Winter’s Over & It’s Time to Swap Machines: Proper Maintenance & Storage of Snow Removal Equipment

At long last, it’s time to put your Pro-Tech Sno Pusher back into storage till next winter rolls around. Before you do that, you’ll want to perform some specific end-of-winter maintenance, to ensure problems don’t develop during equipment storage and your Sno Pusher is clean and ready to go when those frozen flakes start to fall again.

Here’s a good regimen to follow for seasonal equipment maintenance.

Wash your equipment thoroughly.

Dirt and debris can cause undue wear on any equipment, but the salt and other chemicals used on roadways and driveways during winter can significantly exacerbate the problem. Make sure your Pro-Tech Sno Pusher is clean and dry before moving it into storage.

Inspect your equipment thoroughly.

While you’re giving it a wash, give it a close inspection, too. Especially once it’s clean, you can see if there are any worn parts that will need to be replaced before next season. Pay particular attention to the wear shoes – they shouldn’t be worn down to less than 3/8” thick. If they are, operating the Sno Pusher could be dangerous and could damage the equipment.

Look for tearing or cracking on the rubber cutting edge or the poly hinge on steel-edge units. Depending on which model Sno Pusher you have, you’ll want to check the rubber hold-downs, tensioners, etc. Replacing worn parts now means you won’t have to waste time on that next season, when you need the equipment.

Don’t forget that Pro-Tech wear shoes are reversible, which gives them longer life and allows them to wear evenly. Pro-Tech also makes specialty wear shoes – something you may want to switch to next season. Our expert staff at Tracey Road Equipment can give you more information about that.

How does the paint look?

Chipped or scraped paint is a normal result of your Sno Pusher’s work, over time. The primer and paint are formulated to withstand up to 1000 hours of salt spray under test conditions, and together, the coatings are at least 4 mil thick. But if small bare spots develop and you ignore them, you’re inviting rust.

So while you’re inspecting for worn parts, check out the painted surfaces, too, and touch up any problem areas. You can purchase Pro-Tech primer and paint in quarts or gallons.

Proper equipment storage is important, too.

Long-term exposure to direct sunlight can degrade rubber cutting edges and poly hinges. Even when you’re using the equipment seasonally, it’s best to store it so it’s out of the sun. For off-season storage, put your Sno Pusher on a dry, level surface – but not in a grassy area, because grass that grows up around the machine may cause corrosion.

Have you registered your Sno Pusher to activate its warranty? That protects your unit against possible manufacturing defects for ten years.

This is a good time to think about warranties in general.

Your Pro-Tech Sno Pusher may be retiring for the season, but a fresh, new season of work is just getting started. Is your entire fleet of equipment fully protected? You can’t take on new jobs or make money if your machines break down. The proper steps for snow removal equipment storage are crucial, and you have plenty to do without worrying about equipment failure.

Why not take a few minutes right now to review your extended warranty files to make sure everything is up to date – that all your equipment is covered.

We can help. Did you know you can get premium Protect My Iron® extended warranties simply by calling your friends here at Tracey Road Equipment? No hassle, great guidance. Fast and easy. Protect My Iron® coverage even comes with an online portal, so you can store all your equipment warranty documents in one place and check up on them – or monitor a claim – any time you want, from virtually anywhere.

That’s the ultimate protection and ultimate convenience, all in one package.