The snow hit your area and you’re ready to jump into your truck and get that snowplow rolling to clear all that snow and ice off the roads before most of the world even wakes up.
But what if you get halfway down the road and your snowplow starts having problems? Whether it’s something small or something big that could result in an emergency, the last thing you want are issues on the road when you could be making money.
Are you prepared to deal with whatever challenges pop up? Or could you have avoided it all together by doing a thorough check on your snowplow?
By regularly checking and maintaining your snowplow, you can not only avoid a ton of potential problems, but you can be ready when the unforeseen strikes.
Take a look at this thorough checklist to make sure your snowplow is ready every time the snow and ice hit. Whether you perform these checks, or have these items ready, once a week or whenever the radar calls for snow, stay consistent and be ready and prepared:
— Owner’s Manual: Make sure you are completely familiar with the owner’s manual.
— Emergency Kit: Make sure you have an emergency kit prepared. You should have a fire extinguisher, a tool kit, a tow strap, a flashlight, first aid kit, fuses, flares, jumper cables, an ice scraper, a lock de-icer, extra washer fluid, a shovel, a bag of salt or sand, warm clothes, insulated boots, an extra jacket, gloves and a hat and a fully charged cell phone.
— Extra, Extra: Make sure you always have emergency snowplow parts along with extra hydraulic fluid, hydraulic hoses, a pump solenoid and cutting-edge bolts.
— Fluids: Always check vehicle fluid levels – engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, radiator coolant, the battery. It’s also important to make sure there are no leaks, so check the hoses and under the truck to see if there is any fluid there that shouldn’t be.
— More to Check: Check tire pressure and engine belts for any cracks or looseness. Make sure the windshield wipers and defrosters are working. Look for corrosion on the battery and double-check to make sure headlights, brake lights, turn signals and your strobe light, if you have one, is working. If you don’t have strobe or backup lights, consider getting them. And make sure all bolts are tight, there are no leaks and welds aren’t cracked.
— Make sure your gas tank is full before going out.
— Stay Cutting Edge: Check the cutting edge on the plow itself to make sure the blade isn’t worn down.
— Check all pins and fasteners to make sure there are no problems. And check all the hardware that attaches the plow to the truck for any cracks.
As always, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. So be prepared for whatever may await you on the road by having your snowplow in top shape. Not only will it make for a safer experience, but more time on the road is more money in your pocket. So adhere to the above checklist and you’ll be able to avoid and deal with whatever problems crop up.
And when it comes to replacing snow plow equipment or getting all the handy tools you may need for the road, your first stop should be Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment at 2120 N. Dixie Hwy, Lima, OH 45801. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 419-879-1196 for all your snowplow and landscaping needs.
(Sources: Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment, BOSS Snowplows)
