Snowplow 101: Tips and Tricks to Become a Snowplowing Hero

IT’S SNOW PROBLEM

Prepare to become very popular with your neighbors.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed just how crucial snowplows are to any region that gets any real amount of snow over the winter.

A good snowfall (or a bad one, depending on how you look at it) can strand you in your driveway, make navigating roads tricky, and generally throw a wrench in your everyday routine.

But some people see opportunities where others just see problems and inconvenience. Maybe you’re looking at that snow wondering how you can provide solutions, whether that’s just for you and your friends or for a whole city’s worth of people.

Well, when it comes to snow removal on a large scale, it’s hard to beat snowplows. Why not hook a plow up to your vehicle and start pushing some snow around?

Of course, while experience is a great teacher, you probably want to have some background knowledge before diving in headfirst, so follow along to learn about the basics of snowplowing.

What to know about snowplowing

This article’s a long one, so we thought we’d include a summary with some key points so you know what to expect. You can also jump directly to any section that catches your interest by using the links provided.

• Finding a good snowplow comes down to factors like vehicle capacity, new vs used, parts availability, blade type, material, size, attachment method, controls, and lighting.
• Take the time to prepare for jobs: collecting information, planning for snow piles and drainage, gathering emergency supplies, and checking your equipment.
• Keep customers happy by going the extra mile with your work.
• You can use plowing techniques like back-dragging and windrowing to clear snow.

FINDING A SNOWPLOW

Unsurprisingly, the first step to plowing snow is getting a plow. As you’re searching for one that’s suited to your needs, there are a few factors you’ll want to watch for.

Vehicle Capacity

Before you can start comparing different plow options, you need to know which vehicle the plow will be installed on. All vehicles have a front gross axle weight rating (FGAWR) that indicates the maximum weight that you can add to the front of the vehicle. Be sure you won’t be exceeding that limit when you install your plow. Check any potential snowplow purchases against your FGAWR to make sure that your vehicle can handle it and that you won’t be in violation of any regulations.

New vs Used

There’s nothing like the thrill of buying a brand-new tool. However, doing so isn’t necessarily the best option for everybody.

Especially if you’re looking to start a snowplowing business, costs are a major concern. After all, general wisdom says that most companies don’t turn a real profit for the first few years, and this 2022 analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 18.4% of new businesses fail within one year and that almost half (49.7%) will fail after their first five years.

If you don’t want to be one of them, you’re probably looking at how you can cut costs. An obvious solution is to purchase used equipment.

Of course, buying pre-owned snowplows has its hazards. You’ll need to make sure that the equipment you’re purchasing is still in good shape. When you’re checking out a plow, look for things like cracked welds or bent beams, since as Mark Klossner of Boss Snowplow puts it, “thick, heavy steel does not bend on its own, in some mysterious manner—if it’s bent, the previous owner hit something—it’s that simple!”

If you think you’ll probably need to replace elements of the plow, write down the model number and look up the parts diagram and weight rating online. Then you can visit The ROP Shop to figure out the cost of any replacement parts you’ll need.

If you do decide to purchase a new plow from a dealer, still take the time to do your research. Look up how long your dealer has been in business and how many positive or negative reviews they have online. Just because your plow is “new” doesn’t mean that quality is automatically guaranteed.

That said, there are some obvious benefits to buying new. Primarily, of course, there’s the assurance that you’re the first person to put wear and tear on the plow. In addition to this, a dealer will be able to assist you with installing and configuring your plow as you’re getting started; however, it could come with an additional cost that wasn’t reflected in the price of the plow, so be sure to ask about it.³

Parts Availability

How easy will it be to get replacement parts for the plow model you’re buying? This is where some plowing newcomers get into trouble. Buying a low-quality plow to save money or struggling to get parts from a less-than-professional business can spell disaster in the middle of the plowing season.

Find a reliable business like The ROP Shop for parts and supplies (or even as a backup in case the local dealer can’t come through). Also, make sure that you plan for maintenance costs and decide who will be doing that work for you going forward. It’s just good business.

• Winged plow—the extra-premium choice. While they lack some of the versatility of the v-plow, they have the highest carrying capacity of all of the plow styles.⁴ Within the category of “winged blades,” you have a lot of options. Some have hydraulic systems that extend or retract the wings, and some can be repositioned automatically for your plowing angle to improve your performance. Furthermore, wing extension kits can be purchased and installed on v-blade and straight blade varieties. ⁵ (The ROP Shop carries such an extension kit, which you can find here.)

Blade Material

Another factor to consider is the material of your blade. Again there are three main choices:

• Mild steel—the go-to for the industry, they’re treated to protect against rust.³ However, they may still fall prey to it over time based on operator maintenance, storage, and environmental conditions.
• Stainless steel—the visually appealing option. When it’s properly cared for, the shine of stainless steel is pleasant to look at, plus it is fairly corrosion resistant and a bit slicker than mild steel. However, it’s still prone to dents and scratches, so it’s far from perfect.²
• Polyethylene (or just poly)—the performance option. The slick material means that snow won’t adhere to the blade, which means less resistance for the plow and reduced wear and tear for your vehicle. Poly blades are also corrosion and scratch resistant—no wonder they’re gaining such a following! However, they tend to weigh more than other blades because they must be reinforced with steel.² This means you’ll want to double-check a poly blade against your vehicle’s FGAWR.

Plow Size

The next factor we’ll be covering is plow size, and your ideal one will depend on your budget and your projected use.

If you’re mostly wanting to clear the driveways of a couple of friends, family members, and acquaintances, you should probably consider a 7 or 7½-foot blade.³ While prices for such blades vary, they tend to be the most affordable options.

Running a bigger operation? Shoot for a plow that’s a minimum of 8 feet long. You’ll also want to consider an upgrade in the type of plow you purchase. ³

Plow Attachment Method

The winter season is not a friendly one, and since you’ll be attaching your plow in less-than-ideal conditions (like darkness, sleet, and snow), you’ll need to consider the way that your plow attaches to your vehicle.³

For some plows, it’s as simple as driving up to the receiver brackets, pulling up the shoes, and securing a couple of lock pins. Others are much more complex and could be difficult to navigate depending on the conditions you’re working in.

We recommend having the same attachment system for all the vehicles in your fleet. This will give you the versatility to swap between various trucks and plows if something goes wrong and you need to make quick adjustments.

PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING

Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” and he's definitely right when it comes to snowplowing. Before you start pushing snow, you’ll need to take several preliminary steps so you don’t waste time or money (or upset your customers!).

Read your snowplow’s manual

We know, we know. Manuals are for the clueless. However, consider this: each snowplow has different characteristics, and there’s no way to memorize them all. Whatever plow you’re using, you must be as familiar and comfortable with it as if it’s an extension of yourself.

If you haven’t purchased a snowplow yet, try to locate people who own the plow model you’re considering to gather input or gain some experience with it.

Collect important information before meeting with clients

When you’re preparing to discuss a job with a client, first make a list of every question they might ask you or that you will want to ask them. This will pave the way for your meeting to go smoothly, and it will make you look and sound professional.

Additionally, print an aerial shot of the property or properties you plan to solicit and mark high and low points. When discussing areas of the property with the customer, this visual can help you make note of crucial points and determine how much to charge.

Determine where you’ll be stacking snow

Plowing snow doesn’t make it disappear—it just moves it to a different spot. With that in mind, don’t be one of those rookies who piles snow on someone else’s property, on the street, or adjacent to access points. Take note of structures that you’ll need to avoid with your plow or keep especially clear of snow. And crucially, avoid burying sidewalks.

Installing snow stakes or driveway markers will help you navigate these important points and can help you remember where to place snow.

Consider where melted snow will drain

Remember, you’re the professional, and the client will assume you know your stuff. They may be fine having their snow pushed to a high point on their property, but they might not know that doing so can cause sheets of ice to form when the snow melts and damage their property. Preventing scenarios like this from happening can save you from an upset client, bad reviews, or litigation.

Also, when you inspect the property before plowing for the first time, take note of any previous damage and bring it to your client’s attention so that they won’t blame you for it later.

Pack a bug-out bag

Hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do find yourself in a sticky situation, you’ll be glad you came prepared. Try to keep an emergency kit with you whenever you’re plowing that has a flashlight, washer fluid, an ice scraper, fuses, a first aid kit, jumper cables, an emergency parts kit, a tow strap, fire extinguisher, a bag of salt or sand, a shovel, a tow strap, flares, and lock deicer.⁶

It would also be smart to have a spare set of dry clothes and thick gloves packed separately—you always need to be ready for that winter weather.

Check that everything’s working properly

We have a detailed checklist for snowplow preparation that can help you prepare for your snowplow jobs. But generally, you’ll want to look at the fluid systems, brakes, tires, windshield wipers, heating system, lights, and battery on your truck. For your plow, make sure that all fasteners, hydraulics, wear points, electrical connections, blade edges, plow shoes, springs, and lights are in good shape.

It might sound like a lot, but that’s the price of doing the job right.

It’s also smart to stock up on parts that wear out regularly, such as plow shoes and retaining pins. Don’t get caught without backups! If you need replacement parts, see The ROP Shop for help.

See if your truck bed needs a ballast

A ballast might be necessary to improve your vehicle’s stability as you’re plowing, but you also may need one to comply with weight distribution requirements for your truck.⁶ Be careful not to exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) when calculating ballast. Always check your vehicle specs inside the driver-side door.

KEEPING CUSTOMERS CONTENT

Running a successful snowplow business means that you have to go the extra mile to make your customers happy so that they’ll consistently choose you over your competition. One way to do that, especially if you’re working with commercial clients, is by reducing liability. No one wants someone to slip and fall due to ice on their property—it could be grounds for litigation.

To avoid this, we recommend deicing after finishing a plowing job. This will help to melt any remaining snow, prevent buildup, and keep the area safe and clear for pedestrians. It might even help you to avoid needing to make a return trip to re-plow.

If you do choose to salt, you can make it more convenient by using a spreader. A walk-behind spreader is the most basic option, but you might want to take it to the next level with a tailgate spreader, which is suitable for deicing services in residential, industrial, and commercial settings.

Need a controller box for your spreader? No problem! Check out our selection of salt spreader parts.

SNOWPLOW TECHNIQUES & TIPS

Back-dragging

This is the most basic of snowplow techniques. To back-drag, you’ll simply keep your plow blade raised as you drive forwards, stop as you near an obstacle (such as a garage door), and set your blade down. Then put your vehicle into reverse, dragging a pile of snow backwards as you go along. (See Figure 1 below for an illustration.) Be careful to not back-drag for too long in one pass; if you drive beyond two to three vehicle lengths, you could harm your truck.⁶

With the back-dragging done, you can then reposition your blade and push the pile you created off to the sides (Figures 2 & 3).

Windrowing

This technique is good for open spaces like parking lots. To use this method, you’ll need a winged or angled plow. All you have to do is angle your blade to one side as you make a pass. This forces the snow into a nice pile (a windrow) that you can scoop and dispose of easily. Pro tip: slow down and begin to raise your blade as you come to the end of a pass so you can stack the snow—it’s easier for your electrical system.⁷

BONUS SNOWPLOWING TIPS

Of course, there’s a lot more to plowing snow than we can put into this blog. The best advice we can offer is to put safety first. Efficiency and time management are never as important as being careful and protecting yourself, your customers, and your equipment. That said, we have a little more advice to give you.

• When you’re plowing a driveway, be conscious of where you place the snow to make life easier for the homeowner. For example, in a situation like Figure 4 above, you’d want to clear the snow back from the right side as you’re facing the home and avoid piling snow there. This way, your customer will have an easier time seeing traffic whenever they pull out of their driveway.

• Never pile or push snow across roadways (also in Figure 4). It’s actually illegal to do so in many places.⁶

• Take future snowfalls into account when you're planning where to place your piles. This is especially important since most parking lot snow piles will be the last things to melt when spring comes.

• Be smart about wet snow. Keep in mind that there’s a high likelihood that temperatures will drop again at night. If it does, the slush will freeze and turn into black ice. Always properly finish an area to prevent this.

• Tackle dense snow in layers so you don’t overburden your vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to use the full width of your blade if the snow is less than two inches high, three-quarters of your blade if the snow is 4 or more inches high, and half the width of your blade if it’s over six inches high.⁶ Working this way will also help give you greater control when you’re pushing snow.

• Read our blog on how to handle quotes and pricing for clients.

• If the forecast is calling for a lot of snow, don’t wait until it’s all fallen to start plowing. Doing it a bit at a time will make the work easier on your equipment. ⁷

SHOW THE SNOW WHO’S BOSS

While snowplowing can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never done it before, it can also be an extremely useful and profitable skill set. You won't have to worry about ever getting stuck in your driveway, and you'll probably earn a lot of goodwill among your neighbors, family, and friends.

If you need help finding replacement parts to fix your snowplow, let our customer service department know!

[REVISED 10/2023]