While the leaves have not yet turned, winter is right around the corner, and with it will come the winter snows and a busy time of year for all plowers out there! This is the smart time to be checking over your equipment and plow, getting things ready for the first flakes of the season so all you have to do is hit the road and go.Â
If you put your snow plow away properly at the end of last season, half of the important work is already done, but there’s still some checks and chores that are important to take care of before you’re ready to tackle this season’s snow! Here’s what you should be doing to prepare your snow plow for winter this year.
Clean and Grease
First things first: it’s time to get your plow out of storage. A correctly stored plow should be clean, greased, and covered in an indoor storage facility, and if you did all of this at the end of the last season, then you’re already in good shape to get started for this one. Take your plow out of storage, give it another clean to get rid of the old grease and any dust or dirt that’s collected while it’s been sitting idle, change your hydraulic fluid, and add another layer of lubrication to get it ready for action.
Check for Damage and Wear
While you’re cleaning and greasing your plow after bringing it out of storage is a good time for you to give it a once-over to look for any points of damage or signs of wear and tear. This is another thing that should have been on your list to take care of before you put it away in the spring, but you’ll want to do it again now for peace of mind and to be sure that your equipment is in good working order. Make sure you check the welds, the blade edge and plow shoes, and the electrical and hydraulic components like hoses and connection points for anything that might need repairs or replacements before you start work for the season.
Truck Prep
Checking over your plow is one task to check off your list, and checking over your truck is another that’s equally important! Whether it’s been hard at work during the off-season or sitting by, you’ll want to thoroughly check the vehicle before taking it out on the snowy streets. Hit all of the important inspection points, including the tires, lights, and battery. This might also be a good time of year to get the truck serviced, just to get another set of eyes on your vehicle and ensure that all of the little things like your fluid levels are taken care of before you’re dealing with cold weather and hard work.
System Check
Lastly, give your entire setup a thorough check just before the first predicted snow of the season. Go over your bolts, screws, lock pins, springs, and other components, and put your plow through its motions to ensure that you’re ready to get to work once the flakes fall. There’s no beating the peace of mind you’ll have when you know that the only thing you have left to do to get to work is grab the coffee and the keys!
If you need repairs or servicing in order to get your snow plow ready for the season, our team here at Levan Machine and Truck Equipment is ready to help you! Contact us today to learn more about our snow plow services.