Top Facilities Management Equipment for Clearing Snow on College Campuses

The Winter Challenge on Campus

Snowfall can bring a campus to a standstill if you’re not prepared. From long sidewalks to parking structures and building entrances, efficient snow removal requires versatile and rugged machines that can operate in varied conditions — all while minimizing labor and maximizing safety. Below, you’ll find the go-to equipment categories used by facilities management teams, what snow removal tasks they excel at, and how KAGE Innovation products enhance their effectiveness.

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1. Utility Vehicles

Why Grounds Teams Use UVs

Utility Vehicles, like the Bobcat Toolcat, are popular for campuses due to:

• their nimble size

• cargo hauling capability

• ability to cover sidewalks, courtyards, and tight areas

• cabs for winter operation

Snow Removal Capabilities

Work utility vehicles (WUVs) can be equipped with front plows and small-to-mid-size snow pushers for:

• clearing sidewalks and pathways

• pushing snow along curb lines

• grooming parking lot edges

KAGE Innovation Attachments for WUVs

While KAGE makes many compact snow plow systems with universal skid steer attachment plates that are compatible with work utility vehicles – all in the SnowFire Series of plows and pushers.

• SnowFire Plow & Pusher System – a 2-in-1 snow blade and push box fits WUVs with universal/adaptable mounts. Machines like the Bobcat Toolcat are most compatible with SnowFire System up to 8 feet in length, with the 6 foot SnowFire being the most popular size for these machines, weighing in a just over 900 lbs for the blade less than 1,300 pounds for the blade and box combined. As aesthetics are often very important for campuses, the polyurethane skids on the box help prevent damage or residual rust streaks from plowing, and a poly cutting edge can be used as well for better protection of decorative surfaces.

• SnowFire BLAST Snow Pusher – a hydraulic-free fixed sided snow pusher with floating poly skids and the same trip edge and oscillation as KAGE’s 2-in-1 systems. It also offers float in the attachment plate. 6′ and 8′ foot sizes again are most popular. A 6 foot SnowFire BLAST weighs just under 1,400 pounds while the 8 foot version us just under 1,500 pounds.
  (ideal for medium-duty campus snow movement)

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2. Compact Tractors (Sub-Compact and Utility Tractors)

Why They’re Essential

Compact tractors from brands like John Deere, Bobcat and Kubota are a backbone for facilities grounds departments because they do it all:

• mow grass

• haul materials

• till gardens

• and — with attachments — remove snow

Snow Removal Tasks They Handle

With front-mounted plows and pushers, compact tractors can:

• clear parking lot entrances

• push snow to designated storage areas

• contour snowbanks with precision

KAGE Innovation Attachments for Compact Tractors

KAGE offers a whole lineup tailored to compact tractors:

• SnowFire System (Blade & Box) – the same heavy-duty SnowFire blade and box system designed to angle, push, and windrow snow efficiently that we mentioned for utility vehicles is also offered in two different compact tractor-friendly mounting options – direct hitch and three-point hitch. It is also offered in more size options, including 9 foot, 10 foot and 12 foot, giving you more snow moving capacity with the higher horsepower machines.

• SnowFire Xtreme System (Floating Blade & Box) – take the original SnowFire system and giving it a sectional steel cutting edge (KAGE AdvantEDGE) and floating polyurethane box skids and you’ve got the SnowFire Xtreme System. This system provides better contouring ability – especially with longer blades – due to the independently-floating 18-inch and 24-inch sections of the cutting edge. It also offers better curb-to-curb clearing as the floating skids allow the containment box to clear curbs while keeping the cutting edge in contact with the gutters.

• SnowFire BLAST – hydraulic-free straight pushers for compact tractors. This is your best option if you want to attach your snow pusher to tractor loader arms as it has a shorter pivot frame, reducing the leverage working against your loader arms.

• Under-Hitch – tractor undercarriage system offering direct hitch or front 3-point hitch compatibility. The Under-Hitch provides support for your tractor frame to accommodate the impact and force demands of plowing snow. The direct hitch option brings the plow closer to the machine, allowing for the most stability and easier turning of the tractor while plowing. Direct hitch is recommended for smaller snowfire systems. The front 3-point hitch option provides more lifting and stacking capability as well as better visibility of the plow. Three-point hitch is recommended for larger plows.

Best Campus Uses: Mid-sized paved areas, parking aisles, pedestrian walkways near athletic facilities.

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3. Skid Loaders & Compact Track Loaders

Capabilities and Benefits

Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders (CTLs), like the Bobcat S62, Case TR270, or CAT 259, are widely used because:

• they have excellent traction (especially CTLs or skid steers with snow tires)

• they offer quick-attach versatility

• they can mount an array of snow tools

Snow Removal Capabilities

Perfect for:

• clearing heavy snow in tight spaces

• plowing curbs and entryways

• handling snow in gravel service roads

KAGE Innovation Attachments

KAGE’s SnowFire series supports both skid loaders and CTLs:

• SnowFire System – a 6′, 8′, 9′ or 10′ blade + box system is ideal for compact loaders and skid steers, quickly converting from plow to pusher

• SnowFire Xtreme System – the extra contouring ability of Xtreme systems is especially beneficial for plows 8 feet and larger.

• SnowFire Blast Pusher – never worry about whether the hydraulics are hooked up or not. Great for when multiple attachments will be switched frequently.

• SnowFire Wing – Hydraulically change the angle of the side panels from forward facing to back facing and everywhere in between. Great for snow containment and adjustable swath sizes on the fly.
• KAGE Klawz – Radial Snow Tires for Skid Loaders that increase traction, road speed and comfort.

Why This Matters: CTLs and Skid Steers with SnowFire systems give facilities management teams the flexibility to adapt to snowfall intensity — from light accumulation to heavy lake-effect snow.

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4. Mini Skid Steers, Mini Track Loaders & Mini Loaders

Big Performance in Small Packages

These are popular on campuses for their:

• small footprint — perfect for sidewalks, building perimeters, plaza areas

• agility in tight or landscaped zones

• versatility with multiple attachments

Snow Removal Capabilities

Used to:

• clear narrow walkways

• maintain ADA-compliant clear paths

• edge out snow along curbs and landscape beds

KAGE Innovation Attachments

KAGE offers scaled SnowFire systems for narrow machines:

• SnowFire Blade (54″ or 72″) system engineered for mini skid steers and mini track loaders. Blade only is recommended for mini equipment with limited counterweight capabilities.

• SnowFire BLAST (72″) snow pusher brings snow removal to its most basic form with excellent containment and consistent ground contact.

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5. Snow Blowers & Single-Stage Snowblower Paddles

Why Snow Blowers Matter on Campus

Snow blowers — especially single-stage models — are an excellent tool for areas too tight for big machines or where plows might damage surfaces:

• narrow sidewalks

• courtyard entrances

• stair areas

KAGE makes poly rotor paddles that replace traditional rubber paddles in single-stage blowers, lasting up to 4× longer — particularly helpful when clearing heavy or abrasive campus surfaces such as brick and concrete Kage Innovation.

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6. Hand Tools: Shovels & Accessories

The Last Line of Defense

Even with big machines, manual snow removal is still critical. KAGE offers excellent ergonomic tools:

• SnowBlaze Push Shovel – engineered to windrow and back-drag efficiently, with ergonomic handle and replaceable cutting edges

• Buddy Strap – a shovel sling that reduces fatigue and increases leverage for throwing snow

Best Uses: Steps, entrances, narrow brick paths — areas machines can’t safely reach.

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Putting It All Together: A Campus Snow Plan

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❄️ Final Thoughts

A well-rounded snow removal fleet on a university campus blends machines of different sizes with specialized attachments — from big blades on compact loaders to ergonomic shovels on foot paths. Pairing your equipment with KAGE Innovation’s robust plow systems, pushers, paddles, and hand tools ensures efficiency, versatility, and longevity through long winter seasons.

Whether you’re clearing thousands of square feet of parking or just ensuring safe walkways to class, the right setup keeps your campus moving — even in deep snow.