BRACE yourself - winter is coming! And it could be the coldest for eight years, as arctic conditions blow in from Siberia.

Weather Channel forecasters are predicting 32 days of ice, heavy snow, and temperatures of minus 13 in the UK.

And drivers are being warned that snow could cause travel chaos over the Christmas period as polar gales hit the UK.For most of us in the UK, snow clearing simply means working on the drive with a shovel. But for areas where heavy snow is an annual problem - such as parts of the US and Canada - it means clamping a snowplow to your tractor or pick-up, and getting to work on the sidewalks and local lanes.
Plowing snow isn’t just a case of driving up and down. You need to plan where you’re piling the snow - beginning at the outermost edge from where you plan to make your pile, and then working systematically to move the snow toward the pile.
Get the lay of the land before you start - look out for pavement edges, fences, shrubs and speed bumps. They may not be obvious under a blanket of snow.
Don’t drive too fast! 14mph is the maximum speed you should be going. And when the snow is very compacted, thick or wet, driving slowly will save you time and fuel, allowing the blade to dig in further.
Pack up some safety equipment - a tool kit, fire extinguisher, torch, first aid kit, a shovel and a bag of sand or salt. And dress up warm - thermal underwear, a warm jacket, a hat, scarf and gloves.

Using the right controller for your snowplow will make the process easier - and Sure Grip Controls has the perfect solution.

The AU handle - a relatively new addition to the company’s range - was developed with attachments such as snowplows and grapplers in mind. One of the company’s smaller handles, it offers maximum operator comfort and is designed for years of reliable service.

The cases are made from a high impact plastic polymer, with a comfortable shape designed to make the handle lightweight and easy to use, as well as rugged enough to deal with heavy duty work. In fact, the switches are tested to 10 million operations.

As we have come to expect from Sure Grip, the switches are covered with a patented overlay design protecting them from dirt and moisture.

The AU has several patents pending, and features a unique clamping system which allows it to be mounted on any shaft with a diameter between 3/8” and 3/4".

The faceplate, which accommodates numerous configurations of switches, rocker, sliders, and even a micro joystick, can be rotated 360° allowing for installation in any orientation.

It can also be used as a replacement handle when installing a new attachment or for OEM applications in a variety of industries.
So get your hat, get your scarf, position your joystick and clamp on your snowplow, and be ready for the Big Chill!
Full specifications for the AU handle can be found here http://nexuscomponents.co.uk/Manufacturers/SUREGRIP/Sure%20Grip%20AU%20Control%20Grips



Photo by Troy T on Unsplash