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When it gets to winter and the snow starts to fall, a bit of preparation always comes in handy. Snow may not be a danger for many of us; it is the black ice and slippery road surfaces that cause problems. Snow weighs around 170kg per cubic metre, so shovelling may become tiresome and difficult over large areas.

Acacia have looked into all the options available to help you find the perfect solution for your needs, budget and environment looking at basic practices and tools available. This winter, make sure you’re prepared!

The Tools

There are many different types of tool available dependent on the size and scale of the job to be done. For very small areas, tools such as a snow shovel or hand spreading salt can be efficient and cost effective.

Push Salt Spreaders

For small areas, such as a garden path, driveway, pavement or small car park, a push along salt spreader will do the job, with many providing a wide area of salt coverage using a spinning disc to distribute. Salt can be mixed within the spreader for ease and convenience. A push salt spreader is the cheapest option available beside hand-spreading salt.

Attachment Salt Spreaders and Liquid Sprayers

Some salt spreaders are designed to be attached to a variety of vehicles and equipment to provide a convenient and fast method for removing snow without buying specialist snow machinery. Attachment salt spreaders are great for larger areas where driving is permitted, but the ‘salt’ used must again be considered with regards to cost and effect on the ground under the snow and equipment corrosion.

Attachment salt spreaders come in a number of varieties, including In-Bed (which fit onto the back of a flatbed truck), towable, V-Box and liquid sprayers (which use de-icer or brine). These attachments are ideal for contractors, with the V-box suitable only for very large areas and contract work due to the size and weight.

De-icer or liquid sprays are applied once snow has fallen by seeping through the snow and breaking the bond between the ice and pavement, often used alongside ploughs, spreaders or brushes in heavy drifts. Alternatively, anti-icer sprays prevent settling of snow on the ground.

Snow Ploughs and Snow Plough Attachments

Snow ploughs are by far the most effective way to remove snow, providing quick access and ease of use as long as the area is not confined. Snow ploughs come in a variety of forms, including pedestrian ploughs for small areas and pavements, snow plough attachments and dedicated driven snow plough machinery. In the UK, there is generally not enough annual snow fall to need a dedicated vehicle, so we have explored some alternative attachments.

Snow plough attachments often mean that equipment only used during the summer months can be used throughout the year, reducing down time and increasing the versatility and cost effectiveness of the vehicle.

Some of the types of machinery that can have a snow plough attached include:

• Tractor units
• Fork lift trucks
• Garden tractors
• 4x4’s
• Trucks/Vans

When considering purchase of such equipment, always consider the time and ease of attaching the plough or blade to your vehicle. If this is a time consuming or complex process, think about the levels of use you may get and the likelihood of use come the snow, and work out the most efficient and cost effective method for your situation and environment.

The Ransomes HR3300T unit has an optional snow blade attachment (see image) which, once the rotary mower deck is removed, provides a wide area for clearance and utilizes the unit through low use periods.

Since November 2013, heavy and light agricultural machinery and agricultural material handlers are permitted to use red diesel when gritting roads, further reducing costs. You can view the government directive on temporary snow plough attachments here.

Snow Brushes and Brooms

The snow brush is another tool that is used for snow clearance over a large area, also called a ‘jet blade’. A snow brush is useful year round use, for example on leaves and debris as well as snow, and can be paired up with a salt spreader or sprayer for maximum effect. Snow brushes are similar to ploughs in that some can be attached to other units, and some are stand alone pieces of equipment for pedestrian use.

Snow brushes work by literally brushing the snow forwards and away from the surface, and are ideal for when the surface below is too soft for a snow plough.

The Basics

Salt Spreading

Salt for gritting the roads, pavements and other snow covered areas is a key material, often in high demand when the snow falls. Salt is used as it removes snow and prevents re-settling as it reduces the melting point of the ice, referred to as freezing point depression – a colligative property.

The generic term ‘salt’ actually covers a range of four ‘salts’ available, which should be chosen dependant on the conditions. Usually the term refers to Rock Salt, or Sodium Chloride, which is a cheap and readily available material, often stored in boxes at the roadside. Rock Salt is also referred to as ‘Halite’, and is usually dark grey pellets. It is, however, corrosive to metals and will damage turf under snow, so is best for use on paved areas only. Rock salt is no use if temperatures drop below -7 °C (21 °F).

The second type of gritting salt is Calcium Chloride, which works up to -17 °C (0 °F). Calcium Chloride is an irritant if skin is moist and, when concentrated, will damage concrete, so be careful to dilute and not over-spread when using on car parks and pavements. The higher cost reduces the popularity of Calcium Chloride for gritting over Rock Salt.

Thirdly is Potassium Chloride, which is less common but will not cause irritation to skin, or damage to turf beneath snow. The red colour of the crystals is due to the concentration of Iron, and white crystals have had the Iron chemically removed. It is often referred to as ‘Potash’, and only works when used above -9 °C (15 °F). As Potassium Chloride is also used as a fertiliser, if it is used excessively around turf, it can cause faster growth of vegetation come spring.

Magnesium Chloride is the fourth salt type, which melts snow faster than Sodium Chloride, and will melt a block of ice a centimetre thick in around 8-10 minutes. Magnesium Chloride releases fewer chlorides, reducing damage done to concrete and vegetation. It will, however, corrode metals such as steel and aluminium, and leaves a slippery residue on pavements and roads.

When considering the salt to use it is important to take into account the effect of the salt on the ground beneath snow. If you are gritting an area that is normally turf or vegetation then be careful not to damage the turf and unbalance the nutrients as this will cause stunted or no growth come Spring.

There are other substances that can be applied to snow to prevent re-settling, such as Urea, Potassium Acetate and Calcium Magnesium Acetate, but these are not so common and are often more expensive, corrosive and damaging to vegetation.

Snow Ploughing

When using a snow plough, a key tip is to rub a little oil across the blade to prevent snow from sticking or clumping as it is compacted and moved by the action of the plough. It is also important to finish any ploughing job once it is started, as if banks of snow are left overnight, they will freeze solid and become dangerous obstacles, difficult to clear even with a plough. Be aware of obstacles underneath the snow as well – walk around and mark them out if possible, or take a look at blueprints to find important areas. Ensure that drains are not left covered with snow as this will prevent melting snow from draining away.

Make sure your plough has been topped up with fuel before setting off, and if planning to plough for an extended period of time, it is recommended to carry essentials with you such as a mobile phone, de-icer, jump cables, a shovel and a bag of salt or sand to ensure you do not get stuck en route. Sunglasses, thermal clothing and warm, waterproof shoes are also a good idea.

You should not be driving faster than 14 mph (22 kph) when ploughing, and should always ensure the headlights are visible around the plough. Also take note of the engine temperature as the plough may be blocking the radiator air flow, causing overheating of the vehicle.

Take care when reversing, especially if back-ploughing – go much slower. Lower the blade once the vehicle has started to move, and raise it slightly as you come to a stop to pile snow. For gravel areas, raise the plough a little to prevent scraping the surface away, and for concrete lower the blade as far as possible. When using a flat blade, make a first pass to clear an area where snow will be put later. Use the plough at an angle along road and building edges to clear efficiently without clogging.

Ensure that the snow is going where the customer or company wants it, and not somewhere illegal such as the pavement, someone else’s property or by a public bin. Store the plough as low as it will go to prevent damage to the hydraulic system.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental offer long and short term flexible hire solutions for the Ransomes HR3300T and Snow Blade Attachment alongside other high quality groundcare machinery. We also offer servicing, repairs and cylinder and bottom blade grinding, and complete overhauls of your own machinery. Get in touch today to see how we can help you find the ultimate solution!

- - 01273 494939 - - hire@acaciarental.com - - www.acaciarental.com - -

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