Snow & Ice

[dave1949]

Dumb question. Do the private snow plow guys plow city roads or just private driveways ? If just private drives, it doesn't seem like they would make much $$ unless, there are some very long drive ways

Sometimes private guys are hired as contractors to help plow snow on public streets.

Plow guys make money, they have to because plowing is hard on pickups. Think about apartment complexes, stores and all those non-public places that need plowed. It's not just driveways.

 

[kenmac]

Shut down is correct. Parents can't get to the schools to pick up their children... School Teachers are going to stay with students over night at school .

 

[kenmac]

Sometimes private guys are hired as contractors to help plow snow on public streets.

Plow guys make money, they have to because plowing is hard on pickups. Think about apartment complexes, stores and all those non-public places that need plowed. It's not just driveways.

Dave, Thanks for the info.. never really thought much about a snow plow truck or who they would even plow for. I've only seen them on TV. The State doesn't even have plow trucks. They only have trucks with rear spreaders that spread sand / salt.

 

[rmorey]

Dumb question. Do the private snow plow guys plow city roads or just private driveways ? If just private drives, it doesn't seem like they would make much $$ unless, there are some very long drive ways

Most private guys charge a flat fee for plowing, up to a certain amount of snow. For example, charge $450 up to 125 cm. (about 50"). Above that, they may charge $25 per visit. In our township, there are a number of narrower cottage roads. They larger plows cant fit and some private plow guys are given contracts to maintain these roads as support for the larger plows.

Our road is about 4 km (2 1/2 miles) long. The first half is wider and the muni plow can do the job. The last mile or so is narrower and a private guy plows to our driveway.

 

[Dutch445]

it looks like a lot of SE US is in for a long nite and long day tomorrow...
stay safe if you venture out

 

[dave1949]

Dave, Thanks for the info.. never really thought much about a snow plow truck or who they would even plow for. I've only seen them on TV. The State doesn't even have plow trucks. They only have trucks with rear spreaders that spread sand / salt.

Folks usually use the same plow guy for years. Some charge a flat rate for the season, some charge per storm, some charge per each plowing. They may have to plow more than once during a heavy snow. I don't know typical current rates since I've plowed my own drive for the past ten years.

 

[kenmac]

I own a HVAC / Plumbing co. and I have instructed my guys to stay off the roads. We're not taking any calls tonight or early in the am. So the answering machine is set. If your heat is out, we're not coming tonight. We're staying put until about noon tomorrow

 

[BuzzardA91]

I just don't get it. I have always lived in the Northeast and never think twice about driving in heavy snow. Never an issue. BUT, I went down to Wilmington NC a couple years back to visit family. It snowed on way down and they had about 4" or so. I figured no problem. OH NO, I couldn't move in that snow. I figured it was lack of snow experience of drivers that caused the problems. I couldn't believe how slick the roads were. There were times I slid sideways from a near stop. I just couldn't figure it out. I was in my own vehicle that I rip around up north in the snow. Is it possible the road surface is different down south, pitched differently? I don't know but in my experience it was way worse then driving in snow on home roads.

 

[HillStreet]

Dumb question. Do the private snow plow guys plow city roads or just private driveways ? If just towns private drives, it doesn't seem like they would make much $$ unless, there are some very long drive ways

Towns hire private contractors to supplement their plowing functions. Some have some pretty big contracts.

Also, the small private plow contractors can make a lot of money on shopping center and business parking lots. As for homeowner driveways, even a 500 foot driveway could cost $120 each time they plow, and on a heavy storm they charge charge that to plow twice, plus $50 for sanding.

That's why I own a tractor. I clear my 800 foot driveway about 15 times a year, and have to sand 5 times or so. All in all, it's no big deal. Let it snow, sky turns blue, push the snow, and get on with it. To me, this is much better than 85 muggy degrees and bugs.

 

[Wakey]

I just don't get it. I have always lived in the Northeast and never think twice about driving in heavy snow. Never an issue. BUT, I went down to Wilmington NC a couple years back to visit family. It snowed on way down and they had about 4" or so. I figured no problem. OH NO, I couldn't move in that snow. I figured it was lack of snow experience of drivers that caused the problems. I couldn't believe how slick the roads were. There were times I slid sideways from a near stop. I just couldn't figure it out. I was in my own vehicle that I rip around up north in the snow. Is it possible the road surface is different down south, pitched differently? I don't know but in my experience it was way worse then driving in snow on home roads.

Thank you.

Our problem yesterday was that it snowed starting around 10 AM and it didn't stick to the roads until about 3 PM and in some cases, earlier. All the wet roads turned into ice. I don't care what someone's driving experience is, you simply cannot drive on roads that wind around like cattle trails with the constant elevation changes. Practically nobody here has snow tires or chains. Very few people in my area are from here and I'd bet more than half are from the Northeast.