Things to Know About Plowing Snow

First of all, when it snows people may think of a few different things. ‘I wish the snow would go away’, ‘Oh boy, time for sledding and skiing’, or ‘Time to make some money’. If you look at snow as money falling from sky because you have, or want to get a plow, that’s great. There are some rules, laws and common sense that go with doing snow plowing. Driving around Wisconsin in snowy weather gives me observations of some really good plow services, and some not so good plow services.

First of all the equipment is one thing to talk about. Equipment referring to the plow vehicle itself. Using Wisconsin as the example in this article, lets discuss what is expected of a snow removal vehicle in the State of Wisconsin. Regardless of what type of plow truck it is. It must have headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights in working condition when the vehicle is operating as a snow removal vehicle. Side windows must be functional because the law requires at least one window to be open so the driver can here the cry of any pedestrians in the area. Plow vehicles legally may not perform snow removal tasks if the vehicle is missing any of it’s O.E.M. mirrors unless it is staying strictly on private property without going across public sidewalks or entering the street. The snow removal vehicle must have a working horn.

Optional equipment: Optional equipment pertains to add on safety equipment, such as reverse alarms that beep every time the truck is backing up. Warning lights are not required by law to plow private property, however … if you are plowing private property that involves the plow crossing a public sidewalk or moving in and out of the street while plowing, …. A warning light must be used as per State law. The warning light is also needed if using the vehicle to plow a public sidewalk. Any such warning light must be visible from all directions and either amber or yellow in color with a rotating or flashing pattern. Any other color warning lamp for snow removal equipment is against the law and subject to a citation for a unauthorized flashing or color light in traffic. Reflective markings around the vehicle may be used in colors of yellow and white only. These reflectors may be in the form of stickers, decals, adhesive reflectors or temporary magnetic panels.

Next, how the plow is operated is a big factor in present and future safety of the properties being plowed. How this is done may also affect the stability of plow customers requiring plow services causing some of them to switch to a different plow service if done incorrectly.

Know the property you plow. Before the snow season arrives, visit the area. Look at the grounds. Observe where all the curbs are so you don’t break them when they’re covered with snow. Look for well water wells, garden and landscaping accessories such as ankle high sidewalk lights, decorative sidewalk edgings, sewer drains and other things. Know where the lawn ends and the pavement begins. Doing these things can help eliminate the possibility of accidental damage and getting a plow customer upset.

You have a plow but no salter. You think this exempts you from ice control? WRONG! Ice control starts with a good plow service. Here is why. When plowing snow, … never push the snow uphill or to higher ground. If you do, you are screwing your customer, creating a liability and putting your contract in jeopardy of not being renewed.

When you push the snow up hill, after your snow banks are in place, they are subject to repeated thawing and refreezing with temperature changes. As this happens, in the thaw cycle water from your snow banks will run downhill onto area’s you plowed, then when it refreezes … your customer has a ice condition they can thank only you for. This puts your customer as well as yourself in a liability position. Yes there have been lawsuits because of these practices. Always plow the snow downhill of any thawing conditions.

Finally, never ever plow snow from any private property into the street. The is unarguably against the law.

Reporter Joseph Toth

Washington Micro Bank BBS