Most businesses prepare for winter by signing contracts with snow plow businesses to ensure that their employees can easily get to and from work. Therefore, if you are in the snow plow business, your business will probably be booming during this season. A great way to prepare for the increasing business is by adding a new snow plow to your fleet. But, how do you get the best commercial snow plow to increase productivity and efficiency?
Here are some tips for purchasing commercial snow plows;
Deciding Between Buying New Versus Second Hand
Of course, the best option will be to get new snow plows compared to second-hand machines. However, in some cases, buying used snow plows will make more sense. This is especially true if you are starting a new snow plow business and working on a smaller budget. As long as you get this second-hand plowing equipment from a trusted dealer, you should be able to get a good deal on effectively operational plows. But you will also need to be engaged in the process and check for any parts that might need replacement. For example, you should check the blades for cracks, bends, and rust.
If the overall equipment is in good condition, you can settle for it and consider replacing this part. In this case, opt for Carbide Snow Plow Blades, which are extremely durable. They are way better than the heat-treated and high-carbon steel snow plow blades. You can opt for the traditional single-insert blades if you have a tight budget. However, if you prioritize durability and cost-saving in the long-term, you should settle for the advanced carbide insert blades that outlive the traditional blades by two times or more.
Other parts that you need to inspect when buying used plowing machinery include broken welds and bent beams. Chirped paint will also indicate that the equipment was previously unloved. Therefore, you should carefully inspect such repair issues to determine whether the second-hand equipment is worth your money.
Quality of the Machine
Another factor to consider before purchasing any plowing equipment is the quality of the machine. Commercial snow plows need to be high quality since they handle more snow loads than residential ones. Thus, you need to conduct thorough research. This will help eliminate chaff from the wheat since there is a wide range of snow plow equipment ranging at different prices. Although some cheaper snow plows will do the work, they will not last long. The money you were trying to save, plus more, will be used to repair and replace parts of this low-quality equipment. Also, downtime will cost you more money and may even result in the loss of your clients as they move to a more reliable contractor.
Plow Type
There are two common types of plows, including V-plows and straight plows. Although either plow will still get the job done, straight plows tend to be more popular since they cost less than the V-plows. On the other hand, V-plows are advantageous since they can angle, direct, and scoop the snow- an ability that straight plows simply lack. These plows also shovel snow that has frozen overnight better than straight plows.
Besides, when put into the “V” position, these blades slice through hard snow better than the straight plow’s straight surface. The slicing action also makes it easier for the operators to work. Therefore, if you are looking for a commercial blade, you should opt for V-plows.
Blade Materials
There are three main types of materials used in commercial plow blades. These materials include poly, mild steel, and stainless steel. Although each of these three materials can do the plowing job, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each before settling.
Poly is ultimately the best of the three materials. Its slickness helps in quickly dispelling the collected snow. Also, it is corrosion and scratch-resistant. On the other hand, stainless steel might be visually appealing and corrosion-resistant but is prone to denting. However, it is better than mild steel, which is less slick.
Final Thoughts
Although there are more considerations to make when purchasing a snow plow, this list is an excellent starting point. Always consider these factors as they are vital for commercial snow plows, which are vulnerable to more wear and tear than residential plows.