Marion Lawn Care Service

Straight-Blades are the proven choice for professionals and homeowners alike. Built with an optimized blade curl that means snow rolls cleanly off the plow.

Angle-Position

In this position the blade is angled to either left or right side of the vehicle. Use this position for windrowing or widening after the first pass.

How to Windrow

With the blade angled to the left or right side of the vehicle, make consecutive passes--each time throwing the snow forward and to the side. This technique is useful to clear large areas such as parking lots.

Straight-Position

In this position the blade is positioned directly in front of the vehicle. Use this position for backdragging, removing a large windrow or cleaning up at the end of the job.

How to Backdrag

To remove snow from the edge of a building, raise the blade and drive forward to the building. Lower the blade, then back up while pulling the snow away from the building. You should backdrag only two or three truck lengths before turning around. You can then back into the cleared area and push snow forward. Your plow will be more effective when pushing snow than when backdragging over long distances.

At the end of the job, adjust the blade to the Straight-position and push snow directly ahead--cleaning up any spill off left from previous plowing.

Deep Snow

In deep snow raise the plow several inches off the ground to shear off the top layer. If you have a Power-V Plow, use the V-position for the first pass. Then change to the Scoop or Angle-position to widen things out. You should push just enough snow with each pass to get the job done efficiently without overloading your equipment. A good rule of thumb is to use a full blade width for two inches of snow or less, three quarters of the blade for four inches of snow and a half blade for six inches of snow or more.

Wet Snow

The best advice is this: Once you start, finish the job. Wet snow left in windrows overnight can freeze and turn into tank traps by morning.

Basic Plowing Practices

When transporting a snowplow, angle the blade to the right (toward the curb). This will reduce the chance of catching a curb or a snowbank that could pull your vehicle into it.
Never operate a plow while transporting it to and from a job site. It's a good idea to keep the plow control turned off in order to prevent accidental operation.
When transporting a plow, position the blade so as not to block the plow headlights or your vision.
Do not exceed 40 mph when transporting a plow. Do not exceed 14 mph when plowing.
When transporting a plow or while plowing, check the temperature gauge often. Overheating the engine can be costly. If the vehicle overheats, stop and correct the problem. If overheating occurs while transporting, stop and adjust blade position to allow more airflow to the radiator.
Before it snows, walk around the area you will be plowing to check for obstacles that will become hidden when snow is on the ground. Look for things such as bumper stops and speed bumps, curbs, sidewalk edges, shrubs, water drains, fire hydrants, fences and pipes sticking up from the ground. To prevent damage to the area being plowed as well as to your snowplow and truck, mark any obstructions that will be hard to see when there's snow on the ground.
Always wear a seat belt when operating a motor vehicle and never plow with your head out the window.
When moving in reverse, don't rely on the vehicle mirrors. Turn around and look where you're going.
When plowing in dirt or gravel, lower the plow shoes. This will raise the blade so you don't scrape the surface away. When plowing on asphalt or concrete, raise or remove the plow shoes so that you scrape as close to the surface as possible.
When you're finished plowing, lower the blade to the ground and turn the plow control off for safety. This will also take stress off the hydraulic components.

Things not to Do

Never pile snow on someone else's property.
Never pile snow on a street or on sidewalks.
Never pile snow on top of any structure.
Never pile snow by mailboxes, dumpsters, water drains, catch basins, electrical boxes or fire hydrants.
Never push snow across a road without first checking the local regulations. In many areas it is illegal to push snow across a road.

Plowing Parking Lots

Make sure you know where the customer wants you to pile the snow.
Use extra caution when plowing next to curbs.
If a significant amount of snow is expected, plow with the storm rather than letting snow accumulate.
Keep water drains and catch basins clear at all times.
Do not stack snow by the road so as not to block the visibility of vehicles coming or leaving the parking lot.
Use caution when plowing next to parked cars--as the snow can push you into the car.
When pushing snow that is next to a building, push away from the building.
If you are responsible for sidewalks, they should be shoveled first before you start plowing so that the snow can be plowed away.
To start a pass, start the vehicle in motion. Then drop the blade.
As you come to the end of a pass, lift off from the accelerator while starting to use the brake. At the same time, start to raise the blade to help stack the snow--and to make it easier on your electrical system.
Plow areas in front of buildings and overhead doors first. With the blade raised and in the Straight-position, drive up to the building, drop the blade, and pull the snow away from the building. Then turn your vehicle around, back into the cleared area and push the snow to the outer edges of the lot.
Push the banks back far enough to accommodate future snowfalls.
After backdragging snow away from the buildings, it's time to start plowing the lot. Start by making a pass down the center of the lot, and then push snow in windrows to the outer edges. If there has been a significant amount of snowfall, push as much bulk off the lot as possible. Then go over it again. In large lots it may be best to break your plowing down into smaller areas.
Do not pile snow in the middle of the lot. It will be difficult to remove later.
Do not pile snow near handicapped parking areas.
Plow in straight lines whenever possible and push to the outer edges of the lot. Keep the wind direction in mind--and pile snow downwind to minimize drifting later.
Plow snow during low-traffic hours and always be cautious of cars and people in the lot.
Once the majority of the snow is removed from the lot, it's time to do the cleanup work. Start by plowing next to curbs. Be sure to square off corners where possible, and don't leave trails of snow behind.

Plowing Driveways

Make sure you know where your customer wants you to pile the snow.
Drive up to the garage; drop the blade; then back up--pulling the snow approximately two car lengths back. Turn the vehicle around and back into the cleaned area. With the blade angled to the center of the driveway, push the snow to the end of the driveway. Finish by pushing the snow into the corners at the end of the driveway. Be careful to not leave snow on the road or on sidewalks.

Note

Plowing snow across a road is illegal in many areas, although some rural areas will allow it. Check your local regulations first. If it is allowed, push the snow far enough back to allow for upcoming snowfalls--being sure to not leave snow on the road.
Welcome to the Marion Landscape Service Snow Plow Crew.

And remember--there's no substitute for doing a quality job. And for doing so safely.