FEATURE
WINTER PREP
Time to methodically shut down , prepare for next year
By Jeff Winke
T ime to shut down for winter . Busy production season has finally ended and most would love to turn it all off and walk away until Spring shows any first signs . But that voice of reason in your head says “ Wait , wait , hold your horses , there is plenty to do when shutting things down and preparing for the start up after the break !” And you silently curse reason and ask why does reason have to be so right ! “ Common mistakes made when shutting down for winter are quite honestly due to exhaustion ,” stated Kyle Ascione , owner of Integrity Earth & Asphalt LLC , Rapid City , Michigan . “ Let ’ s point out that the asphalt paving industry is not for the weak of heart and at the end of the season , most are just ready for the finish line … so you can finally catch your breath . But the reality is that you , your business and your equipment just went through a long and hard season of use and most likely are ready for much-needed maintenance , preventative measures , and foresight into how you can be proactive versus reactive . “ This is the time to execute those ‘ we need to do that ’ items that you ’ ve been putting off all season to keep production going . Go through your equipment with a fine-tooth comb to clean , maintain , grease , change oil and tuck it in nice and tight for the winter . Trust me , winter will be over before you know it and you ’ ll want to be able to jump right back into it , ready to go .”
The shut-down process is critical for the asphalt paving contractor . It is the ending of a production period . “ The most common mistake contractors make when shutting down for the season is not taking the proper time to thoroughly clean their equipment ,” stated Shawn Hutchings , territory sales manager , LeeBoy . “ Cleaning the equipment at the end of the season will make inspection of the machine easier and help you assess whether you should replace or repair the equipment for the following season .” A big part of properly shutting down all paving / pavement maintenance operations at end of the season , is to also get things set up for the next season … a reboot for the restart . “ Winter prep for us is a major part of our spring success ,” stated Marvin Joles , owner of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance LLC , Lone Rock , Wisconsin . The shutdown needs to be methodically executed to avoid unwarranted issues “ Season shut down mistakes can cost you more money in the long run ,” Hutchings said . “ There can be unexpected last-minute repairs to start your new season in the spring or worst yet , the dreaded machine failure on a job early in the season . These failures or repairs can really play havoc with your season schedule as well , postponing jobs and erasing possible bonus money for early completion . You want to set the stage for the following season and unexpected breakdowns , or huge capital expenses aren ’ t a
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