Plowing A Parking Lot For Snow

Winter is here, and heavy equipment operators all over the country are doing some work on the side plowing snow for local businesses and other facilities. If you’ve been asked to plow the parking lot since you know how to operate heavy equipment, do some homework first so you don’t run into trouble.

When Plowing, Where Does The Snow Go?

Before you even start plowing, make sure you know where all that snow is to be piled. It doesn’t make sense to push it against the building or block handicap parking. Think about future snowfalls, too. You want to make room for additional snow if things get crazy.

Another point to consider is visibility. Piles of snow that seem okay to you because you are high on the plow can block visibility for somebody in a low car trying to get into the street safely.

Think about what will happen when it melts. Drains and catch basins need to stay clear so they can deal with the flooding. This is why the snow against the building is a bad idea; people don’t like water in the basement.

Plan Snow Removal Carefully

It’s a good idea to have a plan when doing snow removal. Sidewalks can get shoveled into the lot, then the plow will take care of the snow piles. If a lot of snow is expected, a steady repeated skimming is a lot better than waiting for it to stop before you start plowing. By that time, people have had to drive in it and things get more tricky.

Be careful plowing next to curbs and beside parked cars. You don’t want to do any damage to property!

Get The Best Heavy Equipment Operator Training

If you have done your training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, you’ve been exposed to a lot of different types of equipment. This really helps when the opportunity to make some extra money comes up but you have to use the church’s snow plow/tractor combo to do it. The more experience you have with different kinds of snow plow setups, the easier it is to do a good job as a part-time snow plow operator.

The right techniques with the machine plus the right plan for removing the snow make you a person in demand this winter.