2 pieces of advice........

#1 I wouldn't jump right into plowing snow (especially commercially) without learning the trade a bit........... The best way to do that is to work for/with someone else for a season and get some wheel time in and knowledge from someone who has been plowing for sometime......


#2 I would spend some time using the search button here on the site and start reading up on past information on whats involved...........

WELCOME TO THE SITE!!! It is always good to see new plowers out there......

Also remember that is a Large truck for manuevering around in tight spots (being a crew cab)

Jay

 

Search here,and read up.You will learn a lot.

I would reconsider the Curtis 8 foot,it's too small for your truck.Look at the new Blizzards,so you won't have to replace the 8 footer once you realize it isn't productive enough.

Your not too far from Jerre Heyer in Erie,PA.He is the man to talk to for more info.

 

Get the dealer to show you the basic plow operations, if you don't already know. Then, like Jay said, start small. Just do your own driveway and maybe an understanding neighbor or two the first year. Part way into the season put out an ad for plowing and take on one-time plows.

To start - plan on where you're putting the snow so you won't be pushing more than 50 feet or so at a time without being able to unload your plow. Push snow well back the first time to allow room for future pushes. Mark any hazards and mark the edges of roadways.

 

I agree with what others said above. An 8' plow will be a little too small only because with that long a truck, your rear wheels may be riding in windrows when you turn corners while plowing. I would go with atleast an 8'5" to 9'. Obviousley if you plan on doing commercial, the Blizzard 810 is where you will see the most benefits. As said before, I don't know if I would start off asking how to plow at the end of august and then jump right into commercial come November-December. Do what Mick said or what Jay said. Do you know anyone you can "sub" for to get some experience, it will help quite a bit. I plow all residential on my own and sub for a landscaping company when they need me, usually for clean up work. I can tell that I have my hands full with 37 residential accounts, commercial is very hard to manange on your own especailly the first year. If you sub for a year or two, it costs you less money and legwork initially and then you can decide if plowing is really something that you want to get involved in and decide weather to try it (it being commercial) on your own. If its too much, you can make a good amount of money with less liability on residential accounts.

Look around on this site, lots of great info and people willing to help with anything you need. Welcome.

 

Talk to your insurance man befor you start thinking about all the "easy money" to make plowing snow.

Also IMO I would start very soon talking to local contractors becoming a sub for them starting out. Or being a driver of one of thier trucks, Or even being a part of a sidewalk crew ect......

IMO its not a great idea to jump into things for yourself the first year if you have no experience in the biz or even a somewhat related field. Make your first year or 2 just about learning to plow snow not also trying to learn the buisness aspect of things at the same time. Also you are getting close to being too late to get into comercial anyway.

Also if your serious about being realy productive a 8' straight blade on a truck like yours isnt the way to go about it.....it will work ok but not be optimum.

 

These guys are all correct. I learned 25 years ago working at a new car dealer. We had a 69 Jeep that had a manual angle plow. I worked many years using other peoples trucks until 1996 when I went on my own. Check out the insurance first, it's the most important thing to have! Good luck and welcome to the site!

 

Hey thanks alot for all the info esspecially on the size plow I need. When I said I'm gonna do commercial I meant that I am going to work for someone else that has ALOT of comm accounts.He just needs Some help.Mostly I'm going to do residents for my self, to try to get the "feel" of it all.
Really what I want to do is get a couple accounts so my truck could accually pay for itself instead of just looking pretty . I make my bread and butter at my other business repairing cars. Being in business for myself for allmost 9 yrs gives me alot of exp in how you don't "get rich quick" .
I just wanted to know the dos and don'ts so i wouldn't feel like such a newbee first out !

So I understand about the bigger plow , but what about the Curtis brand ?
Again thanks for all the help.

 

but what about the Curtis brand ?
Again thanks for all the help.

Basically heres my take.......

I know a ton of guys (both operators of and people who have never used them) Blizzard plows are going to all try and sway you into spending the extra cash on the Blizzard plow........... Most of the plows in our fleet here at my company are in fact Blizzards and I stand by them 200%.

BUT Here is my HONEST and professional take. CURTIS makes a terriffic product. A lot of guys around here have started running them. (talk to MDB Landscaping his company has a fleet of them). If Curtis has the nearest dealer/good service for you I would go for their product. I would base my final descision on which dealership is best in your area and on the product quality. Curtis makes a great blade as does Blizzard............

Jay

 

Basically heres my take.......

I know a ton of guys (both operators of and people who have never used them) Blizzard plows are going to all try and sway you into spending the extra cash on the Blizzard plow........... Most of the plows in our fleet here at my company are in fact Blizzards and I stand by them 200%.

BUT Here is my HONEST and professional take. CURTIS makes a terriffic product. A lot of guys around here have started running them. (talk to MDB Landscaping his company has a fleet of them). If Curtis has the nearest dealer/good service for you I would go for their product. I would base my final descision on which dealership is best in your area and on the product quality. Curtis makes a great blade as does Blizzard............

Jay

I will second what Jay said about Curtis and Blizzard. I own two Curtis plows (see the bottom of this post) and love them both. I have never had a problem with either of them. Their plows are built very well and their mounting system is great, nice and neat when the plow is off. Iam seeing more and more people with Curtis plows every winter. A 9' Curtis would be great for your truck. I like the angle of attack on the Curtis plows as well, they scrape great.

 

I agree with Jay also, but i have no expirience or know anyone with a curtis plow, so i cannot comment on that. But I have seen many different plows and most are built very well. I extended my plow on my 84 to 9 feet and love it. I would price the 9 foot plow compared to 8 foot. The extra couple hundred or whatever the difference would be worth it too me! You can put the plow up along the edges of buildings much easier and not have to worry about taking the mirrors off. I added pro wings to my 9 foot plow as well to add another 2 feet to make up my poor mans blizzard :drinkup Good Luck on Your plowing Venture!!!!!! :grinz

 

I was in your same position about 5 years ago. I had never plowed a driveway- ever. I bought a Superduty w/ a western 7.5 and dove right into the business. Started the season with 20 residential drives and finished the winter with about 30. It wasn't hard to learn. I talked to some experienced drivers and learned the basics. Commercial lots are quite a bit different but the only way you'll learn is to try. This site is definitely your best resource.

 

thanks again for all the help. I allready priced the 9' and its about $200 more. So I think I'll go with that. An extra foot and i never thuoght about the mirrors !! My truck and I thank you. :burnout