Snow and Ice Removal: Summer Strategies

Part 1: Snow and Ice Removal: Train Equipment Operators in the Summer

Part 2: Snow and Ice Removal Equipment: Maintenance Checklist

Part 3: Managers Secure Ice-Melt Chemicals, Equipment Before Snow Falls

Snow and Ice Removal Equipment: Maintenance Checklist

By Chris Matt, Managing Editor - Print & E-Media - July 2009

Mechanics often repair equipment after the last storm of the season, but crews need to perform specific preventive maintenance before equipment is ready to handle the next round of snow and ice removal.

“As we take them off the truck in April, then we do all our repairs, grease them up, and we put them into storage for the rest of the year,” says Tim Holysz, director of landscape services with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. “A lot of that preliminary work happens at the end of the season before they go into storage.”

Mechanics need to lubricate moving parts, check hydraulic lines, change or stabilize fluids, treat, prime, and paint for rust damage, assess tire and hub damage, and clean equipment containing chemicals.

“That’s all part of grounds checks to begin with, but even more so in ice and snow operations,” Selivan says. “Now you’re cleaning walkways that have a real hard, aggressive product down on them that’s getting on these electrical connections and getting on these fittings.”