Snow plowing is essential for keeping roads, parking lots, and driveways safe during winter storms. But even the most experienced operators know that snow hides a lot more than just pavement — it conceals hazards that can cause costly damage to equipment, property, or both. Striking an unseen obstacle can bend a cutting edge, crack a moldboard, damage the mounting system, or even bring your operation to a sudden halt in the middle of a storm.
Knowing the most common hazards — and how to avoid them — is the key to safe, efficient, and snow plow damage-free snow removal.
1. Curbing
Why it’s a problem:
Curbs are among the most frequent obstacles snow plows hit. When covered by snow, they blend into the surrounding surface, making them nearly impossible to see. A direct hit can chip or crack the curb, damage the plow edge, or throw the operator off balance.
How to avoid or reduce snow plow damage:
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Mark them before snow season: Use brightly colored plow stakes or driveway markers to outline curbs in parking lots and along driveways.
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Keep a detailed site map: For commercial sites, document curb locations so new operators know where to proceed with caution.
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Slow down near transitions: If you know curbs are present, reduce speed to give yourself time to adjust the blade position.
- Use a trip edge plow: Trip edge plows allow the cutting edge of the blade to fold back when it hits curbs, reducing the force of the impact.
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Use Poly Cutting Edges and/or Shoes: Polyurethane is a flexible and forgiving material that will not chip or scratch curbs or leave behind metal residue that later turns into rust marks, making running curbs or plowing up and over curbs less damaging to the curb. Note: Poly skids/shoes are standard on nearly all KAGE plows. Some even offer floating poly skids for extra curb protection.
2. Manhole Covers and Utility Access Points
Why it’s a problem:
Utility covers sit slightly above or below pavement level, which can cause a plow blade to catch. The impact can damage the blade or mounting hardware and potentially lift the plow abruptly. In some cases, it can even lift and launch the manhole cover!
How to avoid or reduce damage:
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Mark known locations: Use reflective stakes to identify utility access points before snowfall.
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Adjust plow height: Keep the blade slightly elevated when passing over known hazard areas.
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Know your route: Familiarize yourself with manhole locations during fall inspections.
- Trip Edge: For manhole covers in particular, a trip edge can really help reduce the effects of catching a lip
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Use a Sectional Cutting Edge: Sectional cutting edges are designed to adjust height automatically as they scrape along irregularities in the substrate – including manhole covers
3. Speed Bumps and Parking Stops
Why it’s a problem:
Speed bumps and wheel stops in parking lots are notorious for catching plow edges. They can also be hidden under light snow if they’re only a few inches tall.
How to avoid or reduce snow plow damage:
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Install tall, reflective markers: Place stakes at both ends of speed bumps and parking stops.
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Angle your plow blade: For wheel stops, plow snow to the side rather than head-on over the obstacle.
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Memorize layout patterns: If plowing the same lot regularly, note where these features are located.
- Trip Edges: Trip edges will allow you to scrape up and over speed bumps without coming to a complete stop.
- Floating Cutting Edges: Floating cutting edges allow vertical travel in the cutting edge making them more responsive to speed bumps.
4. Landscaping Features
Why it’s a problem:
Retaining walls, decorative stone borders, planters, and tree rings often sit near paved surfaces. They’re especially vulnerable if plowing at night or during heavy snowfalls.
How to avoid or reduce damage:
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Use highly visible stakes: Brightly colored stakes at key landscaping edges prevent accidental strikes.
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Set a safe plow distance: Keep the plow a few inches away from soft landscaping edges and clear the rest with smaller equipment or by hand.
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Review site plans: If you take over a new property mid-season, inspect for landscaping features before your first plow.
5. Mailboxes and Signposts
Why it’s a problem:
Curbside mailboxes and small signposts can blend into snowbanks. A glancing hit can destroy the mailbox, damage the plow, or leave a repair bill.
How to avoid or reduce snow plow damage:
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Stake around vulnerable items: A few reflective stakes can make a mailbox or signpost stand out even in a snowstorm.
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Plow with the traffic flow: In residential areas, plowing in the same direction as traffic helps avoid catching the mailbox side with the blade’s trailing edge.
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Reduce speed near them: Slowing down gives more time to steer clear.
- Laser Guides: Laser plow guides mark the outside edge of your plow by shining a laser light in front of your plow vehicle. This gives you precise guidance as to the path of your plow and the green laser line can alert you to changes in the shape of the snow ahead of you alerting you to protrusions such as snow covered mailboxes.
6. Raised Drainage Structures
Why it’s a problem:
Storm drains, catch basins, and other raised drainage components may protrude above pavement. Striking one can cause serious impact damage to the cutting edge.
How to avoid or reduce damage:
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Pre-season inspection: Identify and mark drainage structures in fall.
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Lift blade slightly: Passing over them with a small lift in the plow blade can prevent contact.
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Watch for melting patterns: Drainage structures may melt snow around them, creating icy patches that signal their location.
- Trip Edges: As with any raised obstacle drainage structure damage can be reduced, if not eliminated, by trip edges breakaway features.
7. Parking Lot Islands
Why it’s a problem:
Snow can make parking lot islands look like continuous pavement. The concrete curbing and landscaping in islands can cause serious equipment damage.
How to avoid or reduce snow plow damage:
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Stake all corners of each island: This makes their footprint obvious to the operator.
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Plow around islands first: Clearing snow away from them early in the process makes them visible for the rest of the job.
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Study aerial maps: Reviewing the site from above helps remember where islands sit under deep snow.
8. Unmarked Edges and Drop-offs
Why it’s a problem:
In rural or industrial areas, paved surfaces may end abruptly at gravel, grass, or a slope. Going too far can drop the plow edge into soft ground or worse.
How to avoid or reduce damage:
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Mark all edges: Stakes placed 3–5 feet apart can clearly define where the pavement ends.
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Keep a cautious approach: When plowing near unmarked edges, use slower speeds and avoid pushing snow beyond the pavement.
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Use lighting strategically: A well-lit work area makes edge definition easier at night. This includes everything from headlights and flood lights to laser light plow guides.
Tips for Reducing Snow Plow Damage Even If You Hit Something
Even with the best preparation, it’s possible to hit an obstacle hidden in snow. Here’s how to minimize equipment damage:
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Use trip-edge or full-trip plows: These designs allow the cutting edge or entire blade to “trip” over obstacles, reducing impact force.
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Adjust plow shoes or skids: Raising the blade slightly keeps it from digging into hidden hazards.
- Flexible and/or floating plow features: Snow plows equipped with floating cutting edges, oscillating blades, floating side panels or wings, floating skids or shoes, hydraulic crossover relief, and softer materials like polyurethane cutting edges or plow shoes all offer forgiveness in the event of impact with obstacles.
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Train operators on hazard awareness: Experience and alertness go a long way in preventing mishaps.
Snow plowing is about more than just pushing snow — it’s about protecting your equipment, your client’s property, and your bottom line. By understanding the most common obstacles — from curbs and manhole covers to landscaping and unmarked drop-offs — you can take proactive steps to avoid costly damage.
Simple strategies like marking hazards with plow stakes, keeping updated site maps, and training operators to be alert can make all the difference. The more you prepare before the snow flies, the smoother and safer your winter operations will be.
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