A fresh bed of snow can make a quiet winter night look stunning, but it can be a headache in the morning. Your walkways and parking area need to be free of snow so that people and cars can move around your property safely and quickly. While removing snow by either plowing or blowing it will give you the same result – snow moved from one spot to another – each has pros and cons. Shovelling is exceptionally tiresome and only practical if the snow-covered area is small. The snow removal method you choose to remove snow from your property will ultimately be based on your specific needs. Here are some things to consider when deciding between snow plowing and snow blowing:
Snow Plow
A plow is fixed on the front of a commercial vehicle like an ATV, pickup truck, or other pieces of machinery and scoops snow using a curved, angled blade.
Pros
- Depending on the vehicle it is attached to, it can move a large volume of snow quickly
- Ideal for larger applications like a long driveway or parking lot
- As long as it is fastened to a dependable vehicle, it will give you years of reliable service
Cons
- A heavy-duty plow is a significant investment, and it will be more important than ever to maintain the vehicle it is attached on
- Ground-level visibility is reduced, increasing the chance of an accident through damage to the vehicle or your property
- You must have a well-protected storage unit to keep your plow
- Not ideal if you have limited space to keep removed snow
- Large, powerful machinery combined with limited visibility can result in damaged property and surfaces like loose stone or brick
- The power and size of a snowplow make it ineffective for narrow areas like a sidewalk or deck
Snowblower
This machine is controlled by a person pushing the unit from behind or larger ones are controlled by a power unit such as a tractor. Snow is removed using a rotating, spiral blade that propels snow up and onto the side. There are many models and features on the market to choose from.
Pros
- Compact size makes it easier to store and use in tight areas
- Can see everything in front and around you since you operate it on the ground level
- Hands-on control and included safety features make it safer to use
- Quickly remove snow from narrows areas like walkways
Cons
- Since you are not operating this machine from inside a vehicle on smaller units, you will be exposed to cold temperatures, wind, or falling snow
- You would need a two or three-stage snow blower to be able to tackle heavier snow effectively
- Single-stage snowblowers can remove snow that is up to six inches deep. Deeper snowfall will require a more expensive, heavy-duty snowblower
- Would take much longer to remove snow from large areas
If you want to make sure the snow from your residential or commercial property is removed promptly, call Schlager Excavating. We can efficiently remove snow from small, narrow spots to wide-open spaces. Call us today for a quote and invest in the service you can count on.