Snow Manager Issue #2 2016

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

Sure-Footed Protection

Safeguarding yourself from insurance claims From Full to Empty How winter affects your gas mileage

Climbing the Social Media Ladder Mix and mingle with your customers online

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!

We’ve united

to bring you the future of work truck systems

And it’s going to offer you more.

Two names you know and trust for work truck electronic controls and hydraulic components, Certified Power Solutions and Cirus Controls, are now combined to bring you more:

Plus you can continue to count on us for the products, support and local service we’ve delivered for over 35 years.

• More electronic controls technology • More hydraulics systems choices • More innovative telematics and data management systems for maximizing fleet performance year-round

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www.certifiedcirus.com ©2016 Certified Cirus Control Systems

TABLE OF CONTENTS Sure-Footed Protection

Safeguarding yourself from insurance claims

6 10

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

14

President David Langstaff

Climbing the Social Media Ladder

Mix and mingle with your customers online From Full to Empty

How winter affects your gas mileage Winter Planning

Be ready for any snow event

16

Publisher Jason Stefanik

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Managing Editor Carly Peters carlypeters@mts.net

The Mind Matters

Putting the “health” back in mental health Measure What You Manage

Using data snow and ice control fleet managers achieve multiple goals

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE 24

A Clear Choice

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

26

Demand Quality

Bonnell Industries, Inc.’s Commander Series multi-purpose bodies

28

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Cover Photo courtesy of Randy Strait, Arctic Snow and Ice Products / Sectional Sno-Pusher.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Arctic Snow & Ice Control Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Bonnell Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cirus Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Cubex Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Degelman Industries Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 DEL Equipment Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC FallLine Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Henderson Products, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Henke Manufacturing Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Horst Welding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 4

Production services provided by S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com Art Director Kathy Cable Layout Dana Jensen Advertising Art Sheri Kidd

EZ-Launch™

Ariens is first in the industry with EFI technology available for snow products

Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki Jennifer Hebert Gladwyn Nickel Magazine Consultant Gladwyn Nickel

Add a Little Salt

NSC Minerals offers three lines of rock salt to keep businesses and homes safe

Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398

John Deere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Kleysen Group LP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Machinability Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 MacLean Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 MK Martin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 NSC Minerals Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC Reist Industries Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rhomar Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Snow Wheel System Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Viking Cives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Subscription information available.

Please contact DEL Communications Inc. Two issues for $12.00 © 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 7/2016

ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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Sure-Footed Protection

Safeguarding yourself from insurance claims

By Lea Currie

W

hen snow and ice are the norm for nearly half the year, it’s no wonder slips and falls are one of the most common injuries throughout Canada and the U.S. A major reason why most companies and households employ regular snow removal services is to prevent such instances from occurring in the first place. But they’re also transferring liability from themselves to you. When employing your company, clients are asking you to accept a level of risk and responsibility for their property.

Thankfully you don’t have to accept that responsibility without a safety net. To protect you and your company’s own interests, commercial insurance allows you to pass along the risk one step further. It goes without saying that insurance is a must, especially in such a volatile industry, but when a simple slip and fall on an icy sidewalk or a dangerous collision on snow-covered roads can lead to major injury or death, lawsuits and energy-zapping insurance claims, it’s smart to take steps to mitigate your risk further.

To secure sure-footing for yourself and your clients, Bruce Saunders, commercial marketing manager with Garriock Insurance in Winnipeg, Manitoba, offers some straightforward steps:

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Have open communication with clients During the initial conversation with potential or new clients, make sure to ask questions to ensure a better understanding of their needs and wants, such as if they’ve had issues in the past with other snow removal professionals, areas of immediate concern and how many slips and falls have occurred on their property.

Likewise, communicate openly about what you can and will do, and your response plan. Many problems arise when clients have a certain expectation that is not met, often due to lack of communication.

Sign a contract with every customer Big or small, it’s imperative you have a valid and up-to-date contract with each and every customer you service. This guarantees there is no question as to what your company is and is not responsible for, as well as any issues around service timelines (how quickly you’ll attend to a property, how often, and certain days you will not provide service, such as major holidays). There are many snow removal contract templates online to get you started, or talk to a lawyer to help you prepare a contract, especially for larger clients.

ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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Snow Throwers

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

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Keep a record log Keep a detailed record log that outlines what time you were at each client location, what time you left, and which services were performed, from clearing snow and ice to sanding or salting. This ensures that if, for example, you cleared a property at 7 a.m. and warmer weather caused melting later in the day ultimately leading to a slip and fall, you are able to confirm that you had been there earlier and cannot be held responsible. However, if you had not been there recently, you could be held liable if you’re found negligent.

In court, paper records may not always hold up, so using GPS to track equipment and staff will serve to safeguard you and augment your record book. Taking photos with time stamps after properties have been cleared can also be to your benefit.

Ensure adequate staff training and certification When clearing snow and ice, any damage to a client’s property could be your responsibility. Nothing can stop every accident from happening – that’s why they’re called accidents after all, but adequately training your employees will reduce the potential for damage to external properties and your fleet. Plus, it goes without saying that staff should have a commercial heavy equipment certification when dealing with larger pieces of equipment.

Protect employees with worker’s compensation If an employee is injured on the job, they could be left without

wages or the company could be paying double the compensation to cover the absent employee. Not to mention lost productivity, time spent scrambling to find someone to fill the gaps and – worst case scenario – potential grievances from the injured individual. Worker’s compensation benefits both parties by covering lost wages and offering healthcare services, while protecting you from potential lawsuits.

Don’t toss those receipts You know to keep receipts for tax purposes, but in the event of a claim, having a receipt can make a difference in how much you are covered on equipment cost. If a piece of equipment is new (within five years of purchase), you’re able to get replacement value (the actual cost to buy new), versus the actual cash value (what the item is worth when you factor in age) with a bill of sale.

Be honest with your insurance broker To ensure your company and equipment are protected, it’s critical that you disclose everything to your insurance broker.

Maybe you’ve purchased a new plow or have increased your clientele (and therefore increased your liability); it may seem like a regular part of doing business, but it could change your coverage limits. If you don’t disclose that information upfront, your company may not be fully protected and should something happen, you could be on the financial hook. ❆

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ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

SNOW WHEEL SYSTEM

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

Climbing the Social Media Ladder Mix and mingle with your customers online

By Lea Currie

S

ocial networking sites have been around for over 20 years; Classmates, one of the earliest social media sites, was launched in 1995. Interactions via computer gained in popularity as PCs became commonplace in households. Since then, there has been no shortage of social networking sites, with MySpace launching in 2003, and Facebook shortly behind it in 2004. According to Wikipedia, there are over 200 different social networking sites around the world, ranging from those with a general focus and audience, such as Twitter, to the extremely niche, like Epernicus, a place for research scientists, or even those only available in certain countries, like the UK-based Friends Reunited.

It’s increasingly evident that companies dare not ignore social media. People are spending hours a day on social media websites. It has displaced traditional media, such as television, radio and newspaper, become the new way to advertise, and is now a primary form of communication. As a business, if you’re not on social media, you could be losing out on potential prospects and relationship-building opportunities with current clientele.

“Social media humanizes your brand, it puts a face and personality behind your brand,” says Susie Erjavec Parker, owner of Sparker Strategy Group, a Winnipeg-based social media and public relations agency.

But with so many social media platforms, it can be hard to navigate through the sites and determine where you should be to attract and retain customers. The key is to figure out where your core customers are and be there too.

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“With small business owners, you have to focus your attention on what can get you the most bang for your buck,” says Erjavec Parker. “Pick one social media platform that you’re comfortable with and rock it out on that social network. You don’t have to be everywhere, but where you are going to be, focus and really specialize in that area then.”

It’s crucial to remember that your social media page is not about you or your business, it’s about what you can do for your customers. Erjavec Parker compares it to a cocktail party – you don’t want to stand beside the person talking only about themselves. You want to hear what’s important to the other person. You want to ask them what’s happening in their lives and how you can help them. That other person is your customer, so listen to what your customers are telling you and find ways to weave a brand story around those needs; solve problems for your customers; tell them stories; offer coupons or promotions; give them new information.

Now, more than ever, social media is also becoming the preferred advertising medium in most every industry, from big name brands to mom-and-pop shops. The general public’s belief in traditional advertising (i.e. television, radio, or print) is decreasing, and peer-to-peer recommendations are becoming the norm thanks to social media.

“If you and I are friends, and I recommend a snow clearing company to you versus you seeing an ad on television, you’re more likely to feel comfortable taking my personal recommendation because you

know me and you trust my recommendation,” says Erjavec Parker. Building relationships with your existing customers on social media can help to increase those personal recommendations, thus expanding your clientele.

To help get you started or even if you’re already out there, Erjavec Parker offers tips and suggestions on each of the main social media sites. Find out which platforms are a must, those that are nice to haves and which you can skip altogether.

Regardless of which sites you are on though, Erjavec Parker says “don’t waste any more time.”

“The platforms and networks may change, but social is here to stay. Facebook might not be around forever, but the social aspect of communicating with your customers in real time is only going to get bigger.”

And as any good business owner or manager knows, you don’t get successful by ignoring opportunities to get to your customers.

Facebook Why you should use it – Facebook is today’s Yellow Pages according to Erjavec Parker. “It’s the must-be smart place for a business to have a presence.

Nineteen million Canadians log on to Facebook every month. To have a Facebook page for your business is just smart.”

Typical user – Facebook is now reaching a slightly older demographic than its early days as a college website. Think Generation X and older, with more and ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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more older adults coming onboard.

What to post – Most anything can go on Facebook, but you want to post things that your customers or prospects will find helpful or interesting. It could be celebrating an award or welcoming a new team member or talking about a new piece of equipment that is helping to speed things up.

Useful tip – Use your personal profile to promote your business. Don’t be afraid to share posts from your business profile to your own, but don’t go too crazy. You want to keep those close to you informed without feeling like you’re selling 24/7.

Final call – If you’re not already on Facebook, you need to get on it. Now. “There is zero excuse as to why you’re not on Facebook in 2016,” says Erjavec Parker.

Instagram Why you should use it – While this platform still seems new, it has been around for six years. It lets you show what your company does and how you do things differently by telling your brand story

with images and videos. Because sometimes a simple post is not enough in our meme-crazy, cat video-loving world.

Typical user – Maybe it’s the visual aspect or the slightly higher learning curve with photo filters, but Instagram brings in a youthful demographic (millennials and younger).

What to post – Images or short (think 15 seconds) videos that showcase your company and industry. For example, take a quick video of a property that you just cleared to show the jobs you can handle, or post a fun image of the before and after a snow storm.

Useful tip – Don’t oversaturate your account with a purely business focus. Include a mix of fun images that still pertain to your business, such as employees partaking in a company lunch or having fun on the job.

Final call – Instagram is seeing some significant growth and it’s a great way to reach a younger audience if that’s what you’re after.

Twitter Why you should use it – Twitter is a great place to be, just to listen to what’s

happening in the world around you.

Simply having a presence here will provide an account for your business to be tagged or mentioned by others, including customers, local companies or even family and friends who may recommend you to their own network.

Typical user – Similar to Facebook, Twitter typically sees those in Generation X using the platform, but unlike its competitor, it doesn’t tend to get the older audience.

Useful tip – You can set up your Instagram and/or Facebook feeds to post on Twitter, so even if you don’t want to stay active on Twitter, your account won’t look vacant.

Final call – If you can’t be everywhere, Twitter is one you don’t need to be actively involved with, but you should set up an account for the tag factor.

Snapchat Why you should use it – Snapchat wasn’t even on the radar last year and now it’s everywhere. It won’t be long until the typical business is using it. It’s primarily used to send videos or photos to

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ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

followers or broadcast messages out to the world. It’s rise to popularity can be attributed to the unique fact that a “snap” will disappear after it’s been seen. You can also post a “story” that can be viewed multiple times over 24 hours.

Typical user – Young (millennials or anyone under 35), but expanding every day.

Useful tip – Snapchat is great for a behindthe-scenes look or showing demos.

Final call – If you’re new to social media, skip it – for now. Start off simple with Facebook or Instagram, as Snapchat is not as intuitive as the older platforms.

But with the growth Snapchat is seeing, it wouldn’t hurt to get a personal account so you can better understand it and find out if it is the right fit for your company in the near future.

offerings, introducing new staff, telling brand stories, or highlighting how you’re giving back to the community. The later can boost your exposure more so than even advertising due to the chance of it going viral. While Snapchat and Periscope (through Twitter) are similar offerings, Erjavec Parker predicts that Facebook Live “will crush the competitors.”

ChatBot Not a social media network, but it will become a major element of customer service. ChatBot or ChatterBot is a computer program that can conduct conversations online. Their sophisticated systems can scan a customer’s

suming for a business to keep their channel current, says Erjavec Parker. It’s also being punished by Facebook as it wants you to upload your video directly to their site, rather than YouTube, which is a third party site. (Facebook does not promote third party links, so the likelihood of your video being seen will decrease.) Instead, she recommends posting videos directly to Facebook. Or if you must use YouTube, post a short teaser of the video on Facebook and include a link to the full video in the comments.

Facebook Advertising Organic reach – reaching people outside your immediate net of Facebook followers – can be challenging

LinkedIn Why you should use it – LinkedIn is a business-oriented social media platform. It’s primarily used for businessto-business connections or researching companies or people. You can use it to join like-minded or local groups to network, generate new leads, attract new employees, and connect with industry professionals.

Typical user – Working-age adults or college graduates.

Useful tip – It’s not a requirement, but publishing posts or sharing articles, photos or videos is a great way to stay top-of-mind.

Final call – It’s a must for connecting with local business owners, who may include current customers or prospective leads.

You’re not likely to be able to search out these people on other platforms like you can with LinkedIn, explains Erjavec Parker. For example, you could find the owner of several local Tim Horton’s franchises and pitch your services. You should set up a personal profile, as well as a company page.

Notable mentions: Facebook Live It’s still new, even by social media standards, but Facebook Live, which allows you to post live videos, is going to be huge, says Erjavec Parker. There’s tons of opportunity to get in early and use this live feature with sneak peeks, showcasing new SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

nowadays with so many businesses vying for space and attention. To combat this, don’t be afraid to buy ads on Facebook to get more reach. The social media giant has a great system

question for keywords and then offer a suitable reply. Facebook is testing ChatBots on select pages with the ultimate goal being to keep people on the social media network. If you can chat, shop and get help on Facebook, you’ll never have to leave, and that’s Facebook’s mission.

Not-so-notable mentions: Google+ Google+ is past its prime (if it ever really had one) but if you have an established presence, and it’s still working for you, keep at it. Don’t go building a new presence on this particular platform though.

YouTube YouTube is great, but it is very time con-

built for targeting audiences based on key parameters. Even for smaller businesses without a huge marketing budget, Facebook advertising is fairly inexpensive and easy to use.

“It’s a pretty low barrier to entry in terms of how much you have to spend to get good results,” says Erjavec Parker. The social media expert also recommends Google AdWords as an inexpensive, easyto-use foray into online advertising. ❆ You can reach Susie Erjavec Parker at www.sparkerstrategy.ca.

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From Full to Empty How winter affects your gas mileage

By Katie Roell, BOSS Snowplow

C

old weather and snowy driving conditions can reduce your fuel economy in more ways than you might expect. For snow plow drivers, fuel for the vehicle is a necessary business expense that is taken into account every season. You may not be able to completely mitigate cold weather’s effect on your fuel economy, but increased awareness of conditions affecting it can help you make simple changes to improve your fuel efficiency.

Snow plow When mounting a snow plow, additional weight is added to the front end of the vehicle. The additional weight added does not go unnoticed. Additional weight lowers the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Between snow events and when winter is over, make sure to remove the snow plow from your vehicle. Carrying around the extra weight when it is not needed will cause you to pay the price at the pump.

The more devices you add to a vehicle, the more power you consume, the more power you consume, the lower the gas mileage. BOSS Snowplow is conscious of power consumption when designing new products. A perfect example of this is the development of the new BOSS SL3 (LED) headlights, which consume less power than the SL2 (Halogen) headlights. In the long run, the SL3 headlights will serve you and your fuel efficiency well throughout the winter months.

gives your vehicle better traction. While ballast is needed and important, it does affect your gas mileage negatively. Be sure to remove the additional weight during good weather when it is not needed.

Type of snow Wet, slick snow creates slippery roads. When the roads are slick, safe driving speeds can be lower than normal, further reducing fuel economy, especially at speeds below 30 to 40 miles per hour. Four-wheel drive is most often used during the winter months. That too, uses more fuel.

Temperature The past couple of winters have brought extremely cold temperatures. Colder air is denser, increasing aerodynamic drag on your vehicle, especially at highway speeds. Engine and transmission friction also increases in cold temperature due to cold engine oil and other drive-line fluids. There’s no getting around the colder temperatures, but you can park your vehicle in a garage to increase the initial temperature of your engine.

Remote starters have encouraged the trend of warming up your vehicle before you start your trip. It takes longer for your engine to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature in cold temperatures and sitting idle doesn’t help. Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds of idling. Minimizing idling time can improve fuel economy in the cold weather.

Winter tires Icy or snow-covered roads decrease your tires’ grip on the road, wasting energy. Winter tires are specifically designed to handle winter driving conditions. Made with tread rubber that maintains flexibility in low temperatures, winter tires provide additional grip in icy, snowy, and slushy conditions. All season and summer tires are made for warm climates and designed to withstand heat generated on the road. In the winter, all-season tires are unable to provide optimal traction. The lack of traction and additional energy required to grip the road decreases the fuel economy of your vehicle. Winter tires are a great addition to your vehicle for your gas mileage and safety.

How to improve fuel economy in cold weather

Ballast

Here are six actions the U.S. Department of Energy suggests to help your gas mileage in cold weather.

▪ Park your car in a warmer place, such as your garage to increase the initial temperature of your engine.

▪ Combine trips when possible so that you drive less with a cold engine.

▪ Minimize idling your car to warm it up. Drive off gently after about 30 seconds.

▪ Check your tire pressure regularly.

▪ Don’t use seat warmers or defrosters more than necessary.

▪ Remove accessories that increase wind resistance, like roof racks, when not in use.

Ballast by definition is a heavy material carried temporarily to provide stability. Snow plows add additional weight to the front end of the vehicle. As such, it is sometimes necessary to counterbalance that weight by adding ballast. Adding ballast also

These simple changes can make a big difference when it comes to your fuel efficiency. Awareness of best practices for optimal fuel efficiency will serve you well in the cold winter months. ❆

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ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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Winter Planning Be ready for any snow event

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

A

s most know too well, Mother Nature can drop a foot of snow and ice over the ground with a snap of her fingers, transforming fall right into winter.

Snow removal contractors are the first line of defence for removing snow and ice and must be focused when the first storm hits.

Their equipment should fire on all cylinders and be ready to go in a moment’s notice.

To do that, contractors need to properly prepare for the winter months prior to the first snowfall. Evaluating each aspect of an operation will help contractors reduce liability, increase removal efficiency and contribute to a profitable season.

Strategize with size To clear each unique property well, snow contractors must consider several factors before ever arriving on site.

First, contractors should evaluate their accounts’ property sizes. Property size dictates the type of equipment used, as well as the amount of machines and operators needed to complete the job. When estimating equipment needs, think twice before rushing out to buy new machines just to suit a new client’s lot. Overstocking equipment wastes money and resources, especially when snow contractors can use the snow pushers they already own.

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Photos courtesy of Randy Strait, Arctic Snow and Ice Products / Sectional Sno-Pusher.

When considering the size of the property, also consider the size of the snow pusher. Using the largest snow pusher doesn’t always make it the best for the job. For example, a snow contractor with a 19-foot loader-mounted pusher should opt for a 10-foot skid-steer snow pusher to properly handle a mid-size supermarket parking lot. Ideal for clearing narrow parking aisles and handicapped parking spaces, the 10-foot skid-steer pusher can clear snow and ice during the day with traffic present — a common occurrence when people scramble for supplies to ride out the storm.

Many contractors with containment plows, also known as box plows, use a formula based on acres and pushing capacity to determine productivity ahead of time.

For example, a 10-foot containment plow with a pushing capacity of 13 yards will take roughly 30 minutes to plow anywhere from two to three acres. Contractors use the formula to strategize their operator schedule and determine priority when it comes to clearing properties according to size. This formula will likely change depending on several snow conditions and characteristics, such as wet snow, which will take longer to clean.

Divide and conquer Before the snow hits, especially in the case of large properties, establish a wellthought-out plan to clear various lots. With a specific lot in mind, consider dividing the area into sections and assigning each operator his or her own section. Now each operator can focus on a specific portion, increasing efficient snow removal and eliminating the possibility of doubling-up on a single area.

Noting and planning for small details will make a big difference, such as parking lot obstacles including light poles, cart corrals, and medians. Prepping for these challenges will provide top-notch customer service and prevent accidents.

Remember to ask property owners for their preferences on clearing curbs and sidewalks. Sometimes they might require only the lot be cleared, but still many expect additional areas for pedestrian traffic to be completed. Prepare to factor in the appropriate equipment and personnel for potential instances that require additional time and resources.

Conserve salt With snow and ice removal, proper salt management plays an important role in preparation. Salt shortages make it hard for ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

contractors to secure adequate amounts for their workload. Factoring in the high cost of salt and the narrow window of its effectiveness, contractors should look for more ways to optimize their salt usage.

Investing in the right snow pusher allows contractors to remove snow and ice as completely as possible. Doing so reduces or eliminates the need for salt and helps prevent slip-and-fall hazards. The right pusher will have features that successfully remove ice, in turn cutting salt usage. Consider snow pushers with steel cutting edges. Steel cutting edges effectively scrape even hard-packed snow and ice down to the pavement, reducing the need to salt after.

Some manufacturers offer sectional moldboard designs, which allow the pusher to get into dips and depressions in the pavement. Sectional moldboard designs leave cleaner results, removing more snow and ice with each pass than traditional designs.

Another feature that aids in easy and efficient ice removal includes special dropand-go hitch designs. These hitches let the pusher move freely from the equipment and automatically adjust the pusher to any change in pavement.

ahead. A fast response is critical for many snow contractors’ productivity and customer service. However, bad weather can easily delay response time. Snow events will make travel conditions to the jobsite less than ideal, so the closer personnel and equipment can be to the site, the faster they can rid snow and ice.

Larger businesses, with a sizable fleet of equipment and resources, should consider hiring based on location. If possible, park equipment onsite and find labourers who live near the account to service those areas, so they can access the equipment quickly.

Smaller contracting companies may need to find an alternate way to handle each job in a timely fashion. They might use a phone tree calling system or a chain-ofcommand based on location and desired minimum response time. By planning this out ahead of time and having a point person in charge near each site, operators will waste less time deciding which area to cover.

Finally, even the simplest policy can save time. Consider backing equipment on the lot, facing the exit, so it’s ready to go

in an emergency. This will shave off crucial minutes in the event of an urgent snow situation, leaving less time for snow accumulation and less chance of a slip-and-fall accident.

As winter approaches and snow pushers hit the streets, those contractors who didn’t procrastinate with their snow event preparation will reap the benefits. Taking time to evaluate and change snow preparation strategies not only provides better overall service, but also leads to an efficient snow and ice removal and increased production. Contractors, who’ve taken the proper steps to prepare, can handle any snow event, whether big or small, successfully.

About the author 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. ❆

Check it out Keep the fleet properly maintained and serviced, to ensure the equipment doesn’t slow down the crew. Proper maintenance before the season helps crews tackle any job and withstand several hours of tough pushing.

First, always keep the pusher clean and debris-free. Check the pusher components and replace damaged or severely worn parts. For example, contractors might have a damaged or broken cutting edge that needs replacement. With some sectional moldboard designs, each section comes in 32-inches. If one of these cutting edges breaks, contractors would only need to replace the damaged 32-inch section, rather than the entire edge such as with conventional pushers. Contractors that own their own equipment should consider hiring a mechanic to address any issues promptly.

This will minimize downtime, especially during the busy season.

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The Mind Matters

Putting the “health” back in mental health

By Melanie Franner

Setting the New Standard for Articulated Municipal Tractors

T

he Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) reports that, in any given year, one in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness. The cost to the economy is well in excess of $50 billion.

Numbers from the CSA Group show that mental health problems and mental illness account for approximately 30 per cent of short- and long-term disability claims. And they are rated one of the top causes of disability claims by over 80 per cent of Canadian employers.

The workplace can be a source of mental health issues but it can also be a refuge for workers during difficult times – if support and help are available.

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For Tracy Ridgen, Mental Health Promotion Clinic, Community Mental Health Services, Prairie Mountain Health, promoting mental health in the workplace is both important and beneficial. Although she admits there are businesses out there – big and small – that recognize the need to promote mental health and/or are actively promoting it, she also says that for her, it’s all about “putting the ‘health’ back in mental health.”

“When people hear the words ‘mental health,’ they automatically think of mental illness,” she explains. “That leads to images of sick people and hospitals. Mental health is a continuum. It’s all about how we balance things. I believe that there is a continuing need today to decrease the stigma around mental health so that people think of it less as an illness and more of a desire to help people who reach out.”

Marion Cooper, executive director, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

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Manitoba and Winnipeg, recounts a story that illustrates this concept.

“I was off work a few years back because I had cancer,” she explains. “During my time off, I received a lot of cards, gifts, and food from colleagues and friends. I had a colleague who was off work for depression at the same time as me. The difference between her and me was that she didn’t receive anything. She felt very isolated. I realize that people still struggle with how to respond in these types of situations and I do think we’ve come a long way but I also believe that there is still a stigma around mental health.”

Tap into resources Businesses have a wealth of resources to access when it comes to developing a plan or program around mental health.

“We go into the workplace to educate employers and employees about mental health, about how to accommodate people and to make the workplace a safe place,” explains Cooper, who adds the introduction of Psychological Health and Safety Workplace standard in Canada was an important first step in recognizing the issue. The standard was the collaboration of the MHCC and Guiding Minds @ Work (GM@W), an orga-

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nization designed to promote psychological health and safety in the workplace. “Right now, the standard is voluntary but I think we’ll see a growing expectation among the public to make this a mandatory standard just like other health and safety standards already in the workplace.”

The standard, which was introduced in 2013, cites 13 factors of psychological health and safety. These include: psychological support; organizational structure; clear leadership and expectations; civility and respect; psychological competencies and requirements; growth and development; recognition and reward; involvement and influence; workload management; engagement; balance; psychological protection; and protection of physical safety.

“I would encourage businesses to reach out to organizations like the CMHA,” says Cooper. “If you’re starting down this path, then realize that it’s okay not to have all the answers but to seek help to ensure you can provide an effective program to your employees.”

Cooper adds that the CMHA just finished training six of its staff as Psychological Health & Safety Advisors. Their job is to go out into the workplace and help businesses.

“It’s important for businesses to understand why it makes good business sense,” she says. “You need to look at where you are currently, which often starts with doing a survey among the staff. The data collected will show you where you need to start.”

Ridgen is another strong believer in taking the time to plan an effective strategy.

“The first thing an organization needs to do is to determine where they are and what tools are available to help them,” she explains. “They need to also look at what the stressors are in the workplace, if there are any. Businesses can seek third-party help for this or they can opt to do it on their own.

I’ve seen a lot of places that have passionate people get involved on this and just run with it.”

GM@W is another option for businesses looking to go down this path. It offers a comprehensive, free set of resources designed to protect and promote psychological health and safety in the workplace. GM@W resources allow employers to effectively assess and address the 13 psychosocial factors known to have a powerful impact on organizational health, the health of individual employees, and the financial bottom line. ❆ ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

www.mkmartin.ca | 1.855.664.2752

Measure What You Manage Using data snow and ice control fleet managers achieve multiple goals

T

wenty-five years ago the goal for a winter road maintenance fleet manager was straightforward - keep highways safe for travellers and don’t worry too much about the amount of salt applied to roadway surfaces. Fast forward to 2016.

Fleet managers are now responsible for keeping roads safe for winter travellers, controlling costs, and being environmentally responsible by reducing the amount of salt applied to roadways, and in some areas, complying with legislated mandates regarding the amount of salt to apply per lane mile.

To balance the multiple goals of today’s snow and ice control industry, fleet managers from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the City of South Burlington, Vermont, have installed automated electronic spreader control systems on their snowplow trucks.

These facilities have also implemented a winter road maintenance system that generates reports and maps based on the data collected and recorded by electronic spreader control systems.

Components of a winter road maintenance system A winter road maintenance system for snowplow trucks integrates vehicle sensors, an automated electronic spreader 22

control system, and wireless data transfer to provide accurate data for building maps and reports that snow and ice control fleet managers need to improve operations and reduce costs.

GPS sensors collect and record data on a snowplow truck’s heading, speed, geographical location, and the date and time.

Other sensors installed on a truck record data on ground speed, spreader operation, plow position, and air and road surface temperatures.

The automated electronic spreader control system provides calibrated spreading of salt and other deicing materials and liquids. Using the system’s sensors, the spreader controller detects the ground speed of the snowplow truck and adjusts the truck’s material delivery rate in proportion to its speed. Using spreader sensors, the closed-loop ground speed spreader controller automatically relates the speed of a truck and the calibrated speed of its salt/sand or liquid flow rate on the discharge end. The controller uses both data sources, and may also use air and surface temperatures, to control the spreader application rate.

The spreader controller collects and records data every six seconds on the amount and type of granular or liquid materials applied to winter roadway surfaces. The

controller can be programmed to spread materials and liquids at a specific rate per lane mile.

A wireless data transfer system collects, compiles, and automatically downloads to a server the snowplow truck spreading application data at regularly timed intervals.

Fleet managers can then access accurate “raw” data, as well as easy-to-use reports and maps on spreading activities using any PC with web access.

Winter road maintenance systems are available from a handful of vendors including Certified Cirus Control Systems (CCCS) located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For more information, contact CCCS at 763.493.9380 or info@certifiedcirus.com.

Also see www.certifiedcirus.com.

Balanced goals MassDOT implemented its winter road maintenance system in September 2012. To date, MassDOT has upfitted approximately 50 of its 125 state-owned snowplow trucks with an automated electronic spreader control system. MassDOT snowplow trucks and private contractors are responsible for snow and ice removal on over 20,000 lane miles of highways. The state-owned trucks are responsible for winter road maintenance on the Massachusetts Turnpike. The toll road is the easternmost 138-mile stretch ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

of Interstate 90 and runs from the New York border to downtown Boston.

To comply with the state’s salt-spreading mandate and to be environmentally responsible, MassDOT has been programming its snowplow truck spreaders to apply 240 pounds of pre-wetted salt (NaCl) per lane mile for the last 10 years. During much of this time, however, MassDOT was not able to confirm how close it was to its goal application rate.

“Now, with our winter road maintenance system and its use of ground speed control and wireless download, we’re able to verify that we’re in compliance and that’s what we’re talking about to the legislature and regulators,” says Paul Brown, snow and ice engineer for MassDOT District 1.

“We’re also letting them know that we’re being responsible. We’re using the right application on the right road at the right time and we’re getting very good results.

You can’t do that unless you’re able to prove what the trucks are doing.”

Even though MassDOT has saved close to 10,000 tonnes of salt a year since implementing its winter road maintenance system, “the real value of the system is that it makes a lot more people accountable for their actions, in the sense they’re doing what policy requires, and MassDOT now has the data to back up their actions,” says Brown.

To the northeast, the City of South Burlington, Vermont, uses its winter road maintenance system, and in particular, its detailed spreader application data to compare where it stands from year to year, help forecast its salt budget for the following year and compile data on salt use costs.

“When the city council asks us what our costs are, so they can make a judgment on how often they want snowplow truck operators to go out, we can tell them, ‘Every time we go out for an average storm, it’s $1,500 in salt for a four-hour run with three operators,’” says Adam Cate, South Burlington operation manager.

After each storm event, Todd Gregory, an engineering technician for South Burlington, collects the spreader data downloaded from each snowplow truck, “Basically, at the end of each shift, I put together a spreadsheet with gallons and pounds per driver, per truck, per storm.

I can break the information down to an SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

average cost per operator, per hour for a storm on regular time or overtime.”

“I also think when truck operators have an opportunity to see the numbers, to see what they’re using, it makes a difference going forward, as to the way they think about putting salt and liquid down,” says Gregory.

Since installing its winter road maintenance system in 2010, South Burlington has cut its salt use by approximately 25 per cent.

South Burlington is located a few miles from the eastern shore of Lake Champlain in northern Vermont. For each storm

event, the city uses nine snowplow trucks to maintain about 255 lane miles of roads.

At the end of the day, the old operations adage, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” still rings true. But thanks to data from automated electronic spreader control systems installed on snowplow trucks, and the reports and maps available in a winter road maintenance system, fleet managers can measure and manage their use of salt, and other deicing materials and liquids applied to winter road surfaces, to effectively achieve and balance their specific set of goals. ❆

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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.

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Product Showcase

Add a Little Salt NSC Minerals offers three lines of rock salt to keep businesses and homes safe

D

uring the summer and fall months when the roads are clear and people are on vacation, winter road safety isn’t at the front of most people’s mind. That’s what makes the employees at NSC Minerals unique and industry leaders. During the spring, summer, and fall months all the employees at NSC Minerals are producing and planning for the upcoming winter season. At NSC Minerals, safety is the first priority for our employees and for the general public.

Established in 1988, NSC Minerals has grown to become one of Canada’s premier salt suppliers. While the company’s core business is road de-icing, it is also a major provider of salt to the feed and hide industry, as well as to industrial users. The company’s head office is located in Saskatoon, with regional offices

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and storage facilities in Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, as well as Brandon and Winnipeg, Manitoba. NSC Minerals has two salt production facilities that are strategically located in Saskatchewan. In addition to the production and storage facilities NSC Minerals has multiple transload facilities in Western Canada with a private railcar fleet in excess of 450 cars.

The right stuff A study conducted by Marquette University found that using rock salt (sodium chloride) as an ice melter on roads covered in snow or ice reduces accidents by 88 per cent and injuries by 85 per cent. The sodium chloride rock salt produced by NSC Minerals is used across Canada and the United States to keep families safe while travelling during the winter months. The product includes numerous trace minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium which allows each crystal to melt to its maximum. The synergies of the trace minerals truly make NSC Minerals’ product an industry leader.

The natural pink colour is due to the combination of the trace minerals within each crystal. Because of this natural colour they do not use dyes to make the product more visible when applied against the white snow cover.

This coming winter season NSC Minerals is excited to introduce their new line of multi-purpose packaged ice-melters specifically designed to help make homes or businesses a safer place during the winter season. The NSC ice melters are an all natural, multi-mineral product, ideal for melting ice and compacted snow on driveways, walkways, and steps. The three distinctly unique packaged labels are MELTZ ALL, SALTZ ALL, and PETZ ALL. ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

MELTZ ALL is the premium natural multi-mineral ice melter blended with calcium chloride that effectively melts snow and ice to -28⁰C. The crystals natural pinkish colour makes it highly visible during the application process. MELTZ ALL penetrates the ice and snow immediately and is longer lasting compared to other ice melters, and is available in an 18 kilogram or 10 kilogram bag, 10 kilogram pail, and five kilogram jug.

SALTZ ALL is NSC Minerals’ all purpose natural sodium chloride ice melter that works to -15⁰C. SALTZ ALL is an all natural product and because of its unique natural blend of trace minerals it works at a much lower temperature versus other all natural competitors.

While PETZ ALL is a natural fertilizer-based ice melter that works to -8⁰C. This pet-friendly product will not harm pets or vegetation. PETZ ALL is available in either a handy easy pour 3.2 kilogram shaker jug or a convenient 10 kilogram bag.

The mineral crystals used in MELTZ ALL and SALTZ ALL are brought to the surface from the natural rock formation. The crystals are separated in smaller particles and left untouched allowing all the essential trace minerals to remain encapsulated within the crystal. NSC Minerals rock salt crystals offer better traction because of their granular shape and size without the clean up.

As safety is a priority for your home or business, please contact NSC Minerals to see how they can help. ❆ SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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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.

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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 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 best-selling multi-purpose dozer blade made. These ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase blades gained huge popularity in 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 three-point hitches, front-end loaders, skid-loaders, 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

Demand Quality Bonnell Industries, Inc.’s Commander Series multi-purpose bodies

T

he word commander evokes visions of a leader, authority, and control. A commander gives you the support you need with the reliability of a trusted friend. Additionally, integrity is a word that is often associated with Bonnell Industries, Inc. Integrity in the time spent on their manufacturing process, integrity in the way the sales staff interacts with customers, and integrity in the longstanding relationships held with vendors and business partners.

Combine commander and integrity and these two concepts result in the Commander Series multi-purpose bodies exclusive to Bonnell Industries and their certified dealers. This innovative design features a unique prism shape that tapers both toward the middle of the body and toward the back of the unit. The distinctive body design and heavy-duty conveyor chain or auger assembly allows for quick 28

dispersal of materials without the need to raise the body.

Joe Bonnell, president of Bonnell Industries explains, “The Bonnell Commander Series bodies have been engineered as a money-saving, game-changing municipal body. These units will allow your organization to run it as a salt truck in the winter months, and then convert easily to gravel, sand, dirt, etc. in the warmer months. The unique tailgate and spinner assembly were designed to give the truck operator maximum ease of use.”

A multi-purpose dump body is able to complete a variety of tasks such as general hauling and dumping, spreading, and berming. Commander Series features include: • Unique prism-shaped body design efficiently unloads a variety of materials.

• Body available in carbon steel, stainless

•

•

•

• • • •

steel, or other materials upon request.

Note: Stainless steel bodies have all stainless steel tailgate hardware standard with grade 70 galvanized chain Standard 30.5-inch wide conveyor width utilizing 667xh pintle chain Optional stainless chain and belt over chain or optional dual auger system Rear discharge centre conveyor powered by motor/planetary gearbox combination Body sidewall shape provides ideal location for optional pre-wet tank system, longitudinal to body Fully-welded body compliant to AWS welding standards Zero- to eight-inch infinite rear screw jack gate opening Twin pneumatic cylinders lock tailgate into position with over-centre latches Reinforced long-sill and cross member design provides superior body strength ISSUE 2 - 2016 | SNOW MANAGER

Product Showcase • Removable .25-inch conveyor floor • Grease manifolds help ensure that all critical lubrication points are serviced • Double-acting trunnion hoist cylinder with nitride shaft • 1.5-inch diameter tailgate pins on double acting, six-panel tailgate • Manually adjusted conveyor chain takeup bearings • Stainless steel subfloor protects truck chassis from contamination “Municipalities benefit by running this multipurpose truck throughout the year, which translates to savings all year long.

The integrity is in our name. Put your trust in Bonnell’s guaranteed quality and craftsmanship,” states Bonnell.

Today, Bonnell Industries is one of the leading truck equipment distributors in northern Illinois. Through a nationwide distributor network, they are also a major supplier of snowplows, spreaders, leaf vacuums, and road maintenance equipment for municipalities throughout the country.

Currently, Bonnell Industries is affiliated with numerous organizations within the industry such as the National Truck Equipment Association, American Public Works Association, and Snow & Ice Management Association. Bonnell regularly attends product shows and seminars with these organizations to maintain their involvement in the industry. They also share working relationships with multiple manufacturers within the industry holding valuable partnerships with the likes of the Knapheide, Western, and Duraclass companies.

Located in northern Illinois, just 90 miles west of Chicago, their current establishment includes 61,000 square feet of floor space.

Bonnell closes his statement by saying, “We take great pride in the quality of products and services we offer to our customers.

The dedication and loyalty of our employees is a major factor in our past success and will ultimately pave the way for continued growth and expansion in the future.” ❆ For more information on the Commander Series or to join the Bonnell team as a distributor, visit www.bonnell.com or contact 815-284-3819. Bonnell, demanded by those who know quality.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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 or call us to learn more about our products!

ROAD DRAGS

LEAF VACUUMS

SPREADERS

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Phone: (800) 851-9664 Website: www.bonnell.com Fax: (815) 284-8815 Address: 1385 Franklin Grove Rd. Dixon, IL 61021 29

Product Showcase

EZ-Launch™ Ariens is first in the industry with EFI technology available for snow products

A

riens® introduces the industry-first Ariens AX® EZLaunch™ engine with EFI technology, designed for the Ariens line of Sno-Thro® products. With the introduction of this new engine, Ariens is the first brand in the industry to apply modern automotive technology and offer an EFI solution for snow products.

The Ariens AX EZ-Launch ™ EFI engine starts in two simple steps, versus six steps with a traditional carbureted engine. All that the user needs to do is turn the key and pull the recoil cord (or use the electric start). The engine’s system uses an electronic

governor, which virtually eliminates speed loss and delivers consistent throwing performance along with an ultra-quiet idle. The combination of electronic fuel injection and the e-governor also work together to use less fuel than traditional engine models.

Because the system is electronic, it automatically adjusts to the environment and can start in extreme weather, at high or low altitude and can tackle any type of snow. With traditional engines, the machine can lose more than 10 per cent of its power when encountering drifts or wet, heavy snow. However, the Ariens AX EZLaunch EFI engine controls its speed automatically, and it won’t slow down when it encounters large piles of snow.

The Ariens AX EZ-Launch EFI engine can be run in different modes: from full power to efficiency modes. While in efficiency mode, the engine runs quieter, uses less fuel and runs at a slightly lower speed, making it a good option for early morning hours when others are sleeping. The power mode increases the engine’s output and provides the unit with more power to get through tough jobs.

The Ariens EFI system is also completely sealed, helping to significantly reduce maintenance costs. The system will not require adjusting since it is sealed, as gas won’t deteriorate if left in the engine. This allows users to store their machine without worry.

“At Ariens, we’re always striving to come up with new and innovative solutions for our customers,” says Ariens Company VicePresident of Marketing Matt Medden. “Today, we’ve launched an industry first by introducing EFI technology on our snow products, and in addition to being proud of being first, we’re excited to provide our customers with a technology that will allow them to get their jobs done better and more efficiently.”

For 2016, Ariens is offering the EFI engine on two models, the Deluxe 30 and the Platinum 24 SHO. Models will be available in late October 2016 at authorized Ariens dealers and Home Depot stores in the United States and Canada. Ariens dealers will exclusively carry the Platinum 24 SHO EFI model. The units come backed with a threeyear consumer warranty. ❆ For more information visit http://www.ariens.com/en-us/snow-blowers/efi.

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ISSUE 2 - 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.

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