PITTSFORD, N.Y. — After more than two weeks of freezing temperatures, the area finally experienced a day above freezing. However, the snow accumulation remains significant.
David Christofano, who has been plowing for over 30 years, said, “I’ve definitely got a lot of practice. Yeah. You’re pushing 1,000 pound plow within a foot of a garage door without taking off the garage.”
Christofano and his team of three clear about 150 driveways in six hours. News10NBC’s Kristi Blake joined Christofano to observe the plowing process.
The best time to plow is when there’s a good amount of snow – at least three or four inches.
“Not like a half an inch. It’s really hard to move a half an inch of snow around,” said Christofano.
The area has seen about 2 to 3 feet more snow compared to this time last year. Christofano mentioned that if the snow continues to accumulate, he might need to hire additional help.
“If we get another 2 or 3 feet this year, I’m going to have probably have some driveways. I’m going to have to have a loader come in and clean them out,” he said.
Christofano explained the differences in plows used for driveways.
“90% of our driveways are back drags, which the plow was actually designed to push snow forward. But unfortunately we have to pull snow back,” he said.
Blake had the opportunity to try plowing herself, learning from Christofano.
“Teach somebody how to plow is how to maneuver the blade and get the most snow out with each push,” he said.
Christofano plans to buy a tractor snow blower combination next year to help manage the snow. With snow banks growing taller than 5 feet 10 inches, the above-freezing temperatures are not expected to last long.
Christofano reminded drivers to be cautious around plows. “Don’t pull right up behind a plow in a driveway and don’t speed by them,” he said.
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