PLOWING SNOW~HIGHLIGHTS & HAZARDS

I Plow Snow for the Municipality here in Nova Scotia, Canada & Welcome to my Channel!
We are still waiting for snow here is Nova Scotia! I decided to make a video for you using clips from the past few years. Here are some highlights and hazards of plowing snow. You just never know what you will come across in the run of day!
Please like, comment and subscribe if you'd like to help support my channel as it is greatly appreciated!
I appreciate your support!
Cheers,
James Howard aka JimHow
Rock Intro 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Mailing Address:
JimHow Digs Dirt
PO Box 1698
Stellarton, NS, CAN
B0K1S0

[@mrbakerskatz]

Hey Jim , loved it ! Thanks ! In 13+ years of running a snowplow I only had one memorable encounter with an animal ….. A little black field mouse running down the road away from me because the snow was too deep to get off ….. yep I sent him flying to the back ditch or smeared him a little ! 🤦

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

I had a pheasant fly out in front of my wing and got smacked one time. Only reason I knew is because I had the camera on the back of the truck and saw it on the video. Another time I hit a deer that ran out from behind some bushes and unfortunately didn't survive. I felt terrible about it!

[@vitaliykramarenko8131]

👍

[@kennyp507]

Wow - the things you see even when your in a less populated area, amazing how many close calls there are, great job as always.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks 👍 Kenny! You just never know!

[@justinsnyder711]

Love the sound of that old star that you use to drive.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yeah, that is a cool old truck!

[@justinsnyder711]

I'd take that old girl any day. Trucks like that and older is what I learned on.

[@KDill29]

I'm happy to see you still uploading new videos. Always this time of year, I start watching snow plow videos, and stumbled onto your channel a couple of days ago. Enjoying all the videos, and stay safe out in that greasy stuff bud!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thank you! I'm glad you like them, stay tuned for more!

[@TEDOTENNIS]

Jim, thanks for sharing great clips of the past. Have a great 2023!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Tanner! Hope you too have a safe and prosperous New Year!

[@jaybaar1]

I wish I could like this video more than once - awesome to watch 👍

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thank you Jay! Glad you like it and be sure to share it you'd like to help out the channel.

[@thatdudeinblackshoes]

At 14 minutes when that guy opened his door Infront of you I slammed my brakes on. Lol.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yeah James, I locked it up and slid to a stop that day. I think the old fellow might of had skid marks in his underwear too, lol.

[@guyh.4121]

On gravel roads used to let the plow and wing bounce, or skip along so it wouldn’t dig in. Also shelving was also lots of fun too. Nice being outside of town in the back rods. Another good video.👍

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Guy! I love plowing in the country!

[@819John]

Fantastic video. Been watching your channel for a while now. Thank you sir for sharing,

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate your support John!

[@wideslammer]

That was a nice retrospective of some of your "greatest hits." I'm glad you included footage from the big drift that took a number of tries before you were able to bust through it. I'm surprised that you haven't had more snow with all the "noreasters" that have gone up the east coast of the U.S. this winter. Do they go out into the Atlantic before they get to you?

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Glad you enjoyed it! We get some pretty weird weather here in Nova Scotia and never know what to expect. It was fairly mild all winter and not much snow, then it dropped to minus 25 Celsius overnight and going back up to plus 2 tomorrow. It seems like we often get most of our big snowstorms towards the end of our winter season.

[@bearbait2221]

really nice truck

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

It sure is! I had a lot of fun in that old girl!

[@mikeservais888]

Wow good video Jim . A little scary especially towards the end!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yeah, that snow storm at the end was one of the worst storms I ever plowed in. Thanks for watching Mike!

[@TomE74]

Thanks Jim! Love the Duck chase...

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Tom! Glad you liked it!

[@EAGLEDRIVER77]

Thanks for the video Jim. We just got hammered in Minnesota last week. 15.5” spread out over 4 days. Needless to say, I got some overtime.😂👍🏻

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Wow, that's a pretty good storm! It's way more fun to plow than the inch or two we've been getting here so far this winter. Stay safe out there Tim and thanks for watching brother!

[@lesgaal4017]

Great compilation of plowing Jim what always got up my nose is when people get out of their parked cars and don't look. This has happened to me numerous times driving a truck. Great video again Jim. Australia

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Greetings from Canada! My hometown is really bad for doors swinging open without looking. Glad you enjoyed the video Mate!

[@mikemacmillan778]

Gawd I remember all those storms. Great video Jim

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

You and me both! Thanks Mike!

[@tomvarano3283]

Jim this show what crazy things can be come upon on a run. Also how at times there is very poor visibility. New York experienced a Christmas blizzard I spent my holiday on storm detail at my fire department. I was driving a fire engine. Finding stranded motorists and responding to calls. Christmas Day there was a house fire. Fortunately no one was home. Hope you and your family had a MerryChristmas and a Happy New Year. All is quite in New York now.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thank you Tom! And hats off to you and all the other emergency personnel that make this a safer world to live in. All the best to you and yours in the New Year too!

[@scottyoung7551]

Another great video...thanks. Had my first bit of plowing and winging yesterday.....good fun.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Rock on! Stay safe out there Scott!

[@scottyoung7551]

@@JimHowDigsDirt you to....

[@OpenAirAdventure]

The two people on the road flagging you down just killed me hahaha. And did she ask to hang off the side of the truck?

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yeah, she did ask me that, lol. Another night, I had a drunk guy try to grab on the back of the truck and ski to town after I refused to drive him. Every time I went to pull away he grabbed on. Before that he tried to get into the passenger side with his Sobeys bag full of beer and that's a definite no no, and I didn't want to risk my job over that. You never know what you are going to see out there, lol.

[@hoists1829]

Awesome video👍👍👍

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks for the visit!

[@tomvarano3283]

Great video. Take care and be safe.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Tom! 👍

[@dasbronco]

finally getting some snow but its just blowing around haha

[@losiyotaman]

Great video as always, to u guy like the new trucks or the older 6x6 better

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Dan! I loved the old Western Star and really enjoyed running it, but the Mack is much more comfortable and I am not as tired after plowing in it after a 12 hour shift.

[@jaysom2240]

What did you hit @3:30? Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

That was a asphalt spreader patch that heaved up from the frost coming out of the road. This was at the end if the season just before the end of plow season.

[@karsoncampbelllogginginc]

You’re gonna have tons of ice cubes in the back where the salt goes perfect for a drink 😂😂

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

I will keep that in mind Karson, lol.

[@davestelling]

What a weird, mild "Winter" even over here on lake Ontario, New York. No snow, green grass, way too warm. My heart almost stopped when the deer darted in front of you! Appreciate your putting these together, I really enjoy your snow episodes - thanks...

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yes, it is a very mild winter here this year! Being this close to the ocean makes for quite a variety of whether conditions, good and bad. Unfortunately I did hit a deer while plowing one time a few years ago. It ran out from behind some bushes and I never even got a chance to hit the brakes before it went under the plow. Unfortunately it never survived and I still feel bad about it as I am an animal lover. Thank you for watching Dave, I appreciate your support!

[@pi1797]

Great video Jim. That goose was persistent. Did not want too move at all. Question for you. Which truck do you prefer? The 6x6 Western Star? Or the new Mack? That western star was awesome and would go through anything. The Mack is nice but too much electronic stuff it looks like.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Both! It's like comparing apples to oranges. I really loved the old Star. I ran it for five years and enjoyed every minute of it. I was a little disappointed when they told me I was getting a new truck, but now after running it for the last three years I also love the Mack. It is so much more comfortable and not as taxing on the body after a 12 hour shift, it would be hard to go back on the Star full time again.

[@MythicalMonk3y]

6:00 How does that even happen? With the snow bank in the middle of the road like that? Was that the end of a municipality line and just left a wall? lol Regardless thanks for working crazy hours so we can use the roads. Cheers from middle of nowhere Ontario.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thank you Myth! That snow back was pushed up when one of our graders tried to get through a big drift but didn't make it. Then he came in from the other direction and tried again and you can see the results.

[@kennethdean2417]

When I drove an Oshkosh for my town in Franklin Ma I only drove about 15 to 20 MPH. Tops and the truck had a Frink plow and the curb end of the plow was a good 6’ high so I never got any blowback of snow on the hood or the windshield, actually I still miss driving the Oshkosh and the wingman I always had with me

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Kenneth! I don't think this Western Star would hold a candle to those old Oshkosh from what I heard about them.

[@kennethdean2417]

Oh I don’t know, I think they both have the power you need to push snow Incidentally the Oshkosh I drove had a 10 speed Roadranger and a Cat 1160 Engine, something that Caterpillar doesn’t make anymore But as I stated before I do miss driving the truck and my wing man was phenomenal he taught me a lot of how to use the wing but he chose not to drive he left that up to me 😊

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

At least you got the best seat in the house Kenneth, lol.

[@fastst1]

Jim, I shared as much as I could spare to get you a little overtime! Just a little scrape and salt! dirt roads aren't even frozen yet. I worry the first blast we're going to get will be a monster ice storm.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yeah, there's no frost here yet so you have to be on your toes even on some of the paved roads. Ice storms are the worst for sure so lets hope we don't get any! Hurricane Fiona did enough damage already.

[@fastst1]

nothing like seeing the curl go black a moment before it throws out the anchor!

[@fastst1]

@@JimHowDigsDirt Ha, follow your lead, found some classic ones of my own.

[@joeyhager1883]

I like a job got all my tickets thanks

[@lebotnov66]

A nice addition to your videos would be to add the hows and whys of plowing (Either voie over or subtitles) since the majority of road users don't understand them.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

I'm not a teacher but I'm trying!

[@HammondOfTexas0]

Did you hit a lifted piece of asphalt or something at 7:19 and start plowing up the road itself?

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yes, it was a asphalt patch in the road that heaved up when the frost was coming out. Thankfully that road is all newly paved now.

[@Smittyschannel]

Dude, you need to use your air horns way more often. Thanks for sharing your footage with us

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

You bet! Thanks for watching Smitty!

[@delbertmartin1513]

What is the boost button for? I saw it on the screen.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

That's for the Nitrous Oxide, lol. No, seriously tho, it's to put out a bigger blast of salt out when you want to put a little more on some areas. Thanks for asking Delbert!

[@Will-ct9ww]

Jim I plow here in New Hampshire USA and I had a curious question I was wondering if you have ever got spoken to about hitting mail boxes because I couldn't see the mail boxes one morning due to a blizzard we had last year and I got yelled at for hitting them not that I did it on purpose it was accidental

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

I never been talked to about taking out any mail boxes, although I have hit the odd one. If the wing hits a mailbox when your plow is on the centreline, then that means it was placed too close to the road. The roads here have a 33 foot right away from the centreline. I find most times the mailboxes get knocked down is from heavy wet snow hitting it and not the wing. Weather conditions and visibility can also be a factor. Shit happens!

[@Will-ct9ww]

@@JimHowDigsDirt the wet heavy snow was the cause of them being knocked over but they said my wing hit them and I showed them the videos I took with my GoPro and they said they didn't believe the videos

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Videos don't lie. That heavy wet snow is like concrete and really fly off the blade even at low speeds. If you slowed down enough to have it just roll off the plow, you'd never get all your roads plowed.

[@donchung6709]

Everytime I watch your video I put my coat on because I feel the weather when you are drving, Its looks so cold there is no comfort for you or me. Just keep the videos coming with the onset of spring almost 2 months away there will be lots of shots again.

[@noahdziadyk3412]

things here in illinois arnt much better the whole year weve gotten a foot of snow maybe and alot of it was just salting only plowed maybe 2 or 3 times

[@leehobin5132]

Which plow do you prefer, the 6X6 or the Mack?

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

I loved the old Western Star and really enjoyed running it, but the Mack is much more comfortable and I am not as tired after plowing in it after a 12 hour shift. Thanks for asking Lee!

[@leehobin5132]

@@JimHowDigsDirt Jim, glad to hear the new plow is more comfortable and easier on the body, we have to look after the most experience plow drivers we have, they are a retiring generation. I know here in Mount uniacke the plow drivers we have now have along way to go before they are good at the job as you guys.

[@radfishguy6784]

I feel like the biggest hazard is the other drivers on the road.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Yep, they are right at the top of the list for sure!

[@glenjohnson9505]

Apparently your county doesn't do tree trimming along the highway's and county roads. I live in Wisconsin, our county sub contracts tree / landscape people to maintain the tree's along the roads

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

When we get that heavy wet snow, it will bend the trees over that are not usually a problem. Fortunately it doesn't happen often. Thanks for watching Glen!

[@stuartbrock7586]

The reason I asked about your speed is because in Colorado they plow between 15 and 20 MPH, where as you are plowing between 20 and 40 MPH, nearly twice the speed. Colorado has a problem clearing their roads because, well quit frankly, their equipment covers half the distance that yours does in a shift. Colorado needs to bump up its speeds to get more plowed. They also need to give you a better broom to clear your truck so you don't tear your knee climbing up and down from the front of your truck.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Stuart! The part I really hate is when I have to hang off the side of the truck to try and clean the ice off my wiper blades. I really wish they would supply us with heated wipers! Stay safe out there man!

[@stuartbrock7586]

@@JimHowDigsDirt CDOT was at it again yesterday. Closing roads and not being able to clear the roads that were open because they were running the plows at 15 mph, on the interstate BTW. Took me 3 and a half hours to get home. A drive that normally takes an hour. The roads were covered in slush because at 15 mph the plows just spread it out; they don't actually clear it off. They are too used to the Colorado snow removal program, aka the sun. And of course people have trouble driving in those conditions, which is surprising, since there are quite a few people that don't know how to turn their headlights on. I can only imagine that driving in any conditions must be difficult for people that can't figure out how to operate their headlights. And I am talking pitch black, 4 way flashers on, no headlights, doing 5 mph. I think the person that sets the policies for CDOT has trouble using their headlights. It's only going to get worse, ugh!

[@russellmcknight7226]

I pitty the people that bought snowmobiles this year,2 cm this weekend.

[@mikeznel6048]

We’ve had over 10 feet this year since November. Great Lakes, WNY.

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Not a very good year for the sled thus far. Going to be a short season!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Wow! It would take us 2 or 3 years to get that much snow Mike, lol.

[@billupstateny9151]

Who would want to do this job ❓

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

It's not for everyone Bill, but those that like it...like it a lot! 😂

[@billupstateny9151]

@@JimHowDigsDirt Can't even see where you are driving @ times & if you lose engine power, could freeze to ambient temperature before anyone knows you are missing. Tell me you Always have radio/cell coverage❓❓

[@billupstateny9151]

@@JimHowDigsDirt Summer job, cut back those darn tree branches, can rip lights, wipers right off the truck.

[@daimondgamer05anthony2]

I’m out in Manitoba apart of the infrastructure and transportation department and it’s cool seeing you guys out there and how ur trucks are set up in Manitoba are wings are rear mounted and some trucks with a underbelly and are spreaders are on the middle side of the truck only are 5ton trucks have rear spinners and great videos love see you guys work

[@bryanlarocque7627]

Two cool thing: Your truck is not automatic. And sound like straight pipe!

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

She's a good working old truck! It was a lot of fun to plow with too!

[@lebotnov66]

You guys really set your cutting edge low. In Ottawa the shoes are a tad lower which preserves the cutting edge and reduces the chance of catching an edge. I'm sure you are aware what can happen if that occurs. Since you spread salt (unnecessarily in both directions) a very thin layer of snow helps stop the salt from bouncing off the road (Especially at speeds above 40 km/hr). Your municipality might like to check into the recent development of equipment that use only brine, which reduces the use of salt by 60-70%. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4K5laufg6yEfck&ab_channel=Stanley%22DirtMonkey%22Genadek

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Thanks Grace! We set the shoes an inch off the ground on all our trucks. As you can see in this video I know what can occur, but that rarely happens. Here in Nova Scotia we have been using brine starting way back in 2008. With the e-poke salt spreader on my truck I have two tanks that hold 3300 litres of brine. I can control the spread of the salt and keep it all on my side of the road, as the spinner is directly behind the truck. It can also be adjusted to spread up to 7 metres to the left and 4 metres to the right if need be, or when we are just putting brine on the road before the snow starts. The brine also helps control the spread of the salt as it wets it as it's coming out and doesn't bounce as much when it hits the road. It also activate the salt and starts the melting process. The brine works awesome and has cut down on the amount of salt used significantly. Thanks for the input! novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20080328003

[@bearbait2221]

LOL ROAD CHICKEN FOR DINNER TONIGHT HONEY

[@JimHowDigsDirt]

Sweet and sour or teriyaki?

[@mikidelic4303]

Oversized transport on this snow? Which imbecile allowed. OMG