Heavy duty

Heavy equipment is dangerous, expensive and completely necessary for large snow management jobs. Taking all of that into consideration can make pricing a challenge.

Leasing and purchasing.

Mike Callahan, owner of Callahan’s Lawn Care in Rochester, New York, has found a break point when it comes to leasing or buying. He bases his decisions on the job and cash flow. “Honestly, with the vendor we’re using right now, 99 percent of our stuff we lease because the guy is great,” he says.

His vendor, a contractor who does drainage and tile work, and doesn’t use his heavy equipment during the winter, includes maintenance in the price and keeps backup equipment in stock.

“He’s got a fulltime maintenance staff that goes and gasses things up, they grease them, anything that’s an issue outside of a flat tire in the middle of the night,” he says. “Literally, you call the guy and he’s there in an hour. It’s insane.”

Scott Wilson, owner of Wilson Landscaping & Lawn in Swansea, Illinois, looks at how often he’ll be using the piece of equipment.

To read more about offsite removal, head to bit.ly/Heavyequipment.