Tips for Snow Removal with Heavy Equipment
The first mention of snowplow use comes from Milwaukee in 1862, according to the National Snow & Ice Data Center. The plow was attached to a cart pulled by a team of horses through the snow-clogged streets.
The municipal employees and private contractors responsible for removing mountains of snow from places like Boston this week have it tough, but they can at least be thankful that the equipment has improved drastically since 1862. Heavy equipment manufacturers and off-highway tire manufacturers like us have put tremendous resources into researching and developing technologies that work effectively in the snow and removing the white stuff.
Here's some tips to make sure your tires are performing at the optimum on your municipal tractors, motor graders, backhoe loaders and other equipment used for snow removal.
- Check inflation pressure frequently as the weather changes. A 10 degree (F) drop in temperature can lower tire inflation pressure by 2 to 3 psi.
- For deep snow, flotation is a plus. Make sure you're running tires with the largest possible footprint.
- Block-type treads tend to be good in snow, which is why the Alliance 550 Multi-Use tire (available in 405/70R18, 405/70R20 and other popular sizes) is in high demand right now for tractors, loaders and other equipment that may be plowing roads or operating in snow and ice.
- Look for a line of blocks running down the center of the tread, around the circumference of the tire. That stabilizes the machine and increases traction and handling in snow and ice.
- The shape of the tire makes a big difference, too. Steel-belted construction and a broad, flat footprint put more of your tread in contact with the ground.