I guess that's what collection agencies are for. I've never had a customer refuse to pay due to a heavy winter. Contracts are contracts, and they're enforceable by law. Hope you got rid of those customers quick, no one needs the stress of dealing with people like that, especially when you've already extended the resources to service them, it's not like you can un-spread the salt and un-plow the snow... What were they thinking...

 

Yup. Needless to say, it got somewhat ugly.

 

with all that's been said regarding plowing, I really appreciate all your guys' input regardless that my truck is too nice or too long.
I went looking in the paper and the web for a "plow truck" only to find out that it might be too late in the season to land a good deal. It seems folks are gearing up for the season already and the "deal" in an ad was sold right away.
I highly regard your advice and real world experiences, they're real entertaining. I can visualize every bit of it.

The issue of salt (to me) would be the fact that once you spread it, you're going to be backing up over it in the slush over and again so it seems that the salt you just spread would be picked up by your own vehicle just because there is so much back and forth driving while plowing a parking lot for instance.

Again guys thanks for your experiences!

 

Been plowing for about 20 years.
Started with a 86 F150 short box, that was a great truck for maneuvering in tight spots. But it was a stick got tired of pushing the clutch.

Then a 95 Dodge V10 auto, good truck but not as easy to maneuver and 8mpg.

Now my 06 F250, we'll see how it works this winter.

I only do my business, my house, parents and a couple friends.

I do have a 95 Dodge for sale with a Western Pro Plow on it.

 

Good deals on plow trucks can be found in April, not October, LOL. Anytime I have plow parts, used plows, etc to sell, I sit on the stuff until October and then sell it, because it brings so much more money. Kinda like lawn mowers, you could find good deals now that mowing season is about done...

Salt doesn't dissolve that quickly, unless it's 31 degrees out. Typically you don't see much for results right away, it takes a little time. And you're typically not driving over where you just spread again, you spread the lot and move on to the next one. Additionally, we don't dump nearly the amount of salt on parking lots as the cities, counties, and DOT dump on the roads. Again, with the proper deflector on the salt spreader, the effect of salt on your truck from spreading is minimal.

 

i was driving a 94' f250 until last fall when i bought my 08 superduty but kept the old 94' to be used as a plow truck , last june i found a fisher mm1
for 500$. its up and running now just needs a few finishing touches but only plan on doing my drive way and familys, maybe a neighbor or two.
i plan on registering it just for winter, help save the new super duty from
the salty slush!

 

Well, you usually always salt AFTER the lot is completely free and clear. But yeah, I never mind sharing advice because in the end, all companies just wind up better for it.