Snow Manager Issue #1 2016

thanks

technology

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

New apps let residents track city snow plows

A MOVING BILLBOARD

Why branding fleet vehicles is good for business

WHO’S AT FAULT?

Collisions and traffic infractions on the job

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!

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V-Plow with Model 6006 Rigid Dual Wheel Assy. w/ 6511A adjuster and Rigid Adjuster Bracket.

TABLE OF CONTENTS It’s Snow Problem to Increase Profits Three snow pusher features that help maximize productivity

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Who’s At Fault?

Collisions and traffic infractions on the job

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A Moving Billboard Why branding fleet vehicles is good for business Thanks Technology New apps help cities keep residents informed on snow plow movement On Fleet Cirus Controls develops suite of easy-to-use telematics-based performance reports for the snow and ice control industry.

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What’s Your Spec?

Finding a spreader that falls within truck safety protocols, but matches customer’s needs Strength in its Structure Calhoun dominates with economical, fully-engineered, intelligent storage solutions for your fleet, sand, or salt

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Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398 Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki Jennifer Hebert Gladwyn Nickel Magazine Consultant Gladwyn Nickel

Art Director Kathy Cable Layout Joel Gunter Advertising Art

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Sheri Kidd | Dana Jensen Subscription information available.

Please contact DEL Communications Inc. Two issues for $12.00

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A Clear Choice Degelman Industries builds blades that fit on just about any power source available

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Publisher Jason Stefanik

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

Century of Innovation Henke Manufacturing celebrates 100 years of being the industry leader in designing and manufacturing specialty snow removal attachments

Melting Ways Maintaining the Northwest Anthony Henday with liquid calcium chloride

President David Langstaff

Managing Editor Carly Peters carlypeters@mts.net

product SHOWCASE Up and Away Parry Sound airport keeps business accessible with a RIEST snow blower

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

© Copyright 2016 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 02/2016

34 ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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It’s Snow Problem to Increase Profits Three snow pusher features that help maximize productivity

Operators complete snow removal jobs quickly with pushers that feature a sectional moldboard design, mechanical side panels and mounting blocks.

By Randy Strait, president, Arctic Snow & Ice Products

F

ast and accurate. When operators achieve both aspects in snow and ice management, it leads to a thriving business.

To reach that goal and maximize profit potential, providers need productive, robust equipment to clean parking lots, roads, and sidewalks quickly. When considering new pushers, providers should look beyond price and take into account all features and components that contribute to return on investment. Included features, such as a sectional moldboard design, mechanical side panels and mounting blocks, contribute to the operators overall safety and productivity. And easily accessible parts help reduce maintenance downtime.

Look at three aspects that lead to fast ROI when selecting a new snow pusher: moldboard type, quality components, and simple maintenance.

1. Section it off for the best results Operators know that collecting as much snow and ice as possible per pass eliminates unnecessary extra passes and speeds up job completion. The moldboard type has a significant impact on this productivity. A sectioned unit provides greater efficiency than a one-piece model because each section adjusts to the surface of the job to scrape snow and ice out of deep recessions.

Some manufacturer’s sectional pushers also feature mechanical side panels – rather than fixed panels – that lift over curbs to significantly reduce the risk of damaging equipment and injuring the operator. Fixed panels can twist upon impact, requiring a complete replacement. An impact with a fixed panel can also injure the

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A sectional snow pusher provides greater efficiency than a one-piece moldboard because each section adjusts to the surface of the job to scrape snow and ice out of deep recessions. And coupled with a steel blade, it breaks up ice and hard packed snow quickly.

operator, putting the business at risk of workers’ compensation claims and scrambling to make up for an injured worker.

2. Rugged build keeps pusher moving fast Pushers that feature mounting blocks can help the unit withstand hard impacts. Mounting blocks prevent damage to the pusher, carrier and operator if the unit hits a hidden curb or other objects. They can also last as long as five years due to their durability.

Consider pushers that offer a steel cutting edge rather than a rubber edge. Rubber edges wear about 20 per cent faster than a ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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With some segmented pushers, operators can fix damaged components within 10 to 15 minutes if parts are readily available. This allows operators to complete maintenance and get back to work faster rather than waiting for a shop mechanic to repair it.

Don’t get caught in the cold with the wrong snow pusher. Sectional pushers offer strong ice breaking power and gather the most snow, allowing operators to quickly and accurately clear their territory. And their easy maintenance ensures operators continue delivering that quality service.

About the Author

Segmented pushers featuring mounting blocks minimize damage to the pusher, carrier and operator if the unit hits a hidden curb or other objects.

steel blade, which translates into significantly higher maintenance costs. Replacing a steel edge on a sectional pusher further reduces equipment costs because operators change individual 24- or 32-inch sections rather than replacing an entire moldboard.

And, a steel edge also increases a pusher’s ability to remove ice and hard packed snow, which reduces salt usage and time spent per job.

3. Take a bite out of downtime Quick and easy serviceability in the field minimizes downtime.

During 40 years in the snow removal business, Randy Strait, owner and president of Arctic Snow & Ice Control Inc., has tackled everything from his own driveway to parking lots at some of the nation’s largest businesses. He believes the key to quality work and reduced liability is to be prepared for each and every snow removal job – no matter the size.

About Arctic Snow & Ice Products Arctic Snow and Ice Products is the manufacturing division of Arctic Snow and Ice Control Inc., a reputable provider of snow and ice management services since 1978. Arctic Snow and Ice Control Inc. remains an established contracting business, while the products division manufactures the Sectional Sno-Pusher™.

For more information: Arctic Snow and Ice Products, 101 Euclid Ave., Bradley, IL 60915; 888-242-3766; pusherpro@yahoo.com; www.sectionalsnopusher.com; Facebook or YouTube. ❆

dependable snow & ice control equipment Winnipeg, MB 1.888.610.SNOW www.vikingcives.com 8

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

FICTION: The Sectional Sno-PusherTM has too many "moving" parts!

FACT: The Sectional’s individual “moving” mold boards contact and clean the asphalt better than any plow on the market!

FICTION: The Sectional is too hard to use!

FACT: The Sectional’s unique drop-and-go technology allows your operator to set the pusher down and start plowing.

Floating side plates, poly-suspended mold boards and Slip HitchTM connection allows the plow to stay level and flat to the ground everytime!

FICTION: The Sectional is too expensive!

FACT: The Sectional has the best cost justification of any plow on the market! Reduction in salt usage, reduction in fuel, reduction in labor. No snow pusher adds value to your business like the Sectional!

SECTIONALSNOPUSHER.COM • 888-2-ICE-SNO

Who’s At Fault?

Collisions and traffic infractions on the job

By Lea Currie

D

riving in general is risky business, but with the dangerous weather and road conditions that are inherent with a snow plowing operation, your employees – and consequently your company – face even more hazards each and every day crews are out on the road. There are a host of potential risks, from accidents due to poor visibility and potentially deadly collisions with passenger vehicles, to regular driving concerns, such as speeding tickets and red-light cameras. However, the question over who exactly holds that risk – financially and legally – can be confusing, making a difficult situation worse.

While companies naturally want to ensure the safety of their employees on the job, they must also protect their own interests. Benjamin R. Hecht, managing partner at Pitblado LLP in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who specializes in labour and employment law, sheds some light on where exactly liability falls when employees are driving in the normal course of their job duties, such as plowing snow or salting roads.

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Traffic offences First off, rest assured as companies are generally not liable for traffic offences their employees may incur on the job.

When it comes to a collision, “for insurance purposes, or charges under The Highway Traffic Act or Criminal Code, in most instances, the driver is the one ‘at fault’ (if the driver is in fact determined at fault by the insurer),” says Hecht. All accidents attach to the driver, not the company, as corporations, of course, can’t actually drive a vehicle.

Employers can breathe another sigh of relief as the same rules generally apply to speeding tickets or other traffic infractions, such as distracted driving. “Traffic offences normally attach to the driver of the vehicle and not the vehicle itself.

Therefore, it matters not if the driver of the vehicle is driving for the purpose of employment or not, the penalty or offence is the driver’s conduct, not the company’s,” says Hecht.

However, the introduction of red-light

cameras has presented new issues for employers. Typically, a red-light camera ticket for speeding or running a red light would be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, who is liable regardless of who was driving. That means that in a situation where an employee is driving a company vehicle, whether it’s a passenger car or a plow, the employer is often the one stuck holding the bill.

To protect itself, Hecht recommends that the company transfer the legal responsibility to the driver through a written agreement or employment contract, which outlines the driver’s responsibility for any offences incurred while operating a company vehicle.

“In general, a signed employment contract is the best protection,” says Hecht.

“If the employer chooses not to use an employment contract, a policy can be effective, provided it is: in writing; distributed to all employees; consistently applied to all employees; clear in its terms. And it is recommended that there be proof that the employee received the policy and agreed to be bound by its terms.”

With many vehicles or pieces of equipment on the road, numerous employees and shift work hours, employers must plan ahead so they can determine exactly who was driving at the time of the ticket. On a regular basis, employers should fully document vehicle usage, including which employee is using which vehicle, the license plate number, and the time in and out.

“If the employer is unable to ascertain which particular employee was driving at the time of the ticket, then the employer is liable to pay the fine,” says Hecht.

Even knowing who the driver at fault is, collecting the fine from him or her can come with its own issues. Employers ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

cannot simply deduct a fine from an employee’s paycheque. If an employee did not provide authorization, and an employer deducts the fine from the employee’s pay, the company could be in violation of employment legislation, Hecht explains. Therefore, provisions regarding deductions of fines should be addressed in the same written contract.

Civil actions The case of civil actions (a lawsuit by a private individual) comes with a completely different set of implications. Hecht explains that, “generally, an employer is vicariously liable for the negligent or tortious acts of an employee if the acts are committed in the course of employment.”

Basically, this means that if an employee is in a collision that results in the death or injury of another person, both the employee and the employer can be held liable, and can be sued by the injured person or their family.

The basis of liability in this type of situation depends on: the existence of an employment relationship (i.e. an employer-employee relationship; independent contractor relationships may be different), whether the action occurred in the course of employment; and if the employee was performing a job duty, whether directly or indirectly required by a service contract.

As with many legal issues, there are many “ifs” and “buts.” For example, if an employee performs an act outside of the scope of employment, even with the permission of the employer, the liability strictly falls to the employee. But, if an employee performs an act within the scope of employment, but against the orders of the employer, and it results in the injury or death of another person, the employer is liable. However, if the employee strays so far that he or she is doing something not in the course of employment, but contrary to it, the employer is not liable.

While all the ins and outs are complicated, and there are many instances where a company could be found to be liable. Hecht explains that an employer has, “a right to seek indemnification from a negligent employee so long as the employer was not contributorily negligent.” In layman’s terms, that means an employer can protect themselves by ensuring that the employee takes responsibility for the cost of all possible future damage, loss, or injury. To break that SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

down even further, to protect themselves, employers should have a written agreement, signed by employees, that says the company is not at fault for an employee’s actions on the job.

To protect your company, Hecht also recommends owners take a few additional steps: • ensure employees are properly licensed and trained • have ongoing education sessions/seminars • reward safe driving practises and behaviour Also, while there are no legal require-

Clear roads.

ments that require employers to provide employees with such devices as Bluetooth technology or hands-free devices in a company vehicle, Hecht says it would be a best practise for an employer to help staff perform their duties safely, while bolstering the safety of the company itself.

And of course, when in doubt, owners and company executives are encouraged to seek the advice of a lawyer. As with any legal issue, there are many risks, and you should clearly understand all legal ramifications, preferably before there is an issue. ❆

Clear data.

Now you can get precise snow and ice control with data that’s accurate and believable.

Across the country, municipalities and DOTs are using SpreadSmart Rx™ electronic spreader controls and the GPS DataSmart™ winter road maintenance reporting system to: • Regulate salt application with precision, while minimizing salt expense • Obtain GPS-enhanced spreading reports and maps via web access • Manage fleet-wide spreading parameters for maximum operations control Read about your peers’ successes at ciruscontrols.com/casestudies

763.493.9380 info@ciruscontrols.com H Y D R A U L I C S | C O N T RO L S |

R E PO RT I N G

© 2015 Cirus Controls, LLC

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A Moving Billboard Why branding fleet vehicles is good for business

By Natalie Batkis

T

he way you brand your company has a significant impact on the way people perceive your business. Your brand may be the first encounter potential customers have with your company, especially if your fleet vehicles are wrapped with your branding elements. Does your brand reflect the image you want to portray?

Shayne Serediuk is owner and creative director at Graphic Intuitions, a marketing firm located in Morris, Manitoba. This dynamic team of marketing professionals offers a wide range of services: web design, graphic design, branding, printing, social media services, and programming. Over the years, they’ve worked with a variety of companies from all over North America.

When working with a new client, the first objective for the marketing team is to understand the essence of that business: What is their industry? Who are their clients? What are their strengths?

Who are their competitors? These are just a few of the questions Graphic Intuitions asks when working with new clients. “The first thing we do is have them fill out our branding and logo

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design questionnaire. This gives us a good idea of who the company is and what they are looking for. Then we meet with them to make sure we fully understand their needs and goals,� says Serediuk.

Once the marketing team understands the ins and outs of the company, they can design a branding strategy that reflects its core values. When it comes to branding, Serediuk says simplicity and consistency are key.

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

“You want to use clean fonts and graphic logos that are easy to use across various mediums. You want these elements to easily cross over to various platforms so they can be used on your website and in corporate identity pieces like letterhead, decals, embroidered clothing, and so on,” he says.

To ensure your brand is being utilized correctly and consistently, Serediuk can’t stress enough the importance of protecting the integrity of your brand. No matter the size of your business, a brand standards guide is key. This document establishes distinct guidelines on how all aspects of a company’s brand will be handled.

“Create a brand and logo standards guide so that no matter where your brand is displayed the proper formatting, colours, and spacing are used. This ensures your brand is consistent wherever it is displayed,” he explains. “This can be anything from business cards, to website, to signage, and even your email signatures.

When you show consistency in your brand, you show professionalism and are giving people a clear and concise vision of your company.”

Out of all your branding elements – fonts, colours, text, and images – a logo is the piece of the puzzle that brings it all together.

As a company’s primary graphical representation, a logo anchors a company’s brand and becomes the single most visible expression of the company. Serediuk says that doesn’t mean it needs to be flashy or complicated.

“I always say ‘the simpler the better’ when it comes to logo design,” he explains. “The last thing you want is for your potential customers to have to think when they see your logo. If there are too many things going on in the logo, it causes confusion. If the logo is confusing, what does it say about the company?”

Many companies are choosing to brand their fleet vehicles to bring greater visibility to their business and to help them connect with their target audience. Serediuk says this is a really good investment, especially for snow and ice removal companies.

“In reality, your branded vehicle is a moving billboard,” Serediuk explains. “Any piece of equipment or company vehicle that is used in public areas and seen regularly would benefit from branding decals. You want as many eyes on your ‘moving billboard’ as possible during those winter months. Professionally designed vehicle branding also gives your company perceived credibility.”

There are a few key design tips to keep in mind when branding vehicles. Certain jurisdictions have specific rules you have to folSNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

low and that’s why it’s necessary to work with a company who understands those regulations.

“First and foremost, find out what the decal regulations are for commercial vehicles in your province,” Serediuk explains. “Just as in logo design, vehicle decals should not be overly complicated. If you need to include a list of services, limit yourself to three at the most.

To make sure your text is legible at highway speeds, make sure you don’t have graphics or photos crowding it. You want the text to be the focus.”

Companies often brand the sides of their vehicles but those may not be the most beneficial areas to focus on. Serediuk points out there are other areas that companies often overlook.

“One thing people don’t think about is that there are more than two sides to a vehicle. The back of a van or truck is prime real estate that is extremely under utilized. How often do you find yourself staring at the back of a vehicle at a stoplight or reading the ‘How is my driving?’ on the back of a transport truck when passing it on the highway? They put those there for a reason.”

Vehicle branding can be as simple as a window or door decals, or as complicated as a complete wrap. Serediuk says this is yet another reason working with an experienced design or printing agency is necessary.

“Professionals will have the proper vehicle templates for the exact make, model, and year of your vehicle to ensure placement and sizing is correct. They will also know how to apply the decal vinyl on all the different curved surfaces,” he says.

The types of materials professionals use ensures the artwork will be properly displayed while protecting it from wear over time.

“The materials we use and the installation services we provide have been key to the success of these finishes. We have experienced people who know what materials to use so colours don’t fade in the sun and how to properly apply them to different surfaces to ensure they don’t peel.”

Once your brand is being used consistently across all marketing platforms, the true measure of success is how memorable your company is to the public. Serediuk says it’s a process that doesn’t always happen overnight.

“The goal is that your branding becomes engrained in people’s brains so that when they see your logo or the colours of your brand, they immediately think of your company,” he explains. “Brand recognition takes time and, in order for it to happen, you need to find a consistent branding message and stick to it across all platforms.” ❆ 13

Thanks Technology

New apps help cities keep residents informed on snow plow movement

By Emily Pike

B

ecause we so often rise on a winter morning to a fresh dumping of snow, an app that can tell us when the snow plow will be coming by is sheer genius. Whether work is expecting us at 8:30 a.m. or we’re rushing to get the kids to school, knowing when our roads will be clear, and who is going to shovel the driveway are the first thoughts on our minds.

Nova Scotians get their fair share of the winter wonderland coating and so last year the provincial government implemented an application that allows the public to access online visual information about where the snow plows are, as seen on a map.

“We’ve been using vehicle tracking internally for a number of years, and one of the main questions we get during winter when we’re out plowing is, “Where’s the plow?” and that leads to people questioning if we’re even out working. If they don’t see a plow out on their road specifically, then they don’t feel that they’re getting any service,” states Kevin Mitchell, director of operations services for the Nova Scotia provincial government. “It builds a better level

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of comfort to understand that we’re out there working. That the roads leading into their communities or around their communities and homes are being serviced by our equipment.”

The app used in Nova Scotia shows where the province’s 400 plus snowplows are when they’re working, and also shows their levels of service for the various roads – those cleared in eight hours, those in 12 hours, and those cleared in 24 hours.

“The more information we can put into the hands of the public, the better they’ll understand what we’re doing and what they can expect, ” continues Mitchell.

In their second year of using this app, he says they’ve received a lot of feedback on things users would like to see and he shares they’re hoping to get some of those features running soon, especially the ability to share where the snow plow has been without slowing down the service.

In Brandon, Manitoba, where the average yearly snowfall is 117 centimetres, an app that showed the public where the snow plow ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Terry Song and Sheldon Zhang, co-founders of SnowTapp.

is going to be helped with their goal of increasing residents’ ability to know when their roads would be cleared through their “Know Your Route, Know Your Zone” initiative.

Andrew Wilson, asset management coordinator with the City of Brandon, says this is the first year they’ve been using their snow plow map, having officially released it to the public on November 16, 2015.

“The map, along with the backend administration tool was created by City staff and was designed to be compatible with computers, along with all mobile and tablet devices,” he shares.

Showing just how readily a useful tool like this can be received, Wilson continues, “For the month of December, we had 3,333 page views of the map. This was a positive result as the city has received significantly less snow in December than our normal average,

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

proving that it really is being used by the residents of Brandon.”

Wilson is hopeful they can push the technology one step forward by having the vehicles automatically update the system to show where they’ve been and where they’re headed, reducing the need for employees to update the map and increasing the efficiency of the system. He’s hoping this can be the building block for other applications for services provided such as street sweeping and back lane grading.

Building better apps Webtech Wireless, a provider of GPS/AVL fleet management solutions, developed Webtech 511 to help cities provide their customers with snow plow location and service level information, similar to the service provided in Nova Scotia. The Webtech 511

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mobile solution, developed for those cities who wish to provide enhanced operational transparency but don’t have the resources to develop their own solutions operates in five cities in Canada and one in the United States. Chris Jackson, vice-president of government operations for Webtech Wireless says feedback from their clients for this season has shown high rates of adoption through the first few storms. He says Webtech Wireless is excited about several enhancements that are in the development.

“We’re working towards adding a feature that shows users information about municipal services outside of snow removal such as waste pickup route status and street sweeping route status, visual map indicators of things like construction areas and accidents, and the ability for users to submit reports that they think the city should be aware of, such as the location of a pothole, a fallen tree, an unplowed street or flooding,” explains Jackson, adding Webtech Wireless is also hoping to integrate the application with social media so users can share things like road conditions and alerts.

Hello? Can you shovel for me?

Beyond the inconvenience of unplowed streets lies the snow waiting patiently on your own property to be cleared away. Unless there was an app you could access where you requested someone, anyone, to come and shovel your driveway (or sidewalk or front walk) and that job would be done within 24 hours by the nearest available snow clearing service provider. Enter SnowTapp.

SnowTapp is a service app in the greater Edmonton, Alberta area that allows users to order one-off or recurring snow removal services through an app on their smartphone, for themselves or for others and pay for it online. Once complete, SnowTapp sends customers a picture of their snow-free property for the approval of the person who ordered the job, and allows them to rate the service.

Michelle Falk, marketing and communications coordinator for SnowTapp shares how what’s being referred to as the Uber for snow clearing came about, “The app was envisioned and brought 16

to life by Terry Song and Sheldon Zhang, coworkers at an engineering firm at the time. The idea evolved after Terry came home from visiting his family in China and his wife, who had arrived home first, had to shovel both their sidewalk and his neighbouring brother’s sidewalk. He felt badly that she had come home from their trip to this nightmarish chore and thought, “Why on earth is there no one you can call for on-demand snow removal, you can only sign up for a lengthy contract?”

There are times when everyone with a shovel would love to not have to go out and deal with the snowfall on their property.

“It’s exactly what people want. It’s modern, it’s convenient, it’s luxurious. You’re sitting in your office downtown and looking out the window and thinking, “I don’t want to go home to that” and you don’t have to. I think it gives you the time to do what you really want to in life rather than doing such obligatory tasks,” beams Falk.

Falk also appreciates the on-demand nature of the service, “People don’t want to be stuck in month-long contracts anymore.

A year like this, without a lot of snow, people lost a lot of money if they were paying for a monthly contract. It gives you the opportunity to shovel sometimes if you want to, but not all the time.”

SnowTapp also has a service that they call SnowWatch that is designed specifically for rig workers and vacationers. It allows people the peace of mind of having SnowTapp monitor and remove snow from their property every time it snows. Falk explains further, “For a marginal monitoring fee we take care of the burden for you. You pay per snowfall so if it doesn’t snow, you don’t pay – and you don’t have to worry about asking a friend or relative to clear snow for you while you’re away.”

Now we can not only check the weather app to see when the snow will be coming, but some of us can check our local government snow plow app to see when the plow will be coming, and even access an app to request that someone come and shovel our driveways – because we aren’t home or just because we’re sick of tossing around the white powder that is so beautiful early on in winter, and so exhausting as the weeks drag on. Thanks technology. ❆ ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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Clearing The Way Since 1916

On Fleet Cirus Controls develops suite of easy-to-use telematics-based performance reports for the snow and ice control industry

W

hether it’s the morning after a snow event or the quickly approaching due date for submitting a quarterly report on material use, snow and ice control fleet managers need data on the performance and effectiveness of their operations. In response to this need, Cirus Controls has dedicated over 10 years to developing and finetuning its telematics-based Winter Road Maintenance Control and Reporting System (WRMCRS). The three main components of the system are the controllers mounted on snowplow trucks and two software programs.

“Together, the components provide instantly available performance data and reports for fleet managers to control salt costs, labor costs and truly understand winter road clearing costs,” says Paul Mortell, CEO and founder of Cirus Controls.

the award-winning GPS DataSmart™ performance analysis tool.

The SpreadSmart Rx spreader control system provides automated spreading of salt and other deicing materials applied to road surfaces. The spreading rate is calibrated to the speed of the truck. The electronic control system also accurately collects and records data – every six seconds – on the amount and type of granular or liquid material applied by a truck. GPSenabled sensors installed on a truck automatically correlate with spreading and road temperature data .

The Drive by Download DCE wireless-

data transfer system downloads the data stored in the SpreadSmart Rx system to a facility’s server each time a snowplow truck – or fleet of trucks – is within “lineof-sight” distance to a base station. The Drive by Download system links to the station’s computer or access point using a Wi-Fi connection, making the data transfer costs as close to zero as possible.

Telematics-based performance reports Fleet managers can analyze individual truck or fleet data stored in their facility’s server 24/7 using the suite of reports

Hardware and software components The primary hardware system installed on a snowplow truck is the SpreadSmart Rx™ electronic spreader control system.

The two software components are the Drive by Download DCE (Data Center Edition)™ wireless-data transfer system and 18

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

available in the GPS DataSmart performance analysis tool. Each time a manager selects a report, the GPS DataSmart system instantly populates the report using the most current data stored in the server’s database.

“Our WRMCRS offers high-volume, finegranularity data collection every six seconds and full database management tools to analyze all the performance points of an entire fleet of trucks,” says Mortell.

To learn how much and what type of granular materials and pre-wet and antiice brines were applied by individual truck operators the night before, a fleet manager can run a Material Usage report. And if the case, within seconds, the manager can easily spot any truck in the fleet that was not properly operated.

The geo-fenced report feature provides fleet managers with data on snowplow trucks operating in any particular geographic area that is of interest for reporting purposes. One example is environmentally sensitive watershed districts.

Spreading Performance reports provide data on the operating mode, spreader utilization, speed and distance, materials dispensed, and dispensing mode of a single snowplow truck or fleet.

The Idaho Transportation Department and RWIS stations Since 2012, Cirus Controls has worked closely with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the development of its award-winning Winter Performance Measurement (WPM) system. Cirus’

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

SpreadSmart Rx electronic spreader control system, which has been outfitted on 325 of ITD’s snowplow trucks to date, and the Drive by Download DCE wireless data transfer system have both played key roles in the development of the system.

The other key component of ITD’s WPM system, and Cirus’ WRMCR system, is the integration of data from snowplow truck electronic spreader control systems and RWIS stations.

The RWIS stations operated by ITD use sensors to sample a wheel track on a road surface and measure (in real-time) the layers of ice, snow and water along with the temperature and condition of the roadway surface. Other elements measured include air temperature and humidity, wind speed, precipitation and visibility. The RWIS sites use an algorithm of sensor information to determine the road surface’s “grip coefficient.” This formula is then used to calculate the mobility index in ITD’s Winter Performance Index report.

sions made by managers and the resulting change in road surface conditions,” says Mortell. “Fleet managers now have a clear linkage between road treatment decisions and the effectiveness of road clearing results.”

Ultimate performance metric

Complete ownership of data, cloud storage

The WRMCRS developed by Cirus Controls is the first system to integrate data from snowplow truck electronic spreader control systems and RWIS stations and offer a suite of performance reports specifically designed to assist snow and ice control fleet managers.

“The integration of data, and the ability to analyze this data through our reports, leads to the ultimate performance metric, which is a clear understanding of the relationship of weather, road treatment deci-

Proven results Just three seasons after ITD implemented its WPM system, ITD cut its winter maintenance spending by 29 per cent – from $30 million in 2011/2012 to $21.4 million in 2013/2014 – and reduced its three-year average of accidents on icy and snowy roads by 27 per cent. In addition to improving winter driving conditions, ITD also met and exceeded its goal of reducing winter storm impact on travellers (as measured by its mobility index).

ITD’s mobility index goal is 55 per cent. In 2013/2014, ITD attained a mobility index of 59 per cent, and in 2014/2015, ITD again surpassed its interim goal and achieved a mobility index of 73 per cent.

Unlike some snow and ice control data collection programs, fleet managers own and have complete access to their WRMCRS data. The Drive by Download wireless transfer system downloads snowplow truck data to a server and then writes it to a file that in-house programmer-written software or the GPS DataSmart system can access.

Winter maintenance managers can store their fleet’s WRMCRS data in a facility server or in a server administrated

by Cirus Controls and stored in the Cloud.

Cirus administration benefits include maintenance of and immediate updates to the WRMCRS software systems and a quicker turnaround time for requests to modify report formats or content.

The WRMCRS is currently fielded on 535 snowplow trucks running at 147 sites in the U.S. and Canada. Cirus Controls projects the number of trucks outfitted with the system will grow by 47 per cent in the next 12 months. And because of WRMCRS, winter road maintenance managers will be able to plan better for raucous snow events and prepare, with more accurate information and less stress, those onerous quarterly reports on materials use. ❆ 19

Product Showcase

Up and Away

Parry Sound airport keeps business accessible with a reist snow blower

I

n a small community like Parry Sound, Ontario, the airport is more than just a transportation terminal. As General Manager of Parry Sound Municipal Airport, it’s Neil Pirie’s job to keep the facility “open for business” for a wide range of activities and enterprises. As well as providing aviation service for cottagers and business flyers, Pirie is also accountable for serving the business park that also shares the site and for maintaining the region’s link to vital emergency services.

In winter, it can be a daunting task. Located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, Parry Sound is in the path of frequent “lake effect” snow squalls – localized blizzards that form suddenly over Lake Huron and quickly blanket the area in heavy snow.

“It’s not unheard of for us to come in here and have to move a foot and a half of

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snow,” reports Pirie. “The squalls can park right on top of us for 10 days straight, leaving us with another eight inches of snow every day. With the equivalent of 16 acres

of roadways and parking areas that need to be cleared, all we can do is get out and peel off the layers as quickly as we can, sometimes in zero visibility.”

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase Multiple tasks on one site When the snow hits, Pirie’s day will typically start at 5:30 a.m. to clear parking areas and access roads for the Parry Sound Airport Business Park so that those businesses can start work by 7:00. Next, the roads and areas around the aviation shops are cleared by 8:00. Then, they move to the lanes and parking for the terminal itself, including the café and fuel pad. Finally, the runway and taxi areas for the aircraft. “It’s not just the air side we have to worry about. The companies on the field here have about 70 employees in the Business Park that have to keep working. This means that all aspects of the airport need to be functional.”

Until two years ago, clearing the snow here required a crew of three operating a street plow, a half-ton truck, and a Ford 8700 tractor fitted with an eight-foot snow blower. Then Pirie and members of the Parry Sound Airport Commission brought in a new system in time for Christmas. Two new power units came into the fleet, both New Holland TV 145 tractors.

One tractor was equipped with a 15-foot HLA SnowWing and the other with a 10foot 6120RH double-auger snow blower from REIST Industries.

Special needs on runways “When the committee from the Airport Commission was researching the equipment, we knew we needed a more powerful tractor, at least 130 HP, and we needed a more robust snow blower. When a weather event moves in on you, you have to be able to move through all kinds of ice chunks and heavy snowbanks that have been piled up. In some cases, the windrows have to sit a while and they can freeze over. You’re never done. You have to keep going to try and keep up. We really needed a blower that could get in there and chew through everything and blow it clear away.”

“Cleaning an airport is not like doing a parking lot,” continues Pirie. “You can’t pile the snow just anywhere. In our situation, you can’t have high windrows and snow banks. So, you have to blow the snow off.

Some of the aircraft come in with wings just four feet off the ground.

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Product Showcase the factory a few times just for information. Their customer service is great; whenever I’ve called, I talk to Brian Reist himself. He’s always full of advice and very helpful.”

By keeping the airport property clear of snow faster, Pirie is meeting his goal of keeping the complete facility “open for business.” And the most important business, according to Pirie, is emergency services. “Often when we get a large snow event, there are power outages in the region. So being able to get the Hydro One helicopters fuelled up and off the ground right away, to restore the power, is huge.

And getting air ambulances in... I don’t know what more you have to say. If they can’t get in, it’s critical.”

About REIST Industries

runway. We have to move the snow to the lights first, and then blow it over the lights and out of the way. The REIST blower is the most important piece of equipment at this airport, or we would have nowhere to put the snow.”

Done in half the time

we’ve had a full year with it, problemfree. As is the case with any snow clearing equipment, we keep an eye on the cutting edge, because we have to clean right down to the asphalt; we can’t leave any ice on the runway. But we haven’t yet had to replace any parts. We have called

REIST Industries is a leader in manufacturing of equestrian arena grooming, landscaping and snow removal equipment. Located in Elmira, Ontario, its technical design and engineering departments work towards creating new and innovative products. A dedicated staff has made REIST Industries the number one choice for conventional or synthetic equine footing grooming equipment. ❆

Pirie is more than satisfied with the performance of the new fleet. Side chutes on the snow blower improve its efficiency when it’s running into the wind and increases its throwing distance. The bidirectional articulated tractors allow the maneuverability to run tight passes, with virtually no turning radius.

“It’s phenomenal. The new equipment has reduced, on average, our removal time by at least 50 per cent, and we’re doing it with just two crew.” Pirie reports that timing is everything and he is grateful to the Commission for their support in acquiring the new equipment. “Last winter was exceptional. For the complete season, we received between 18 to 20 feet of snow and during the months of November and December, the average on a monthly basis was over 100 centimetres.”

Pirie also found the durability he was looking for in the REIST snow blower. “As soon as I got a look at the REIST blower, it looked like it was built for our area. Now, 22

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase

What’s Your Spec?

Finding a spreader that falls within truck safety protocols, but matches customer’s needs

By Paul Weatherbie, Drive Products

G

one are the days of simply, “I need a salter for my truck, what’s the biggest one you have?” Does anyone else remember these “sell what you see” days? I can recall in a past life watching a Toyota Tacoma drive off the lot with a brand new Western Wideout hanging off the front and the salesman beaming with pride. We’ve come a long way in our industries, engineering departments, and safety standards ensure that the systems we put on the road today are not only safe but are legal.

I might have a shiny new stainless steel 10-foot, six-cubic-yard Striker spreader

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

on the ground, and a matching stainless MVP3, but when you show up in your half ton, I’ll be forced to send you away (although you can bet I’ll be trying to convince you to come back with your flatbed).

Truck-mounted equipment manufacturers and the equipment up-fitters that install them need to have a wide array of tools and knowledge at their disposal in order to spec a system that will not only fall within the safety protocols of the truck, but match the customer’s needs. It’s no good setting up a truck with a Copma Crane and a Kwik Load system that can only haul around feathers - granted you

could haul all the feathers you wanted but that does a landscaper no good.

That’s one of the reason I’m such a big fan of the new spreader line ups available from Western and Fisher. They’ve designed a salter that has relatively the same dimensions as the competition, and they’ve made sure they hold the same capacity as the competition but they weigh hundreds of pounds less. This has been accomplished through years of testing and field trials out at the manufacturing facility in Rockland, MA. Using a thinner gauge of metal and a design that incorporates extra supports into the frame they’ve man23

Product Showcase aged to lighten the weight of the spreader allowing the unit to carry more spreading material. This reminds me of the old saying, “if you only have $20, you can’t spend $30.” Most consumers purchase a new truck and then go looking for equipment.

If your GVWR is 19,500 pounds than you can’t equip a system with a loaded weight of 21,000 pounds – even if the consumer tells you “I’ll only fill it half way.”

While keeping the weight down does help with your load analysis, a bigger con-

tribution to safe trucks on the road are the new size and configuration options available in these series. That 10-foot, sixcubic-yard unit would be too heavy fully loaded? Try the 10-foot, 4.5-cubic-yard unit. That weight is good but your frame is too short? How about the nine-foot, 4.5-cubic-yard unit instead? There are six new sizes available in the Striker / Steel Caster series, most of which you would have your choice of drives from as well, be it gas, hydraulic, or the new king, electric.

COMMAND YOUR ROADWAYS

The unique shape of the Commander Series bodies, allows for your materials to taper towards the middle of the body for easy dispersal of materials.

Visit our website to learn more about our products!

www.bonnell.com info@bonnell.com • (800) 851-9664

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Being efficient with your truck’s capacity is great but it’s not the whole job – in fact the truck hasn’t even started working yet. It’s after the consumer leaves the upfitters and heads out into that cold stormy night with a full load of material that the spreader needs to be efficient. No one enjoys making extra trips back the salt yard for another load. These new spreaders make sure they utilize as much material as you load into them. Every unit – regardless of size or drive comes equipped with a top screen and inverted vee – default.

This means no large chunks of frozen salt are jamming up your conveyor because they didn’t even get into the hopper - the material that is in the hopper isn’t crushing down onto your stainless steel conveyor because that factory installed inverted vee is carrying the weight of hundreds of pounds of material. This means less strain on your conveyor when it’s pulling material to your chute.

Your chute by the way has been completely redesigned as well. Internal baffles mean salt/sand is not just carried to the back and dropped down into the open box of the chute but rather is brought to the back and guided along the baffles so material is funnelled and can only exit directly onto your spinner disc. This means any material moved by the conveyor is thrown - the way you intended it to. Not spilled into a pile below the disc.

For even further control of the direction of your material spread, Strikers and Steel Caster’s are equipped standard with circular shutter deflectors that can enclose around the spinner disc. The deflectors have five different locking points, meaning if you need to you can set your material exit to only a few inches to direct salt or sand exactly where you want it.

Equipment up-fitting has come a long way from “sell what you see.” We’ve become better than that. Not only do upfitters use engineering tools to match the right equipment to the right truck but they match that system to the needs of the consumer based on the work in their field.

It’s good to know that after all the work we put into getting the most out of a truck, that the equipment will continue that and get the most out of the material and the hard work your customers put into it. ❆ ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase

Strength in its Structure Calhoun dominates with economical, fully-engineered, intelligent storage solutions for your fleet, sand, or salt

I

f you think all fabric buildings are the same, think again. Calhoun Super Structure has been in the fabric building industry for over 20 years and has evolved to provide the strongest, safest, and most reliable structures on the market.

Calhoun’s hot dip galvanized steelframed structures are a wise choice for those looking for an economical storage solution. Not only is every high-density polyethylene (HDPE) covered structure

26

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase fully designed and engineered specific to the exact geographical location and its correlating weather patterns, but the initial investment and operational costs are a fraction of the price of traditional wood or steel buildings. They are also able to custom design a building to meet your exact needs.

With four series to choose from, their structures range in widths between 32 to 200 feet, and offer a free-span interior, maximizing your storage space and leaving plenty of room for machinery and employees to move effortlessly. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to house your fleet or equipment, a structure to store sand and salt, a waste transfer station, or anything in between, Calhoun has the solution.

Creating a safe, dependable structure is the utmost important feature for Calhoun. During the engineering and design phase, the Calhoun team and third-party engineers are able to visibly see every single point of stress on any part of your building, down to the size of a pin head.

This highly-detailed engineering leaves Calhoun’s customers with peace of mind knowing that their personnel and equipment will be kept safe. In addition, worker safety is improved because fewer shadows are casted with fabric roofing. These HDPE covers also allow natural light to shine through, omitting the need for interior lights to be used on a sunny day, resulting in lower operational costs.

All of Calhoun’s steel framed buildings are hot dip galvanized (HDG), which protects against rust and weathering, making the trusses strong and dependable. Unlike some of their competitors, Calhoun’s HDG process takes place after the steel is fabricated, allowing for a completely smooth surface that won’t snag or tear the fabric cover.

If you’re looking for extra protection on your structure, Calhoun has gone the extra mile to cater to your needs. Their Super Shield rubberized coating spray can be applied to all trusses including the concrete and block wall foundation. Super Shield is resistant to most water-borne chemicals and will protect your structure SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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.

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

27

Product Showcase

“We make Safety our Business” Specializing in the supply and delivery of medium and coarse road salt that meets all government specifications in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario & the Northern U.S.A. Our supply chain features a cost effective combination of truck and rail transportation ensuring efficient & reliable delivery of our product to your door.

Learn more at kleysen.com, or call 888-452-9929.

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against corrosive materials like salt and fertilizer. It has over a 1,000 psi tensile strength and is applied after the HDG process. Super Shield is also a sustainable investment. Not only will it add years of life to your structure, but it is UV and weather resistant, nontoxic, not carcinogenic, and asphalt free.

Calhoun believes in an economic and environmentally-sustainable product. With lower operational requirements comes lower electrical bills and maintenance. Furthermore, when their buildings are installed, the environmental impact is minimal. Job sites are kept clean and only as large as needed, and the footprint Calhoun dealers leave behind is basically nonexistent. Save the money in your wallet and the environment with a Calhoun fabric building.

On all buildings over 62 feet wide – or if a customer with a smaller building wants to upgrade – Calhoun’s HDPE sheets are installed using a keder panel system, which is a custom-made aluminum extrusion, mounted at each truss section. The keder panel prevents the fabric from touching the structure’s steel frame, so your building will ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to house your fleet or equipment, a structure to store sand and salt, a waste transfer station, or anything in between, Calhoun has the solution. have a quieter, more secure environment, and substantially decreases the risk of wear points on the cover.

With over two decades of experience, it’s obvious that Calhoun has thought of everything. Their unsurpassed engineering, customizable and innovative designs, and attention to every little detail is what has brought this family-owned company to become one of the most trusted in the industry.

With dealers located across North America, Calhoun can service you just about anywhere. A Canadian company, Calhoun’s head office and manufacturing plants are in Southern Ontario and their product can be shipped to the most remote location. Whether you’re in rainy, mild Vancouver or dealing with Newfoundland’s winter storms, Calhoun has you covered. Visit their website at www.calhoun.ca to see more great photos of their multipurpose storage structures, details of their engineering, and the four building series they offer. Calhoun’s strength is certainly in its structure. ❆ SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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www.HendersonProducts.com 29

Product Showcase

Century of Innovation Henke Manufacturing celebrates 100 years of being the industry leader in designing and manufacturing specialty snow removal attachments

N

ow celebrating their 100th anniversary, Henke Manufacturing can truly boast a long and established history in the snow removal business. The company was founded in 1916 and by the early 1920s had begun development of a motorized grader with a tractor pushing a blade. Today, Henke is a recognized industry leader in the design and manufacture of specialty snow removal attachments that are mounted on both heavy industrial equipment and medium to heavy duty trucks utilized in both the public and private sectors.

Henke’s headquarters currently employ over 90 people with 70,000 square feet of manufacturing. They are renowned for in-

30

novative designs and manufacturing rugged equipment built to last.

Their wide variety of snow removal products includes the patented Postless Patrol Wing and the HXC Spreader for trucks and the unique Hi-Gate for graders and loaders.

Henke’s Postless Wing is the most sophisticated truck wing solution available in the market. The parallel linkage lift cannot bind up like traditional wings therefore it requires less maintenance.

There is no need to grease multiple times per shift and it will last longer. The unique “True Float” non-trailing design reduces

wing chatter and increases effectiveness in cutting through packed snow and ice.

It is available in eight, nine, 10, 11, and 12-inch lengths with front or mid-mount locations. The pushbeams can be single for front lifted moldboards or dual for rear lifted. Extra long pushbeams are also available. Trip options are non-trip, full moldboard trip, or trip edge.

Henke’s HXC V-box spreaders feature an innovative slide out conveyor cartridge for maximum versatility. This is the only ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase

V-Box spreader with a removable conveying cartridge. The replaceable cartridge is not only easier to service and repair, it also allows users to choose between an auger, dual auger, pintle chain, or belt conveyor, ultimately providing a new level of versatility to snow and ice management.

Standard features include the fullyreplaceable conveyor cartridge; remote chain tensioning; wide-base rails and conveyor for more consistent spread and minimization of materials bridging; No Tool adjustment spinner deflectors; telescoping discharge chute for even high flow rates; spinner drive “shed” design to prevent clogging and fouling in the chute; and safety features allowing tool free access for routine maintenance.

The Hi-Gate™ helps keep driveways and intersections clear. Henke originally worked with the City of Bismarck, North Dakota to develop their Hi-Gate ™ hydraulic end gate system which captures the snow on demand and carries it past the driveway or intersection. The Hi-Gate ™ was initially developed for use on Henke’s heavy duty REL loader plow, it is now also available on leading brand motor graders for mounting on the grader blades, and will soon be available for trucks.

For information on an in-depth of study snow gates that ranked Henke’s Hi-Gate ™ as the best, go to http://www.henkemfg. com/industrial/hi-gate.

Gaylynn Huber, street/fleet manager SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

for the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota states, “We tested two different type of snow gates during this three year process, and the Henke snow gates performed the best. They allowed us to get to the curb the closet, they were engineered so they fit our moldboard better, and it allowed us to clean the gutter pan better than with the other snow gate.”

Sales of Henke’s products are handled through a network of industrial and truck equipment dealers and four regional sales managers who administer the sales process. The company is also the official sales arm in Canada for FE26 Manufacturers Representatives. According to Mike

Blake, president of FE26, “Our firm brings over 25 years of industry and distribution knowledge to the table and a vast network of relationships specifically in the government and municipal markets.”

Henke Manufacturing is a member of the Alamo Group, a leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of highquality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. Their products include truck and tractor mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, excavators, vacuum trucks, agricultural implements, and related after-market parts and services. ❆

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Product Showcase

A Clear Choice Degelman Industries builds blades that fit on just about any power source available

L

ong before Wilf Degelman started building snow removal equipment, he was operating it. Back in the 1960s, he opened snow-filled prairie roads in an open D6 Cat. They were tough, cold conditions back then, but he loved it. And like snow removal guys today, he felt proud to clear that road that so many people depended on.

Over 50 years later, Degelman still pushes snow around his farm and, more importantly, sits behind drafting boards with his team, developing some of the

32

most durable and innovative blades available today.

Degelman Industries has been building dozer blades since 1966. They started with custom-mounted blades for hundreds of different farm tractors. Each blade type was fit to achieve optimal performance, tractor safety, and easy assembly. Over the years, thousands of farmers throughout North America have used a Degelman blade to build their farms, push silage and manure, clear headlands and keep their lanes clear in the winter. The Degelman

dozer blade was – and still is – the bestselling multi-purpose dozer blade made.

These blades gained huge popularity in ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase the 1970s and were later manufactured and painted green for John Deere. It wasn’t until 17 years after that relationship started that Degelman decided to go it alone as a Degelman product exclusively.

Today, Degelman Industries builds more than 12 models of blades that fit on just about any power source available. The company mounts them on front threepoint hitches, front-end loaders, skidloaders, pay loaders, and even muskeg track machines. They have hundreds of custom tractor mounts, all with “quick attach” systems to free up your tractor in a minute or two, no tools required.

“Strongbox”, “Ice Breaker”, and “Speed Blade”, are all specific snowplows that are full of features to make short order of the most demanding snow conditions. Strongbox is as simple as it gets around Degelman Industries. A straight pusher-style containment blade capable of pushing huge volumes of snow, the Strongbox features large side plates attached to a durable mould board structure and is equipped with heavy-duty neoprene rubber cutting edges. Ice Breaker is the ultimate blade for snow removal. It has a sectional tripping cutting edge with one-inch thick, reversible, long-life steel edges. The blade is designed with “hydraulic wings” allowing you to control the snow that you’re pushing. When the job is done, this blade folds forward, narrowing your unit to legal widths and making your travel to the next site safer.

The Degelman Speed Blade is a slick blade that fits on skid loaders, front threepoint hitches, and front-end loaders. This blade has independent wing control, which allows you to run in a variety of positions and tackle multiple jobs. With the wings forward, it will scoop huge volumes of snow, and with the wings back, you can open roads. With one wing forward and one back, you can windrow. It features floatation, so it contours on uneven ground, and when the day is done, it folds up and slips on a trailer.

If you’re looking to work with a company with precision workmanship, creative designs, and decades of snow moving experience, call the people at Degelman Industries, based in Regina, Saskatchewan, or visit www.degelman.com ❆ SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

CONTROL THE SNOW

5 TIMES FASTER THAN A BUCKET.

PICK AN ANGLE. ANY ANGLE.

Speedblade® is the perfect snow contractor tool. It’s designed so you can hydraulically open the blade to its maximum width for small and large snow drifts or fold the wings in to move and contain high volumes of snow.

It’s easy to transport—the wings fold so you can put it on a trailer without detaching the blade. It’s highly maneuverable—you can get in and out of tight spaces easily. And it’s made to move volumes of snow, quickly, easily.

The Degelman ICE BREAKER® boasts seven possible blade formations, all easily hydraulically controlled at the touch of a lever.

Along with the heaviest and highest trip mechanism in the industry, ICE BREAKER® provides optimal control over materials or snow.

BUILT LIKE NO OTHER. The unique features of Strongbox® make it the most durable, efficient and exible tool for high volume snow removal.

Moving more snow per Pass means more proot for you and satisifed customers for your business.

Double Skin Construction To ensure the ultimate in durability, Degelman integrated its proven double skin dozer blade structure into each Strongbox®. With extra blade depth and internal reinforcement, Strongbox® provides added structural support where you need it.

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Product Showcase

Melting Ways

Maintaining the Northwest Anthony Henday with liquid calcium chloride

By Taryn Troyer

I

t’s a few hours into the first big storm of the winter, one that will bring 10 inches of snowfall in less than three days.

Graeme Douglas, operations manager of Carmacks Maintenance Services, heads the 30 year maintenance contract for the North West portion of the provincially owned Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton. Here traffic volume averages 35,000 vehicles a day so safety is paramount.

“We have five hours to hit bare pave34

ment from the end of a storm event,” explains Douglas. “In preparation, we anti-ice the day before by applying Road Guard

Plus 8, a liquid calcium chloride product from Tiger Calcium. This product works excellent for us because it breaks the bond that snow and ice has, essentially we can push the snow and ice off the road.”

How does it work?

Normally snow and ice falling on the road will bond to the surface making it difficult to remove. But spraying Road Guard Plus 8 on the surface before snow provides a chemical layer that prevents ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase

bonding and allows for much easier removal of snow and ice.

Carmacks is the first highway maintenance company in Alberta to use specialized liquid-applying tow ploughs.

“The cost to treat the entire road with liquid calcium chloride is made up by the fast, easy clean-up time,” says Douglas.

“We get to the pavement faster without fighting an ice pack. And the Road Guard Plus 8 can be applied up to 10 days before a snow event. If the forecast changes the product still lasts.”

Keeping a road or parking surface clear of snow and ice can become quite a science. Many variables come into play 36

such as weather, road temperature, dew points, and humidity so it’s no wonder it’s challenging to find the right product. This is where the experts at Tiger Calcium help in understanding calcium chloride and its properties for anti-icing, de-icing, and ice melting.

“We have reputation for delivering consistent products thanks to our rigorous quality control standards,” explains Ron Schwartz, Tiger Calcium Operations. “Understanding the characteristics of calcium chloride is the key in developing an effective winter maintenance program.”

Douglas at Carmacks explains, “We

are still researching the hydroscopic nature of calcium chloride to understand what happens when the temperature is up and humidity down. We know with fluctuations in temperatures it is much safer to use liquid calcium chloride on the road surface rather than salt and sand.”

The use of calcium chloride as an anti-icing product is rather new in the industry. The traditional approach has been applying salt brine which only works up to -15°C compared to calcium chloride which is effective up to -35°C and works best in extremely cold temperatures.

ISSUE 1 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase Others may use a mix of salt brine and Road Guard Plus 8.

“We work extensively with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as well as the city and county,” explains Matt Friedrich, president of Green Touch Systems based in the U.S. “Road Guard Plus 8 burns the snow off and as the temperature drops we increase the percentage of Road Guard.”

Pre-wetting sand and salt is another way calcium chloride is used. Douglas comments, “Keeping the anti-icing product on the road is a real challenge for Carmacks. Pre-wetting with Road Guard Plus 8 reduces drift and makes the material­drop where we need it, stay in place, and burn into the ice on the road surface creating a sandpaper effect.”

Tiger Calcium’s Road Guard Plus 8 also contains a corrosion inhibitor which makes it 85 per cent less corrosive then rock salt and it’s PNS approved (a recognized leader in establishing acceptable standards for chemical products used in snow and ice control).

In Minnesota, counties and cities add Road Guard to stockpiles of salt reducing salt usage by 15 to 30 per cent especially in cold temperatures – a significant cost savings. And that means less cost for road cleanup come spring. Mike Dressel, City of Wacoma, Minnesota says, “Road Guard burns the snow off without having to go out and put salt on top. Snow comes off the street so much better.”

Many property managers are also seeing the benefits of Tiger Calcium’s Clear Guard, a liquid calcium chloride product.

“It is a lot better than sand and salt in the parking areas. There is no clean up needed with automatic doors in malls. That is a costly nightmare for retail property management,” says Kyle Schram­, Service Manager, Green Drop.

Based in Nisku, Alberta, Tiger Calcium is an industry leader supplying North America with calcium chloride products for over 45 years. From manufacturing, research and development to product application of premium calcium chloride, Tiger Calcium specializes in road de-icing, anti-icing, and ice melting. ❆ SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

The use of calcium chloride as an anti-icing product is rather new in the industry. Calcium chloride is effective up to -35°C and works best in extremely cold temperatures.

LUBRA-SEAL Spreader Encapsulant Apply once this spring to protect your spreaders during summer storage!

Blocks the rusting process – keeps moisture, oxygen and salt away from your spreader.

Environmentally responsible – will not wash off and contaminate the soil like used motor oil.

Easy, one-step application process – one simple application this spring completely eliminates seized drag chains next fall.

NEUTRO -WASH Salt & Chloride Neutralizer Easily remove the corrosive salt contamination from your entire fleet.

Works where soaps fail – because soaps chemically cannot break the carbonic bond that salt and liquid deicers have when attached to your fleet.

Prevents rust and corrosion damage to your fleet – by removing the salt contamination from your frames, wiring harnesses, radiators, paint jobs and more.

Extremely economical protection – dilutes 1 to 8 with cold water and only takes a few gallons of diluted product to treat a tandem axel truck.

No added workload for your staff – it just take 2 to 3 minutes to neutralize the salt so you can rinse it away.

PROTECTION • PRESERVATION • PERFORMANCE

www.rhomar.com solutions@rhomar.com

1-800-688-6221 37

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Arctic Snow & Ice Control Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

John Deere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

Bonnell Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Kleysen Group Lp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Calhoun Super Structures Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cirus Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

MacLean Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Nsc Minerals Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC

Degelman Industries Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Reist Industries Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Del Equipment Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Drive Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Henderson Products, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Rhomar Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Snow Wheel System Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Henke Manufacturing Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Tiger Calcium Services Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Horst Welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Viking-Cives Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SUITE 300, 6 ROSLYN ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

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ISSUE 1 - 2016 | 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