Blow Hards

By Keith Gribbins

Relaxing by a roaring fire, sipping a snifter of brandy and listening to a bit of classic Foreigner, I found myself paging through the latest copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. It seems the weather seers of the world have visions of warm times ahead of us, with 2007 and 2008 being some of the warmest years on record.

“Very warm, overall,” says John Pierce, publisher of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. “The past nine years have been among the 25 warmest years on record, and, based on our study of solar activity and cycles, we expect the warming trend to continue.” That’s bad news for snow professionals. As perhaps a morbid saving grace, along with the heat, new records for extreme weather events are predicted by the almanac, like hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, droughts and anomalies like blizzards. While it may not snow as much this winter season, when it does, our cities and streets will need Mr. Plow and Señor Salt more than ever and for longer periods of time. >> more

Cabin Fever

By Keith Gribbins

Ever see an operator with the fever? It’s an ugly affair. He’s jittery, restless and irritable, burned out on being confined in the discomfort, cold or heat of a small machine for eight-hour workdays. It’s a condition called cabin fever, and it can affect the best operators. While the ice and snow of the winter weather drives most of us indoors and the humid heat of summer sends the rest into their air-conditioned ivory towers, professional machine crews must still brave the great outdoors and all its extremes to continue construction.

Long days in uncomfortable machines can cause a workplace form of frustration and claustrophobia, which leads owners to yearn for the comfort and controlled climate of a cozy cab. By outfitting your skid steer, compact tractor or utility vehicle with a nice enclosure, a driver can create a working environment that’s more relaxing, satisfying and efficient. >> more