Anyone out plowin?

[grsthegreat]

I'm going out after supper for another nuisance snow, 2". Half the customers will bit ch if you don't plow trying to save them a few bucks, and the other half will if you do plow, and this is Maine! :confused3:

Used to have the same problem....thats one of the main reasons I stopped plowing others

 

[Hay Dude]

Used to have the same problem....thats one of the main reasons I stopped plowing others

What I do is this: before each season starts, I mail a 1 page contract the customer must sign. It says after 1” of snow, I plow. Then it spells out a charge for 1-5, 6-11, 11-16 and multiple plowings if necessary over 11”.
Its not perfect, but they know Im coming after 1”.
I give them the option to call me off if given 24 hour notice, but if they change their mind and the driveway has been driven on and snow is packed, extra charges may apply.
Then I have my cost for salt application.

 

[fried1765]

What I do is this: before each season starts, I mail a 1 page contract the customer must sign. It says after 1 of snow, I plow. Then it spells out a charge for 1-5, 6-11, 11-16 and multiple plowings if necessary over 11?
Its not perfect, but they know Im coming after 1?
I give them the option to call me off if given 24 hour notice, but if they change their mind and the driveway has been driven on and snow is packed, extra charges may apply.
Then I have my cost for salt application.

I apply my dad's theory!
If it snows less than 6", I let the guy who brought it.take it away.
If it should snow more than 6" I will push the chit aside as minimally necessary, but in a normal Winter, I am looking at pelicans and palm trees instead.
Ain't pushed nothin yet!

 

[Rustyiron]

Dude, it seems you're having a pretty decent snow year "down there". I lived south west (I think) of you in MD where 81 enters and I know it's been years for 3-4" that made it for more than a few days.
We're way behind normal snowfall here. I believe it's that Gator with tracks that we got that did it :laughing: we usually go out 22-25 times a season. Iirc tonight will make around 5 or 6.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm going out after supper for another nuisance snow, 2". Half the customers will bit ch if you don't plow trying to save them a few bucks, and the other half will if you do plow, and this is Maine! :confused3:

My per plow price is high enough that most customers go with a flat seasonal rate. Makes life simpler for me.
I've had "will call" per plow customers call in advance of a storm with criteria like only plow if over x inches. That got to be a hassle, so now I tell them to call when they actually want me to plow, then I'll get to them as time allows.

I plowed our Maryland sleet and freezing rain event over the past 2 days - finished my last touch up this afternoon. The L4060 with grooved R4's had been great with traction.

 

[senecak19]

My per plow price is high enough that most customers go with a flat seasonal rate. Makes life simpler for me.
I've had "will call" per plow customers call in advance of a storm with criteria like only plow if over x inches. That got to be a hassle, so now I tell them to call when they actually want me to plow, then I'll get to them as time allows.

I plowed our Maryland sleet and freezing rain event over the past 2 days - finished my last touch up this afternoon. The L4060 with grooved R4's had been great with traction.

I feel for you and thank you for posting your plowing dilemma. I started plowing for a neighbor this year; one client. I didn't go out looking; they came asking. Their elderly and like to shovel 5" and under. And wouldn't you know it, seems most storms drop 5" and I'm over here starring at their driveway thinking, "Do I go or not go?" Already, I relegated to just having them call or text when they want their driveway cleared. I feel bad taking their money honestly. I told them they don't have to pay me, but they insist. So I try to make sure they get their moneys worth and shovel their walkway, entry way and garage doors. What I think it happening is the husband is happy to pay me because he doesn't have to pick up a shovel, but the wife insists they get out there and use it as a form of exercise.

 

[grsthegreat]

i used to plow out alot of houses...but now that im retired i dont want to hassle with plowing out for kids to get to bus stop. I enjoy sleeping in. so about 2 years ago i stopped all contract plowing. i only now do 2 neighbors houses. there also retired so not too urgent as to when i do it.

 

[SylvainG]

Several years ago, I had my private road at the cottage open by a guy with a tractor/blower whenever I went over there in the weekend. He would go Thursday or Friday morning to open the road for us, so I paid him per clearing.

This ended when I realised that if a fire started and the firetruck couldn't come because my road wasn't cleared for several days or over a week, I might had trouble with the insurance so from then, I had the road cleared after every storm.

 

[Hay Dude]

We have been cold here since mid December. Now its not cold to ME (25-35 degrees), but its cold enough that we have been snow covered for about 3-4 weeks now. Weve had 5 plowable snow falls thus far.
Seems like old times round here.....
Next week is in the 40's.
Usually we get ONE in March

I find snowplowing to be really natural for me. Only had 1 accident and that was not really that bad and it was 25 years ago. I keep telling myself " this is my last year" and I break the promise every year.

 

[oosik]

This morning I had 5". Now at 6pm I've got 4" and it's melting rapidly. No need to do what Mother Nature is doing for free.

 

[grsthegreat]

there is 8" on ground now, there predicting more tonight. well see

 

[metalbender]

Cleaned the drive this morning. Had snow going over the roof of the truck when I blasted through the drifts on the way to supper. Little sketchy getting through on the way back. Blower time again tomorrow morning.

 

[mpham]

We had about two inches of powder for early friday morning so I just hand shoveled the main driveway. Looks like we got a few inches more during the day and overnight so I will fire up the tractor and do the rest after morning coffee.

 

[NHBX]

About 6” of light fluff yesterday and overnight. After coffee a quick cleanup.

 

[Rustyiron]

On the bright side, these frequent small nucance snows does keep the woods and everything pretty.

 

[Thomas]

Weatherman said dusting dusting to 2" little over 4" snow to be push off today.

 

[fried1765]

Weatherman said dusting dusting to 2" little over 4" snow to be push off today.

3" overnight.
Another push the ovhd. door opener, and just drive the car out.
Plow?
Not!

 

[Hay Dude]

3" overnight.
Another push the ovhd. door opener, and just drive the car out.
Plow?
Not!

Just back that bad azz 454 4WD Burb out and GO :steeringwheel::flag-navy:
I have the worst plowed driveway in the neighborhood :laughing:

 

[fried1765]

Just back that bad azz 454 4WD Burb out and GO :steeringwheel::flag-navy:
I have the worst plowed driveway in the neighborhood :laughing:

The Burb is sleeping in the barn for the winter, with her Battery Minder.
We have an agreement, the Burb and I. She was raised in Texas/New Mexico, and we agree that she should not go out in the snow and salt.

Little front wheel drive Corolla does just fine, going right through up to 5 or 6 inches.
Beyond that, out will come the little Ford 1920, as/if needed.

Kubota L48 TLB does not venture out when the ground is white, and is just quietly sucking on it's very own Battery Minder!
Took it's grille guard off yesterday, to have 9GA. expanded metal screen welded on.

8N just sits in the barn, without her 6V battery, just quietly reminiscing her past show pushing days.
Jeep is on blocks alongside, with it's own Battery Minder attached.

E-350 is just hanging out in FL, with Battery Minder, and anxiously awaiting my return in 3 weeks.

 

[Peter 315]

Thursday getting ready for the snow........only got about 3 to 4 inches and some ice....