the steering wheel in case of evasive maneuvering.
2. Be aware of what is happening down the road in order to be prepared.
3. Keep eyes moving in order to see what is happening on all areas of the road.
4. Do not become boxed in and avoid having other drivers in blind spots.
5. Keep lights and beacons in proper working condition to make sure other drivers can spot you on the road.
3. Safety Is Important
1.  Use 3-point contact method when climbing into the cab of a truck to avoid slips and falls in icy weather.
2. Where a seat belt at all times.
3. Walk around snow plow truck to check all mirrors and lights. Always make adjustments before getting out on the road.
4. Avoid unnecessary backing up procedures when possible, and always be aware of the 80 to 90 feet of dead space that is not visible behind the snow plow truck.

Source: http://lhtac.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Winter-Maintenance-Activities-Snow-Plowing-Safety-Tips-for-Your-Drivers-Vol-18-No-5.pdf

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO’s, as well as general truck repair and maintenance to the greater Reading Pennsylvania area.  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municipal purchasing program (Contract #025-072).

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Cooperative Purchasing Program

COSTARS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program administered by the Department of General Services (DGS) Bureau of Procurement. The COSTARS program provides registered local public procurement units as well as state-affiliated entities and suppliers a tool to find and do business with each other effectively through the use of a contract established by DGS.

There are several thousand registered members taking advantage of existing Commonwealth contracts. The goal of the program is to provide contracts with competitive pricing, while providing increased opportunities for suppliers and eligible participants.

Learn More: http://www.levanmachine.com/truck_repair_equipment/costars.aspx

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO’s, as well as general truck repair and maintenance to the greater Reading Pennsylvania area.  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municipal purchasing program (Contract #025-072).