2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Snow Plowing Questions

[J.Keith]

So most of you probably know that we got a decent storm here in CO yesterday. I was working for a buddy of mine who has the contracts to clear 2 of the major shopping centers here in Loveland. He plows with his 03 Dmax and his crew uses hoes and skids and stuff and I was stuck running a snowblower on the sidewalks. Now, he says that he can hook me up with tons of work if I get my own plow. This sounds good to me because being outside in that crap sucks!



So my question is, is it a good idea and ok to plow snow with a truck like mine?

Most guys I know plow with trucks with automatics. Will it be hell on my 5 speed and clutch? I have no trouble getting around in the snow the way it is now. I don't have to slip the clutch or anything to get going.



Should I even consider this or is it a flat out bad idea?



I'd like to hear from some of you guys that do plow and get some advise from ya.



Thanks!

Jeremy

 

[GHarman]

Hey Jeremy, After seeing a maintainer (6 wheel drive) and a Mack 6x6 owned by Boulder County twist off drivelines while plowing snow in Coal Creek Canyon, I swore that I would never plow with the truck I use for everyday driving. Look at the way the big trucks are set up. They push from the frame ahead of the rear axle. (I built one for a landrover) The setup that you will probably use hangs off of the frame of your truck around the front axle and all the stress is located there. Personally, If you like your truck , Dont. If he pays you doublehand, union scale he still will not help you keep up with the repairs. Plowing is hard on a vehicle. IMHO only. Be careful. If you are self employed get a junker and write it off. If you are his employee get him to supply a truck for you. Merry Christmas. GregH

 

[bighammer]

I plow with the 94 and have no problem with the stick. I am plowing a mile of road to get out-- That might be differenet than a bunch of parking lots.

I also tend to agree that it's better to have a beater with a plow rather than having to use your every day truck. (if you can swing it)

 

[EKlem]

Plowing will destroy the front end on your truck. The plows weigh an awful lot and they put huge side forces on your front end.



As far as having a stick, if you are good at driving it, sticks plow just as well if not better than autos. You will probably be doing a lot of 1st-2nd-reverse shifting which will take a toll on your synchros. Your clutch life will also be shortened. Plowing parking lots is hard on clutches because it is a lot of starting and stopping. Just make sure that you are moving before you drop the plow.



If you are plowing parking lots, it is unlikely to be an issue but if you start plowing less open spaces, you will probably get some body damage to your truck if you do it a lot. Sooner or later, everyone hooks a corner of the plow on something they couldn't see when it is icy and slides sideways into a snowbank or something worse.



I hope this guy plans to pay you real well for using your own truck because the plows are real expensive to buy and you will spend a lot more money repairing the truck.



Sorry for the downer on plowing. It actually can be really fun as long as you aren't doing it for really long hours. If at all possible, don't do it in a truck that you really care about or that costs a lot to repair. What are the other guys driving? Maybe if you do a good job of running that snowblower a few more times, he will put you in a truck when one opens up.

 

[zstroken]

Plan on putting new ball joints in the front end often. Also I would say unless he is $65-$75 an hour it isn't worth it.

 

[J.Keith]

Thanks guys this is just what I was looking for. I was personally kinda scared to put a plow on my 2000 because it is in excellent shape and I don't really feel like changing that. He's going to pay me $125 an hour for plow time if I use my own truck.





I have a line on a '94 Cummins automatic that already has a plow on it.

It's kinda beat to hell but it runs good and the transmission's decent. $4k dosn't sound like a bad price on it so I might jump on that.



So I should count on doing ball joints often and probably flushing the transmission pretty often right? I'm just trying to figure out if I can make enough more money plowing as opposed to getting $25 an hour running the snowblower.



Thanks guys!

Jeremy

 

[CNeubauer]

Will you be covered by his insurance or will you have to pay for that yourself?

 

[GHarman]

Jeremy, The money sounds good, but your plowing will only be seasonal and related to the snow fall. Dont let the high numbers fool you. Figure out your projected cost including the vehicle, tires, fuel/oil, maintainence, insurance. Is he with holding taxes or are you a subcontractor (can you write-off your equipment completely?)? If you can only write-off the mileage, it is not worth it. You need to consult with an accountant, tax specialist and have a written proposal from the employer. I realize you are in a rush, take the time and do all the HOMEWORK. Again, BE CAREFUL. GregH

 

[Cummins Pilot]

There is a reason guys who own the trucks don't plow for very many years before getting into the position of owning the contracting business. The guy with the truck has a very difficult time making it pay off.



Heres another thing. This year where I live we haven't seen but about 2-3 inches of snow total!!! I haven't spent a single hour moving snow in the loader at work yet. So what happens when there isn't any snow to plow some year?



And like CNeubauer, get the insurance thing figured out in advance. Even pizza delivery drivers run into trouble sometimes when their insurance agency finds out the hard way.

 

[terrywerm]

Having "been there, done that" (not with my current truck) I would stay away from it. As others have said, commercial plowing tends to tear up your truck, plus there are always all of the hidden costs that a person doesn't think of. Insurance is EXPENSIVE if you have to purchase your own. Keep in mind that your regular insurance coverage will usually not cover you at all when you are engaged in commercial activities with your truck!! If you do your homework upfront, you'll probably find out that it's not worthwhile.

 

[J.Keith]

Well I carry commercial insurance anyways with the other work that I do.

But you guys are right. I don't want to use my 2000 for plowing. I may however pick up this 94 but I'm not rushing into anything. I am making ok money doing hand work and I have no overhead. LOL



The other thing I've been doing is pulling people out of snowbanks. I get $45 if I don't have to dig and up to $70 if I do. Thats been good :-laf



I may get into it next year but I think that I'll just leave it alone for this year.

Thanks for the advise guys.



Jeremy

 

[jkalchik]

Be careful on pulling folks out of snowbanks. In Illinois at least, you can get ticketed if you don't have a tow operator's license.

 

[J.Keith]

Be careful on pulling folks out of snowbanks. In Illinois at least, you can get ticketed if you don't have a tow operator's license.

Well I pulled out 1 Loveland Police car today. Didn't charge him and now I have a friend on the "inside"

Look into a Class B CDL & pick up a used 5 ton dump with snow plow. Around here they're way cheaper than even a pickup with a plow attached. They'll take the abuse a lot longer. My 2cts.

Thats a good thought. I have a Class A CDL so I'd just have to find a truck.....

 

[DragsterRob]

I have had 5 different plow trucks over the years. My first truck was an old Ford gasser with a stick, then I went to a first gen CTD, that was by far my best plow truck ever, and it was a 5 spd Getrag. I also used my 2002 6 spd I had. I like the stick the best, the shifter is a good spot to mount the plow control. My most recent plow is a Western Ultra mount, it comes on and off so easy, that I only put it on when I go plow, and drop it as soon as I get home. That helps on the front end wear and tear.

 

[apkole]

Read through the letstalksnow.com and plowsite.com threads for some insight into this business from the pros.



Since 1964 our company wrote seasonal residential and commercial plowing contracts and made it work. But you need to research this business and it's ups 'n' downs to be well informed before you make your decision.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

The other thing I've been doing is pulling people out of snowbanks. I get $45 if I don't have to dig and up to $70 if I do. Thats been good :-laf



Jeremy

I've never charge when I yard someone out. Even when they almost stuff money in my pocket. I just tell them to stop and give me a lift if they ever see me in the ditch. Of course where I'm from people tend to help people for nothing a lot of the time.

 

[Cooker]

Around here we get $50-$60/hour to plow with our truck as a subcontractor.



At $125/hour I would look seriously at getting a plow truck of some sort.



If you are the one driving your truck the wear and tear is not terrible. If you let someone else plow with your truck, it will need a ton more repairs.

 

[J Shocik]

Jeremy, $125/hr. to plow parking lots with a pick-up truck is great $$. Figure a new plow set up installed will cost close to $4K, so the used truck you're thinking about isn't a bad idea. Plowing large parking lots is IMO the best way to plow, no pot holes, few, if any, parked cars to contend with, and no one complaining when the plow-roll fills in the end of their freshly shoveled drive-way!! See what the contractor will do if the truck breaks down while plowing. Some guys will let you fix it at their garage (very few) while others say "Too Bad, you're off the clock until you're fixed" ( most of them). Picture this at 2AM. Just my thoughts...

 

[J.Keith]

I've never charge when I yard someone out. Even when they almost stuff money in my pocket. I just tell them to stop and give me a lift if they ever see me in the ditch. Of course where I'm from people tend to help people for nothing a lot of the time.

I only charge them when they call in for a tow.

If I'm running down the road and see somebody stuck I'll pull them out for nothing. I like to help people



I've decided to wait till next season to get a plow/plow truck. I'll just run the snowblower for now.....

 

[jeepit]

Jeremy, Looks like you are goin to be busy again with the new storm moving in...