1/2 or 3/4 ton trucks compared to cabover for plowing

[Scaper-S2k]

Mr. Skaper has become more and more isolated from real world maint. where the typical contractor must service a variety of accounts including but not inclusive of the open lot push.

Jack D, please show me a lot that a cabover couldn't do, but a pickup truck can (or just describe it!). I do small lots that have strange layouts, I do larger lots for places like O'Charleys, Fridays, and big lots for industrial sites.

I have yet to see a parking lot that has an entrance too small to let my 9' plow in. Or too steep that cars can't seem to park on it.

Do I do residential driveways with a 9' plow? No. I'm talking parking lots. They are designed to be open and fairly flat. Uh, that's so cars can park there!

[jrservices]

E-mail notification working now.

[Jack D.]

What Mr. Skaper fails to grasp is that for practical purposes most contractors will use the same vehicle to plow flat open lots as well as areas where inclines are present & backdragging is necessary such as loading docks, ramp entrance & exits to indoor apartment and municipal parking lots, larger residentials etc..

[Scaper-S2k]

What Mr. Skaper fails to grasp is that for practical purposes most contractors will use the same vehicle to plow flat open lots as well as areas where inclines are present & backdragging is necessary such as loading docks, ramp entrance & exits to indoor apartment and municipal parking lots, larger residentials etc..

I have a sloping loading dock at 2 locations. One is a printing company, the other does sign work. I back drag them with no probelms. I can even use the down pressure if needed.


You still aren't getting it. Most contractors are out plowing parking lots, not small residential driveways. If you do small driveways, get a Jeep with a 7.5' plow. Even if there was some crazy super steep incline, no nut in a 4x4 is going to plow UP the incline! They will go in and push down the slope.

Like I said, you aren't getting it, and obviously won't get it. When it comes to snow, a 13,000 pound 4x2 will go the same places a 3/4 ton 4x4 will go. SAME TRACTION. So it does NOT matter if it is an incline, slope, or whatever. If the 3/4 ton can get there, so will the 13,000 4x2. How about if I put an extra 5000 pounds in the back, cause I can if ever needed? Then we have a 9 ton truck! Now are you seriously going to say that a city-used Kodiak 4x2 plow dumptruck won't get through snow that a 3/4 ton will? Get real.

The truck works, sorry it upsets you so much.

[jrservices]

Erich, he just wants one for himself. No question about that. Heck, I want one for myself too. :p

[Jack D.]

Jack D. suggests Mr. Skaper use a plow mount like the one pictured on his Honda S2K for those pesky residentials since he has reinvented the commercial plowing world & enlightened us on the uselessness of 4WD on icy, snow covered pavement when pushing snow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/caseyjones1/porcheplow.jpg

[chathamcorn]

Most contractors are out plowing parking lots, not small residential driveways. If you do small driveways, get a Jeep with a 7.5' plow. "Scaper-s2k"

Why would you want a little bity jeep for residential driveways?

[Scaper-S2k]

A Jeep will do just fine for residential driveways. Is a Jeep better than a 3/4 ton? Not necessarily and I didn't say it was. But it would perform just fine for "small driveways" as I mentioned.

[Jack D.]

Please remember that Mr. Skaper has 2 years commercial plowing experience and as recently as last season regailed us w/misadventures of plowing over speed bumps.

For residentials, Jack D. insists on Pull Plow, Front Plow combinations which he suspects would be a dangerous configuration on a Jeep. Please purchase a versatile, multi-functional 4WD plow vehicle if you plan on doing real life plowing and servicing your warm weather client base during winter months.

[Scaper-S2k]

Please remember that Mr. Skaper has 2 years commercial plowing experience and as recently as last season regailed us w/misadventures of plowing over speed bumps.

This will be my 4th year for plowing. Not sure how many years it takes YOU to figure it out, it's not rocket science. Not sure what you're talking about with speed bumps. I had mentioned once that the plow I use will glide over them, but some pick up the plow.


How many years does it take Jack D? I'm in charge of plowing at 85 different fast food restaraunts. That doesn't include 10 larger sit in style restaraunts. Plus a printing company, a sign company, and 4 blood donation companies. Oh, and one realtor lot.

But surely you know what I NEED down here, while you are up there doing residentials with snow blowers. Thanks but no thanks......for the info.

[GREENPRIDE LAWNS]

Keelbird

I've tried & tried to get Snowplowing accounts.

I think I'm either too high on my bids or nobody's interested?

I just joined, so I hope I reply correctly.

I just started getting my own accounts last year for snow. I ran into the same problems with not knowing what to charge or even how to come up with a price. So I hunted down 3 friends that plowed and had them bid 3 properties each with me. I took the average of those bids and then compared my equipment to theirs (whooo) And since they had better equip. I would take off a little money. This helped me get 9 commercial accounts last year. I don't know if it would work for you but it's a start. Oh by the way, even if you don't have your own accounts large contractors are almost always willing to pay anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour for subcontract work. (depending on your equip) Talk to ya soon.

[RRS]

I just started getting my own accounts last year for snow. I ran into the same problems with not knowing what to charge or even how to come up with a price. So I hunted down 3 friends that plowed and had them bid 3 properties each with me. I took the average of those bids and then compared my equipment to theirs (whooo) And since they had better equip. I would take off a little money. This helped me get 9 commercial accounts last year. I don't know if it would work for you but it's a start. Oh by the way, even if you don't have your own accounts large contractors are almost always willing to pay anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour for subcontract work. (depending on your equip) Talk to ya soon.

LOL!

Welcome to the forum greenpride. Grassmaster runs the forum and lives in GA so I think he was probably joking about plowing contracts.

Take care.

[GrassMaster]

Sorry about that?

I am trying to sell snowplowing contracts in the event of a snowfall, I'm guaranteeing my services for those who contract with me if it happens or not & I'm not finding any takers yet?

You guys don't understand, the Demand will be Tremendous & I will only be able to handle so many commercial accounts, everybody else will lose out on this great deal due to not enough professionals equipped to handle this scenario in case of a real snowfall event!

It's just simple insurance for those that have more money than brains!

Listen Guys...

Work Smarter not Harder!

There are Millions of Americans working themselves to death! (An Early Grave?)

There's 1,000's that are working smarter & passing the Hard work along to those that require it before their demise!

Those that work smarter, retire earlier, enjoy life more, can afford the lifestyle they are accustomed too & they can actually afford their skyrocketing cost of Health Care in their later years in life!

The rate my health care is going up yearly, it will probably be an easy $1,000 a month for my wife & I when I turn 60 (in 10 years), It's crappy low cost Blue Cross & Blue Shield with a $5,000 deductible now! This past year my premiums went up $90 a month.

You can do it now or you can do it later...

It's your job to make the Most amount of money in the Least amount of time!

Please don't wait until it's too late...

You say you can't make more or charge more, you certainly can, you just have to create the demand!

Krystal & White Castle sell burgers for less than a $1 each?

Appleby's & Outback both sell burgers for over $5 each?

Which burger does your company sell?