The snowfall season is here, and it’s the ideal time to prepare for the snow removal season. Any contractor would need snow removal supplies, excellent de-icing salt applications, and a well-prepared team.

Noted landscaping suppliers like FSI Landscape Supply offers de-icing products such as bulk road salt, sold specifically to landscaping professionals and contractors.

Other pointers on how to be better equipped are given below:

Be ready

Check client base: Those who are first-timer snow removal contractors must inform their old clients about this new branch. But, experienced companies should make an inventory, ready a budget, and stock-up landscaping supplies during the fall.

Strategic planning: Snow removal veterans suggest planning from early August through November to avoid the last-minute rush. Apart from that, also maintain a timetable.

Replenish supplies: Have stock ready as winter, like any season, is unpredictable. If contractors have enough reserves, they can also take on new clients. Always contact a landscaping supply company like FSI Landscape Supply to ensure high-quality de-icing products that are fully stocked.

Recruit: During the snow removal season, erratic weather and uncertain working hours force many workers to go incommunicado. So, recruit more and use incentives to lure applicants.

Billing system: Automate your bill generation system. This way, you get the payment as soon as you finish the job. Easy-peasy!

Prepare your equipment

The equipment should be clean whether you have to remove snow from residential homes or commercial buildings/apartment complexes. Some tips:

Inspect: Some like Bobcat equipment, compact tractors, excavators, loaders, trucks-plows, pushing blades, and spreaders are used all year round. So they might be in questionable condition than winter-specific equipment like snow blowers and plow attachments. However, non the less, always inspect to ensure functionality. For the snow removal season, landscape contractors must check for breakage-causing dents and cracks in these tools.

Clean: The tools and machines must be cleaned after a snow removal operation. De-icing materials over time can cause mechanical components to corrode. Corroding equipment is not the only issue; caking can also damage the equipment or cause it to malfunction. Therefore, clean and oil equipment before they are deployed. Or follow the specific cleaning requirements as needed for your particular equipment.

Repair: Replace spark plugs and batteries (if needed), coat undercarriage, change tires, and spray discharge shoot on snowblowers.

Engine: Lubricate engines. Check for fuel quality, air filtration, diesel exhaust fluid, and fuel filters.

Make it productive

• Choose the suitable salt and order ahead of schedule.
• Store bulk salt in humidity-free areas.
• Spread salt evenly, primarily focusing on areas where water gathers
• Understand black ice: When snow or rain melts and then freezes again, it forms black ice. This is transparent to the naked eye and is highly dangerous. To remove this, apply de-icing salt and a generous volume of sand for traction.
• Filling the spreader: Study the weather, area coverage, number of contracts, and equipment inventory. Then decide how much de-icing salt or de-icing material is needed to fill your spreader.
• Follow a trusted weather network.

Be safe

• Teach workers about equipment management, where to purchase safety and thermal apparel, and the dangers of wearing inappropriate attire.
• Inform the team about the health issues they may face during an operation, like sleep deprivation, heart attack, hypothermia, and frostbite.
• Mandatory supplies: First-aid kit, flashlight, and blankets are a must.

Before the snow removal season commences, it is recommended to check and repair the machines, make a catalog, and prepare the finances. Further, meet the workers about how to stay protected while on the job. Lastly, have enough de-icing salt supply to cover all your contracts. Contact FSI Landscape Supply today to order your bulk road salt.