Snow Manager 2022 by DEL Communications Inc.

2022 #40934510AGREEMENTMAILPUBLICATION ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SNOW REMOVAL, WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES? ENABLING SOLAR POWER IN SNOWY REGIONS HOW TO PREPARE FOR ANY SNOW EVENT

This winter RIDE THE EDGE with HLA Snow.

HLA’s EdgeFlex takes a ground up approach to clearing snow. The segmented cutting edge provides the necessary adaptability to maintain consistent contact over uneven surfaces, common with aging infrastructure. With maximum contact the mouldboard transfers its weight evenly across the cutting edge. The even distribution of force protects the surface from the potential damage of conventional blades when they scrape over high spots.

Plowing with an EdgeFlex is easy; just lay the blade down and run. While you worry about blade placement and controlling the direction of the flowing snow, HLA’s EdgeFlex technology works its way across the surface, adapting to the contours for cleaner results.

SALT ELIMINATOR StepStep12 1 800 267 5744www.krown.com RUST PROTECTION KROWN’S TWO-STEP TREATMENT IS DESIGNED FOR CANADA’S EXTREME CLIMATE. Call for a free quote or visit krown.com for more information. • reduces repairs and downtime • lubricates moving parts • lengthens equipment life • increases resale value • removes harmful road salt and deicing chemicals • rinses to a beading shine

4 2022 | SNOW MANAGER TABLE OF CONTENTS Published DEL Communicationsby: Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L www.delcommunications.com0G5President/Publisher DAVID LANGSTAFF Managing Editor SHAYNA WIWIERSKI Sales Manager DAYNA OULION Advertising Sales BRENT JENNIFERASTROPEHEBERT Contributing writers TED DANAISABELLEBUTLERCOMTOISDEANNAHOPEWITTENBERGEN ................................................................................ Production services provided by S.G. Bennett Marketing Creativewww.sgbennett.comServicesDirector/Design KATHLEEN CABLE ................................................................................ © Copyright 2022 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 08/2022 Editor’s message: Shayna Wiwierski 5 Snow plow accidents: Why they happen, how to avoid them, what to do when they happen 6 Environment-friendly snow removal, what are the possibilities? 8 Success in winter maintenance through the triple bottom line 10 Prepping for the powder: How to prepare for any snow event 12 Enabling solar power in snowy regions 13 Chlorides causing corrosion? The answer is not as simple as it seems 14 Withstand harsh winters with innovative fabric structures 16 On the right track: Yardworx Outdoor Services has success implementing Hilltip HTrack technology 18 Kage: Blessings out of brokenness, even in snow removal?............................................................................................... 20 Run your snow business on Yeti and see profits skyrocket ....................................................................................... 23 Vohl: A Canadian snow blower manufacturer pioneer 24 Index to advertisers ........................................................................................................ 27 COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF Arctic Snow & Ice arcticsnowandiceproducts.com

Knowing this, it’s important to plan ahead for snow and ice removal contractors and this issue of Snow Manager magazine comes at a great time.

The Farmers’ Almanac issued its Extended Winter Weather Forecast this past August and it calls for several winter storms across the country. They have predicted that the Maritimes will see a “good number of cold rains and storms filled with snow, sleet, ice, and rain” and that “Labrador, Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, and the Great Lakes will see winter’s precipitation falling as snow, and sometimes a lot of it.”

On page 8, we take a look at the City of Montreal’s snow removal system and how they try to remove snow in an environmentally friendly way. On page 14, Krown discusses if salt is linked to corrosion, and on page 23, we take a look at an innovative software that can help professional snow and ice management contractors and enterprises in managing their Ofoperations.coursethat’s only a taste of what we have planned for you in this 2022 issue of Snow Manager magazine. We invite you to also share and read this publication online at shayna@delcommunications.comShaynaEnjoy!snowmanager.ca.Wiwierski

e MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR SNOWFIRETM SKIDSTEER SNOW PLOW SYSTEM PATENT PROTECTED 651-433-4628KageInnovation.com|1-844-314-KAGE 2 in 1 snow plow and pusher combination 2 in 1 snow plow combinationpusherand A fast and seamless switch from angle plowing to snow pushing, from the cab!

As for the Prairie provinces, after a very heavy winter last year, they are expected to be hit the hardest in early 2023, with a lot of snow the first two months of the year.

Well, it was a fun summer but we all know what’s coming. One of the great things about living in Canada is the fact that we get to experience all four seasons. Now some years are better than others, and it’s looking like our winter this year will be a challenging one.

5SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Why they happen, how to avoid them, what to do when they happen

6 2022 | SNOW MANAGER

By Ted Butler, corporate sales director, Canada Heavy Equipment College plow operators plenty of room to operate. It’s important for motorists to remember that the plow operator is concentrating on the snow and the edge of the road, therefore it’s difficult for them to keep a good eye on all the surrounding traffic. In Canada, there are 160,000 car accidents each year, of which 2,800 to 2,900 result in deaths. Every year, almost 30 per cent of all car accidents in Canada happen on snowy or icy roads. Five per cent of those accidents happen during snowfall and more than 50,000 accidents occur each year due to precipitation. Included in those figures are also hundreds of accidents with snowplows all over North America, often caused by hurried drivers who have no respect for difficulty of the plow operators’ arduous task. Many of these accidents cause serious injury and even unnecessary fatalities.

• Careless and speeding/tailgating motorists

The winter season is almost upon us again here in Canada and the northern U.S.A., and with this season comes the annual battle to keep our roads, sidewalks, and driveways clear of nature’s slippery, cold white menace: snow and ice.

common reasons for incidents involving snow plows are:

Therefore, when plows and cars collide, it’s usually the occupants of the car who will sustain the most severe Theinjuries.most

Remember, a snow plow can weigh over 48,000 lbs., which is 10 times the weight of most cars on the road.

This is the time of the year when we all clamber back into the dusty corners of our garages, sheds, and storage facilities to drag out our shovels, plows, and snow throwers to prepare them for the inevitable onslaught of the white stuff.

• Intoxicated or impaired motorists

• Poor visibility (blowing snow)

The public works departments in our towns, cities and municipalities do an amazing job clearing the snow from our roads and public sidewalks every winter. Plowing municipal roads is a much more difficult task than most people realize. Snow plow operators have a very difficult task to perform, often in the worst weather conditions with very poor visibility. Snowplows can also create poor visibility for other drivers when they’re throwing the snow off to the side of road. Especially in windy conditions. Every winter throughout Canada and the northern U.S., the local municipal governments are constantly warning drivers to “Please stay clear of snowplows” and to give the

Unfortunately, for some motorists, this is not fast enough. Therefore, they feel they must pass the plow, even when it means crossing over to the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. This is an extremely unsafe maneuver, especially when visibility is poor. During windy conditions, the snow being thrown from the plow itself will make visibility poor.

Snow accidentsplow

• Untreated roadways

• Faulty snow plow equipment

• Fatigued plow operators

To minimize the risk of a collision and ensure due care is practiced, municipal public works departments and private plowing companies have a duty to properly maintain their equipment, complete daily inspections, do not over-work the employees (short shifts), and properly train their employees.

As a rule, the top speed for a snow plow is around 55 kilometres per hour in Canada (35 mph in the U.S.A.). This is generally accepted as the maximum speed to maintain safety and also for optimal snow-throwing ability.

Passing the plow will also put other drivers into danger. It’s a good idea to remember that the road in front of the plow has not been plowed yet, therefore it’s not going to be in as good a condition as the road behind the plow. Believe it or not, every year there are some drivers who actually try to pass the plow on the right side (curbside); this is vehicular suicide. The plow may have a wing attached to the front blade which extends out to the right. Why anyone would make this foolish driving decision is beyond Anothercomprehension.common problem that happens far too often each winter are cars crashing into the back of the plow. This problem is caused by impatient drivers following much too close behind the plow. Tailgating a snow plow is a terrible idea for many reasons. First, snowplows are constantly slowing down and speeding up during the plowing process in order to properly negotiate the curvatures of the road and intersections. Secondly, the roads are usually very slippery, so if the plow needs to stop quickly (which happens often), then the tailgating driver and the plow operator will soon be meeting and likely having a very unfriendly conversation.

7SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

When driving to work on snowy days, it’s a much smarter and safer decision to simply leave home a bit early, then if you encounter a plow, you have the time to just stay behind it…or find another route. Drivers should always stay about six to 10 car lengths behind plows. Salt, snow, rocks, and other road debris can fly from the plow blades, possibly hitting nearby cars. Always remember, you have family and friends who care about you and probably want to see you stick around for a few more years…and so do all the drivers in the oncoming traffic. Most plow accidents are caused by impatient motorists, but not all of them. Some accidents are caused by the plow operator. Plow operators can make mistakes too and operating a plow can be a very stressful occupation. The job is often an “oncall” position, which demands that roads be plowed in the middle of the night. After plowing for several hours, an operator can become drowsy and not as alert as they should be. Another reason for plow operator error is lack of proper training. Plowing major arteries in heavy traffic is actually a very complicated task and requires very specific training by an experienced professional. New hires and inexperienced plow operators who are unfamiliar with the routes they’ve been assigned to can make judgement errors, which can lead to dangerous and sometimes even deadly circumstances, not to mention many other incidents involving mailboxes, utility poles, parked cars, raised manhole covers, and yes, even pedestrians. Plowing busy intersections is an especially demanding task and requires a very skilled plow operator. Plowing roundabouts (traffic circles) is also a very tricky and complicated task for a snow plow operator. Motorists can help to reduce the danger of driving near plows during snow events by always having your headlights on (even during the day) to make you more visible through the blowing snow. Plus, it’s also a good idea to clear all the snow from your vehicle, not just your windshield. Make sure to clear all the snow off the hood and the roof of your vehicle as this helps to make you more visible to the plow operators, plus it reduces the snow blowing from your vehicle onto other Wintermotorists.snowand icy roads are an annual part of life here in the northern U.S.A. and Canada, therefore we all need to be extremely patient with our municipal snow plows. Frantic and hurried driving habits in the winter is the cause of 75 per cent of all accidents. Let’s see if we can drastically lower that number this year. e Every winter throughout Canada and the northern U.S., the local municipal governments are constantly warning drivers to “Please stay clear of snowplows” and to give the plow operators plenty of room to operate.

By Isabelle Comtois and Dana Wittenbergen, Ville de Montréal

Snow removal in Montréal is particularly challenging. Our teams overcome obstacles and put up with Mother Nature’s many mood swings as part of their mission to clear 10,000 kilometres of streets and sidewalks in order to help Montrealers get around. Evidently all this work takes a toll on the environment. How can we improve our winter travels without harming our ecosystems?

Streamlining our travels, but at what cost?

Montréal is a wintry city, one that must deal with snow and cold weather for months on end. Over the past few years, our metropolis has recorded snowfalls totaling 190 centimetres, and rainfalls or freezing rain totaling approximately 175 millimetres per winter. With every precipitation, nearly 1,000 employees and just as many vehicles clear the snow off our streets and sidewalks, or spread abrasives along a distance that exceeds a twoway trip between Montréal and Vancouver. In order to load the snow, up to 3,000 workers and 2,200 vehicles are deployed to move, pick up, and carry away the equivalent of 10 Olympic stadiums full of snow. During snow loading operations, various trips are required between the city’s neighbourhoods and snow disposal sites, day and night. For Montréal’s snow removal crew hard at work.

Environment-friendly snow removal, what are the possibilities?

8 2022 | SNOW MANAGER

While snow removal operations have become increasingly standardized and monitored over time, the methods have remained relatively unchanged since the first snow plow was introduced.

As citizens or as a municipality, would we be able to adjust our expectations? Would we be willing to tolerate more complex travel conditions in winter, in an effort to reduce the impact on our living environment?

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instance, our largest snow disposal site can receive up to 300 truckloads per hour during peak snow removal periods.

Montréal’s largest snow disposal site can receive up to 300 truckloads per hour during peak snow removal periods.

As episodes of snowfall followed by rainfall and freezing temperatures causing icy conditions have increased in frequency, we are faced with the realization that it is the most difficult context for the city to work in. The mixture of salt and gravel remains, at this time, the most effective option for a city that is as densely populated and as large as Montréal. However, the abrasives used may reduce the lifespan of some of our municipal infrastructures and damage citizens’ boots, clothing, and cars, while also impacting natural elements such as soil, vegetation, or bodies of water. Rethinking our practices in order to improve them is certainly an approach worth exploring. However, in 2022, at a time when the urgency with respect to climate change is very real, should we also rethink our actual needs and just let winter be winter?  e

Winters change, but snow removal doesn’t. Every winter is different. Climate change impacts temperature variations and the increase in precipitations, whether it is snow, rain, freezing rain or sleet.

In an effort to ensure effective, efficient, but also environmentally friendly operations, snow disposal itineraries are planned in such a way as to ensure that they are as short as possible. Despite our efforts, the majority of our vehicles travel thousands of kilometres, thus unfortunately contributing to climate change. What are the environmental costs of such operations?

In 1994, John Elkington—the famed author and entrepreneur—coined the phrase “triple bottom line” as his way of measuring business performance.

10 2022 | SNOW MANAGER

2. People: This measures how socially responsible an organization can and should be.

3. Planet: This measures how environmentally responsible and friendly a business can be.

In short, the triple bottom line (TBL) maintains that companies should commit to focusing as much on social and environmental concerns as they do on profits in a win-winwin framework. TBL theory posits that instead of one bottom line, there should be three: profit, people, and the planet. A TBL seeks to gauge a business’ level of commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its impact on the environment over time. According to the framework, all businesses benefit from considering these three bottom lines at the same 1.time:Profit: This is the traditional measure Success in themaintenancewinterthroughtriplebottomline of corporate profit—the profit and loss (P&L) account.

Elkington’s TBL paradigm advances the goal of sustainability in business practices, in which companies look beyond profits to consider social and environmental issues to achieve success and to measure the full cost of doing business. Triple bottom line theory says that companies should focus as much attention on social and environmental issues as they do on financial issues. In the context of winter maintenance, we can offer the following scenario. To stay vibrant and healthy, all businesses must consider expenses and revenues and seek a profit. Business owners do well to understand the investments they make in new equipment, technology, and training. They should fully understand how these inputs can have a positive impact on their net profits. New equipment, such as segmented plow blades, can make for far more efficient operations by supporting quicker and better snow and ice removal; better snow removal likely means less money spent on fuel and people, and likelier happier Likewise,clients.trained and supported employees directly correlates to positive employee retention and more productivity. COVID-19 offers a direct example of how so many companies have adjusted to meet new social or people challenges. Studies attest to the fact that happier, more knowledgeable employees are far more productive; again, supporting the bottom line or Theprofit.need for business to consider their environmental impacts is growing exponentially. As the science surrounding global warming grows, so does public sentiment

Elkington’s idea was that businesses can be managed in a way that not only makes money, but which also improves people’s lives and the wellbeing of the planet in a mutually supportive and non-competitive way.

Those wishing to learn more about the unique programs and services offered by the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) are encouraged to visit www. smartaboutsalt.com. On the website you can quickly sign up for training, which is priced at $375 CDN (less than the price of a cup of coffee a day) and Register Intent to Certify for $226 CDN.  e

The triple bottom line (TBL) maintains that companies should commit to focusing as much on social and environmental concerns as they do on profits in a win-win-win framework.

11SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca and demand. Facility owners and operators increasingly are meeting the challenge through the tendering process. For example, facility owners and operators are educating themselves to become more intimately aware of the strengths and weaknesses associated with various winter maintenance strategies. Through their procurement processes, facility owners and operators are being more explicit about the knowledge and practices employed by their contractors, demanding, for example, the use of liquids as opposed to granular salts to address slip and fall risks, and to markedly reduce the corrosion on infrastructure. Elkington’s triple bottom line encompassing profit, people, and planet (environment) is as applicable today as it was a quarter of a century Forago.many

years the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) is pleased to have supported all stakeholders with an interest in winter maintenance. SASC is a unique not-for-profit dedicated to protecting freshwater resources by developing and supporting best management practices (BMP’s) in winter maintenance. Working transnationally across Canada and the USA, SASC offers affordable awardwinning training online, by webinar, and in-person. The training programs are the foundation for recognized certification and verification efforts.

How big is the area you’ll need to clear? A contractor can’t be prepared without a good understanding of not only the lot size, but also the type of equipment and number of personnel that will be needed to expediently handle the job. What type of area will you need to clear? Does the property have curbs? Sidewalks? Parking areas? Simply clearing the main path won’t do it. Pulling snow away from the curbs and cleaning the area will prevent pedestrians from stepping through slush on their way to the sidewalk. Carefully cleaning areas around doorways will avoid a mess going in and slips and falls coming out.

After 44 years in the snow-removal business, Randy Strait could easily be considered an expert in getting rid of the white stuff. He owns Arctic Snow & Ice Control Inc. and has tackled everything from his own driveway to parking lots at some of the nation’s biggest businesses.

snowfall, coupled with strong winds, are bound to threaten cities across North America this coming winter, and people equipped to get rid of that snow remain in high demand. For safety and sanity, it’s imperative to get snow and ice off of traveled areas quickly and thoroughly. That’s easier said than done, though. A haphazard approach or partially completed job will create more problems than it solves in the long run. For that reason, contractors need to be thoroughly prepared.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preparing for snow removal,” says Strait. “The climate is changing and the times are changing, and you need to be ready for what Mother Nature may bring.” Strait recommends contractors – or those looking to get into the snow-removal business – answer a few questions to gauge their preparedness.

How to prepare for any snow event

Record-setting

How cold will it get? Ice can lead to slips and falls and, in turn, massive liability claims. Salt helps, but not if the temperatures plunge and make it ineffective. Make salt a non-factor on those frigid days by using a snow pusher that gets down to the asphalt. How quickly can you get to it? In the fight against snow, the adversary must be confronted head-on. Don’t let it get a lead on you. Remember, you’ll have to travel through less-thanideal conditions to get the job done, so the closer personnel and equipment can be to the jobsite and the faster they can respond, the better the outcome will be. In short, Strait recommends three key things for those attacking winter’s worst: provide outstanding customer service, be prepared for what Mother Nature will throw at you, and have depth in your resources, including equipment and personnel.  e Make salt a non-factor on those frigid days by using a snow pusher that gets down to the asphalt.

12 2022 | SNOW MANAGER Prepping for the POWDER

What’s the state of your snow-removal equipment? Is it made for snow removal or retrofitted? Even if it’s designed to handle snow, if it’s not tuned up and ready to go before a storm, you’ll be set back significantly. Ensure pre-use maintenance checks are complete so equipment is ready and waiting. Then, be proactive. Just as ambulances and police cars are faced out and ready to go in an emergency, so too should your snow-removal equipment.

Snolar Technologies evolved from a novel concept for removing snow from solar panels in 2015 to the leading solution provider for large solar farm owners and operators with the Snolar.

The Snolar makes it possible to clear sites in hours instead of days and has become a fixture at many solar farms.

evolved from a novel concept for removing snow from solar panels in 2015 to the leading solution provider for large solar farm owners and operators with the Snolar – the world’s only specialized solar panel snow removal machine.

As most innovations happen, the Snolar originated from an idea. Snolar Technologies president and founder, Peter Novotny kept hearing about problems of removing snow from solar panels. At the time there was limited equipment that only partially worked.

The Snolar makes it possible to clear sites in hours instead of days and has become a fixture at many solar farms. This winter, over 20 Snolars will operate across Ontario and the company sees significant growth Now,ahead.just as our roads are cleared of snow regularly each winter, so too are a growing number of solar farms – enabling solar power in our snowy regions.  e

With a colleague from the solar industry, Layne Kulchecki, the two started prototyping and testing what began as a home-made machine that “used heaps of duct tape”. With an almost overdose of perseverance, they succeeded at proving their concept and went on to secure financing, engineering, patents, and customers.

Have you ever driven past a large solar farm covered in snow and wondered, “does solar make any sense here?” Perhaps it didn’t, until one Canadian company’s solution helped show how solar power can and does make sense in snowy Snolarregions.Technologies

Snow is the number-one cause of power generation and revenue loss for large solar farms in snowy regions

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Enabling solar power in snowy regions

“Granted, you have to start somewhere, but I was sure there was a better way,” said Novotny.

Snolar Technologies began offering the Snolar in 2017 in its home market of Ontario and is setting out to serve key new markets.

Snow is the number-one cause of power generation and revenue loss for large solar farms in snowy regions.

– estimated at over $300 million in the next decade in Ontario, and well over $2 billion globally. The number of solar power plants in snowy regions has soared in the past decade and is forecasted to continue growing Snolarrapidly.Technologies began offering the Snolar in 2017 in its home market of Ontario and is setting out to serve key new markets, namely Alberta, the northern U.S. regions, and the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions in Japan.

“Our first customers proved there is demand, but we had to prove we had the solution,” Novotny recounts the early days. “We listened, we collaborated, and we worked and worked… we are grateful for all the support our customers have given us.”

In the case of steel, a corrosion cell will consist of steel, moisture, and

The answer is not as simple as it seems oxygen. Salt is not a part of that cell. The properties of chlorides however, lend themselves to exacerbating and accelerating corrosion due to their ability to attract and hold moisture. Chlorides in general are hygroscopic, meaning that they have a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. Chlorides are also incredibly difficult to remove. Washington State DOT issued a study citing requirements as high as 40,000 psi to mechanically remove chlorides from metal. (WA-RD 796.1 published March 2013). So, with chlorides being so difficult to remove and so adept at attracting moisture, the face of this problem starts to take shape. In order to prevent corrosion, moisture must be kept from sitting on the metal, as it is the moisture that allows the transfer of oxygen molecules to the metal, this is the process of oxidization, or what we see as red rust. How does someone then address this issue? Two things can and should be done by every fleet to help alleviate chloride-related corrosion. The first is proper cleaning. Proper cleaning is not accomplished by blasting equipment with a pressure washer and harsh degreasers. While it may help remove excess build ups of chlorides, the pressure washer does not have enough power to break the bond between chlorides and metal. So, while the intention is good, the end result is an insufficient cleaning and the potential to damage paint, electrical, and other sensitive areas of the equipment. This type of cleaning will only push dirt, moisture, and salt further into crevices of the vehicle. Proper cleaning will involve using a well-formulated chloride removal soap that will break the bond between the salt and metal, and allow the salt to be rinsed rather than blasted with a pressure washer. This should not be the last step in the wash process but

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Chlorides causing corrosion?

Does salt cause corrosion? An interesting question. We all see the effects of corrosion on our equipment, especially salt spreaders, brine spreaders, and road clearing machinery. So clearly the answer is yes. However, the answer is not as simple as that. If one were to add perfectly dry rock salt to a perfectly dry piece of steel in a perfectly dry environment, that salt would not make the steel rust. So, does salt cause corrosion? More accurate than saying yes or no, it can be said that salt (including all of the chloride-based ice control liquids) does not cause rust, but can make the problem much worse very quickly. Why is this the case?

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In order for corrosion to take place, just a few elements are necessary.

BEFORE AFTER

Before After

The issue of chlorides and their negative impact on equipment maintenance is a challenging one and it is easy to get distracted from the main issue. The main issue is moisture and moisture in places it doesn’t belong. Consider a two-step approach of proper cleaning procedures and well-formulated corrosion inhibitors to help ease the pain of chloriderelated corrosion. While salt doesn’t necessarily cause rust, it sure doesn’t help. A proper maintenance plan sure can. e

instead, the soap should do the work of separating chloride from metal and the pressure washer is simply used to rinse. A product called Salt Eliminator manufactured by Krown Rust Control is one such product. The second way to help address chloride-related corrosion is to use a corrosion control product designed to penetrate and displace moisture. The product used must have the ability to remain active on the metal and continue to work at displacing moisture. Some customers favour

a heavy tar or wax-type product to try to prevent corrosion. It is worth asking, if paint has not been effective at preventing corrosion in the existing application, would an inferior coating, such as wax or tar, be a better alternative? Clearly not. Notably, no petroleum solvent-based product should ever be used on painted surfaces, plastics, rubber, or electrical components. Here again Krown Rust Control manufactures a product that meets these high standards.

The soap should do the work of separating chloride from metal and the pressure washer is simply used to rinse. A product called Salt Eliminator manufactured by Krown Rust Control is one such product. Seen here is a before and after using Salt Eliminator. Another way to help address chloride-related corrosion is to use a corrosion control product designed to penetrate and displace moisture.

Before After

BEFORE AFTER

15SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Customizable, cost-efficient, and corrosion-resistant: the optimal combination for a reliable building solution, engineered to combat tough weather conditions. Fabric structures are increasingly versatile and durable, offering longlasting protection from even the harshest environments and corrosive materials – such as salt or fertilizer. With shorter installation timeframes and lower maintenance costs overall, fabric structures offer a higher return on investment compared to traditional wooden or metal structures.

Built to weather bad weather In regions with harsh winter climates, buildings must be crafted to withstand salt’s corrosive properties, which

The Town of Massachusetts’Middleborough,Departmentof Public Works (DPW) turned to Calhoun to build a new side entrance for their pre-existing facility. This entrance needed to withstand harsh winter conditions, yet also fit their standing facility’s modern design and colours, as well as its foundation specifications. Situated on a hill with heavy snow buildup, Calhoun’s VP fabric structure proved most operative to their needs – featuring a dormer design above the HT Series 72x80 and CC Series 42x80.

proprietary 3D Finite Element Analysis (3D FEA), Calhoun identifies the right fabric that is specific to the building’s design, environment, and function. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics are both quality, sustainable options – as natural light shines through, reducing energy costs from artificial lighting.

Withstand harsh winters with innovative fabric structures

present a threat to a building’s metal or steel elements. Calhoun Super Structure incorporates hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) steel frameworks and stainless-steel cables into each of its buildings to prevent the rust, pitting, and damage that traditional structures often endure. With HDG, fabricated steel trusses are fully immersed into a bath of molten zinc. The zinc forms a superior, thick coating – down to the smallest crack and crevice – to resist deterioration from salt’s harsh properties. Not only can fabric structures prevent corrosion from salt during the winter, they can also be tailored to survive intense winter winds, snow, and ice. Via open-webbed steel trusses, fabric structures’ frameworks can prevent any uplift from intense wind conditions. Also, through the business’

By Deanna Hope, Director of Marketing, Calhoun Super Structure

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17SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca VP Series 70x104. entrance to divert heavy snowfall from accumulating and causing structural damage. Customized and customer centric Fabric structures can be fully customized to accommodate specific locations, dimensions, and operational needs. Innovative fabrics structures can be designed with tailored heights and a free-span interior to maximize clearance for trucks, machinery, and workers on-site. HDG trusses can also be engineered to hang certain equipment from above, to boost usable space. Fabric structures are not only customizable, but they are also carefully crafted for increased durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency. When it comes to protection against difficult winters and corrosion from salt, fabric structures are unparalleled. Business owners should collaborate with a trusted fabric structure engineer to ensure their building solution offers a high return on investment and is successfully built to last. About the company As a pioneer in the fabric structure industry, Calhoun Super Structure has spent 30 years producing the strongest, safest, and most reliable series of structures on the market. Calhoun values the strength of your structure, longevity of your investment, and an extended warranty. Calhoun’s highly trained engineers and designers have advanced expertise in delivering customized, reliable structures to protect your valuable assets. Visit calhounsuperstructure.com for more information. e VP series 105x60 and 80x40.

During the following winter of 2018, Benson achieved his

On the right track Yardworx Outdoor Services has success implementing Hilltip HTrack technology

The data from each application is not only recorded, but it is also transmitted to an online user interface in real time, thanks to twoway GPRS communication. goal by hiring a full-time employee, plus seven or eight other drivers who helped plow snow during each storm. But he didn’t stop there, as Yardworx hired full-time lawn crews that next summer and continued growing each year.

As the company grew, so did the need for more sophisticated technology to coordinate crews and maximize efficiency. Benson had invested in specialized snow management software to help manage operations, but then came across an additional equipment solution through conversations with a sales representative at Twin Star Truck Equipment, his dealer in Clearwater, Minnesota.

“I was discussing salters with my sales guy, Bob, because we needed additional units for use on our bigger trucks,” said Benson. “That’s when Hilltip’s HTrack system came up. I learned how Hilltip spreaders equipped with HTrack could be controlled from a web application and that got me Thehooked.”HTrack system, which comes standard on all Hilltip

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Coordinating snow and ice management crews during a winter event is no easy task. That’s certainly true for a company like Yardworx Outdoor Services, which grew from only a part-time gig in 2017 to a large full-service company employing 35 people, plus subcontractors, during the winter of 2021-2022. Technology has played an important role in the company’s success, helping manage this many workers while providing a superior level of service, and one tracking system in particular has especially proven to be worth its salt. Based in Rogers, Minnesota, Yardworx serves the northern metro area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, including more than 20 suburbs. In addition to snow and ice management, Yardworx provides complete grounds maintenance and landscaping services to commercial, HOA, and residential “Thisclients.was initially a part-time venture,” said Luke Benson, Yardworx owner, who was the sole proprietor of another business franchise at the time, but dreamed of building a company based around a team of industry veterans to bring new ideas to the market.

“We have been able to pull reports with maps and time stamps to provide to insurance companies for slip-andfall incidents, which has been very helpful in protecting Yardworx and our clients,” said Benson. “In fact, we can use it in conjunction with the GPS tracking capabilities of our snow management software to show two forms of maps and time stamps of when and where our trucks were driven.”

19SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca spreaders and sprayers, allows winter service professionals to track and manage all their Hilltip equipment via the web. This technology can be used to help minimize environmental impacts, track expenses, document services, and more. Utilizing a GPRS two-way control system, the system brings a new level of precision and automation to the snow and ice management industry through its unique remote control and tracking capabilities. After conducting further research on the technology, Benson eventually purchased two 3.3-cubic-yard, stainless-steel spreaders with the HTrack system. Immediately, he was impressed by the precision capabilities compared with other spreaders Yardworx had used.

By improving the accuracy of his deicer applications, Benson has saved a substantial amount of money on material. He said, “We’re covering a lot more square footage with less material. The technology has paid for itself 100 per Anothercent.” one of Benson’s favorite capabilities is geo-fencing. This feature allows him to remotely create work sites with pre-set application rates for each client. Then, when a driver pulls into the work site, the controller uses GPS positioning to recognize it has arrived at the specific property and loads the correct pre-set material rate. The controller alerts the driver upon arrival on site and provides the option to start treating the area.

The only challenge in implementing the system has been the setup. However, for Benson it’s a small price to pay for the ability to geo-fence work sites and set application rates from the office. “It’s well worth the time,” he said. “It’s been a learning curve, and there is a lot of back-end setup, but that’s true with anything that’s worthwhile.”

The data from each application is not only recorded, but it is also transmitted to an online user interface in real time, thanks to two-way GPRS communication. That means Benson can view the route details of his equipment, including speed, GPS location, and material used. Because it is web based, the information can be monitored on any device available at the time, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.

“All a guy has to do is roll into the property, push the button on the screen and drive around,” said Benson. “When he pulls out of the jobsite, it automatically shuts off. It’s very user friendly for the operator.”

“Before, we would just set our controller dials at the number five and then drive at a set speed,” said Benson.

The documentation provided by HTrack has also proved extremely handy for Yardworx. Not only does it accurately show the amount of material spread on each site, but it also reports all the data needed to validate a site was treated according to service agreements.

“Even though we would calibrate the spreaders, it still wasn’t accurate. It was just a guess. Now, with the HTrack controller, we’re able to apply deicer much more accurately. If I set the controller for 11 pounds per thousand square feet, then that’s what gets applied.”

In fact, Benson plans to implement the technology throughout his winter maintenance equipment fleet. “We’ve already ordered two more Hilltip spreaders,” he said. “We’re going to sell our other salters, and we’ll be 100 per cent Hilltip by next fall. We wouldn’t do that if we weren’t convinced by the technology.” e The HTrack system, which comes standard on all Hilltip spreaders and sprayers, allows winter service professionals to track and manage all their Hilltip equipment via the web.

Admittedly, Yardworx doesn’t use the HTrack system to its full potential. Benson plans to take advantage of more features in the future, especially hoping to integrate it with his snow management software. He said, “HTrack has a lot of capabilities, and we’re not using it nearly to where we should be.”

I f ever there was a good use for the expression, “Well it’s not rocket science” it is when it is used in reference to snow removal. You’ve got to move the snow from point A to point B. Anybody can do that, right? But wait, how long did it take you? Answering that simple question is all that matters in commercial snow removal. To succeed as a contractor you want speed, speed, and more Workingspeed! for the family business in the year 2005, Michael F. Stephan’s father was selling more and more year-round landscape maintenance contracts for multi-family homeowner associations. This meant that the

family business had to quickly figure out how to plow over 500 driveways, something they hadn’t done before, and it wasn’t pretty. Like everybody else, they started out with a pickup truck. It didn’t take Stephan long to declare emphatically that there’s got to be a better way. Trucks were clumsy, they didn’t stack or relocate snow, and all that neck strain from backing up was murder. The next plan was to use a skid steer with a bucket and finally with a hydraulic angle blade. These were improvements, but Stephan still wasn’t happy. By this time, snow pushers or containment plows were becoming popular. You could back drag the snow off of the driveway with the blade and then relocate and stack it elsewhere with the pusher. This also meant bringing two skid steers with operators, one with a blade and one with a pusher. Or it meant hauling both implements to the site and repeatedly getting out of the cab to switch between blading and pushing. Neither method was ideal and that is when the wheels began to turn. If only there was an implement that could do both, blading and pushing, without getting out of the machine. And then the light came on! Since age 10, Stephan would go

20 2022 | SNOW MANAGER

Blessings out of brokenness, even in snow removal?

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hunting in the alley behind his house in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His prey was broken-down lawn mowers, washing machines, TVs, and any other item discarded by the neighbours that showed potential as becoming part of a new invention. Much to his parents chagrin, the treasures all ended up in the family garage, backyard, or wherever, all awaiting Stephan’s inventive eye. His parents’ patience paid off, however, and through his tinkering Stephan learned many lessons about how things work and what makes them go. Another part of his background that worked in his favour was the fact that he was home schooled throughout all 12 grades. The schedule allowed significant free time during which Stephan taught himself CAD drawing and even welding under the tutelage of one of his father’s technicians. Hence the remarkable invention of the Kage Snowfire system was made possible by the application of Stephan’s God-given gifts, which were then allowed to germinate in the learning-through-discovery plan laid out by his mother at home… and with a little help from the neighbourhood Stephan’sjunk! idea for this new implement was unique and revolutionary – a box or frame that hooks onto the angle blade enabling one to switch backand-forth between snow blading and containment plowing without leaving the cab. The end result had to be simple, durable, and affordable. Reviews from contractors all across America rave about how this remarkable invention has improved their productivity and made their lives in the snow removal business Stephan’seasier. main goal for the future is to continue to invent new equipment and procedures that will improve the productivity of the landscape and snow removal industries. To that end, Stephan employs an in-house R&D staff and he maintains R&D partnerships throughout the industry, all to aid him in this quest to “find a better way”. e His prey was broken-down lawn mowers, washing machines, TVs, and any other item discarded by the neighbours that showed potential as becoming part of a new invention.

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On the other end of the spectrum, the Yeti enterprise system also handles clients with over 2,000 sites needs affordably. The system is scalable and adaptable for any commercial “Weoperation.setout to create a solution for our own snow and ice management business. It worked so well, that we could not resist sharing it with others,” says Spielman. “We love hearing from clients that Yeti has helped them grow their business, become more profitable, and get some welldeserved sleep!” e

Bringing together industry experience, a top-notch development team, and a vision has resulted in an excellent solution for not only the founder’s snow and ice management business, but also for snow and ice management contractors worldwide.

Yeti is continuously striving to improve, in fact the Yeti mobile app is now multilingual (Spanish, French, and Portuguese), a recent improvement due to popular user Yetidemand.software is an intuitive desktop and mobile system for professional snow and ice management contractors and enterprises. During the preseason, Yeti will help you manage and set up client contracts, sites, routes, equipment, crews, and sub-contractors. Then when the first event hits, provide a reliable real-time dashboard and become the communications hub. This gives your operations and dispatch centre the tools to eliminate the chaos, communicate with and effectively manage crews, and ensure every job is completed safely and according to Sleepplan. deprivation is a well-known symptom of working in the snow and ice management industry, and Yeti can even be relied on to help alleviate this.

There’s a growing trend in the industry, for small to large snow and ice contractors, to get control by adopting Yeti software to manage entire snow operations. When the founder of Yeti, Kevin Spielman, took over the daunting job of managing a Western Canadian snow contracting business some years ago, he immediately knew that he needed robust software to manage the complexities of the business efficiently. Unable to find exactly what he needed on the market, he set out to build Yeti.

23SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Run your snow business on Yeti and see profits skyrocket

Post-event management is made fast and efficient with detailed reporting and a data export to QuickBooks Online to manage invoicing and payroll. And no, there is never a

holdup waiting for sub-contractors to provide their records because Yeti is available to them too, at no additional cost, so you have immediate access and can close up every event

Perhapssmoothly.best of all, Yeti provides site reports with photos for your records. It can send the same detailed reports directly to clients, providing peace of mind for everyone and ensuring you’re able to prove and be paid for per-occurrence services. If there’s a liability claim, all bases are covered.

Surprisingly, Yeti is priced fairly while giving you the ability to have unlimited users forever, so, you won’t pay for users that are not working most of the time. Yeti allows you to get everyone on the platform and pay based on the sites you manage. For only $31.50 US per month for up to 25 sites, it’s affordable for even startups.

As you gear up this year for another busy winter season, you no doubt have a number of goals in mind to make this season your best ever. Your list might include improved efficiency, better communication with teams on the road and clients, improved sub-contractor management, reduced liability risks, and last but certainly not least, becoming more profitable. What if you could make just one simple and affordable change to your business and achieve all these goals?

For more information, visit yetisnow.com or www.yetisnow.com/book-a-demo.

Yeti software is an intuitive desktop and mobile system for professional snow and ice management contractors and enterprises.

Vohl: A Canadian snow blower manufacturer pioneer

It all started in 1918. Adrien Vohl acquired a forge shop and practiced his trade as a blacksmith; shoeing horses, repairing animal-drawn carriages, etc. Very quickly, with the development of the stone sector, he was called upon to carry out repair work on the heavy machinery of the main companies working in this industry. The company grew and its reputation spread little by little with the obtaining of new contracts: repair of agricultural and industrial machinery from all over Quebec, and custom manufacturing of specialized machinery such as stone saws and conveyors. In 1950, Vohl launched the first snowblower.

The Vohl tractor-mounted snowblower has undergone several modifications over time and different models are available.

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After the Second World War, car traffic during the winter became widespread and required rigorous maintenance of public roads. In 1950, Vohl launched the first snowblower. The machine was a great success and other machines would follow over the years. The tractor-mounted snowblower has undergone several modifications over time and different models are available (DV-0904, DV-1104 and DV-4000). The machines are sold to contractors, cities, transport ministries, and national defense. They are found throughout Canada and the northern United States. In 1968, the company put on the market a forestry transporter on tracks, which will be sold more than 400 times during the 1970s. The clear cut appearance of larger machines ensured that sales will increase thereafter for this type of vehicle. Nevertheless, about four to five machines per year are still built at the factory. In 1983, the company built its first model airport runway sweeper. Now available in three models, this truck-towed machine can sweep and blow snowy or soggy airport surfaces. Customers are Canada’s airports regulated by the federal Department of Transportation. In 2015, the third generation of the family business continued to innovate by introducing new high-quality snow removal products adapted to today’s markets. Despite the successes in the manufacturing of heavy machinery, the company has never ceased to perform subcontracting in machining and mechanical welding on behalf of various companies in the mining, forestry, agricultural, aluminum, pulp and paper, chemicals, transportation and hydroelectricity in the Quebec and Mauric ie regions.

In addition, the company operates a point of sale specializing in mechanical and hydraulic parts for the industrial market. A large inventory and excellent prices explain the reputation of the hardware store, which is part of three divisions they have, in addition to a machine shop and snow blower manufacturer. e

25SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Quality,PerformanceDurability, 877-901-3527 (toll free)

This winter RIDE THE EDGE with HLA Snow.

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