Equipment can make or break a maintenance organization. It must be suited to the job. Winter operations require the highest level of equipment maintenance. It is a good idea to review equipment needs immediately after each winter season, when they are fresh in your mind. If new equipment is required, it can be ordered with good assurance of delivery prior to the next winter season.

The secret to successful winter maintenance is the ability to fight storms with equipment already on hand. The key is proper equipment maintenance. Snow and ice control equipment should never be stored without being cleaned. It should be inspected for possible repairs, and repaired if necessary.

In Fall training sessions, discuss each type and class of equipment which employees will be operating. Go over strengths and weaknesses of each. Describe performance capabilities, load and weight limits, specifications, safety considerations, attachments and modifications.

If possible, assign each operator to a specific spreader, plow or loader. Man and machine make a better team when they work together regularly. The feeling that a vehicle "belongs" to an employee also will make an operator show more responsibility for its upkeep.

In some organizations, it may be necessary to switch operators from one piece of equipment to another. Then management must depend on a system of checks to ensure that equipment is properly operated and maintained.

Thoroughly inspect all equipment during late Summer or early Fall. Make all repairs and order stocks of parts not locally available. Pay particular attention to these components:

• Inspect condition of moldboard and cutting edge of all snowplows. Order adequate stocks of parts for all types of plows
• Inspect snowplow hoists and underbody blades. Check air and hydraulic hoses and other critical parts of power units and obtain adequate replacement stocks
• Mount, load and test all spreaders. Make necessary repairs to spreaders and order critical parts. Calibrate all spreaders and place the calibration card on or over the visor or in glove compartment of truck
• Supervisors should have copies of all calibration cards on file in the administrative offices
• Inspect all vehicle lighting, including wiring and sockets on headlights, tail lights, stop lights and turn signals. (Warning lights must be visible from all sides, whether bodies are raised or lowered)
• Make sure sufficient stocks of tire chains, tires, spreader repair parts and other miscellaneous supplies are on hand
• Make sure all personnel are familiar with spreader controls, whether manual or automatic.

To keep equipment in top condition, establish a regular maintenance routine to be followed all winter. Equipment operators should inspect vehicles after each storm and report needed repairs to the garage or to the staff mechanic. Spreaders will need to be recalibrated after repair to the hydraulic system.

The first step in vehicle maintenance is to make sure every operator knows what to expect of each piece of equipment. Operators should check these items carefully.

Spreaders. Inspect pumps, hoses, controls, and fittings. Check spinners, augers, and auxiliary engines

Controls. The two major components of any hydraulic system are the pump and the controls, whether manual or automatic. All operators should become thoroughly familiar with spreader controls. No two hydraulic systems are exactly the same. Therefore, controls may differ from truck to truck. Know your equipment and how the auger or conveyor and the spinner react at various settings.

Plows. Carefully inspect blades after each use. If blade wear begins eating into the moldboard, it will be very costly to replace. Remember that snow plow blades do not wear evenly. Replace blades when they are badly worn at any point! Have operators check blade wear during storms. (Right-hand plows wear most rapidly on the left side, while the opposite is true for left-hand plows. Reversible plows may show wear on either side, depending upon operating time in each position.)

All Electrical Equipment. Inspect and service all lighting and electrical equipment regularly, including wiring and sockets. Carry ample stocks of parts for rotating flasher units, including lenses and lamps. Faulty wiring and failure of alternators, generators and batteries cause the most downtime in winter maintenance vehicles. Nothing is more terrifying and dangerous than a stalled and darkened vehicle in a winter storm.

Communication Equipment. Test all radios and phones in the field to make sure they are charged and operational.

Safety Equipment. Make sure there are flashlights, flares, flags and safety vests in truck cabs. A first aid kit is also a good idea. It is preferable to wear hardhats at all times and don't start out without securing seat belts.

All vehicle operators should know the location and telephone numbers of emergency repair and refueling stations. Qualified personnel should be on hand in garages during storms to promptly carry out minor repairs or make a start on major repairs. Replenish spare parts inventories immediately following storms.

Equipment needs vary markedly. How many plows or spreaders are necessary for each mile of pavement depends upon snowfall, frequency of storms, traffic and topography. How much equipment an agency can afford is an important consideration as well. A straight salt program requires less equipment than one using abrasives, or other deicers.

Despite careful planning, equipment on hand may be inadequate in certain situations. Don’t be caught short. Compile a list of all rental equipment available from contractors or haulers during snow emergencies. List specifications, rental rates and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of owners. Establish ground rules for contracting for this equipment. It is important that every supervisor understand who has the authority to call rental equipment into action. Arrange before winter to "borrow" equipment and operators in emergencies from local military installations, reserve units or neighboring maintenance agencies. Determine which officer is responsible for specific equipment and negotiate details for its use, if it is needed. It is difficult to know when a blizzard will strike, requiring tracked vehicles or other heavy equipment.

Training sessions should include operators who may be brought in during emergencies, whether contract operators and/or equipment. They should also include personnel who may be "borrowed" from other departments such as sewer and water or the park service. In fact, anyone capable of driving a plow and/or spreader should be included. A Commercial Drivers License will likely be required for all operators and mechanics.

Warning! Before permitting rented or loaned equipment to operate, make sure your department is protected from liability for property damage or injuries resulting from accidents, and that insurance coverage is adequate and complies with all state and local laws or ordinances.

Preventive maintenance is crucial! After each storm, all equipment must be cleaned, washed and allowed to dry. When dry, components such as chains, sprockets, hinges, spinners and other moving parts should be coated with used motor oil, diesel fuel or kerosene. Grease all bearings. Check hydraulics and quick disconnects for leakage. All washing and maintenance must be conducted in specific areas to protect the equipment.