Snow Manager Issue #1 2017

Urban vs.

Rural:

The Right Equipment for the Right Job

Which Salt Storage Solution Works for You?

Staying Safe with the Best Pusher Practices and Features

DEL Equipment and Swenson Spreaders understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that is why our company’s are focused on delivering you top quality service and products: all designed to meet your needs.

Call your local DEL Equipment branch today and let us help you with your snow and ice challenges!

3200W

4206W

5200W

6206W

STAY IN THE CAB ITS AN HLA. The SnowWing line of blades from HLA Snow packs a lot of versatility into a single blade.

It’s wings are infinitely adjustable between 0°-180° allowing operators to place the wings in any position and sweep/scoop snow from around obstacles such as light standards. Patented high torque rotary actuators hold the wings firmly and are matched to each SnowWing series to ensure they can withstand the demands of heavy plowing. To ensure trouble free operation, every SnowWing model is equipped with HLA’s patented tire protector system which keeps the wing from contacting the tire even when positioned at 0°.

With 36 models and a wide variety of mounting options, the HLA SnowWing is the ideal tool for property owners and contractors outfitting their crew. Contact your nearest dealer or visit us online for more information.

www.hlasnow.com 1.866.567.4162

TABLE OF CONTENTS The Route Determines the Equipment

6

Published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0G5 Fax: (204) 668-4641

Climate Change: Are We Still the Great White North?

8

President David Langstaff

Stay Safe and Successful This Snow Season

11

Publisher Jason Stefanik Managing Editor Lyndon McLean

Tips for Hiring Winter Help

14

Idaho Automates Key Winter Road

Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398

Maintenance Systems

16

Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki Jennifer Hebert Gladwyn Nickel

A Green Sweep for MacLean MV

18

Magazine Consultant Gladwyn Nickel

Finding Your Best Salt Storage Solution

20

Production services provided by S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com

Snacking on the Job to Boost Energy

22

Cover photo courtesy of HLA Snow/Horst Welding

Art Director Kathy Cable Layout Sheri Kidd Advertising Art Sheri Kidd | Dana Jensen

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Calhoun............................................................ 21 Certified Cirus Controls...................................... 17 Del Equipment Ltd..............................................IFC Henderson Products, Inc..................................... 13 Horst Welding..................................................... 3 John Deere...................................................... IBC MacLean Engineering.......................................... 15 MK Martin.......................................................... 5 NSC Minerals Ltd............................................. OBC Reist Industries Inc.............................................. 7 Snow Wheel System Inc........................................ 9 Viking Cives....................................................... 10

4

Subscription information available.

Please contact DEL Communications Inc. Two issues for $12.00 © Copyright 2017 DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 Printed in Canada 03/2017

www.mkmartin.ca | 1.855.664.2752

Urban

vs. Rural

The route determines the equipment

H

By Tammy Schuster | Photos by Viking Cives ard pack, wet and heavy, or powdery and light. Each environment has its characteristic snow conditions, but when preparing for ice and snow removal, the number one consideration for the season is where you will be plowing.

Whether it’s plowing down a long and dark country road or darting back and forth between traffic and pedestrians, your equipment could be the only thing that makes your work easier.

In an urban setting, contractors have to be quick and agile to maneuver around cars, tight city blocks, and residential neighbourhoods. In a rural setting, contractors have more space but must drive for longer periods of time, so capacity is crucial.

“The most common piece of equipment for snow plowing, regardless of area, is a combination unit,” says Paul Milne, sales coordinator at Viking-Cives Ltd. in Ontario.

The combination unit, which consists of a plow, a wing, and a sander built onto the same vehicle, allows for simultaneous plowing and sanding/salting. Milne says that approximately 95 per cent of contractors in Ontario now use combo units.

But depending on where a contractor is plowing, different equipment is more than helpful – it’s a necessity. For example, if plowing in urban areas, a reversible front plow is recommended. A driver can hydraulically reverse the plow from inside the cab so snow can be shot to the left or right side depending on obstacles such as parked cars or lanes. “This feature makes a lot of sense when working in areas such as a cul-de-sac or any tight turn where snow needs to be redirected,” says Milne.

A metro-wing – a hydraulic wing that lifts straight up and down and extends in and out without a tower behind the cab – gives the driver the ability to bring the wing in while it’s on the ground. This makes it easier in more congested or highly-populated areas.

In rural areas, a one-way, fixed plow is recommended.

These plows stick to the gable wings with a rear tower behind the cab. The cable can lift the wing as high as six feet, which is good for benching snow. “This is helpful in times when the snow is coming down faster than your 6

plow can clear it and it needs to be packed higher,” says Milne.

Milne says there isn’t a huge variance between sander bodies, as tandem axles run around 8.5 to 10 cubic metres, and single axles — more common in urban settings — are around four cubic metres. The single axles shorten the urban trucks so they can steer tighter and move around easier in the city. But capacity is also something to consider because urban routes are shorter and distance between sand domes are shorter, so trucks can carry smaller loads. Whereas, in the rural areas, sand domes are farther apart with longer routes so they require a larger capacity.

Milne says he is noticing a new trend in on-board pre-wetting systems – tanks built onto the sander body with a nozzle spraying pre-activated material. He says there has been a slow decline in the on-board systems as more contractors are looking at dedicated DLA (direct liquid applicators) fullwet systems that go out pre-storm and treat the pavement. These tank trucks are high-capacity 3,000- to 4,000-gallon units with sophisticated spreader systems so the amounts can easily be calibrated and controlled by the driver.

Another trend Milne is seeing with manufacturers and customization specialists is an effort to remove snow safely and with less of an effect on the environment. The goal is to focus on removing snow mechanically as opposed to burning it off with chemicals. While he says there will always be a need to use sand or salt, they do promote two-stage plows that have underbody scrapers that follow the contour of the road and get down to pull the hard pack out mechanically. This means less reliance on snowmelting chemicals.

So when considering the direction you want to take your snow removal business, looking at your route will determine the type of equipment you purchase.

ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

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Snow Throwers

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REIST Single-Stage Snow Throwers draw 20% less power than 2-stage

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184-056A SnowManager 7x9.5 4C.indd 1

2016-07-15 3:58 PM

Climate Change:

Will Canada no longer be the Great White North?

By Tammy Schuster

T

he earth has grown warmer over the last century. According the Government of Canada’s climate change website, between 1948 and 2013, the average annual temperature in Canada has warmed by 1.6°C – a higher rate of warming than anywhere else on the globe.

We’ve already witnessed the damage that continues to change our environment which, in turn, has changed the way we live and operate on a day-to-day basis. We have heard about the melting polar ice caps and have already seen an increase in extreme weather events such as heat waves and excessive rain that have resulted in droughts, forests fires, and flooding.

But Phillips says when there’s a change in the climate, there’s a change in the temperature, which results in how the snow falls. “What will change is the frequency, the duration, the timing, and the mixture of each snow fall,” he says. “It’s quite possible that in some parts of Canada we’ll see more snow before we see less.”

Snow fall occurs when cold, dry air clashes with warm, moist air usually coming from the United States.

Warm air masses moving up from Texas or Colorado interacts with the cold Canadian air causing snowfall in Canada and just south of the US/Canada border.

Warm tropical air coming in from Hawaii, known as the pineapple express, causes snowfall on the west coast.

Lake-effect snow is created when cold, dry air picks up moisture and heat by passing over a warmer unfrozen lake such as the Great Lakes in eastern Canada. Sea-effect snow is the same phenomenon that takes place along the Atlantic coast.

“Under an extreme climate change, it may mean winters will be a little shorter,” he says.

“We might see less days of snow, but more of it.”

Does climate change and global warming mean Canada’s Great White North will eventually just be known as the Great North?

David Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, doesn’t think so. “We need to perish the thought that climate change is going to turn Canada into Miami of the north,” he says. “Canada is one of the coldest countries in the world; 39 per cent of our annual precipitation in Canada falls as snow and we get an 8

average of 200 centimetres of snowfall per year.”

When a lakes freeze over, that local source of warmth and moisture is cut off, meaning the end of the lake-effect-snow season.

If the temperature rises and it takes longer for the lake to freeze over, eastern Canada may see lake-effect snow occur all winter long because the lakes don’t freeze over. But Phillips says that may take 100 years to happen.

“Under an extreme climate change, it may mean winters will be a little shorter,” he says. “We might see less days of snow, but more of it.”

Since warmer air holds more moisture, Phillips says if you take an average temperature and warm it up by four or five degrees, more snow will occur. “If the average temperature in the prairies warms up to -3°C, ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

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they will see more snow,” he says. “Heavier dumps of snow will occur but it will be a shorter season.” He says in this example, this would rule out snowfall happening in September and October, and the season would be confined to November to April.

But another issue that arrives with a warmer climate is freezing rain — seen most often in the Maritimes and Ontario.

“When you get a temperature of -8°C and it warms up to -4°C, you are closer to that tricky zone where you may get rain, or snow, or a congealed mixture of ice pellets, snow grains, and freezing rain,” says Phillips.

The motivation for taking action against climate change is not based on what we have already seen; it is based on what we are going to see. So snow removal companies and manufacturers — like any other industry — can make improvements to processes and technology to lessen the effects plowing has on the environment, such as using energy-efficient machinery, and discontinued use of harsh chemicals. But the pressures for change in the profession may come more from policy and public than from the weather.

“Global warming doesn’t mean we’ll be drinking beers in

Snow plow operators may be dealing with conditions that are more treacherous, and in those cases, they may be looking at more of a salting-and-sanding operation as opposed to plowing.

muscle shirts and tank tops in February,” says Phillips.

“We may see an increase of 35 to 55 per cent increase of days with freezing rain in Ontario in the next 40 or 50 years. In parts of the Maritimes, it could be 50 to 70 per cent.”

of it.”

“But even one degree makes a big difference, and a clear indication of climate change will be the potential for more intense heavier dumps of snow, but less days

So it looks like there’s still snow in Canada’s future, and plenty of it.

dependable snow & ice control equipment Winnipeg, MB 1.888.610.SNOW www.vikingcives.com 10

ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

B t

Better Safe than Sorry Stay Safe and Successful This Snow Season

By Randy Strait, owner and president, Arctic Snow and Ice Products

C

ombine long work hours, heavy snowfall and icy road conditions and you’ve got snow season at its finest. In turn, the demand for snow and ice removal services spikes. And as snow and ice removal contractors know too well, this high-stress environment creates a slippery slope of potential injuries, equipment damage and lawsuits.

With all of that in mind, snow pusher manufacturers design equipment to guard the operator from injury, as well as protect the carrier equipment and the customer’s property from damage.

Before moving snow this season, enhance jobsite safety by considering which pusher practices and features keep the operator, equipment and property safe and sound.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Smooth and Safe Operator Contractors need to understand safe operating procedures for both the carrier equipment and snow pusher to prevent damage. Always conduct a pre-trip inspection of the pusher and carrier machine to ensure everything meets standards and functions properly. Perform proper servicing to the carrier machine, double-checking for correct oil levels and tire inflation.

Operators should reference manufacturers’ online resources, including instructional videos or operator manuals, for proper operation of the carrier, model’s positioning, plowing angle, appropriate snow stacking techniques and the pusher attachment. Improper operation can prematurely wear pusher parts, leading to significant damage. For 11

example, the violent jarring from shaking the pusher or hitting it on the pavement to remove snow can add stress to joints and components — especially in frigid weather — resulting in costly damage.

The equipment’s ease of use contributes to safe operation.

When operators can easily handle the pusher, it increases his or her confidence and focus. This can reduce operational mistakes and potential damage. For example, a pusher with a slip-hitch system eliminates the hassle of adjusting the pusher each time it’s dropped — the way standard hitch designs do.

It moves up and down independently from the carrier and automatically and continuously adjusts to the pavement grade, resulting in fewer missed areas and less follow-up plowing. This system allows even the most inexperienced operators simple and safe pusher operation.

Overcoming Obstacles How pusher components react to outside hazards, such as curbs, medians and parking lot islands, play a large role in keeping a contractor safe and the customer’s property unscathed. Some manufacturers design pushers to protect the operator and withstand harsh impacts with obstacles, all while creating less damage to property.

A pusher with a sectional moldboard, spring-loaded trip edges and mechanical side panels will lift up and over raised objects.

If a one-piece rigid pusher with non-moving components collides with an unexpected obstacle, the impact will quickly stop the entire unit and can throw the operator forward, resulting in possible injury.

Hard jolts like this can also cause cracks in the arms of the carrier equipment.

Should an operator hit a hidden curb, some pusher designs

feature mounting blocks that will absorb the impact and pressure, protecting the pusher, carrier and operator. Mounting blocks protect the carrier’s bushings, hydraulic system, transmission and motor.

Those blocks can be replaced for considerably less money than replacing a damaged carrier and more than that, they keep the operator safe and property protected.

Besides choosing equipment that will prevent injury and property damage, contractors can take steps to evaluate their contracted property before the first snowfall to increase safety. Contractors should note obstacles in the work area such as light poles, cart corrals, protruding manhole covers, speed bumps and the possibility of 24-hour parking lot traffic. Snow removal companies can spend tens of thousands of dollars each year repairing damage done to curbing, parking lots and streets that have been hit by rigid, fixed side panels that don’t adjust to hidden obstacles.

If damage does occur, it’s best to document it right away. Take photos and communicate with the property management quickly to make arrangements for repairs and handling traffic flow. Mark the obstacle with cones so it’s visible to drivers. This keeps customers safe and maintains a contractor’s business reputation.

Safety and Responsibility Each year ice brings safety and liability concerns — especially since lawsuits for slip-and-fall claims can top a half-million dollars. The pusher’s lot-cleaning results go a long way in keeping customers safe and preventing liability issues.

Typically, the responsibility for clearing the lot of all snow and ice falls solely on the contractor, making it extra important to properly remove snow and ice.

Prevent issues fast with a pusher that removes snow and ice on the first attempt. This is especially important during business hours when customers are coming and going. A steel edge on the right pusher will scrape even hardpacked snow and ice down to the pavement, reducing the need to salt after and increasing safety for customers.

Don’t Forget Simple Safety While it may sound simple, some of the most basic safety measures can be the first forgotten during the hectic snow season.

Prevent the danger of cold exposure by always wearing and bringing extra warm clothing, boots, hats and gloves, especially if the operator needs to shovel or in case of a breakdown. Wear highvisibility clothing, like vests and hardhats, and make sure to follow all requirements from local OSHA regulations.

Carry a well-charged phone and charger or a quick-charge battery attachment to ensure emergency services can be quickly contacted, if needed.

Wear the proper harnesses, seat belts and lap belts and always drive at safe speeds. The proper speed depends on the terrain, pedestrian traffic and size of the pusher. Pedestrians and vehicular traffic always have the right of way.

Cars that try to rush around wheel loaders and skid-steers that push snow sometimes create unsafe circumstances. Because of this, operators need to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all times, especially since it is harder to brake and maneuver with a heavy machine in slippery conditions.

When transporting multiple pushers, contractors need to acquire width permits and hired vehicle escorts to lead the way behind and in front of the trailered

pushers. For the carrier equipment, contractors need to get the proper insurances and registration from the state. Taking the proper transportation actions saves businesses from future fines and prevents accidents.

Additionally, use and bring the proper tools for unhooking or hooking the pusher from the carrier equipment. And always make sure the pusher is secure before use

Safe Equals Success With every snow season, many factors impact safety to the operator, the equipment and the customer’s property. All in all, if contractors make sure to review all aspects of their operation — from their pusher’s safety features to their plow technique — they can improve and make changes before they sacrifice safety during the

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NOW HIRING

Hiring Winter Help Previously posted at http://info.bossplow.com/blog

by Katie Schinderle November 7, 2016

As a snowplow contractor, finding the right crew for the job can be one obstacle to taking on more winter work. With winter fast approaching, crunch time to find workers is here.

Here are some avenues to consider when recruiting additional workers.

1. Social Media If your business has an established Facebook or LinkedIn page, share the job opening, description, and compensation on your platform.

Encourage those who follow your page to share the post with their friends to help you cast a wider net.

This is a free way to recruit the talent you need to get the job done.

Social media can also be a good way to vet candidates. When you

14

receive applications, take a look at their social media page to learn a little more about the person you are considering for hire.

Sample Social Media Post: Looking for winter work? _________________ company is currently hiring for the 2016-2017 winter snow removal season. This is a temporary, seasonal full-time position, during the months of December-April. This job comes with a pay range of $15-$25 per hour. Interested candidates can visit _________________ to apply or call XXXXXX-XXXX for more information.

2. Referral Program Your current staff can be a great tool for finding new employees. One option to recruiting could involve instituting a referral program in which team members can earn cash rewards for referring a new hire.

3. Craigslist Almost every day, job posts are listed on Craigslist recruiting workers for winter help. What was once known as a way to sell equipment is now a way to get the word out about a job opening. If you are recruiting on Craigslist, you may

want to keep these tips in mind: •T he lifecycle of a post is less than 30 days. Your ad continues to get buried beneath new and recent posts. Be sure to update and repost your job posting every couple of weeks to keep it fresh and near the top of the search pile.

• Be sure to keep your ads short. A long, wordy job description loses the reader’s attention quickly.

Sample Craigslist Post: _________________________ company is currently hiring for the 20162017 winter snow removal season.

We are in need of quality snow removal professionals willing to take on the elements and clear snow from sidewalks, docks, driveways, and parking lots of large commercial or retail properties and apply ice melt products accordingly. This is a temporary, seasonal full-time position, during the months of December-April with a pay range of $15-$25 per hour.

A clean driver’s license record is required for driving positions. For additional information, please visit ________________________ to apply!

4. Direct Mailers This is an oldie but a goodie. If you took on contracts miles from your base camp, consider sending direct mailers out in the neighborhood ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

where your contracts are located.

Direct mailers can run from $0.15/ piece to $0.50/piece depending on the size and quantity needed.

You could also consider using USPS Every Door Direct Mail campaign.

This affordable, targeted advertising service allows you to send mailers to a specific audience depending on the age, income or household size. You could also use it to specifically choose zip codes to target. Check out how it works at https://www.usps.com/ business/every-door-direct-mail.htm.

Direct mailers can be an effective means of recruiting when you do not live in the community where your contracts reside.

These are just some of the ways you could consider recruiting workers.

Not all of these tips will apply to every business or community. Writing a job description can be half the battle.

Watch The Snowplow Blogger for additional posts about writing job descriptions and other hiring tips.

You cannot fulfill contracts without workers, so it may be time to get creative and try more than one option. Even though you may have enough workers now, you never

know when you will need to hire to due demand of additional work or replacement of current workers. A good rule of thumb is to never stop recruiting!

For additional tips on running your snow removal business, check out additional blog posts at http://info. bossplow.com/blog. ˜

Happy recruiting!

Setting the New Standard for Articulated Municipal Tractors

5. Newspaper Ad While newspaper readership has declined in the last 10 years due to social media, there is still a targeted demographic of older adults who read the newspaper. If you are looking to hire recently retired employees who may be looking for some work in the winter, this may be the perfect recruiting option for you.

In rural communities, a newspaper advertisement may be the most effective means to communicate with your message efficiently and at a low cost.

Sample Newspaper Advertisement:

Employment A snow removal professional contracting company is seeking applications for the following position: Snow and Ice Removal Professional Full-Time $15.00-$25.00/hour Please call XXX-XXX-XXXX for additional information.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Contact your local dealer to schedule a demonstration

WWW.MACLEANENGINEERING.COM Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

519-370-2999

15

Idaho Automates Two Key Winter Road Maintenance Systems Using an automated electronic spreader control system available from Certified Cirus Control Systems, the Idaho Transportation Department automates operator work orders and analysis of snow and ice removal results.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) defines a storm event as when the temperature is below 32 F and there’s precipitation on the roadway. Near the 130 road weather information system (RWIS) sites located along ITD’s 12,000-plus highway lane miles, the number of storm events ranges from seven to eight at a few locations to up to 65 to 70 in the most storm-prone areas.

Automated Operator Work Orders Until recently, ITD snowplow truck operators manually completed a work order documenting their spreading activities after each shift. At times, however, the orders were too generalized and lacked details needed by ITD fleet managers for analyzing operations.

“Extracting the data from the handwritten orders was difficult and very time consuming,” says Dennis Jensen, ITD mobility services-winter operations coordinator. To address this issue, ITD began installing an automated electronic spreader control system – available from Certified Cirus Control Systems – and sensors on its trucks in 2011. To date, ITD has upfitted 409 of its 430 trucks with sensors and the spreader control system.

ITD next developed its Winter Automated Reporting System (WARS). The system went online in February 2016 and converts the GPS-coordinates-based data supplied by its electronic spreader control system to ITD’s linear-referencing system, which is based on routes and milepost positioning. From the converted data, WARS identifies the specific spreading activities of a truck and generates an automated work order.

After the end of each work shift, ITD operators bring up WARS to download and approve a daily summary of spreading activities. “The WARS review and processing the detailed data takes less than five minutes a day, and reviewing the data for operational critiques takes only a minute through WARS reporting extractions,” says Jensen. After an operator approves the summary and clicks “accept,” the information is automatically fed into ITD’s asset management system.

“We have extremely important granular data telling us exactly how we fought the storm for post-review critiques of what we did and when we did it. Then we can also

evaluate how effective we were with the treatment,” said Jensen. “Prior to WARS, we just captured our efforts.

Now we have a whole system to gauge cost versus effort plus accomplishment with our RWIS sites.”

In regard to return on investment (ROI), “We’re estimating we’ll save approximately 750 man hours per year just with the reduced time for manually inputting the operator work-order data. Other sources of ROI involve reduced material use,” says Steve Spoor, ITD maintenance services manager. “Based on our original assumptions, we believe the payback period will be around four years for a 12-year life of the spreader controller.”

Automated Analysis of Snow and Ice Removal Results ITD’s system for automating the analysis of winter road maintenance operations went live the fall of 2015. The system builds a geo-fence or a bounding box around an RWIS site, and as a snowplow truck passes through the bounding box, the system captures the truck’s spreading activity data and overlays it on an RWIS graph. The RWIS graph provides detailed information on the condition of the roadway surface.

The analysis system has been of great value to ITD because operators can see the effectiveness of the application matrix they’re using. If the application matrix is not working as planned, operators can adjust and modify it as needed throughout the winter season. “The system improves our performance significantly since we’re now able to better match a storm event with the right product,” says Jensen.

In the future, ITD will continue to develop new programs and performance metrics using the electronic spreader control system from Certified Cirus Control Systems.

About Certified Cirus Control Systems Certified Cirus Control Systems (CCCS) brings together two best-in-class companies and their complementary expertise in municipal work truck systems. Created by the merger of Cirus Controls and Certified Power Solutions, the new company designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes hydraulic components and systems, electronic controls, plow controls and innovative winter road maintenance data collection and reporting software to help maximize fleet performance year-round. Products, support and services are available throughout North America.

For more information, contact CCCS at 763-493-9380, info@certifiedcirus.com, or visit www.certifiedcirus.com.

More power.

More control.

More support.

You can count on Certified Cirus Control Systems (CCCS) for dependable and powerful central hydraulic systems, integrated spreader controls and innovative winter road maintenance data collection and reporting software—all helping you achieve your snow and ice management goals.

You can also depend on our regional snow and ice market specialists for applications assistance, technical know-how and genuine personal attention before, during and after your purchase.

LOCATIONS Minneapolis

763-493-9380

St. Louis

314-344-3300

Des Moines

515-244-7411

Chicago

847-573-3800

Toledo

419-873-7411

Read about your peer’s successes at certifiedcirus.com/dataandreports

www.certifiedcirus.com

C O N T R O L S ©2016 Certified Cirus Control Systems

•

H Y D R A U L I C S

•

R E P O R T I N G

A Green Sweep for MacLean MV MacLean Engineering is proud to announce the release of its latest MV (Municipal Vehicle) attachment – the 60-inch sideshift sweeper, unveiled to the market at the APWA Public Works Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from August 28th to the 31st.

This new attachment offers more versatility than rotary sweepers that simply angle left and right. The sideshift sweeper incorporates a sliding mount that allows the operator to move the sweeper head left or right across the front of the MV, as well as angle left and right, providing the following benefits: •T he ability to move the sweeper head around obstacles such as utility poles, benches, and fire hydrants independent of the MV, greatly enhancing productivity and minimizing missed areas; •T he ability to position the sweeper head directly 18

in front of the MV when angled left or right, preventing damage to surrounding terrain; • When sweeping next to a curb or gutter, the ability to offset the sweeper to one side, preventing the wheels of the MV from contacting the curb or utter; • The ability to offset the weeper up to 22 inches past the side of the MV, allowing the operator to sweep areas next to the MV. This is particularly helpful for sweeping boulevards, allowing the MV wheels to remain on the street or sidewalk.

The new MV offset sweeper includes the following features: • Hydraulic drive for the sweeper head – no PTO shafts, gears or chains required • The MV’s proportional hydraulics allow for finite control over sweeper head rotation speed and torque •A bility to rotate the sweeper head in forward or reverse • I ntegrated tilt cylinder to adjust sweeper-head tilt, combined with the ability to raise and lower the sweeper push frame with the MV’s front lift cylinders, provides wider range of lift and drop for the sweeper head •S weeper head oscillation of 10 degrees per side, allowing the sweeper head to follow terrain contours independent of the MV • The 50-inch sideshift frame allows the sweeper ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

• Folding five-way plows in widths of 60 and 82 inches • Fixed-V plows • Rear-mount grit spreaders • Rear-mount anti-ice systems • Rear-mount water tanks • Rotary sweepers in 60-, 72- and 84-inch widths • Pick-up sweepers • Asphalt and concrete planers • Finish mowers in 6-, 10- and 14-foot widths • Flail mowers in 74- and 88-inch widths • Boom flail mowers with 47-inch cutting heads and over 13 feet of reach head to extend up to 22 inches past the side of the MV •R eplaceable UHMW wearstrips for the sideshift mechanism • Greasable pivot points • Integral storage stands • Balanced sweeper head to minimize broom coning • Optional wet kit for dust control •O ptional dual-motor kit for increased capacity and performance The new sideshift sweeper provides all of the above features and benefits without adding a significant amount of length to the sweeper assembly! In fact, the sideshift sweeper is less than 2 inches longer than the MV 60-inch angle-only sweeper, enhancing visibility and maneuverability. Like the MV, this new attachment is proudly designed, engineered and manufactured at MacLean Engineering’s Owen Sound, Ontario facility.

This new attachment further broadens MacLean Engineering’s extensive attachment offering for the Municipal Vehicle (MV). As the MV is essentially an articulated tool carrier, much of the value lies in the combination of the MV and the right attachment for the job. In addition to the new sideshift sweeper, MacLean Engineering is proud to offer a wide variety of OEM attachments for the MV, including: •D ual auger snow blowers in widths from 50 to 80 inches • High-output ribbon-style snow blowers •T rip edge-style angle plows in widths from 60 to 84 inches • Full-trip angle plows SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

The MacLean MV4 Municipal Vehicle: Red is the New Green The MacLean MV4 is an innovative rear-engine articulating tractor/tool carrier designed with the principal purpose of sidewalk snow removal in mind; however, the MacLean vision for this product was not limited to sidewalk use. Understanding that the platform lent itself to many other applications, MacLean Engineering sought to broaden the appeal of its Municipal Vehicle by designing features that make it suitable to power a wide variety of attachments for use over all four seasons.

The MacLean MV4 was one of the first in class to offer tier 4 (interim) emission compliance in a production unit.

Unlike other competitive machines that sacrifice power and performance to meet tier 4 emission requirements, the MacLean MV4 provides the power and performance customers have come to expect (115 HP), coupled with clean and green Tier 4 (interim) emission compliance.

With the MacLean MV4, being green doesn’t come with a performance penalty! Since its introduction in 2008, the MacLean MV has become a trusted go-to solution for a growing customer base across North America.

MacLean Engineering specializes in the design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of mobile equipment for the underground mining and municipal sectors, as well as environmental compaction and recycling solutions for the waste management sector.

Founded in 1973, the company continues to expand its product range and geographic footprint, remaining focused on safety, productivity and enduring quality.

For more information, please visit www. macleanengineering.com or contact your local MV dealer.

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Salt Protection: Getting the Most Out of Your Salt Storage Building There are many choices available for salt storage buildings. However, as a public works professional, chances are you need to make the best of what you have. From the simplest of solutions, such as a tarp thrown over a salt pile, to the more permanent, such as environmentally sound and truck-friendly fabric or dome-style buildings, there are ways to make your buildings last.

This article will outline some of the strategies and tips for making the most of your particular solution and understanding when it is time to upgrade.

Wood Buildings A common building material is wood. The laminated wood arch Quonset-style, wood framestyle, and timber-dome style are common types of buildings using this building material. Wood can be an inexpensive option, but careful monitoring and maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity of this kind of building. The key 20

downside of wood buildings is the possibility of warp, rotting, and swelling due to water and salt brine exposure. Some wood is treated with an oil-borne preservative, which can extend the life of a building considerably; but if the wood in your storage building is untreated and not maintained properly, a new building can fail in as little as 10 years. Another consideration, particularly with timber domes, is the susceptibility to damage from heavy equipment, which can undermine the integrity of the dome and lead to collapse. A key way to lengthen a wood building’s life is to reduce all possible exposure of the wood frame to moisture through regular checks of the roof and siding for leaks. Ventilation is important when storing salt to slow the deterioration of wood and rusting of metal fasteners from the corrosive environment. Keeping spills and salt from contact with the foundation is also essential. As an added benefit, reduced moisture in your building will reduce salt clumping that could damage spreading equipment.

All-steel Buildings Another building type is steel. Steel buildings are less common in salt storage due to the highly corrosive environment. When choosing a steel building, make sure the building is hot-dipped galvanized or has a highly protective layer of coating

on the base steel to help prevent corrosion. Prime paint steel or black steel should not be used. Steel buildings gain the benefit of strength and lighter weight compared to wood. Some buildings, such as the steel-arch structure, utilize a steel roofing system as well as solid steel walls. Solid steel walls are not recommended for salt storage.

Ventilation is extremely important to manage corrosion. Great care must be taken to keep salt out of contact with the steel walls and roofing to prevent rust, which weakens the structure. Maintenance is low with steel buildings, but building should undergo regular checks for corrosion and damage from machinery.

Fabric Structures Ever-growing in popularity, fabric buildings have been becoming the choice for salt storage.

Fabric buildings offer the most economical solution with many benefits. Buildings often lack enough clearance for trucks to easily empty their salt deliveries.

This is one of the benefits of fabric structures, as they can have high clearance built in, among other available enhancements. Another benefit is the ability to easily add on to the building if storage needs increase over time. Finally, because fabric structures allow in natural light, there is better visibility overall ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

and electricity costs are reduced.

Engineered fabric structures are low-maintenance, and the fabric covers in these structures are naturally resistant to salt corrosion.

If your fabric structure steel structure is hot-dip galvanized, and/or further protected with a liner, the exposed trusses will be highly resistant to the corrosive properties of salt.

hen to Upgrade Your W Existing Storage Building Aside from the obvious signs of impending structural failure, there are other less serious indications that it’s time to look at a new saltstorage solution.

SALT & SAND STORAGE

LONG SERVICE LIFE. COVERED. Calhoun expertly engineers and manufactures corrosion resistant, fabric-covered structures to provide protection for your road salt and sand stock.

Our naturally bright, hot dip galvanized structures have an exceptional return on investment and are built to last.

•H as the amount of salt needed for the winter season increased significantly through newly built roadways or subdivisions? If so, there may be cost savings over time by building a larger structure, thus reducing numerous small winter deliveries.

•A re trucks able to easily enter and exit the building? A new building built with high clearance will help reduce the risk of damage by heavy equipment.

•H ow old is your existing building, and does it meet current state or provincial requirements?

These considerations may add up to looking at a new salt storage solution in the near future.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Our hot dip galvanized structures and optional Super Shield rubberized coating protect against corrosion associated with salt and sand storage.

With no reshingling required, and low operational and maintenance costs in comparison to the traditional dark salt & salt dome, a Calhoun structure will assure you that your investment is protected.

Our free-span interiors reach up to 200 ft. wide and have an overhead clearance space that easily accomodates your large machinery.

Our Strength is in our Structure. calhounsuperstructure.com 1-800-265-3994

21

Snacking on the Job to Boost Energy

When you’re tired, cold, and spending long hours in solitude, grabbing something quick and warm to ease your munchies often means foods of the fast and junky variety. But these foods brimming with sodium, sugars, fats, and other comfort chemicals, will leave you feeling tired and dehydrated, and most likely, hungry again.

By Tammy Schuster

Instead, try these alternatives that will boost your energy, and keep you feeling alert and full.

Lean protein

Protein takes a longer time to digest, slowing the release of carbohydrates into your bloodstream, boosting metabolism and energy. Try lean meats such as roasted chicken or turkey, or even low sodium turkey jerky or pepperoni.

Eggs are a great source of protein and energy and, boiled and peeled ahead of time, make a great on-the-go snack.

Nuts

Unsalted (or, even better, raw) nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, have many benefits and are considered hearthealthy. Packed with unsaturated fats, healthy fatty acids, and fibre, they help to lower cholesterol levels while keeping you feeling full.

Fruits

While fruit does contain sugar, it also contains fibre, vitamins, and minerals for an energy lift and sweet kick in the taste-buds. To slow the release of sugar into your bloodstream, eat your fruit with yogurt or cottage cheese to help maintain glucose levels and keep energy up.

Vegetables

Any veggies and all veggies, cooked, raw, or in between. On their own or with a fresh hummus dip, they are filled with vitamins and nutrients and will keep you feeling full and the crunching will keep you awake.

22

Grains

Your body converts carbs to energy and whole grains break down slowly giving you more of a steady energy release. Try rye crackers, brown rice crisps, or warm oatmeal topped with a nut butter and a banana or dried fruit for a more complete and satisfying snack.

Chocolate

Okay, why not. Actually, cocoa beans naturally contain caffeine, but not as much as coffee and the flavonoids are good for heart health.

But go for the dark chocolate – it has less added sugar and you are less likely to binge eat (something about the bitterness). Better yet, a combination of dark chocolatecovered almonds would make a great mid-blizzard treat.

Green Tea

While coffee is probably the biggest go to for a mid-shift perk, it’s also considered a diuretic and dehydration can make you sleepy.

While drinking water is best to keep you hydrated, green tea is a great alternative. It’s still caffeinated but has considerably less caffeine than coffee, and it’s filled with antioxidants and is known to lower your risk of developing a chronic disease.

So even if you’re working the long hours into the wee hours, there are better alternatives that will contribute to you feeling better after the snow is gone.

ISSUE 1 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

Need fewer clients?

Tell them your tractor wouldn’t start.

Model/item may not be exactly as shown

3:02 AM on a snowy winter morning? It’s time to go to work. In this business, you need equipment that’s ready to take on tough tasks in any weather, any time of day. Tractor won’t start in the middle of the night?

Guess what. Your client just found someone else to do the job.

That’s what makes the new 4R Series Compact Utility Tractors such a smart investment. How do we make sure they’ll start in freezing conditions? Simple. We test them in freezing conditions. We make sure that the legendary reliability you’ve come to expect from John Deere is not just a buzz word. Add in all the premium features that are standard in the new 4R Series – hydrostatic or PowrReverser™ Transmission options, our exclusive Hitch Assist for easy implement hookup, and a plush climate-controlled cab – and you’ve got the right tools to keep your operators happy, and more importantly, your clients.

See your John Deere dealer today and while you’re there, ask about discounts and other benefits your business could receive as a John Deere GreenFleet™ member.

JohnDeere.ca