Get Ahead of the Snow: Skid Steers and Loaders Ready for Winter Work
As summer fades and the Colorado temperatures start dropping, savvy contractors know it’s time to plan for snow season. Preparing early for winter work is crucial, not only to ensure you have the right equipment reserved (before the competition does), but also to get your machines winter-ready for peak performance. In this blog, we’ll discuss why contractors should prepare early for the snow season, highlight top rental equipment options such as skid steers with snow attachments and wheel loaders for large-scale clearing, and share expert tips on attachments, maintenance, and maximizing efficiency during snow events. Whether you’re a small business owner keeping your parking lot safe or a contractor taking on municipal snow removal, a little early prep goes a long way toward a smoother, safer winter operation.
High Demand in Winter: Reserve Your Equipment Early
Winter weather in Colorado can be intense and unpredictable. Once the heavy storms hit, demand for snow removal equipment rentals skyrockets. Contractors and city crews scramble for skid steers, loaders, and plows, and availability can become scarce. Getting ahead of the snow means reserving your rentals well in advance. By planning, you can secure the skid steer or wheel loader you need from Arvada Rent-All’s fleet before the rush. This proactive approach not only guarantees you’ll have the equipment ready when the first big snowfall arrives, but it also gives you time to familiarize your team with the machinery and attachments. Remember, our Arvada and Littleton locations are ready to help with expert advice and flexible rental terms; however, during winter’s peak, it’s first-come, first-served. Don’t wait until you’re snowed in; give yourself peace of mind by booking early.
Why the early prep? Aside from availability, winter puts high demands on equipment. Hydraulic systems, engines, and batteries all face extra strain in freezing temperatures. By securing machines ahead of time, you can also ensure they are properly winterized and maintained for the cold. At Arvada Rent-Alls, we service our rental fleet for all seasons, but it’s wise to double-check things like using winter-grade hydraulic fluid, engine oil, and fresh batteries. (In fact, in a recent Arvada Rent-Alls blog, our team noted how critical it is to use cold-weather fluids and preheat equipment for 10 to 15 minutes before use on freezing days to ensure peak performance.) Early preparation gives you a head start on these maintenance steps so your rental works flawlessly when the snow flies.
Top Rental Options for Snow Removal Projects
When it comes to tackling snow, two categories of equipment often steal the show: skid-steer loaders (especially with snow attachments) and wheel loaders for bigger jobs. Here’s a look at the top rental options you should consider for the coming winter:
Compact Track Loaders (Skid Steers) with Snow Attachments: Skid-steer loaders are the versatile workhorses of any job site, and they truly shine in snow removal for tight areas. Arvada Rent-Alls offers powerful tracked skid steers, such as the John Deere 325G and the slightly smaller John Deere 317G. These compact track loaders pack serious power (61,74 HP diesel engines) and can maneuver in confined spaces where bigger machines can’t. Fitted with the right attachments, such as snow buckets or blades, a skid steer can plow driveways, parking lot corners, and sidewalks with precision. The tracked undercarriage gives excellent traction on soft or unpacked snow, and the machine’s agility means you can weave around parked cars or buildings easily. For example, you might attach a standard snow bucket to scoop and load snow into trucks, or use an angled snow blade to windrow snow into piles. We even offer specialized attachments, such as an Angle Blade (48″) for the Dingo Mini Loader. This 48-inch adjustable blade can transform a compact Toro Dingo walk-behind loader into a mini snow plow for sidewalks or tight pathways. The beauty of skid steers lies in their versatility: one machine can scrape, scoop, lift, and load snow as needed, simply by swapping attachments.
Wheel Loaders for Heavy Snow & Large Areas: When you have to clear large lots, roads, or deep snow drifts, a full-size wheel loader is often the weapon of choice. These machines offer higher horsepower, bigger buckets, and more weight for pushing massive volumes of snow. Arvada Rent-Alls has you covered here, too, with options like the Hyundai HL940 Loader and Hyundai HL960 Loader. The Hyundai HL940 is a rugged 3-yard loader (156 HP) designed for reliability in harsh conditions. It comes with a 3.0 cubic yard bucket, ideal for scooping up piles of snow and dumping them where needed. Its bigger brother, the HL960, boasts a 4-yard bucket and 222 HP, giving you even more capacity to handle heavy, wet snow or break through plowed banks. These loaders are excellent for central clearing tasks: think of pushing long runs of snow in a parking lot into a few big piles, or loading dump trucks quickly to haul snow away. Another popular choice is our mid-sized 2.5 Yard Loader, which features a 2.5 cubic yard bucket and a nimble profile (weighing approximately 21,600 lbs). It’s a great compromise when you need more muscle than a skid steer but still want good maneuverability. All these wheel loaders have cabs to keep operators comfortable and safe from the elements, and their heavy weight provides the traction needed to push snow without sliding. In short, for expansive jobs like mall parking lots or long private roads, a wheel loader can clear snow in a fraction of the time a smaller machine would take.
Attachments Matter: Blades, Buckets, and More
Selecting the right snow attachments can significantly enhance your efficiency during winter work. Skid steers and loaders are only as good as the tool on their front end. Here are some attachment tips and options to consider:
Snow Buckets vs. General Purpose Buckets: Snow-specific buckets are often larger in capacity and sometimes have a higher back or spill guard, allowing you to carry more fluffy snow per load. If you expect to do a lot of scooping and relocating of snow, consider investing in high-volume snow buckets for your skid steer or loader. They can save time by moving more snow each pass compared to a standard dirt bucket.
Angle Plows and Blades: Attaching an angled snow plow blade to a skid steer (or a smaller 4-ft blade to a Dingo, as mentioned) turns it into a plowing machine. Angle blades are perfect for windrowing snow to the side as you drive forward, clearing lots or long driveways systematically. An angled blade attachment, like our 48″ Dingo blade, can be a game-changer for sidewalks and small lots, allowing you to plow in tight quarters where a truck plow might not fit. For larger skid steers, we also offer blade attachments. These often feature hydraulic angling, allowing you to adjust the blade angle on the fly from inside the cab.
Snow Pushers (Box Plows): A snow pusher is a big box-like plow that pushes snow straight ahead and contains it, rather than windrowing it. This is great for open areas like parking lots, where you can push snow into neat piles without leaving windrows behind. Some of our clients outfit skid steers with pusher attachments (e.g., 8-foot or 10-foot box plows) to maximize each push effectively. Just be sure the machine size can handle the width, a powerful track loader like the John Deere 325G can usually push an 8-ft snow box with ease.
Brooms and Snow Blowers: Don’t forget, there are rotating broom attachments that can sweep light snow off sidewalks, and even skid-steer mounted snow blowers for heavy snowfall areas. If you’re dealing with powdery snow under, say, 6 inches, a power broom attachment might clear right down to the pavement (and it’s also great for cleanup after sand or salt are applied later). Snow blower attachments can throw snow out of tight spots or over high piles. Please check with us on the availability of these specialized attachments, as they can be highly efficient in the exemplary scenario.
Tire Chains and Snow Tires: While not exactly an “attachment” in the typical sense, equipping wheeled skid steers with snow tires or tire chains is an important consideration. Standard turf or construction tires may slip on ice. Many contractors opt for dedicated snow tires (narrower, with siped treads) or add chains to their skid steer’s wheels for extra bite. If you’re renting a wheeled unit like a John Deere 318G skid steer, ask us about tire options for winter. Proper tires or chains can give a wheeled skid loader nearly the traction of a tracked unit, with the added benefit of better handling on ice.
Safety and Performance Tips for Winter Work
Having the right equipment is half the battle. Operating it smartly and safely is the other half. Winter conditions can be hard on both humans and machines, so keep these expert tips in mind to maximize efficiency and safety during snow events:
Conduct a Pre-Season Equipment Check: Before the first storm hits, inspect all your rental equipment. Check fluid levels and switch to winter-grade oils and hydraulic fluids if needed. Ensure the battery is strong (cold weather reduces battery output) and that block heaters or glow plugs (for diesels) are functional. Clean and lubricate any moving parts that might freeze. Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a machine’s winter readiness, our Arvada Rent-All team can provide guidelines or even handle some winterization tasks for you.
Warm Up and Operate with Care: Always allow machines to warm up for several minutes before performing heavy operations on cold mornings. This gets fluids circulating. Once you begin work, operate at a steady, moderate pace; rushing can cause spin-outs or equipment strain. When plowing, avoid sudden jerky movements; smooth control will clear snow more evenly and put less stress on the attachment. If you hit packed or icy snow, don’t ram it at full speed; use the machine’s weight and steady push to break through gradually.
Visibility and Lighting: Winter days are short, and storms often come with low visibility. Ensure your loader’s lights are functioning properly (rental units typically have strobes or beacon lights; use them). Keep the cab windshield and mirrors clear of frost. It’s wise to have a spotter on the ground in tricky areas or, at the very least, use a backup camera if available, since snow piles can obscure hazards. For contractors, safety vests for ground crews, as well as on-machine flags or strobes, help everyone stay visible in blinding snow.
Be Mindful of Surfaces and Slopes: This is a crucial consideration, as not every machine is suited for every terrain in deep winter. For instance, tracked skid steers offer great flotation in deep snow (they won’t sink easily) and excellent stability on soft ground. However, on steep icy terrain, they come with risks. The lower ground pressure of tracks can lead to reduced grip on ice, meaning a tracked loader may slide more readily on a frozen slope. We’ve heard stories of operators in the mountains doing “unintentional downhill skiing” in their track skid steers when things get slick. Always evaluate your job site: if you’ll be working on a steep driveway or hill with potential ice, consider using a wheeled skid steer with chains for better bite, or ensure your track loader has snow-specific tracks. In extremely deep snow on a slope, take extra caution; the machine might ride up on packed snow and lose contact with firm ground, increasing the chance of a slide. If you must work on a grade, try to plow downhill whenever possible and go slow. And never sideline a hill with a tracked skid steer on ice, you risk sliding sideways.
Maximize Efficiency with a Plan: During a snow event, have a game plan. Prioritize your routes: clear critical access areas first (entrances, main drive lanes) before secondary areas. For large lots, section the area and push snow to designated pile zones to avoid making a mess of random piles everywhere. Use the right equipment for each section (e.g., a wheel loader for the open stretches, a skid steer for tight corners and cleanup). If you have multiple machines, coordinate their efforts; one machine can start clearing main aisles while another follows to do detail work. Efficient planning minimizes rework, saving both fuel and time.
Take Care of the Equipment (and Yourself): Snow removal is hard work. Give the machines periodic breaks if you’re running them for many hours straight. This helps prevent overheating (yes, it can happen even in winter if hydraulics are working hard nonstop) and allows you to clear any packed snow from the undercarriage or attachments. Use that pause also to check that the air intakes aren’t clogged by snow. And don’t forget operator care: stay hydrated and take short breaks to warm up if you’re working outside the cab. A tired or cold operator is more likely to make mistakes, which could lead to equipment damage or accidents.
Be Prepared and Stay Ahead of Winter
Winter in Colorado doesn’t have to halt your projects or business; with the proper preparation and equipment, you can turn snowy challenges into another day on the job. Getting ahead of the snow by reserving your skid steers, track loaders, and wheel loaders early is a smart move that guarantees you won’t be left out in the cold when demand peaks. Equip yourself with versatile machines, such as the John Deere 317G or 325G track loaders, for precision work, and heavy-duty loaders like the Hyundai HL960 for the big jobs. Outfit them with the proper snow attachments, buckets, blades, pushers, and whatever your job calls for, to maximize their efficiency. Pay attention to maintenance and winter operating tips: a well-cared-for machine will reward you with reliable performance on the harshest days.
At Arvada Rent-Alls, we pride ourselves on being the trusted partner for contractors and small businesses across the Front Range. Our team is here to provide friendly, expert guidance on the best rental options tailored to your needs. With locations in Arvada and Littleton, CO, we’ve supplied Colorado’s rental community with quality equipment for decades. This winter, let us help you stay ahead of the storm. Contact us by phone or visit our website to request a quote for the skid steers, loaders, and attachments that will keep your operation running smoothly when the snow arrives. By prepping early and choosing the right tools, you’ll be well-equipped to handle whatever winter throws your way, and maybe even enjoy the satisfaction of seeing those lots and driveways cleared in record time! Stay safe, stay warm, and here’s to a productive winter season.