Snow Manager Issue #2 2017

PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

Cubex becomes exclusive Canadian distributor for RASCO municipal maintenance products

ALL ABOUT APPS

How cities are using mobile applications to make snow removal more efficient

WHAT’S THE BEET IDEA?

New deicer made of sugar beet molasses making roads safer

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.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SIMA’s best practices help snow and ice professionals across North America deliver services better Insurance and meticulousness go hand in hand Preserving the endangered species – your family business What’s the beet idea?

New deicer made of sugar beet molasses making roads safer Cubex becomes exclusive Canadian distributor for RASCO municipal maintenance products All about apps: How cities are using mobile applications to make snow removal more efficient The #1 U.S. manufacturer of snow pushers set to expand in Canada: Arctic Snow and Ice Products Inc. Winter spreading without the expense of central hydraulics: Ground-speed-oriented electric spreader motor control system eliminates the need for a central hydraulics system

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Published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0G5 Fax: (204) 668-4641 President David Langstaff Publisher Jason Stefanik Managing Editor Bailey Hildebrand-Russell

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Contributing Writers Cheryl Higley, Lahorka Lojen, J.D. Smith, Gordon Wusyk Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398 Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki, Jennifer Hebert, Gladwyn Nickel Magazine Consultant Gladwyn Nickel Production services provided by S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com

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Art Director / Design Kathy Cable Advertising Art Dave Bamburak | Dana Jensen

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Subscription information available.

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

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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.

Canadian Farmers’ Almanac 2018 winter outlook

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

Index to Advertisers

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Clearing the way: Winnipeg company embracing technology to get ahead

Cover photo courtesy of Cubex.

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Printed in Canada 09/2017

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SIMA’s best practices help snow and ice professionals across North America deliver services better

By Cheryl Higley Over the past few years, the Snow & Ice Management

Purchasing Snow & Ice Management:

Association (SIMA) has developed a series of best practices

Quality RFP Creation and Best Practices

resources to help snow and ice management companies benchmark themselves against these industry standards and better position themselves as professionals best prepared to effectively and safely deliver snow-related services.

These best practices have come from a collaborative effort with multiple stakeholders in the industry. Input from each

The newest best practices document was unveiled in August and is the most comprehensive shared vision of how snow and ice should be procured in commercial and retail settings, and contains appendixes that should serve as standardized best practices for service verification and general site assessment.

perspective is used to collectively form the procedures and

In fall 2017, SIMA will begin developing best practices

criteria that place all parties on the path for mutual success.

related to attracting and retaining talent, which is one of

Glossary of Terms

the biggest challenges facing snow companies. Those

The glossary is a general reference designed to help all industry stakeholders communicate more effectively. It defines key terms used in the procuring, selling, planning,

resources will be built from roundtable discussions and presentations at SIMA’s Season Opener: Build Your Dream Team event held in September in Baltimore, Md. To learn

implementing and legal defense of professional snow and

more about the event, which was sponsored by BOSS

ice management services in North America.

Snowplow, visit www.sima.org/dreamteam.

Best Practices Checklist

SIMA’s best practice documents are governed by the

This tool can be used by anyone who is seeking to hire snow and ice management services, and by snow removal contractors themselves, to assess the various attributes that make up a professional, quality snow management operation.

Best Practices in Snow Service Procurement This 52-week visual timeline helps facilities and property managers, snow service providers and snow industry suppliers align on a general schedule to streamline the RFP and contract negotiation process to ensure sites are ready before winter begins.

Best Practices for Sustainable Salt Use This guideline serves as an informal audit of any site, company, or organization that utilizes salts to deice or anti-ice. It provides a set of policies and activities that can

following principles: • Open access: Available to all industry stakeholders at no cost, regardless of whether they are members of SIMA. • Education: SIMA spearheads educational partnerships and communication programs to help all parties adopt best practices.

• Comprehensive: Best practices documents are reviewed by a large group of industry stakeholders representing multiple areas of expertise.

• Quality control and transparency: The best practices documents are living documents, and suggestions, recommendations or concerns can be submitted for review. SIMA will update the best practices after thorough reviews as necessary.

reduce salt output, with the goal of increasing the training,

All of these resources are available for download at

knowledge and skill of the organization.

www.sima.org/bestpractices.

Cheryl Higley is editorial director for Snow Business magazine, the official publication of the Snow & Ice Management Association. SIMA is a non-profit trade association focused on training, events, and best practices. To learn more about SIMA membership and additional resources, visit www.sima.org. Articles are always online at www.snowbusiness-digital.com and www.sima.org/library.

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

Insurance and meticulousness go hand in hand

By J.D. Smith, president, J.D. Smith Insurance Brokers It’s snowing. Thank goodness.

It is 6 a.m. The snow has been coming down since about 1 a.m. and you are on your fourth cup of Tim Hortons coffee. You have 12 more clients to plow for before staff start to work at 8:30 a.m. As you finish this little plaza, you drive up on the curb and turn on the salt spreader to do the front of the building, remembering how last year you hit the gas pipe with the bumper and nearly blew the building up. You were fortunate then and thankfully your business liability insurance policy covered the damage of over $9,400.

This morning you look at your watch and know the next client, the school, wants you out of their lot by 7 a.m. So, you decide not to bother salting the far side of this building. You quickly head off and remember that you left your log book at home today. You make the mistake of thinking you will complete it tonight or tomorrow at coffee. You finish your day feeling good as your clients needed you another day.

It had snowed a little, so they felt they were getting their money’s worth. Hopefully next year, they will continue with the contract.

Unfortunately, you do not know that the next day, a lady will sue you and the landlord for slipping and falling on the sidewalk of the other part of the building you did not salt.

To make matters worse, your client sues the company and you personally.

This is your second claim of the year. In the first claim, you were able to show in the log book the exact details and the temperature and the weather and it all checked out. They paid your $65,000 claim for you. But this time, you don’t have a proper log book. You have no 10

details and the insurance company denies the claim. The woman can’t work and her claim is for $189,000. What started as a simple claim is turning into a nightmare. The lawyers are going to sue you personally to take your home.

Then, to make matters worse, the insurance company cancels your policy as you were not keeping accurate records and it’s the third claim in two years. The agent is a small company and really cannot help further. Your life is now seriously impacted and will be for many years.

This is why having insurance is important.

Having a reputable company and keeping very accurate records is a must. To protect you, your company and your assets, you need to read your policy carefully and give the underwriters correct information. The cheapest coverage is often not the best. On top of that, you must do your part to not be reckless and to ensure you keep proper records.

Most insurance companies do not like to insure snow plowing. The losses compared to the minor cost of insurance is just too high.

For those brokers that do insure garden contractors, and some snow plow operations, as J.D. Smith Insurance Brokers does, they want reputable clients that will do the work properly, keep their vehicles in good condition and consistently keep accurate records. Some plow companies even take a photograph on their phone if there is a storm.

The lesson here is take your time, complete the job, work with a broker that knows your business and cares, and find someone you can work with long term.

ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

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R E P O R T I N G

Preserving the endangered species –

your family business

By Gordon D. Wusyk It is well established that Canadian business families make a huge difference to the economic and social fabric of our country – the facts speak for themselves. Business families create 70 per cent of the new jobs (six million currently), 60 per cent of all tax revenues, 60 per cent of GDP

1. Technical advisers working in silos (technical myopia).

2. L ack of communication and trust within the family unit itself.

3. T he lack of a tested succession process.

4. T he failure of mature business

and 50 per cent of all charitable gifts

leaders to train and trust a next

($1.5 billion) contributed to a variety of

generation team.

valuable causes. It has been stated that

5. P rocrastination until it becomes

(asset protection and tax issues), but too little, if any time, on preparing the recipients of the assets. A welldesigned tax and legal plan seldom results in the successful continuity of the active business enterprise itself.

Getting Started As outlined in my book Drift, Drown or Decide – Navigational Tools for Business Families in Transition, it is crucial to

if family businesses cease to exist it

too late due to death, incapacity or

decide if you want to perpetuate the

would be a socio-economic disaster to

retirement.

business family. Succession should be initiated early, utilizing the many tools,

our way of life. Since 85 per cent of all privately-owned businesses are owned

What Is Succession Planning?

seminars and publications that are

or controlled by families, their impact

Succession planning is a process,

readily available.

and need for preservation cannot be

not an event. It should begin early

You will need to determine what

understated. With nearly one million

to ensure that there are people

skills and abilities will be required to

business families in Canada, and

and strategies in place to take the

take your company to the next level.

many at the mature stage, succession

company to the next level, from founder

Good family business advisors have

is a topic on many minds – the minds

leadership, to sibling teams and

extensive training in the “soft issues”

of employees, family members,

eventually cousin consortiums. If family

(relationships, communication and

governments and charities, to name a

members are not capable, interested

trust building) as well as skills in

few.

or prepared, then professional

coordinating the entire technical team

management can be considered to

to work collaboratively on a holistic

provide business perpetuation, family

succession plan. Family business

succession or grooming. At some

advisors understand the family

point, the current company leadership

business as a “system” where conflict

must be replaced, or the legal and

resolution skills are invaluable, and

tax advisors may be attempting these

can assist you in developing structured

tasks “at the funeral, three cars back

family meetings (councils) where you

This somewhat tragic statistic is often

from the flowers,” as Leon Danco

can develop a family vision, mission

not the result of a lack of well-trained

puts it in Beyond Survival. Often,

statement and Code of Conduct while

advisors. It is the result of several

technical advisors spend too much time

prioritizing goals and issues to be

factors:

preparing the assets to be transferred

worked on.

Yet studies indicate that more than 50 per cent of these businesses struggle with succession and transition, with less than three in 10 making it to the third generation “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.”

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

These sessions often lead to next generation training, advisory boards and custom-designed strategic plans that build healthy and harmonious families, and profitable and productive businesses.

Our well-seasoned team of advisors and associates, are trained and experienced to assist you with every

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aspect of the succession planning process and can help, so that what you have spent a lifetime building can be preserved, protected and perpetuated.

Your life should create a meaningful legacy that outlives you. Assisting family enterprises is what we love to do.

Please feel free to contact us for an assessment report using our Succession Readiness Checklist, a copy of my book and a useful guide of resourceful articles and books. If you

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Competent and compassionate help is available.

The Predictable Futures team can be reached at 780-702-2499 and www.predictablefutures.com should you wish to discuss any aspect of your succession questions.

About the Author Gordon Wusyk, B.Ed., TEP, is the president and founder of Predictable Futures Inc. – The Business Family Centre and the author of Drift, Drown and Decide: Navigational Tools for Business Families in Transition. He is a speaker, writer and coach/mentor to entrepreneurs and family business leaders.

Inspired by his own family’s business perils in the late 1970s, Wusyk has dedicated over 30 years to studying and understanding the unique challenges that family businesses in transition face.

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13

What’s the

beet idea?

New deicer made of sugar beet molasses making roads safer

By Bailey Hildebrand-Russell A naturally-derived deicing product is offering government departments and snow and ice removal companies an environmentally-friendly option to deal with slippery roads in Canada.

Beet 55, an anti-freezing and deicing agent derived from leftover sugar beet molasses after the by-product’s edible sugars have been removed, has been around in North America for a while. Inventor Todd A. Bloomer applied for the patent in 1999.

Smith Fertilizer and Grain in Iowa has been one of the product’s distributors since 2000, with president Max Smith holding a license to sell it. Smith said, like most inventions, it was discovered by accident as the sugar beet industry was looking to be less wasteful.

“As in any company that makes any product today there’s always other products that come with it and the object of the game is to find value for those other products so that they can overall cheapen the products that they make,” Smith said.

“So they just kept experimenting as they went through this process and they found that when they mixed a salt product with this material, that it would lower the freeze point of the product and it would work in colder temperatures.”

Smith said the results led to further development of the product that not only lowered the freeze point of salt materials but also reduced highway corrosion by 30 to 50 14

per cent. This also meant it was less harsh on bridges and even vehicles.

LuGr Enterprises Inc. introduced Beet 55, its flagship product, to the Alberta and Saskatchewan markets in 2014.

Owner Luke Grayston started the company in spring of that year after hearing about the deicer and how it works.

“The organic component of it helps salt brine do its job better. Traditional salt brine is effective on snow and ice up to about -12 C in ideal conditions. The beet portion of the product helps the salt work to a much lower temperature.”

Grayston said Beet 55 doesn’t give off heat in an exothermic reactionary way like calcium chloride does. Instead, it disrupts the bonding of snow and ice crystals, which in turn keeps them in a liquid state and allows for runoff and evaporation.

ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

Beet 55 is an anti-freezing and deicing agent derived from leftover sugar beet molasses after the by-product’s edible sugars have been removed.

Beet 55 can be applied to surfaces before heavy snowfall.

Not only can Beet 55 be used after snow has covered roads, but Grayston said it can also be used prior to snowfall.

“The sugar beet component helps it tack to the road.

Depending on traffic conditions, the road surface type, the temperature and humidity, you can put it down up to several days in advance and it can be there before a storm. When used in an anti-icing capacity, it’s a proactive product, versus how the industry for many years, one could say, was reactive where you had to wait for the weather event and snow to accumulate to combat snow and ice.”

In the United States and Canada, associations and government departments are beginning to recognize the benefits of using Beet 55. The Pacific Northwest Snowfighters’ association has placed it under Category A3 on its qualified product listing as a corrosion inhibitor for sodium chloride.

With the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Beet 55 is listed as an approved anti-icing and deicing agent, while Alberta Transportation considers it a trial product. Grayston said the sugar beet-based deicer comes in three formats – a mix that can be applied directly to the road, liquid concentrate and stockpile treatment (pre-wet capacity).

Beet 55 not only fares well in colder temperatures, but the stickiness of the molasses makes it stick to roadways longer, along with salt and sand.

“Our product can be used with existing sand and salt stockpile so that the granules stay in the lane longer and do their job,” Grayston said. “You may have noticed when you drive and the roads have been sanded, if you come by not too long after the sander is gone, tires on vehicles have basically kicked it out of where people need it the most, which is not necessarily effective. Our product helps those granules stay in the lane longer.”

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Treated sand and salt also helps the granules stay put longer by reducing the bounce and scatter when applied to the road by a sanding truck.

On top of the immediate benefits of using Beet 55, offering a more environmentally-friendly product to the Canadian market is important, Grayston said.

“I believe in the product, and how I came to find out how such a product existed, it was curious to me as to why companies hadn’t embraced such a technology prior to. It has gained quite a bit of traction in the United States and it is taking off here in Canada, but finding out it wasn’t being used abundantly in the prairies, and it wasn’t being used here in Alberta or Saskatchewan was fascinating to me that nobody else was on it.”

As for Smith, he said he’s excited to make roads safer for future generations, adding that a few of his 16 grandchildren work evening and nighttime hours, which keeps them on the roads in the dark.

“We’re a 24-7 society today and it really makes me feel good that there’s a product out there that you can put on the roads that keep the roads safe at night so that these young people, and older people, can continue to drive in the dark hours of the night and feel that they have a safe road to drive on.”

For more information on LuGr Enterprises and Beet 55 in Canada, visit lugrenterprises.com.

For more information on Smith Fertilizer and Grain, visit sfgiowa.com/beet-55.

15

Cubex becomes exclusive Canadian distributor for RASCO municipal maintenance products

Besides spreaders, RASCO produces professional snow removal, mowing, sweeping, and washing equipment for all types of vehicles.

By Lahorka Lojen, RASCO Ltd. With more than 25 years experience, RASCO is one of the leading European manufacturers of professional equipment for maintaining traffic infrastructure throughout the year.

A rounded RASCO product portfolio offers professional snow ploughs and snow brushes; spreaders for solid, liquid and combined spreading; crane mowers; washing; and sweeping devices. RASCO’s products can be used to maintain all types of infrastructure from highways and city streets to forest paths and waterways.

Following the set markets strategy RASCO reached another important milestone. As of June 2017, the company has an exclusive distributor for Canada – Cubex Ltd. Through this partnership, RASCO has set a strong foothold on the North American continent, a prerequisite for the seamless distribution and post-sales support of RASCO’s full product range.

Ivan Franicevic, CEO of RASCO, emphasized the importance of the partnership.

“RASCO started as a small manufacturing workshop with only two employees,” he said. “Today, we are proud to say that our knowledge, experience and effort have led us 16

to export our machines over the Atlantic. With a quarter century of experience and over 30 markets, RASCO shows that selecting the right distributor is the key to market success. Therefore, we are glad that Cubex, with its vast experience, coast-to-coast presence and recognizable name, became the exclusive RASCO distributor in Canada.

We are confident that together we will deliver customer value that will soon be recognized as the best in class from Western to Atlantic Canada.”

Cubex is a well-known name in Canada when it comes to supply and maintenance of road construction, road maintenance, oil and gas, as well as sewer and turf maintenance equipment. More than 1,000 satisfied customers from Western to Atlantic Canada testifies Cubex’s determination to provide quality products and innovative solutions, backed by the best service in the industry. RASCO’s products fit perfectly to Cubex’s product portfolio and already this winter SOLID spreaders will find their way to the Canadian roads.

Kitch Wilson, general manager of Cubex Ltd., said his company shares the same standards as RASCO when it comes to quality and expertise.

ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

“Our partnership with RASCO provides us the ability to

which provides better results compared to solid material

supply advanced snow and ice maintenance equipment

spreading in certain weather conditions.

from coast to coast. When Cubex looks for manufacturers to partner with, we look for quality, integrity and expertise, and this is exactly what we have found in RASCO. We are all very excited to showcase this equipment in Canada this coming winter.”

Besides spreaders, RASCO also produces professional snow removal, mowing, sweeping and washing equipment for all types of vehicles. The KALNIK XL snow plow with the BSP side plow is an efficient combination for cleaning of wide and open roads. The VELEBIT snow plow is intended

RASCO’s range of professional spreaders are compatible

for clearing of high snow, while KALNIK is a universal

with all types of vehicles, ranging from trucks and multi-

plow with wide application. MOSOR is a highly-elastic

purpose vehicles to tractors, working machines and small

plow intended for comfortable and quiet plowing in urban

utility vehicles.

areas. The variable-geometry plow VERTUS is a perfect

The SOLID family of RASCO spreaders is engineered for

solution intended for clearing snow in narrow streets and

spreading dry or pre-wetted salt, sand and gravel or a

parking lots, while single-segment plows BILO and MSP

mixture of those for reactive or preventive spreading. A

are constructed for cleaning of light snowfall.

special version of the SOLID spreaders, SOLID C, can also

Look for these and other RASCO products on the streets

combine the best features of both dry and liquid spreading.

in Canada and contact your local Cubex branch for more

Spreading material, combined with the appropriate

information or to arrange a demonstration of the equipment

conveyor system (belt, chain or auger), can be delivered

this winter. Cubex is looking for qualified snow and ice

with precise and reliable control units to guarantee ice-

sales professionals to join its team. To apply, contact

free roads throughout the winter. The LIQUID family of

hr@cubexltd.com.

spreaders is engineered for efficient liquid spreading,

RASCO’s range of professional spreaders, now available through Cubex, are compatible with all types of vehicles.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

17

All about apps How cities are using mobile applications to make snow removal more efficient

By Bailey Hildebrand-Russell

Canadian cities are working harder to communicate with residents about snow clearing operations, making life easier for municipal snow removal workers and contractors. Living in a world where people are constantly connected to their cell phones, both the City of Winnipeg and City of Calgary recognize the best way to reach locals is through mobile applications and social media.

Winnipeg’s public works department released the Know Your Zone app in fall 2016, just before the snow hit, according to Jim Berezowsky, acting director of public works. It was developed internally by city staff and succeeded an online map and the Know Your Zone informational campaign to help citizens determine when snow route parking bans were in place.

“What we were finding is we had many other transient citizens coming through the city or citizens were working in other locations of the city,” Berezowsky said. “They weren’t intuitive to that location or when the plow zones were in effect in that location. Instead of having somebody search the web all the time, we wanted to come up with an interactive portable tool that could be used in a mobile format. So the focus became using your phones or your iPad and using location referencing to tell you what zone you’re currently in so that you knew if you had to find alternative parking.”

As of August 2017, the app had just under 30,000 users. Although it is still new, Berezowsky said it’s successful in helping Winnipeggers know when and 18

where they can’t park to make way for snow plowing.

clearing go more smoothly for snow removal workers.

“One of our focuses was to ensure we were educating and informing the public, making them aware of where parking was restricted,” he said. “There are other locations where parking is definitely a challenge and in those locations we’re still working on alternative solutions.”

“The contractors appreciate any efforts we put forth to assist them in trying to ensure the streets are cleared for effective snow clearing operations.

Anything that they see that provides an added benefit to them having an open street to plow they greatly appreciate.”

If you park in a zone designated to be plowed in Winnipeg, your car could be towed or ticketed. Berezowsky said the app has made life easier for a certain group of people working in health care in particular – home care workers with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Since they travel all over the city, the app is a tool to help them recognize whether parking bans are in effect in unfamiliar neighbourhoods.

While the app’s users benefit by avoiding what can be costly repercussions for parking on the wrong street at the wrong time, Berezowsky said the program also made snow

The City of Calgary has been using a mobile app and social media to inform residents of road conditions and snow plowing since 2011. For a few years prior, the information was available online, with that page being the most visited on Calgary’s official website.

While Winnipeg had a zone system in place prior to developing its respective app, Calgary only implemented designated snow routes around the time the app was released. The city realized how difficult that information was to access on the go.

“During that process of making the road conditions map into an app, we also found out the roads department ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

Know Your Zone includes the city’s plowing schedule.

Both Winnipeg’s Know Your Zone app (left) and the City of Calgary Roads app (right) feature colour-coded maps to help residents know where current parking bans exist.

Know Your Zone makes it clear when there is a parking ban on a designated route.

was going to be launching a new program for snow route parking bans,” said Tara Norton-Merrin, spokesperson for the City of Calgary roads department. “That was something brand new for Calgarians and so push notifications for the snow route parking bans became a focus of the app so that we had a way of letting people know other than the traditional way through the media.”

bans. It also offers information on traffic

The City of Calgary Roads app, which was developed internally with the help of a contractor, shows the current location of snow plows and allows users to check snow route parking

ever developed and it was received

incidents and detours with live traffic camera feeds at locations across the city.

Even so, Norton-Merrin said the app is making winter a little more manageable for residents and snow removal workers.

“Very quickly it became the most popular app the City of Calgary has very well,” she said. “(In the past) we always had quite a few people commenting, ‘we don’t see the plows, there’s not enough plows out

there, where is everyone?’ So, to actually have something in their hand they could click on and see where all the plows are kind of stopped that line of questioning. From a reputation standpoint, it definitely helped that people could see in real time how many crews we had out there and the hard work they were doing.”

The City of Calgary Roads app is available for download on Apple devices through the App Store, while Winnipeg’s Know Your Zone app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.

dependable snow & ice control equipment Winnipeg, MB 1.888.610.SNOW www.vikingcives.com SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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The #1 U.S. manufacturer of snow pushers set to expand in Canada Arctic Snow and Ice Products Inc. is bringing new products and a renewed dealer focus to the Canadian market Arctic’s complete product line (left to right): Raptor™, Raptor Plus™, DoubleDown Salt Bucket™, Sectional Sno-Plow™, and the Sectional Sno-Pusher™.

Arctic Snow and Ice Products, Inc. of Frankfort, Ill., no Sectional Sno-Pusher™ tripping over a manhole cover and a parking block.

relation to the excellent firm based in London, Ont., is the leading manufacturer of Snow Pushers in the world. Its flagship product, the Arctic Sectional SnoPusher™, was introduced in 2006, and has been the gold standard of the industry ever since. This winter, Arctic is expanding its market presence in Canada with an exciting new product line that equipment dealers have been seeking for some time.

It is nearly impossible to find a large snow contractor in the U.S. that does not have the Arctic Sectional well represented in its fleet. The performance demands of property management firms, store managers and corporate facilities managers have practically forced the serious snow contractors of commercial parking

obstacles up to nine inches in height, rides over

lots to replace their snow pushers (also referred to as

curbs and sidewalks, and hugs the contours of any

box or containment plows) with Arctic Sectional Sno-

pavement. It gives the cleanest scrape of any plow

Pushers™.

on the market, and reduces salt usage by more than

For those not familiar with the history of snow

50 per cent over conventional models. Furthermore,

attachment technology, Arctic introduced a

while it prevents property or equipment damage, it

revolutionary design, made up of independently

also saves operators themselves from potentially life-

moving 30-inch-wide moldboards, that trips over

threatening injuries.

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

It is nearly impossible to find a large snow contractor in the U.S. that does not have the Arctic Sectional well represented in its fleet.

main system. Previously, if a plow hit an obstacle at any speed, the entire blade would likely need replacing at a loss of thousands of dollars. Not anymore. Should a Sectional hit an obstacle over nine inches in height, the risk is only to an individual moldboard at a fraction of that cost, which, if necessary, bolts on and off easily.

The innovation did not stop there however, as Arctic

However, the addition of the mounting blocks

also developed and patented the first quick-connect

means that even damage to a single moldboard

universal mounting system with full drop-and-

is unlikely and that such a collision might only

go capability. The Slip-Hitch™ mount allows the

result in replacing a simple polyurethane block for

operator to connect and disconnect the plow to any

around $50 to $60.

machine’s quick coupler without leaving his cab.

When considering the cost savings in time and

It also allows a first-time operator to plow like an expert as no controls need be engaged to set the plow to its optimal plowing angle, guaranteeing that all four machine tires stay on the ground for maximum traction. The plow attachment stays perfectly level for minimum wear, hence just “drop and go.” With every other pusher, the weight of the attachment would literally lift the front tires off the ground reducing traction. Also, the plowing angle of the attachment would need to constantly be corrected, invariably causing uneven blade wear.

The third critical technology improvement was incorporating polyurethane mounting blocks

salt, the incredible safety benefits, the reduced damage to property and equipment, and the lower overall maintenance costs, many contractors determined that their Arctic Sectional SnoPushers™ were paying for themselves in one season of use, and almost all of them are still in use today.

All this technology has been heavily patented and only Arctic has it. Other competitors have tried to compete with innovations of their own, but have not been able to come close without violating patent law.

behind each of the moldboards for additional

Which brings us to 2017. Many individuals, as

cushioning and to virtually eliminate wear on the

well as dealers, have been asking for additional products to round out the Arctic product line. This year, Arctic Snow and Ice Products introduced the Raptor™ and Raptor Plus™ as lower-cost alternatives for contractors that did not need the high performance of the Sectional but wanted some of the same patented technology Arctic was known for, particularly the Slip-Hitch™. Also, municipalities asked for a wingless version of the Sectional for cleaning roads and the Power Angled Arctic Sectional Sno-Plow™ was born. Finally,

Arctic’s patented Slip-Hitch™ universal coupler system.

Arctic R&D engineers had been unhappy with the current technology for salt distribution and so developed the DoubleDown Salt Bucket™ a year ahead of schedule!

See Arctic’s new line of products on the next page.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2017–2018

Sectional Sno-Plow™

Note: All arctic attachments come with the patented Slip-Hitch™ Universal Coupler System and Drop and Go™ Technology

This highly anticipated power angled wingless plow is finally here! Everything about this sensational product was designed and tested under the harshest of conditions. Totally “Sectional”, this plow has every bit of the technology the winged Sectional Sno-Pusher™ has, plus the best power angle Slip-Hitch™ system on the market today. Nothing comes close!

Raptor Plus™ In early trials, this exciting single blade pusher outperformed all the competition and our expectations as well. Equipped with the famous Arctic Slip-Hitch™ coupler system, spring-loaded steel trip cutting edges and mechanical wear shoes, it was hard to tell the difference in performance between the Raptor Plus™ and the Sectional, and yet the difference in price will turn a few heads. Removable side panels on both Raptors also allow for easier storage and lower maintenance costs.

DoubleDown Salt Bucket™ This is a salter’s dream! Slip-Hitch™ equipped like all Arctic attachments, the operator will stay in his warm cab, drop the pusher when he is done clearing the snow, effortlessly pick up the DoubleDown, scoop up three cubic yards of salt, rotate it level and start spreading. One pass through a parking lot, with double hydraulic spreaders, reaches an 80-foot width underneath parked cars. Side lights make night spreading a breeze!

Raptor™ For those applications needing a rubber cutting edge, this is your best option. The heavy-duty rubber cutting edge is both slotted and reversible for an extra six inches of wear on both sides. It’s ideal for parking garages that do not allow steel blades on their surfaces.

For more info about Arctic’s line of products, go to www.arcticsnowandiceproducts.com/sg

WHY CANADA? From a market standpoint, it only makes sense when you consider the difference in the weather.

Last year’s mild weather throughout the Midwest and eastern states have resulted in lower than expected forecast numbers for U.S. customers.

At the same time, Arctic just completed a modernization effort that gives the company the extra manufacturing capacity to meet considerably more demand for the full line of Arctic products.

This is a good time for new dealers to take advantage of an early order program.

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

www.mkmartin.ca | 1.855.664.2752

Winter spreading without the expense of central hydraulics Ground-speed-oriented electric spreader motor control system eliminates the need for a central hydraulics system The EMC 1055 electric motor control system from Certified Cirus Control Systems offers fleet managers and truck upfitters an alternative to installing a central hydraulics system on snowplow trucks.

snow and ice removal applications, CCCS engineered the system to reliably control three individual highamperage motors, each with its own independent amperage capacity and settable digital limits.

As an open-loop ground-speedoriented electronic spreader control system, the EMC 1055 is configured to automatically and accurately spread liquid and/or granular materials on winter roadway surfaces based on the speed of a snowplow truck. Upfitters or end users can also configure the The newest addition to the Certified

to municipal snow and ice control.

system to a ground-speed-triggered

Cirus Control Systems (CCCS)

“We developed the EMC 1055 system in response to a growing demand for spreader power options when central hydraulics are not needed for powering motors or lift functions on a snowplow truck,” said Paul Mortell, CCCS president.

or straightforward manual operation.

snow-and-ice-removal product line is the EMC 1055 electric motor control system. The all-in-one system provides proportional control of the direct current electric motors used to power liquid or granular spreaders as well as a ground-speed-oriented electronic spreader control system.

The EMC 1055 system can help reduce purchase, installation, operation and maintenance costs for truck applications ranging from landscaping

CCCS designed the EMC 1055 electric motor control system to manage the high-amperage, heavy-duty electric motors used in present-day winter road maintenance operations. To best support the power needs of today’s

With a ground-speed triggered set up, liquid and material flow is automatically halted when the truck is stopped. Under a manual set up, the snowplow truck operator is in charge of setting output rates regardless of truck motion.

Users of electric motors to power spreader components recognize that an electric motor will consume as much amperage supplied to it from the vehicle/battery. To prevent motor

To prevent motor and/or cable damage, CCCS designed the EMC 1055 system with “automatic digital current limitations” that are both factory set and field adjustable.

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

and/or cable damage, CCCS designed

dash and provides a truck operator an

collection and reporting software to

the EMC 1055 system with “automatic

easy and convenient working interface.

help maximize fleet performance year-

digital current limitations” that are

About Certified

round. Products, support and services

Cirus Control Systems

are available throughout North

both factory set and field adjustable.

Snowplow truck supervisors and operators can set the amperage levels needed to safely power the motors for their specific spreading applications.

Certified Cirus Control Systems (CCCS) designs, engineers,

America. CCCS is a unit of Certified Power, Inc.

manufactures and distributes hydraulic

For more information, contact

components and systems, electronic

CCCS at 763-493-9380 or

The EMC 1055 system accepts an

controls, plow controls and innovative

info@certifiedcirus.com.

input power of 12 volts or 24 volts

winter road maintenance data

Also see www.certifiedcirus.com.

direct current and a minimum of 120 amperes continuous. For international applications, the system can receive 24 volts input and convert it to supply 12-volt motors. The system includes three independent output voltage channels. Channel 1 is rated at 100 amperes continuous, which is typical for an auger motor. Channels 2 and 3 are rated at 50 amperes continuous for spinner, pre-wet or auxiliary function motors.

An additional benefit of the EMC 1055 electric motor control system, or controller, is that it can power a full range of motor sizes. “You can also use the controller to power a lightweight 10, 20 or 30 ampere motor and protect it at that amperage rate,” said Mortell.

SALT & SAND STORAGE

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

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

The EMC 1055 ground-speed-oriented electric spreader motor control system is housed in a powder-coated steel enclosure measuring three inches by five inches by 9.5 inches deep. The box can be installed over or under a truck’s

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

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

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

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

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

25

Clearing the way Winnipeg company embracing technology to get ahead

By Bailey Hildebrand-Russell As the world becomes progressively more digital, a Winnipeg, Man. commercial snow removal company is taking steps to keep pace with innovation.

That’s been one of Coyote Ventures’ main goals since it underwent an acquisition four years ago. The company started with humble beginnings in the early 1980s with a single machine in its fleet. Through word of mouth and glowing reviews its customer service hyped up demand for Coyote Ventures across the city.

President Scott Lins said acquiring Coyote Ventures four years ago was the logical step for flagship company Sierra Courier.

“We already have other service businesses and we felt as though with our skill set, in terms of our management group, that this was something that we could do quite well,” Lins said.

“Being in Winnipeg, you get used to the snow and instead of having an adverse reaction to it, we decided to embrace it and move into this particular industry.”

While snow isn’t new to Winnipeg, the methods with which Coyote Ventures tackles it are. Over the past few years, the company has implemented software that’s helping streamline work and increase productivity.

Fleetmatics, a Verizon company, is one of the world’s leading providers of mobile solutions for service-based industry.

As of September 2016, Fleetmatics had 42,000 customers worldwide – one of those being Coyote Ventures.

Lins said Fleetmatics GPS fleet management solutions has changed how Coyote Ventures operates.

“Instead of using voice as much to communicate and track equipment, now we can actually take a look at the areas on a map and be able to see where everything is and what they’re doing. It makes it a lot more efficient when you’re trying to schedule logistics when you can actually see where everybody is as opposed to having everybody check in over a radio or something along that line.”

Penny Byron Lobchuk, director of business development, said Coyote Ventures has also implemented software called TSheets, time tracking and scheduling software. Byron Lobchuk said using forward-thinking technology sets Coyote Ventures apart from other snow removal companies.

Lins agreed, saying automated and easy-to-use software allows staff to focus more on current and potential customers – who they are and what their needs consist of.

“That’s the one thing we key in on and think about quite a lot – to be able to understand who our customers are and what their important features are in terms of snow removal, risk management and overall considerations for their site. We’re doing everything that we can to continuously innovate,” he said.

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

While the company is using new software to raise and maintain the industry standard, it relies on tried and true machinery out in the field, according to operations manager Brian Shearer. He says Coyote Ventures’ fleet consists of front-end loaders, plows, sanders, skid steers and dump trailers. The company prefers the Cat equipment brand for its loaders, John Deere for the skids and BOSS Snowplow for the multi-purpose plows.

Setting the New Standard for Articulated Municipal Tractors

Not only does Coyote Ventures clear snow, but the company also takes on the responsibility of removing and hauling it away so the customer doesn’t have to deal with large hills in the middle of a parking lot or near entrances and exits, which often become safety hazards by obstructing the view of drivers. When the snow disappears, leaving behind a mess, Coyote Ventures is still there to help clean it up. With a fleet of sweepers and hand blowers, staff will happily take on the spring cleaning needs of their customers.

“We’re taking time to look at equipment that we have and equipment that’s available out on the market to help streamline some of the services that we offer and find new ways to provide the same service that everyone else has been providing,” Byron Lobchuk said.

For more information on Coyote Ventures and the services it offers, visit coyoteventures.ca.

SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

Contact your local dealer to schedule a demonstration

WWW.MACLEANENGINEERING.COM Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

519-370-2999

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SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca

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INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Arctic Snow & Ice Control Inc....................................................................................8 & 9 Calhoun.............................................................................................................................25 Certified Cirus Control Systems ................................................................................... 11 Cubex....................................................................................................................... 16 & 17 DEL Equipment Ltd........................................................................................................IFC FallLine Corporation........................................................................................................26 Horst Welding.....................................................................................................................3 John Deere...................................................................................................................... IBC Ledex Industries...............................................................................................................13 MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Ltd.................................................................27 MK Martin Enterprise Inc................................................................................................23 NSC Minerals................................................................................................................OBC REIST Industries Inc...........................................................................................................5 Snow Wheel System Inc....................................................................................................7 Viking Cives......................................................................................................................19

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ISSUE 2 - 2017 | SNOW MANAGER

THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS PARTNER You couldn’t ask for a better business partner than the John Deere 4R Series Tractor. When snow threatens to keep businesses closed, the 4R makes sure to keep you and the communities you service up and running. Dependable. Proven. And ready to be your number one earner. That’s the legacy a good business partner leaves behind. Visit your dealer to learn more about the John Deere 4R.

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