Here's a quick video showing the basic of snowplowing a driveway. All advice given is based on my personal experiences and opinions... nothing is fact.
One of the most important things to do is think of 4 or 5 storms ahead at least push the snow back as far as possible because if you don't you'll have nowhere to push the snow it will make your a job a lot easier
This is one job i could never do -- I'd hit curbs and fuck up lawns. I am always impressed by the guys who get so close to curbs when there aren't markers. Pure skill.
Fluid film is so much better than rubberized undercoating. The latter is better when you buy a new vehicle. When you spray the rubberized stuff on, it traps the rust, causing it to fester without you knowing. While you have to apply fluid film up to 3 times in a year, beats the hell out of a vehicle rusted through in 10-12 years. Greetings from the 207!
You seem very responsible, which is more than I can say for most of the plow truck drivers I see. Whether it's riding someone's ass or backing out into the road without looking, they're my absolute least favorite part about snow in New England.
One of my pet peeves is leaving snow piles at the end of driveways. Sometimes it is unavoidable but if necessary I move the snow down the property line and then move it off the road. Now thats just me though. So I'm not be critical of anyone you or anyone else. I also think you do a very good job of taking care of your equipment and not over working your vehicle. It just not necessary. Like you said. Just take it easy and take you time. Thanks for posting as I learn something from any snow plowing video! GREAT JOB!!
+Rick Anderson I definitely see how it can bug some people. If it begins to pile up to much where it can block the homeowners line of vision pulling out of their driveway i'll push it somewhere else. Glad to hear someone agrees with the advice I gave. Thanks for watching!
I learned in a 79 Dodge Ramcharger, 1/2 ton, 318 2 barrel. Arctic plow. I was in the driver's seat, dad was riding shotgun. Taught me how to direct and stack snow. On my own, 87 Ford F150, western pro plow
Best tip I can give anyone plowing driveways is this...Start in the street and push in for approximately 10 feet then lift the blade over the pile and back drag it into the street. I do this for two reasons: 1) A blade always pushes and scrapes best when going forward. This gives me a good scrape at the curb line. 2) You don't tire pack that heavier snow at the bottom. Just my 2 cents.
Great video and good advice all around. I grew up in Connecticut riding with my Dad while he plowed residential and commercial lots started at 5 or 6 years old. Finally started helping him with a 2nd truck when I turned 17 and watching my Dad for so many years definitely helped. I now live in Northern Virginia outside DC and it is amazing how many plow operators (commercial and state/town crews) have no idea how to plow. Granted we get less snow here than New England, but enough where people should have a better understanding, especially the highway crews.
Good video bud.I’ve been plowing for 9 years now and I agree so much with the windows down, heater on. I can’t plow without at least my driver window down. Take it slow and don’t rush, accidents WILL happen if you rush plowing… I always tell people someone’s the first driveway and someone has to be the last driveway. We do our best out there
Excellent advice. I'm new to this game and I agree 100% about vehicle care & maintenance. Take care of your equipment, it'll last longer & pay for itself many times over. It's amazing how many guys spend too much money on equipment then destroy it every snowfall.
I worked for a towing company. That also did commercial plowing. This makes me miss a good old fashioned Fisher straight blade. But the 9.5 V on a f550 4x4 with a wrecker back.... un effing unstoppable. 2+ ft like 2 inches. But I digress. Great vid!
I totally agree about taken your time , some people gotta go so damn fast , I always say I don't want it to be my fault , insurance goes up . love the video
you kinda missed some. But I agree with what you said. A new truck cost is between 40k to 80k depending on equipment added and how comfortable you want to be. I am getting up in years so yes mine cost closer to 80k. I got spoiled when the dealership screwed up and ordered one of my trucks with heated seats. makes a whole lot of difference on the old back at the end of a day lol. I still only get 5 to 6 years out of a Truck, and I have don't keep my plows but for one trucks use anymore. next truck will probably order new lights with it too. but I enjoy snowplowing.
I agree with you 100% keeping your equipment clean fluid film that's all I use my snowblower tractor and my plough truck some people call me to picky but there's not one spot of rust on my trucks or tractors cheers
Always stack the pile on left side of entrance, not to the right. When the town or highway plow comes through it could push that nice stacked pile and plug up the entrance . Unhappy customers don't renew contract next season. It would have taken less than a minute to do a better job in front of their garage.
great advice especially with waiting to shift there's no way a transmission should be shot by 100,000 miles and keeping equipment clean my truck is 7 years old and not a spec if rust on body or the frame is clean as day of assembly line thanks to fluid film
Just started prepping my truck for winter just sandblasted the whole frame down and got a dozen spray paint cants from Walmart started spraying the frame black picked up 6 cans of rust preventer and sprayed over the coats of spray. And I'll also be doing a coat of oil to keep the salt from sticking. Just have to get the 4wd back into my truck and the heat/ac working again.
Everyone can't resist chiming in to say ''you should do this...or I would do it this way'' well it's my turn! The absolute best way to plow a drive way is to load me up with taco bell and point my rear where you need clearing and light a match! Each blast is good for complete melting in a 2000 foot radius! hahaha Great video friend! And to those that can do better...make your own video so I can comment on it how you did it wrong. 😁
Snowflakes...Pennies from heaven! I love the mornings after a large snowfall...especially when the snow is still piled on the branches! Radio in the truck ends up becoming monotonous and so my best friend is my phone and bluetooth listening to podcasts through the truck speakers.
I always had an aux chord to use with my phone. Still got tired of it but it was a lot better than listening to the same 10 songs on repeat on the radio!
Yeah he didn’t do the right side but as far as getting closer to the garage on the back drag he did just fine. I know so many guys who have accidentally hit garage doors in their experience trying to get real close and it’s never a good time. Play it safe. The customer can handle shoveling a foot out from their garage door
A few years ago we were expecting a huge dump of snow. Went out and bought A nice Toro snowblower. Waiting for the snow to stop before I took it out. I hear this noise outside. One of my neighbors Was cleaning everybody's driveway , with his bobcat..
Thank you for the vid. Just got my first job plowing a few weeks ago. I'll be plowing out my local schools and this video really cleared things up for me
I'm another masshole here. Not to nitpick because I really don't know the right answer but when you were driving around at the beginning I was always told the plow should be in exactly the opposite position (tilted to the right and down) to avoid snagging oncoming cars and also to allow airflow to the radiator. Thoughts?
+ssdwellah I completely agree! I'd say your more likely to snag things with the side further away from the truck though so not so much to avoid other cars but objects on the side of the road. I had just finished plowing another driveway in the neighborhood so I just left it.
fellow masshole here... i always drive with plow full angled to the right and up. the airflow thing can be a concern.. get the biggest auxillary transmission cooler you can fit in there and you will be fine. ..take breaks let things cool down now and then.
im more of a tractor guy. but i do have a plow for a back up. with my older truck I was not as careful with it. but as for my new 2015 chevy 2500. i stop completely before putting it in reverse or drive. i noticed a few times you where rolling still. if you plan on keeping your truck for a long time. its alot better to stop completely before shifting. sorru to be a bother. but seeing people do this is like nails on a chalk board lol
Mass Hardscaper is it possible to do this with say a late 90's early 2000's model lightweight pickup truck( ie an s10, 1500, dodge dakota?) Second; how do you keep from getting stuck or having your wheels just slip out? Thanks in advance and great work!
Looks good. I wondered if most residential snow removal in your area was done with plow trucks? Where I live it's about 90% tractors with inverted blowers.
Why Didn't you finish the job? you didn't clear out in front of the garage? The folks I plow for would be pissed off if I did a half assed job like that
Doug C once you get enough driveways, getting out to shovel isn't worth the money. I did it four 4 years. my 5th year I stopped and only lost one customer. the rest didn't seem to mind shoveling the 12" or so in front of the garage
Nice job... thank you for your comments and skill. I am new plow in OHIO thanks again. also, I sprayed my 2500HD with fluid film this week ...great stuff.
MassHardscaper just hope I can repair the plow time cuz I don't have monuts for the truck I have everything for it to work but to hook up to the truck have to build a set of monuts :/
you need to come to a complete stop before you change gears good way to blow out your transmission the way you driving learned that lesson a few years ago trainees aren't cheap especially in the middle of a snow season! but other than that great job on the driveway
Yes that's something I always preach and am terrible about doing myself unless I am thinking about it. I was to worried about the content of this video so I wasn't think about my shifting at all. Thanks for watching!
I’m bot trying to tell you what to do but when. Traveling, it is much safer to angle your blade to the right in case you hit a tree with the blade to the left you will be thrown off the road
1st why do you have you plow angled to the left while driving down the road? Don't you know if you hit another person's pile it will suck you in and off the road? 2nd why would you put a pile at a pedestal box for telephone lines? For 1 it's not off the side very far and 2nd if you have a bigger pile that covers it up you will eventually knock it out. Lastly why didn't you finish cleaning up around the garage door. My customers would not have liked that and would have called me back out to finish. On another note. Something that would help you knock some time off being in the truck would be to move your controller and controller hookup to your left side and use your left hand for operating the plow and your right hand can stay free to steer and shift while still operating the plow all at once.
the reason he left it in front of garage like that it's cuz if you get too close to the garage door and you bump it with your plow it does a lot of damage I learned this firsthand a couple years agoand then you got to pay for the door turn it into your insurance so it's best just to get what you can get as close as you can without getting too close
That blade kit looks really handy. What did it cost? Are there cheap ones without all the hydraulics? I will have a 1/4 mile gravel driveway. It only needs to be clear enough that I can get my 4WD truck through it.
This plow is super overkill for a personal driveway. It costs about $7k for the whole setup. Just about every plow manufacture makes a home owner plow that will suit you better and be a lot more affordable.
+ScottysDetailing Our minimum is $50 but I would try to talk to other ppl in your area and get an idea of what the average minimum is. It can vary a lot based on location. And we always charge extra for shoveling. Anywhere from $10-20 extra depending on how much shoveling there is.
50 $ to do what you do in the video ? ... if the customer wannas that you clean the house front door and deck...how much cost ? im from brazil..just for curious
No. These driveways were both above the minimum. We charge extra for shoveling. It depends on the size of the walkway but usually another 10-20 per push.
I've never had a driveway with a circle but I would just start at the inside of the circle and angle the plow so your pushing the snow towards the outside of the circle. Hope that helps!
With the video in the cab in the corner it block the view so maybe try to move that camera view to center of screen so it is over the hood of truck then we can see all around the truck
Belgium blocks are terrible.pushing to sides is great I work on the roads alot of people going straight through the street that I just plowed.If it's a real cold night that ices up becomes a brick.Causes very bed Accidents hurts people.
I have a question 🙋🏻♂️ for people who plow before because I never do it, were I live sometime when it is snow time could be 2 feet or more, but thing is when city truck cleans they throw everything at the front of house and that snow it is super hard, can I take it off plowing or I need use a blower, I just look videos plowing soft snow thanks
By the way what plow setup are you using? My Dad always used FIsher and liked how heavy they were and could break through ice. His last setup was with Boss and he hasnt had any issues. I remember with the older Fisher controls, usually it was fixed install near the steering wheel, ours was on the left side and I preferred that control over the new Boss setup with the handheld plugin, I guess you need to get used to it.
Thanks! This is a Fisher X Blade. I am a Fisher guy myself but I have used a few Boss plows as well and have been impressed with them. Every plow I know of uses handheld controls now. I started out with the joystick style and after using the handheld for the past few years I would never go back!
I'm not an expert or beginner I just wanted to know how people live in these areas the things they do I live in the desert in Arizona so I never have to worry about the snow
I started plow at 10 for my dad I have been doing it for 8 year and I’m trying to get in to it on my own he has sold his truck due to selling construction company he owned I have started my own landscaping 4 year ago and real want my own plow truck I have been seeing clients with plow guy destroying there lawns I currently have a 05 Chevy I live in Walpole ma
do you bill your customers per event or do they pay one fee for the whole season? Also, that little pile you left in front of the garage - was that on purpose as it would have only taken 10 seconds to move it.
All of our customers paid per storm but it is common to have yearly contracts too. It's almost better to have a mix of both. Yes I should have back dragged that as well. I was trying to focus more on the video... my mistake. Good catch!
MassHardscaper I do use feet on my plow my customers do not want their driveways damaged. driveways in New England are uneven it can get scratched up very easily with a straight blade. I keep it on the lowest setting and it normally only leaves a eighth of an inch of snow and normally melts within a day
Good video. I'm new to Mass and am looking to buy a plow for my Ford F150. Any advice on where to pick up a good deal in the Worcester area and maybe how to get some work?
Thanks! I have never been the one purchasing our plows so I can't help you there. Try craigslist... might find something in good shape for a fair price on there. A lot of dealers post on there too. I would put fliers up around the area your looking to get work in and fall/early winter are great times for local newspaper ads!
I hope we get some this year. We didn't in Ohio last year because my boy bought a plow. We'll probably have another MILD winter because I went and bought one for my 1500 too ! ! ! ! LOL
Anytime . I've been behind my own plow for three years, but have been plowing for almost 20 yrs. You speak and plow like you care about teaching someone the right way which is cool considering that you are a young fella. Oh just subd' too.
Thanks for the sub! Appreciate it! After getting a good education I realized how much proper education has helped me and I want to be able to help others out. There's to much wrong/misleading information out there!
Hey man so what is the brand of plow is that because it looks great and I’m going to try to get a new plow soon for my 1500 and also how would you do a driveway with a circle at the top? Thanks.
any advice for shorter driveways with curbs? example - i have to backdrag everything and put it to a driveway's side-skirts. lots of condo/townhouse communities.
That sounds terrible. That's exactly what I am doing this winter but with a skid steer so it's not an issue. Not sure how I would do that with a truck to be honest.
MassHardscaper - I've been back dragging/straight pushing to the end of the driveway and pushing it onto the tree lawn on the flarewith the most room. The float on the plow helps for that immensely.
I have a 54" blade on my tractor...I don't have a roundabout, but I usually do down the middle, w/ the blade a little to one side...then once I have a good path, turn around and clean up the edges. For a roundabout, I would probably do the inside ( smaller radius) first, pushing to the middle "island". in a circle...so let's say clockwise w/ the blade to the right. Then go around again with the blade to the left for the next pass, then repeat if needed. I have found with a small blade, and smaller garden tractor, it can be tough when you are pushing deep stuff that collects quickly. Sometimes I have to stop part way and push into the grass, much like clearing a flare as mentioned in this video. Hope this helps .
Gravel driveways are the worst. Once its frozen its not so bad but if not then set your blade on the ground then lift it up just a little bit. Don't try to scrape if its not frozen. It'll ruin the driveway and your trip edge will probably keep getting stuck.
I would say if your just going to be doing your own driveway get a 1500. It will do what you need it to and won't cost as much as an HD or use up as much fuel. A plow for a half ton will also cost less than one for an HD.
