residential snow plowing questions?

No specific age. Driving and plowing experience a plus though

More probably especially being 17. You need liability insurance just in case you hit something say a parked car, light pole, sign, etc.

Charging, you should look into local companies that plow. Search the internet and phone book. You'll have to probably call them and ask. They'll probably ask how big the driveway/lot is.

8'6" should be ok. Standard is between 7' and 8'

Age, what truck it is/was on for mounting, check out lights and hydraulics, and controls. Straight or V Plow?

Weld a thick piece of steel to the bottom edge of the plow so the plow itself doesn't get worn down from the blacktop/concrete.

Of course it will. It should touch the pavement. You live in Minnesota and have never seen a truck plow?

Just way out the cost difference of buying a truck/plow, insurance, gas, tires?, and time (which is primarily during the late night/early morning) compared to profit made. Is it worth it?

Check this out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSYxVqkANgw&feature...

Good Luck!!

After 20+ yrs in the industry,I can say that @17 this is not your best idea. Try doing it for someone else and destroy their equipment before you spend money on your own. Even if you get something for less than $10 k ( actual working truck and plow) it still takes 2 years to break even, and if something breaks during your run you have to get it fixed or have a back up truck to finish the route or you have pissed off customers. They do not want to hear about your old truck breaking down. They want the driveway plowed that they payed for, not their problem that your truck is broke. Plow my driveway is all the care and pay for. If you cannot make it, they will find someone else. I have 9 trucks, and when 1 truck is down the other 8 have to cover the 30 plus calls that this truck cannot do. That pisses off the other drivers, but they also fall into the same spot when they break down. Most of my trucks are less than 5 yrs old and so are the plows and YES they do break down or the driver hits something and wrecks the plow. I can fix it in house and have 30 yrs experience. Start small and make no promises other than to do your best. The older the truck and plow= more possible repairs. + lack of skills in doing this and the chance that you do not have $40k to get a newer unit and probably do not or cannot get commercial insurance( that`s right, you need to have a min $1 mil of liability and commercial insurance just in case). And then there is the simple fact that you have never done this before. All you need to do is damage 1 property and all your profit is gone for the year. Get a truck and plow and drive around after a storm and see what you can get. Have someone teach you how to plow and try it for a few months. You will not make any money for the first 2 yrs until you get good at it, All you need is 1 hose to break and you can kiss any of that nights work goodbye just in repairs unless you have 1 in stock and can do it on the side of the road by yourself in the cold and dark. And I live in the land of cold and dark. Toronto Ontario, Canada. Start small and see how it goes, @ 17 you do not have enough driving skills to do this at all but it is worth a try. If you actually think you will make money the first year, think again. You will be lucky if it does not cost you to operate until you know how to work it

There are other laws you need to look into.