How to Protect Your Plows, Blowers, and Spreaders From Damage
Every winter, snow management contractors across the United States rely on high-quality equipment to keep roads and parking lots clear. Attachments such as snow plows, snow blowers, and salt spreaders enable vehicles to conquer any snowfall. Proper storage of this equipment can mean the difference between a profitable season and costly downtime. Keep reading to learn a few smart storage strategies that will help you extend the life of your attachments.
6 Ways to Keep Your Snow Equipment in Good Condition All Year
1. Clean and Inspect Before Storing
Before storing your plows, blowers, or spreaders for the off-season, start with a deep clean to remove salt and debris. Road salt is corrosive and can quickly eat through metal surfaces and electrical connections. You can prevent this by thoroughly power washing every component, focusing on hidden areas where grime builds up. Consider applying an anti-corrosion coating to protect bare metal from moisture during storage.
Prior to storage, you should also inspect your snow removal equipment for wear and tear. Check cutting edges, hydraulic hoses, and electrical connectors for cracks, leaks, or frayed wires. By addressing minor issues now, you can prevent major failures later.
2. Store Indoors
Indoor storage is the single best way to protect snow removal attachments like plows and salt spreaders from extreme temperatures, ice buildup, and UV damage. If possible, store your equipment in a heated shop or enclosed garage. Controlled environments prevent hydraulic fluid from thickening and seals from drying out.
If outdoor storage is unavoidable, take measures to shelter your equipment from the elements. Elevate attachments on pallets or blocks, cover them with breathable tarps, and store them on a hard, dry surface to prevent ground moisture from seeping in.
3. Protect Hydraulic Systems
Hydraulic systems are vital for snow clearing attachments like blowers and plows. To keep them in a good state of repair:
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Disconnect hoses and cap couplers to keep out dirt and moisture that could contaminate hydraulic fluid.
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Check hydraulic fluid levels and the condition of the fluid. Hydraulic oil should be replaced if it’s milky-looking or otherwise discolored.
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Cycle hydraulic cylinders periodically. During the off-season, move hydraulic rams every few weeks to prevent seals from sticking or cracking.
Protect Electrical Components
Snow plows, salt spreaders, and other snow removal attachments tend to rely on many electrical components, including control systems, sensors, and LED lighting. To protect these components from corrosion and shorts while in storage:
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Apply dielectric grease to connectors to keep moisture out.
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Disconnect batteries or use maintainers to prevent discharge.
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Label wiring harnesses before removal so everything reconnects easily next season.
5. Keep Up with Off-Season Preventive Maintenance
When snow plows, blowers, and spreaders are allowed to sit idle for many months on end, unnoticed issues can occur that result in costly downtime next season. To prevent this from happening to your equipment, use the off-season for preventive maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
If cutting edges, bearings, and chains need to be replaced, do it now while parts are readily available instead of waiting until winter. This is also a good time to repaint exposed metal areas to prevent rust. Schedule professional service if any equipment shows signs of hydraulic or electrical issues to make sure your snow removal attachments are ready to do their job when the snow starts falling again.
6. Stay Organized with a Storage Checklist
Many snow management contractors have a hard time getting started up during winter because they lose track of equipment during the off-season. Establish a repeatable organization system so your crew can easily prepare and store equipment year after year. Assign labeled zones for each attachment type and consider using inventory tags or QR codes to track equipment condition, last service date, and storage location. If you notice any issues during storage, document them in a shared log before the next snow season begins.
Protect Your Snow Equipment for a Successful Winter Season
By maintaining snow plows, salt spreaders, and snow blowers throughout the year, commercial snow contractors can hit the ground running when the next winter storm hits. Connect with Storm Equipment today if you'd like to learn about how our lineup of snow removal attachments can upgrade your fleet's capabilities.
