June 4, 2015
The Right Snow Removal Equipment For Your Store
People in the Northern United States and Canada know that winter weather is serious business. On the other side of the snowmen, ice skating, and hot chocolate of holiday movies are rough roads, potholes, and slip-and-falls. Vehicle owners in the Northern United States spend an extra $335 annually, thanks to rough roads, and in large cities, the average additional expense is $746. Winter storms cost about $2.3 billion in insured losses in the U.S., and that doesn’t even factor in the billions of dollars lost every year to slips, trips, and falls on snow and ice. Injuries and car damage aren’t the only winter menaces costing money. A single-day snow-related shutdown in the state of New York can result in $152 million in lost retail sales, contributing to a $700 million in total economic costs, according to a 2014 IHS Global Insight study.
No one knows the negative impact that snow can have better than retail store managers. Store managers are tasked with keeping customers as safe as possible from the car to the store and back. Parking lots that are not cleared can turn away customers and for those who brave the elements, can sometimes result in slip and fall claims. This is one of the reasons store managers should seek skilled and effective snow and ice management companies to clear their properties throughout the season. There are many characteristics that make for a great snow and ice management company but one of the most important is snow removal equipment. Making sure the company you hire has the right snow removal equipment for your property is key.
One of the most popular types of commercial snow removal equipment are containment plows. Here are some of the kinds designed to tackle different types of properties and situations.
Rubber Edge Snow Pushers
Rubber edge snow pushers claim the top spot as the most popular style of containment plow in North America. This style snow pusher typically costs less than other models, is durable, and features a rubber cutting edge, which squeegees wet, heavy snow. Rubber edge snow pushers are easy to operate and maintain and can take on a variety of surfaces.
Steel Edge Snow Pushers
Steel edge snow pushers are best suited for asphalt properties, especially those that are uneven. The steel edge of this style snow pusher can scrape hard packed snow and ice, which can reduce salt costs and the potential for slips, trips, and falls. The best steel edge snow pushers have no speed or stacking thresholds, which allows snow and ice companies to clear areas better and faster without concerns of equipment failure.
Pull Back Snow Pushers
This specialized snow removal equipment is perfect for clearing snow away from tight, hard-to-reach places. A quick change of position allows it to operate like a rubber edge snow pusher, allowing contractors to tackle areas both big and small. Pullback snow pushers can potentially eliminate shoveling and allow customers to become more efficient in clearing a property.
Foldout or Collapsible Snow Pushers
Navigating a property with many obstacles like gates, bollards, and narrow wall passages can be difficult, even for the most experienced snow and ice company. Collapsible or “Foldout” Sno Pushers can help operators easily clear these properties by being able to decrease in width, either manually or through hydraulics. This style snow pushers’ ability to decrease in size can also eliminate wide load tickets that are sometimes a result of trying to drive from site-to-site.
Low Profile Snow Pushers
Low Profile models are the ideal snow removal equipment when needing to reach beneath parked trailers or other hard-to-reach areas. Most low profile snow pushers are designed with an angle, which allows for the windrowing of snow to one side.
Store managers that are knowledgeable about snow removal equipment become a greater asset to their employers during the winter months. Identifying the right company and understanding the equipment they use, will allow store managers to better service their customers and keep them safe when the snow is falling.