Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Winter is here and it came with a vengeance. The relentless march of snow falling means snow removal. Whether you are just shoveling your sidewalk, firing up your snow blower, or hopping in the cab of your snow plow, NAPA has everything you need to keep your snow removal equipment in top shape for the fight against old man winter.

Snow Shovels

When it comes to clearing snow the classic snow shovel is still a must-have tool. There’s a reason why the image in most people’s heads when they hear “snow shovel” is one of the best shovels for snow. The wide blade can clear a large area so you can take bigger bites in a single scoop. The flat lip scrapes down to solid driveways and sidewalks for complete snow removal. There’s nothing wrong with using the same snow shovel your parents used (it is still the best snow shovel in most cases), but there are also a few more options on the market. Different types of shovel handles can make

link hidden, please login to view
. There are wheeled snow shovels that help take the strain off your back (including a snow shovel on a wheel design). There are even snow plow shovels that look like a small version of the snow plow for truck use for the streets. 

Just remember to dress warmly with a good pair of gloves and take breaks often when shoveling.

Snow Blowers
link hidden, please login to view

link hidden, please login to view
and snow throwers are a basic necessity in some parts of the world. They can move snow faster than a shovel and with relatively less effort. But are they the same thing? What about sno blowers vs snow throwers? It comes down to the mechanical design of the snow moving parts. Here’s a breakdown of the different machine types.

Single Stage Snow Thrower

A single stage snow thrower is great for moving light snow. It has a single mechanism that both picks up the snow and throws it through the discharge chute. These are going to be your lighter duty electric snow blowers, cordless snow blowers

Two Stage Snow Blower

When the snow passes the 6” deep mark it is time to step up to a two stage snow blower. The first stage auger collects snow and passes it to the second stage impeller which blows it out of the discharge chute. These can be traditional gas powered snow blowers but advancements in batteries have seen a rise in cordless electric snow blowers that can clear a driveway with no issues.

Three Stage Snow Blower

When the snow starts nearing the 2’ deep mark it is time to fire up a three stage snow blower. These beasts have the same mechanisms as their two stage cousins, but another accelerator auger is added which greatly increases the volume of snow that can be removed. These snow eaters can blow snow across a yard and out of the way like a champ.

Regardless of which kind of snow blower you pick, there is maintenance to be done. Much like a snow plow the scraper blade needs to be checked and replaced when it gets worn down. Rubber paddles also wear down need to be replaced to maintain peak snow moving capabilities.

Snow Plows

Now we are talking about moving some serious snow. You can attach snow plows to pretty much any vehicle that has enough power to push snow. There are small snow plows that attach to lawn tractors, ATVs, and UTVs. Moving up are lighter duty but wider residential snow plows that mount on mid-size trucks and SUVs, perfect for clearing driveways. Some of these snow plows for pickup trucks and SUVs can even be switched from front to rear of the vehicle. But when you need to clear the company parking lot nothing can compete with the designs of commercial snow plows when coupled with a heavy pickup truck

Regardless of what kind of vehicle you press into plowing snow, it is going to need a

link hidden, please login to view
before everything turns into a winter wonderland. All belts need to be checked, fluids changed, filters changed, driveline inspected, and a full check of the entire suspension front and rear. A snow plow puts a lot of weight and stress on a vehicle so it is worth giving your vehicle a full check.

Your headlights are great for driving, but a set of extra snow plow lights will help you see the task at hand a lot better. Don’t forget to check the

link hidden, please login to view
and replace it whenever it starts getting short. Remember, the plow wear bar keeps your main plow blade from wearing down so don’t forget about it. Give the snow plow
link hidden, please login to view
a good check including the pump, hoses, cylinder, and cab controls. While you are inspecting the plow double check all the mounting hardware to make sure it is tightened to specifications. 

Battling snow this winter doesn’t have to be an impossible task. With the right planning and right tools you can enjoy clear sidewalks and clear parking spots. Just make sure to keep up with the snowfall so it doesn’t turn into an impossible mountain to move later.

Check out all the

link hidden, please login to view
available on
link hidden, please login to view
or trust one of our 17,000
link hidden, please login to view
for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on finding the best snow blowers of simply narrowing down the best shovels for snow in your area , chat with a knowledgeable expert at your
link hidden, please login to view
.

Photo courtesy of

link hidden, please login to view

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By Counterman
      Scheduling of delivery drivers can be one of the more difficult personnel-related tasks for any manager. Often at the lower end of your pay scale and frequently staffed by part-time employees, these positions can be difficult to screen, fill and maintain. They are a critical link to commercial success, yet their value is easily overlooked when weekly schedules are created.
      In many retail environments, analysis of prior hour-by-hour sales figures often shapes the forecast for staffing future shifts. Adequate staffing at the front counter is critical to assisting customers and moving merchandise efficiently, but in order to accurately forecast demand for delivery drivers, we must ignore the majority of retail sales, which occur in-store or, increasingly, as online purchases. Unless your business model includes “home delivery” to retail customers, staffing your delivery needs will revolve exclusively around your commercial accounts.
      Having adequate delivery capability to maintain (or strengthen) your commercial relationships can look different for each location. Vehicle and personnel numbers will vary based primarily on that individual store’s customer mix and the type of market served. Wholesale jobbers generally serve a broader geographic area than retailers, due in part to their smaller store network. A chain retailer is more likely to have a greater concentration of individual stores per square mile, each serving a smaller area, while the jobber maintains a larger commercial customer base spread across a larger geographic area. 
      As a result, jobbers tend to make better use of scheduled route delivery, in contrast to focusing on frequent short “on-demand” deliveries in the immediate area. These schedules are much easier to forecast, as they are somewhat consistent throughout the business day. When scheduling for the “hot-shot” portion of your delivery needs, however, the natural ebb and flow of your store’s daily routine become an important factor. There are key points throughout each day that require additional delivery staffing. 
      Many stores enjoy some form of overnight warehouse delivery, and those daily orders will be expected at shops across your territory as soon as possible the following morning. Between those “first thing in the morning” deliveries and the daily ritual of vehicle pre-checks, the first hour of the workday can be a beehive of activity for your delivery staff. By the time your trucks are returning from their early rounds, orders generated from those 8 a.m. diagnostic appointments at shops across your market have begun to filter in, resulting in another rush. Customer calls ramp up again before and during the traditional lunch hour, as shops try to arrange deliveries to arrive before technicians return from their breaks. Another flurry of dispatches will be in response to the afternoon’s diagnostics, with shops hoping to wrap up repairs before end of day, and to beat the overnight order deadlines for the next day’s business.
      In addition to customer-driven rushes, we may also see a spike in driver demand centered around our own incoming deliveries. Stores with midday warehouse deliveries will see a surge in demand around these times, as well as those created by UPS or FedEx drop-offs. Most of our best customers already know what time to expect such special orders, and the volume of “where’s my stuff?” calls will add to the sense of immediacy felt by everyone on staff!
      Delivery scheduling can also be adversely affected by seasonality and holidays. Freezing or snowy weather not only creates delays in parts deliveries from the warehouse and at store levels, but it can also limit an individual driver’s ability to report for duty as scheduled, creating a gap in coverage. Coupled with the longer delivery times required for the remaining staff to complete routes safely, it can create temporary bottlenecks. Holidays also create personnel issues, as we attempt to find coverage for those days that everyone wants to spend with family and friends. Travel-intensive holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day also create an increased demand from shops prepping vehicles for extended trips, with added pressure for everyone to complete repairs, often at the last minute.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      NAPA announced the promotions of 
      link hidden, please login to view to Vice President, Procurement & Sourcing,  link hidden, please login to view to Vice President, Commercial Products, and  link hidden, please login to view to Senior Vice President of Pricing and Procurement. These leaders will take on expanded responsibilities across the NAPA merchandising organization, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building deep internal talent and strengthening its product and supplier strategy.  Pérez brings two decades of experience leading P&Ls across the automotive aftermarket, retail and consumer products industries. She most recently served as Senior Director of Category Management at NAPA, where she led a portfolio spanning brakes, undercar and heavy duty, driving growth through sourcing strategy and supplier partnerships. Prior to NAPA, she held merchandising leadership roles at HD Supply, SPANX and The Home Depot. 
      “Cristina has played a pivotal role in transforming category management and sourcing at NAPA Auto Parts. Her strategic mindset, deep merchandising expertise, and ability to build high-performing teams have strengthened our capabilities and positioned us for continued growth. This promotion recognizes both her leadership and the meaningful impact she has made across our organization,” said Danny Huffaker, SVP, Product & Marketing,
      link hidden, please login to view.  Griffiths has been with NAPA for four years, growing from Director of Category Management to Senior Director, Underhood, where she onboarded strategic brands to diversify the NAPA portfolio. In her new role, she will lead the category team responsible for Hard Parts and Applied Parts, including Brakes and Undercar. Prior to NAPA, she held senior category management roles at White Cap.  
      “Laura is an exceptional leader who has played a critical role in advancing our category management capabilities at NAPA Auto Parts. Through strong cross-functional collaboration and trusted supplier partnerships, she has helped build a more strategic and customer-focused organization. This promotion recognizes her leadership, her results, and the meaningful impact she continues to have across our business,” said Huffaker. 
      Portera joined GPC nearly four years ago as Vice President of Finance before moving over to NAPA where he has spent the last three years, first as Vice President of Corporate Development and then as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. He most recently served as the Vice President of Pricing and Procurement. His recent outstanding achievements include successfully navigating the First Brands bankruptcy and launching the new direct import program for NAPA rotors, the company said. Prior to GPC and NAPA, he had a successful 10-year career at FedEx, which included roles in SEC reporting, FP&A, Treasury and an international expat leadership assignment.  
      “Will has been a steady and trusted leader within our organization, bringing clarity, discipline and strategic thinking to some of our most complex challenges,” said Jamie Walton, EVP, Merchandise & Stores, NAPA. “This promotion reflects the significant impact Will has made at NAPA and our confidence in his continued ability to drive value for our customers and supplier partners.” 
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By NAPA
      The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing season returned to competition Saturday, April 18th, at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. Kasey Kahne Racing’s
      link hidden, please login to view No. 9 team arrived at the reconfigured 3/8‑mile “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” eager to get the car back in motion after a three‑week regroup, with progress to prove.
      Teams of each of the 43 cars taking part in the ninth race of the season set sights on the win and the The Diamond Classic’s $12,000 payday.
      No. 9 driver, Daison Pursley, showed early speed, posting a 13.275-second lap in Hot Laps, fourth‑quickest in practic, and running a 13.628-second qualifying lap for fifth in his group.

      Pursley started P2 in the first Heat Race of the night and jumped to the lead during the first lap, coming out of turn 4 and down the front stretch to the flagstand. Pursley kept the lead throughout the 8-lap race. The win marked Pursley’s first Heat Race victory of the 2026 season and punched his ticket to the Dash. In the Dash, the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 slipped from third to fourth, lining the team up to start outside the second row of the A-Main.

      Fireworks and pyrotechnics signaled the start of the 30-lap Diamond Classic. Pursley raced into third position for the first six laps. After an early caution, Pursley chose his position back by way of the choose cone and was challenged into turn one by Sye Lynch (No. 42), ultimately being shuffled into fourth by the No. 42 and No. 13 of Tanner Holmes. The track’s renovation brought the track banking all the way to the wall, producing even more high‑banked, door‑to‑door racing. Pursley kept heavy pressure on P3 of Holmes, finishing less than a car length behind the No. 13 and just outside of the podium. Kerry Maddsen (No.55) started on the pole and dominated, leading every lap to claim his first High Limit Racing victory.
      Pursley’s fourth-place finish left crew chief Jarrett Martin encouraged; he noted the team learned every time they were on the track and made the right adjustments from the Dash to the Diamond Classic.

      Weather threatened nearby Lakeside Speedway in Kansas on Friday, forcing the cancellation of that program due to tornado warnings. That event will not be made up at this time. The next High Limit Racing event is Tuesday, April 21st, at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Nebraska, and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
      Start / Finish: 4 / 4
      Points Standing / Total: 8th / 456 pts. (-137)
      Next Race: Tuesday, April 21, Eagle Raceway, Eagle, NE
      How to Watch or Listen: 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1
      NAPA: 
      link hidden, please login to viewDaison Pursley:  link hidden, please login to view
      Kasey Kahne Racing:  link hidden, please login to view The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Dorman Products
      Make Dorman your First Stop for brake solutions
    • Government UFO Files
    • By Dorman Products
      Make Dorman your First Stop for brake solutions

×
  • Create New...