Getting on VDOT's on call list for snow removal using farm tractor @$90/hour

pclausen · Jan 28, 2013

I was taking to a machine operator that is clearing some land for me to build a house on for mom. I was using my tractor to skid trees and move cut logs while he was ripping out the trees with a Case CX130 excavator. He asked me if I was registered w/ VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) for snow removal. He said they pay upwards of $85/hour, probably close to $100.

He said all I'd need to do would be to add a beacon light to my tractor (it already has the harness in the cab for it). I already have a 3 way hydraulic 8' rear blade. I would likely need a hydraulic blade for the front as well, but looking over the document below (page 16), it looks like VDOT might even offer you the plow!

http://gov.findrfp.com/docs/11265_SNOWREMOVAL.pdf

Seems like it would be a lot of fun. During the bad snow storm we had a few years ago, I did clear quite a bit of the public roads right around me area, and this was freezing my butt off on my open station tractor. With my new tractor with a cab and much greater ability, I could probably maintain many miles of roads for them.

Looks like they have 3 categories for 4x4 farm tractors:

50-74 HP
75-99 HP
100+ HP

And in each category, the tractor would be equipped with either an owner plow or rigged with VDOT plow.

I was just curious of anyone had any experience doing this?

KTurner · Jan 28, 2013

I don't know about your part of VA, but around here traffic gets stupid when snow starts. The last couple of times we've had snow at rush hour, it's taken hours to go several miles. Hundreds of accidents reported, etc. I wouldn't take my tractor out in the middle of that.

Keith

RickB · Jan 28, 2013

Insurance should be a big deal. If it isn't, you should make it a big deal. And absolutely nothing wrecks a tractor like driving around on salt covered roads. How much "fun" can you afford?

SLHawkins · Jan 28, 2013

I am registered with eVa, but I have not seen much call for tractors yet this season. Registering is fairly easy. Though, I would check their website to see when the next seminar is close to you. Lots of good information on how to use the eVA system and requirements. Lots of other opportunities out there, in addition to pushing snow. I have not had a state contract yet, but I did sub under a larger company for some government contracts moving snow. When the snow gets deep, loaders are in high demand. All the plows can do is push the snow around. Once piled up, loaders were brought in to throw it in the back of dump trucks or stack it in large piles. During snowmageddon, a few years back, a fella with a big massey ferguson came through my old neighborhood opening the streets. This beast had a massive 10-12 foot blade on the front. He was opening the side streets where the plow trucks could not get into. He worked through the night into the early morning. So, consider that. The hours will be late and long. And the area they assign you too may, or may not be close to you. Though, I am sure they take that into consideration. Another challenge might be insurance. It is not cheap and some insurers that I talked to do not insure public roadways. A 5085M with cab is an great tractor for the job. My 5403 doubled the productivity of the landscaping company I was subcontracted under. Not only could I push and pull more snow than his skidsteer, I could also load the dump trucks that were brought in to haul the snow off the parking lot we were clearing. Your 5085 is even bigger and better!! Here is the link to the eVa website for more information. eVA Virginia's Total e-Procurement Solution - Commonwealth of Virginia
I wouldn't mess with rigging a state plow to your tractor. Your FEL and rear blade will do the job.
Hawk

newbury · Jan 28, 2013

Sounds like a good excuse to buy a surplus Highway Department Tractor.

Wait!

I just did!

pclausen · Jan 28, 2013

Appreciate the feedback!

I was hoping to be assigned my own rural area. These are back roads that are always last to be plowed currently. During the snowmageddon you mentioned, it took a week before they got around to doing any of the roads in my area. I'd love for that to be my section. I realize the house would be long and at night, but heck, when we have a big snow storm currently, I take my truck out to check things out. I got a Warn M15000 on the front and I must have pulled out a dozen cars out of the ditch with it during snowmageddon.

They would not salt the roads until after my job was done, so I don't think that would be a concern. I'll check out the link you sent.

Peter

Buppies · Jan 28, 2013

Insurance can get real expensive if you can get what they require . The equipment is required to be on the job until done be it 24 hours straight or longer. I would think about this long and hard and consider wear and tear as well.

sam5570 · Jan 28, 2013

RickB said:
Insurance should be a big deal. If it isn't, you should make it a big deal. And absolutely nothing wrecks a tractor like driving around on salt covered roads. How much "fun" can you afford?

This is the down side a few year's ago we thought we would get into this and here is the deal. you have got to buy insurance for at least 6 month's you cannot just insure for when it snow's. the only people that can make money at are contractors who work year round and carry insurance . what we looked at was what if we paid the insurance and didn't get much or any snow. it was just a gamble i didn't want to take. i hope i explained this correct

pclausen · Jan 28, 2013

Hmm, yeah, will need to look into the insurance requirements. Right now the tractor itself is insured through John Deere UtlraGard, but I would need to check if that is valid when clearing public roads. Probably not. And I have no liability insurance except when operating on my own property. There seems to always be a catch...

We only get a bad snow storm every couple of years, if that. We had nothing last year and nothing so far this year. If I had to buy 6 months worth, it would not be worth it, at all...

SLHawkins · Jan 28, 2013

I am fairly certain that the UltraGaurd will not cover you for any damages done during commercial work (I could be wrong though). And, the liability insurance is indeed a must. And, as mentioned in other responses, that is going to be the show stopper. All it takes in one accident on a road you recently plowed and someone to point the finger at you. I have inquired of several providers. In addition to the cost being astronomical, some wouldn't even provide insurance if I said I would be plowing public roads. Parking lots didn't seem to be a problem. If you can find someone to sub-contract under, that'd be the way to go. Other than a few church parking lots and driveways that I do on the regular, for truely commercial jobs I subcontract with a larger company who provides the insurance coverage and he needs a front end loader brought in on the job.

Hawk