Making Adjustments to you Sno Pusher

RUBBER

The heavy-duty rubber cutting edge on every Sno Pusher is both reversible and adjustable. On the SPL and SPB models this rubber is 1 ½” x 10” thick and on the SPS models the rubber is 1” x 6”.

To ensure several years of service perform periodic inspections and adjustments following these simple guidelines:

IMPORTANT: A warm piece of rubber is much easier to adjust than one that is cold. It is highly recommended that your machine be placed in a warm place whenever making adjustments.

1.Always begin by placing the Sno Pusher on a smooth, flat surface when making any adjustments. Then place a ¼ inch object under the wear shoes to raise the Sno Pusher a ¼ inch above the level surface.

2.Loosen all bolts fastening the rubber to the Sno Pusher. It is NOT necessary to completely remove the bolts.

3.Using a large mallet or pry bar, adjust the rubber so that the rear, bottom edge just touches the ground.

4.Once rubber is properly positioned begin tightening the bolts. Starting in the center, work toward the side plates tightening the bolts enough to create a substantial bow in the 4” flatstock hold down.

IMPORTANT: We recommend using a ¾” impact gun to ensure proper bolt torque (120 ft-lb).

WEAR SHOES

Need new shoes? Every Sno Pusher is equipped with two High-carbon Alloy Wear Shoes that are bolted-on and replaceable to provide seasons of use by offering superior protection against wear and tear.

When replacement is required, follow these guidelines:

IMPORTANT: Wear shoes are very heavy; please use caution during the removal and installation.

1.Raise your Sno Pusher off the ground and secure the unit under the lower rear receptacle posts and the side plate reinforcement angles using dunnage or jack standards.

2.Loosen all six bolts fastening the wear shoe to the unit and carefully remove.

3.Position new wear shoe on left side and right side.

4.Install bolts, washers and locking nuts. Tighten bolts slightly, just enough to ensure that they won’t fall off.

5.Lower unit on level surface and torque bolts (120 ft-lb) securely into place.

Be sure to always use Pro-Tech replacement parts. 

We're thankful for...

our customers, of course!  With Thanksgiving tomorrow, we wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and let you know that we are very thankful for your business.  As the landscape of the snow removal industry changes and shifts, we are thankful to have customers that tell us how their business is changing and how we can improve to provide the right product, at the right price, delivered when needed.  We are always open and available to all of our customers and we do not take any of you for granted.  

Before this gets too mushy, we'll end this post here.

Happy Thanksgiving and pray for snow!

Your friends at Pro-Tech

If you are still up in the air on whether or not you need more Sno Pushers this season, you are not alone.  It seems contracts are closing later every year and we have made adjustments in our business to accommodate requests for new pushers later into the season without waiting on heavy lead times.  Our manufacturing department pumps out pushers 12 months a year so we still have strong inventories on most Sno Pusher models.  Our shipping department has really stepped up this year... not only are we still offering free freight on pushers but we are lining up trucks and shipping out orders in record time this year.  We have also spend all year setting up a record amount of new dealers across North America and they still have a lot of inventory.  All of this means that you don't have to worry about long lead times when ordering our Sno Pushers and you are still getting the benefit of paying at our sale price with free freight.

Our next ad in Snow Business magazine reflects this effort.  Check out a sneak peek below.  Let us know whether or not you agree with the idea that contracts are closing later and equipment purchases are being pushed out as a result.

'Til next time,
Mike Holihan
Director of Marketing

The real heroes of snow removal brainstorm

I am sitting here with our director of marketing working on next years business plans.  The detail is grueling so I am looking for any excuse to brainstorm something more exciting.  So we start talking about videos and pictures and that leads to;  What if we did a documentary on snow contractors, like a day in the life.  Wouldn't this be cool, the war room dispatching during a storm, the challenges, watching Sno Pushers kick butt in the middle of the night? 
Lets launch this thing-if you want to submit any video, from any time showing a day in the life.  Does not have to be a storm, could be walking out of a customer meeting in which they just asked you to drop your price by 10% with no understanding of what it is you do to keep them safe and productive.  It could be your best contract in the heat of the storm.  Anything you want.  Pro-Tech edits and puts it together we give you credits in the film, we have a launch party for the video with all participants and debut at the SIMA symposium.  This would be cool, fun, productive and a long-term marketing piece partnering with our customers.  OK back to business planning let us know if your are in?
Craig Geller-President (my first blog)

Pre-season maintenance checklist

It's hard to believe it's already November.  If the first flakes of winter haven't happened yet, they will be flying soon.  Below is a quick and easy check list of items you can do for Sno Pusher before they are put to test.

We've organized a simple, easy-to-follow checklist for proper maintenance and pre-season preparation Sno Pushers.

Our team recommends handling maintenance issues on Sno Pushers units *before* the season rather than after the starts. Snow events are unpredictable. Don't get caught off-guard.

Being pro-active on the front end will pay dividends in the longevity of the pushers, and your availability to serve your customers.

Pre-Season Checklist:

- Remove rubber cutting edges and shoes, and power wash each Sno Pusher to clean off all collected salt and debris.

- Inspect the unit for wear or stress points.

- Prime or touch up any "worn paint" areas to prevent premature rusting.

- Check the condition of all hardware.  Replace any necessary items.

- Adjust cutting edge and re-tighten hold-down. Edge should be approximately ¼” to 1/8” below the wear shoes.  (We recommend adjusting the rubber in a warm environment, like your shop.  The rubber is much easier to work with if it is warm and it will hold better if it's tightened when it's warm and pliable.)

- IST Units: Ensure the steel edge is torqued down so that the leading edge is level with the wear shoes.  If it is a new IST unit there will be a steel edge break in period as the edge sharpens to a point.

For user guides on our Sno Pushers, click here!

Customer Financing Now Available Through Sheffield Financial

Pro-Tech is proud to announce that it has partnered with Sheffield Financial to offer customer financing.  Sheffield Financial is the industry leader in financing winter snow removal equipment.  They are fast, easy and customer service focused.
See details belows or visit www.sheffieldfinancial.com.

First Post - What to look for in a containment plow

Welcome to Pro-Tech's all new blog!  We are excited about having this new platform to communicate to you about our product, company and industry.  Our slogan is Proven Value because we strive to provide our customers with the highest quality product, at the best price, available when you need it.  

Since 1991, we have been dedicated to providing the highest quality product.  Our Sno Pushers are the industry benchmark and this first blog post is about what to look for in a containment plow.  There are a lot of companies making containment plows so it's important to know what to look for because not all containment plows are made the same...

Equipment Shopping?

Our Tips: Know what to look for in a new Snow Pusher

Equipment shopping?

Our tips: Know what to look for in a new Snow Pusher

As landscaping season winds down, it's time to take your mind off lawn mowers and water sprinkler systems and focus on other things…and, no, it's not football.

Fall is the time to think about the equipment you'll need for the upcoming snow and ice season. If a new snow pusher is on your mind, it's best to do the research now, so you know what to look for when those first snowflakes fall.

Stress Test & Bad Assumptions

When comparing snow pushers, most contractors think about strength - which is on the right track. They know they want a unit that is strong enough to handle the stress of pushing thousands of pounds of snow. What they often don't know, however, is which factors make a snow pusher durable.

The first thing that many contractors look for is weight, and they often assume that the heaviest pusher available must also be the heaviest duty.

Likewise, they often gravitate toward equipment that uses the thickest steel in the moldboard and side plates.

Contrary to popular belief, weight is NOT a good indicator of a snow pusher's durability. In fact, some of the heaviest units on the market are not as durable as lighter ones of the same width. Additionally, heavy pushers can't move snow as far as lighter ones, since capacity decreases as the weight of a snow pusher increases.

Equally unimportant is the gauge of steel used in the moldboard and side plates, as even the thickest steel will wear quickly if it's not supported properly.

Ask: What makes it strong?

The best way to determine the strength of a snow pusher is the channeling, rather than the weight or thickness of its steel.

With this in mind, contractors should ask what type of support is used to strengthen a unit. A combination of horizontal and vertical channeling is understood to be the best method of support. This is especially true when the channeling is constructed of thick steel, rather than the use of horizontal I-beams or thin vertical ribs, which provide less support.

Notice the thick vertical and horizontal 'C' Channeling on the Pro-Tech

Notice only one horizontal channel and thin vertical ribbing on a standard competitor

Special attention should be paid to the lower inside corner of the side plate, where the front of the wear shoe and the side plate meet. This is the point that undergoes the most stress during a typical impact.

Again, all pushers incorporate some sort of support between the front moldboard and the side plates, but the quality varies.

For instance, some snow pushers are equipped with a post that is welded between the moldboard and a side plate. However, a square or tubular post transfers all of the pressure to the single point on the moldboard where it is welded.

Post Support

A triangular gusset (like Pro-Tech uses), on the other hand , distributes the pressure throughout more surface area, therefore lowering the impact.

Furthermore, it is important to ensure the post or gusset is connected to the back channeling. If there is no support behind the post or gusset, it could actually be pushed through the moldboard.

The last consideration to be made when examining the strength of a snow pusher is the quality of the welding. The most durable units are fully welded because the gaps found in spot-welded snow pushers are weak and susceptible to failure. In addition, moisture can get into these gaps and eventually cause rusting.

Go Big or Go Home? Biggest is not necessarily best...

Another natural tendency of many contractors is to buy the largest snow pusher that their equipment can handle. Although this seems to be a logical way to increase productivity, a better idea is to analyze the lots where the snow pusher will be used.

• Will there be heavy traffic in the lots when they are serviced?
• How wide are the aisles?

Before purchasing a unit, contractors should determine how narrow a snow pusher must be to maneuver around car traffic and other obstacles in the lots that will be serviced. Unless a contractor operates in wide-open lots, the biggest snow pusher might not be the best decision after all.

Specialized units are available for more atypical needs.

If a contractor constantly travels down the road from jobsite to jobsite, a fold-out model may work best to comply with traffic laws. Furthermore, if the operator needs to clear away from garage doors or loading docks, pull-back models can be purchased for skid steers, allowing snow to be pulled back in a reverse direction.

Cutting Edge Technology

The next choice a contractor must make is whether to purchase a snow pusher with a rubber edge, steel trip edge or both, which is a decision largely left up to snow type.

Rubber edges are the best option for wet, slushy snow, while steel trip edges are typically reserved for icy snow and hard pack. Some snow pushers have both types of edges positioned on either end of the moldboard to adapt to changing conditions. Pro-Tech’s Switchblade line represents a dual edged Sno Pusher.

Rubber edges work best in wet, slushy snow because they act as a squeegee to clean the surface better than steel edges. They are also better suited for clearing snow from concrete and gravel, since steel edges will scratch concrete and displace loose gravel. Many contractors enjoy rubber edges because they require little maintenance, and they are more forgiving than steel edges. If an inexperienced operator does not run a snow pusher level with the ground, a rubber edge will not leave as much snow behind as an uneven steel edge, and a steel edge is more likely to cause damage.

If looking for a rubber-edged snow pusher, one should be conscious of the type of rubber installed. The most durable edges are extruded rubber, which is made from virgin rubber, so it has a high tensile strength (resistance to tearing). Molded rubber generally has half the tensile strength of extruded rubber, since it is made from recycled rubber pieces, so it is more prone to tearing.Video on our Rubber Edges

Because of their scraping abilities, steel trip edges are ideal when dealing with ice and hard pack, and there are several varieties within the steel edge category. These include sectional pushers, which are designed to accommodate unlevel surfaces due to their floating sectional moldboards. Next, some snow pushers use horizontal or vertical tension-type springs, which have been used on truck plows for years. Other units use a urethane spring, rather than a mechanical one, to snap in and out of place as obstructions are hit.

There are plenty of advocates who will swear by one type of steel trip edge or another, but all types will generally perform well when scraping snow.

More important factors to consider include lower edge support, ease of use and number of moving parts.

An unsupported and complex trip edge system is much more likely to malfunction than a reinforced edge with fewer moving parts. Also, keep in mind the cost and availability of replacement parts associated with some steel trip edges.

There are also reversible snow pushers available with both rubber and steel cutting edges, located on opposite ends of the moldboard. To use these pushers, the operator simply flips the unit to the desired edge. Since contractors are likely to deal with all types of snow throughout the winter, this type of snow pusher provides maximum versatility, as it adapts to changing weather and jobsite conditions.

Pro-Tech's Switchblade incorporates a steel trip edge and rubber edge in one unit.

No matter what type of edge is desired, the most effective snow pushers are manufactured with the edge angled toward the ground, rather than positioned straight up and down. Although snow pushers don't appear to be highly engineered, experienced manufacturers have undergone much research and development to determine the optimum angle for rubber edges to effectively squeegee the surface. Likewise, steel edges work best when they are installed to attack hard pack at an angle.

Above the cutting edge, the moldboard angle also plays an important roll. If it is angled correctly, the moldboard will roll the snow forward and create momentum for pushing longer distances.

If angled too much, the moldboard will just roll snow back into the pusher. The snow will also push hard if the moldboard and cutting edge are not angled at all and are made perpendicular to the ground.

Keep Maintenance in Mind

It is often a good idea to look for products with few moving parts, due to their reduced - often minimal maintenance requirements. Beyond this, touching up the paint is one of the most time-consuming fixes on any snow and ice equipment.

Although many contractors assume powder coating to be the best option for all their equipment, the main consideration is to ensure the paint used on a snow pusher has been salt tested.

This means the paint has been proven to withstand rock salt and other elements for more than two seasons.

Additionally, contractors must realize that all paint will chip, so it's important to look for a paint that is cheap and easy to touch up. In fact, many have switched away from powder-coated finishes due to the difficulty and cost of repainting powder coats.

Get More Than You Bargained For

As with any purchase, one should also be mindful of the company behind the products being considered. Even when a manufacturer offers a long warranty, a contractor must realize that service and replacement parts can be quite difficult to find when there is a lack of strong dealer support.

And a company that doesn't exist in five years won't be able to honor its warranty. A company that has already proven itself in the industry may be a safer bet when the success of a contractor's season rests on the dependability of his equipment.

Overall, the value of a snow pusher is not determined by a single factor.

In fact, several items must be considered – from durability and maintenance to the manufacturer itself and how readily available its products are when they're needed most.

And while the purchase of a snow pusher may require more thought than one would imagine, some upfront thinking to make the best choice will translate to higher returns and value from your purchase for years to come.

This story came from our October Newsletter.  For more stories and information regarding Pro-Tech and it's products, sign up for our newsletter on our homepage at www.snopusher.com