Eau Claire, Wis. (WEAU) – It was a wet, snowy day in Eau Claire after a winter storm rolled through overnight, prompting the need for snow removal on Thursday.
“We got a lot of calls today buying snowmobiles. “We’re really busy today, that’s for sure,” said Josh Smith, owner of Union Towing and Power Tools in Chippewa Falls.
He said it was a good day for snow clearing, with temperatures hovering above freezing.
“Luckily it hasn’t frozen yet so at least you can get down to the blacktop and clean it all the way down,” Smith said.
While the equipment can cost more than $1,000, Smith said it’s worth it.
“I used mine this morning, and it throws the snow 50 feet out of the way, so I don’t have to do it again,” Smith said.
American Yard Restoration in Eau Claire is a business that uses the equipment for their snow removal business.
It sure sounds great when you get this wet hard stuff. “Heavier things take a toll on the equipment and the men, especially the men,” said Jake Rubenzer, who owns the landscape business.
They said they have a long list of customers to serve, but the demand is still high.
“We’ve been registered for two years, so we’re not accepting new customers. Today I have maybe 12 new ones saying, ‘Hey, you can swing,”’ Rubenser said. “We try to help them as much as we can, but we are very limited with what we have. Maybe we’ll finish by 9 tonight.”
Rubenzer’s business partner, Ben Bratner, worked alongside him from the wee hours of the morning.
It started at 2am today and as you can see we are still going. It’s sure to be a busy night.”
He also said that he enjoys working hard.
“It’s really exciting to be here to be able to get all these labels and just enjoy it.”
Smith and Rubenzer offer tips for snowplow safety and snow removal safety.
“Be sure not to put your hand in if something gets stuck or if you break a shear pin,” Smith says.
“When you meet someone this big, set an alarm, wake up early. Do it two or three times, Rubenser says, so it’s not hard to do at the end.
The two owners of a landscaping business say the key when it comes to professional snow removal is consistency.
It’s a boring job, but Brantener says trying to have some fun helps get through it.
Whether you’re using a shovel or a snowmobile, it can be challenging, he added.
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