Pennsylvania Snow and Ice Removal Equipment Usage

Whether you are designing a large commercial project, purchasing snow removal equipment for a municipal entity, or starting an independent snow management business, your choice of equipment is critical. The right equipment impacts not only the cost and effectiveness of snow and ice mitigation but also the long-term maintenance costs of asphalt, concrete, and drainage systems. Ensuring that your equipment is suitable for your specific needs will help protect your property and save you from costly repairs down the road.

Improper use of snowplows and other equipment can lead to significant damage to both the property and the equipment itself, making expert oversight essential. In many cases, snow removal equipment can cause wear and tear on pavement or damage to infrastructure, which could have been avoided with proper training and the right supervision. Ensuring operators understand how to use the equipment correctly is just as important as selecting the equipment itself.

Additionally, snowplowing techniques play a vital role in the overall success of snow and ice management, especially on commercial properties. Even with high-quality equipment, poor plowing techniques can reduce efficiency, cause damage, and leave hazardous conditions for pedestrians and vehicles. These techniques must be tailored to the specific property layout, including how snow is stored, to prevent unnecessary risks.

Finally, failure to use the proper snow removal equipment can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents, such as slip-and-fall incidents, especially in high-traffic areas like commercial or retail spaces. Choosing the right equipment and ensuring it is used correctly will not only improve safety but also reduce liability for property owners, making it a key factor in risk management during the winter season.

When litigating such matters, understanding the various benefits and consequences of using each type of equipment or material can be essential in presenting a case or defending against liability associated with snow and ice removal. 

John Allin and Lisa Rose have spent over 50 years developing and testing snow management strategies in one of the most intense, lake-effect, snow-belt regions in the world:  The south shores of North America's Great Lake Erie.  

• Shovels: Believe it or not, your choice of shovels, as well as the underlying groundscape, can have an impact on how slippery the surface is that you leave behind. Understanding the best uses for different types of snow shovels is an important component of any snow-removal plan. 
• Snowblowers: There are five types of snow blowers to choose from. They are single-stage, two-stage, three-stage, electric, and battery-powered. They differ in size, power, surface type, clearing width and of course price. Choosing the correct type is critical to the overall effectiveness of your plan in high-traffic areas. 
• Snowplows: There are straight blades, wing blades, v-plows, and box-pushers. Plows range from $2,000 home plows for pickup trucks to pushers meant for large commercial vehicles and dump trucks. 
• Snow-removal vehicles: 4x4 pickup trucks have become popular for smaller snow plowing jobs. But the choices are as endless as the consequences and benefits of your selection and include: Dump trucks, backhoes, skid-steers, all-wheel steer loaders, wheel loaders, track loaders, and utility vehicles. 
• Ice melters: A wide variety of ice melters and traction agents use different methods, from lowering the freezing point of water to prevent buildup, to providing traction across frozen ground. These include Calcium Chloride, Sodium Chloride Liquid Brine, Magnesium Chloride, and Potassium Chloride, just to name a few. 
• Other equipment: A wide variety of other equipment can be used for various snow and ice management applications, from push brooms and scrapers to large commercial spreaders.

At Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., we know having a thorough understanding of all types of snow plowing equipment and ice melters is essential when it comes to making a comprehensive snow response plan, purchasing or leasing equipment, and pursuing a damage claim or defending against liability associated with snow or ice management. 

We believe there are very few, if any, entities such as Allin  / Rose Consulting, Inc. who have the knowledge and experience necessary to help with every phase of snow and ice management.

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