The Ultimate Guide to Snow Removal Equipment, Attachments & Maintenance
When the sun's out and shining, it's easy to forget that snow season is just around the corner. It's never too early to prepare your fleet for winter, before freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall spell trouble for your equipment.
Avoid unscheduled downtimes and improve worker safety. To help you get started, here's everything you need to know to get your fleet ready for winter.
Overview:
The Right Equipment and Attachments
Clearing snow is easy when you have the right equipment for the job. From parking lots to construction worksites and roads, DEVELON and Bobcat equipment make light work with powerful equipment and versatile attachments.
If you're looking for high volume jobs, DEVELON wheel loaders are perfect.
If you need a compact, agile, yet efficient machine, Bobcat Skid Steers and Toolcats may be better suited to your needs.
Whether you opt for a DEVELON or a Bobcat, you can equip a variety of attachments such as snowblowers, pushers, brooms and spreaders, and make snow clearing easy this winter.
DEVELON Snow Clearing - Heavy Equipment
Whether you are clearing roads, parking lots, worksites, or other large areas, DEVELON Wheel Loaders are perfect for high volume jobs.
From the DL200 up to the DL280, DEVELON has a loader that can fit a snow clearing job of any size. Bucket capacities range from 2.5 to 3.75 cubic yards. Equip attachments such as snowblowers, 4-in-1 articulated snow blades, two-way blades, and light material buckets to add versatility and ease to your snow clearing work.
Featured Snow Removal DEVELON Wheel Loaders
Bucket Capacity: 2.6 cu yd
Dump Height: 107.0 in
Bucket Capacity: 2.8 cu yd
Dump Height: 106.7 in
Bucket Capacity: 3.3 cu yd
Dump Height: 106.7 in
Operating Weight: 34552.0 lbs
Bucket Capacity: 3.7 cu yd
Not sure what equipment is right for you? We can help with that!
DEVELON Snow Clearing Attachments
Often, the standard bucket on a wheel loader is too small and narrow for snow clearing. The right sized attachment for your wheel loader will optimize performance for the unique conditions of snow clearing.
DEVELON equipment fits a wide array of attachments for general and snow clearing purposes. For big snow clearing jobs, DEVELON attachments will help complete the job quickly, efficiently, and with comfort, including snowblowers, 4-in-1 articulated snow blades, two-way blades, and light material buckets.
Snow Pusher
Clear large amounts of snow from parking lots, driveways, and roadways with the snow pusher attachment, designed and built especially for snow removal contractors, building maintenance crews, and municipalities. Choose between 12 ft. (2,200 lb.) and 14 ft. (2,400 lb.) pusher widths, which mount directly to DEVELON general-purpose or light-material buckets.
Light Material Bucket
Built for the toughest applications, DEVELON buckets deliver improved digging and bucket filling. Reinforced mounting plates offer added durability. Offers higher capacity than General Purpose buckets, making them ideal for lifting snow, mulch or other light materials. It comes standard with a bolt-on cutting edge. Features sloped bottom for material retention. Available with pin-on or quick coupler mounting.
Note:
When equipping Snowblowers to DEVELON wheel loaders, please note that the DL200 is the only loader that will run a Snowblower efficiently, due to its hydraulic system layout.
Want to talk through the right attachments for you?
Bobcat Snow Clearing Equipment
If you're looking to tackle smaller snow clearing jobs that require an agile, efficient machine, then Bobcat equipment is a great choice.
Some popular Bobcat equipment for snow clearing includes Bobcat Skid Steers, Compact Track loaders, Articulated Loaders, Toolcat Utility Machines and Utility Vehicles.
Featured Bobcats for Snow Clearing
Travel Speed: 7.0 mph
Operating Capacity: 1950.0 lbs
Operating Capacity: 2300.0 lbs
Operating Weight: 9944.0 lbs
Bucket Capacity: 1.0 cu yd
Maximum Operating Height: 104.3 in
Bucket Capacity: 0.3 cu yd
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20.0 gal
Maximum Travel Speed: 16.5 mph
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.0 gal
Maximum Travel Speed: 40.0 mph
Horsepower: 92.0 hp
Operating Capacity (35% of Tip Load): 3200.0 lbs
A Note on Compact Track Loaders
While compact track loaders can work in fresh snow, our specialists recommend steering clear of them for snow removal, due to their low ground pressure on icy surfaces.
They can be a safety risk on slopes, even with winter tracks equipped, and can spin out over packed snow.
Prefer to discuss the best options for you with our team of experts?
Bobcat Snow Clearing Attachments
Bobcat equipment is well known for its industry-leading line of attachments. If you are looking to take on a snow clearing job, Bobcat attachments will help complete the job quickly, efficiently and with comfort. Some of the top Bobcat Snow Clearing Attachments include the Snowblower, Snow Blade, Angle Broom, V Blade, Snow Pusher, and Spreader.
Featured Bobcat Attachments for Snow Clearing
Bobcat Snow Blower
With a snowblower attachment, turn your compact track loader, skid-steer loader, small articulated loader, or Toolcat into a snow removal machine.
Bobcat Snow Blade
Removing snow with a snow blade attachment gives you high visibility of the moldboard and corner of the blade even if you’re working in low-light conditions
Bobcat Angle Broom
Great for clearing light snow without damaging the surface beneath. Can be used with a skid-steer, compact track loader, Toolcat, mini track loader or small articulated loader.
Bobcat V Blade
The snow v-blade attachment can plow through the deepest drifts and push large piles of snow in parking lots, driveways, and roadways. The v-blade cuts an initial path through deep, heavy or hard-packed snow.
Bobcat Snow Pusher
The snow pusher attachment is a heavy-duty tool to remove snow from uneven surfaces without causing damage to paved-stones, decorative concrete, or sloped sidewalks.
Bobcat Spreader
The snow spreader effortlessly applies salt and sand to parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways. The attachment perfect for clearing snow and ice right down to the pavement.
Did you know you can purchase Bobcat parts online?
Keep Up With Equipment Maintenance
You've got the right equipment for the job. You've secured the attachments you need. The next step? Keep up with your maintenance.
Want to leave it to our experts?
Prefer to do it yourself? Here are 8 essential checks to get your equipment ready for snow season:
1. Use Oils Designed for Cold Weather
Switch to hydraulic oils and engine oils that are formulated for colder weather to improve the performance of your heavy equipment.
2. Clean Your Equipment
Clear away debris before freezing temperatures hit, so you can avoid a variety of issues. If debris is not cleared away, your machine can get worn down by salt and dirt. Worse, if dirt freezes in your tracks, it can leave your machine immobile.
3. Thoroughly Inspect All Rubber Part
Cold temperatures leave parts at higher risk of damage, including:
- Hoses
- Tires
- Drive belts
- Electrical wiring
To maintain your equipment’s performance, check for cracks and tears on a weekly basis. We also recommend you carry spare seals, rubber mounts, hoses, and fittings for crucial repairs.
4. Undercarriage Maintenance
Proper undercarriage maintenance is essential to keep your machines running smoothly long-term. Clean snow and other debris from the undercarriage on a daily basis.
5. Perform a Filter Check
Inspect fuel filters to ensure they’re clean and functioning properly. Air filters should be replaced to prevent any unexpected engine issues caused by contaminated air.
6. Do a Coolant Check
To protect your engine from freezing, scale and corrosion, coolant is crucial in the winter. Use the appropriate coolant and concentration for colder weather for your machine.
7. Inspect Your Equipment Heaters
Keep working comfortably through the winter. Make sure your equipment heaters are fully functional and equipped before the cold weather hits.
8. Check Your Battery
Last but not least, we recommend performing a battery inspection. Ask yourself the following:
- Does your battery hold its charge?
- Are electrolyte levels at the full mark?
- Are your batteries fully charged
- Have your batteries been cleaned off?
Service & Maintenance
At Williams Machinery, we want you to be prepared this winter. Trust our team of factory-trained service technicians to perform recommended winter maintenance. Keep your equipment working at peak performance all season—cold temperatures or not.
Speak to a member of your local service department today to book your next service appointment.