How to Maintain Your Snow Pusher for Long-Term Use

Snow pushers take a beating harsh temperatures, abrasive surfaces, hidden curbs, and hours of back-to-back plowing. Whether you’re running one unit or managing a fleet, proper maintenance is the key to keeping your snow pushers in working shape all winter long (and beyond).

The good news? Most of what you need to do is simple, preventative, and inexpensive especially when compared to the cost of downtime or replacement. Below, we’ll walk through the key steps to maintaining your snow pusher for long-term use.

1. Before the Season Starts: Pre-Winter Prep

Before the first storm hits, give your snow pusher a full inspection and tune-up. A few minutes now can prevent major issues later.

• Inspect Wear Edges (Rubber or Steel) Check for cracks, splitting, uneven wear, or excessive edge loss. Replace any edges that are worn below manufacturer spec worn edges that don't clear properly and can damage surfaces.
• Check Skid Shoes These take the brunt of the drag. If they’re worn down unevenly or nearly gone, replace them. They protect your edge and surface from unnecessary contact.
• Inspect the Frame and Welds Look for visible cracks, bent side panels, or fatigue near stress points (especially where the frame meets the coupler). Any damage now will only get worse under heavy snow.
• Examine Mounting Hardware Check that your coupler, pins, or quick-attach system is secure and fits your loader properly. Loose fits or misaligned mounts can lead to safety hazards or uneven wear.
• Lubricate Grease Points If your pusher has greasable pivot points or a hinge edge, now’s the time to hit them with the correct lubricant.
• Repaint Any Scratches or Bare Metal Use rust-resistant paint to touch up exposed steel and prevent long-term corrosion.

2. In-Season Maintenance

Once the season starts, your maintenance habits should be short and routine just enough to catch issues before they grow.

• Perform Visual Checks Before and After Each Shift A quick walkaround can help you catch missing bolts, bent shoes, or damaged coupler points.
• Clean Off Salt and Road Debris Salt eats steel fast. Rinse off buildup at the end of each shift especially around seams and brackets.
• Monitor Edge Wear Steel edges should wear evenly across the full width. If they’re wearing on one side, check your skid shoe position. Rubber edges should flex properly and not crack or curl up.
• Check Mounting Pins and Bolts Look for any signs of movement or slop in the connection to the loader. Tighten anything loose immediately.
• Watch for Hydraulic Leaks If your pusher has hydraulic angle capability, keep an eye on hoses, seals, and fittings.

3. Storage & Post-Season Care

Once the season winds down, proper storage helps preserve your investment for next year.

• Wash It Thoroughly Use a power washer and degreaser to remove all salt, grime, and residue — especially around hardware and pivot points.
• Store Off the Ground Use wood blocks or pallets to keep the edge and frame from sitting in pooled water or mud.
• Touch Up Paint and Label Repairs This is the perfect time to repaint bare spots, flag damaged parts, and make a list of any repairs needed before next season.
• Keep It Covered If you can, store indoors or under a tarp. UV and moisture will shorten the life of almost every part of the pusher.

1. Keep Common Parts On Hand

The parts that wear out are predictable. To avoid delays when something goes down, we recommend stocking:

• Rubber or steel edges (based on your model)
• Skid shoes
• Mounting pins and bolts
• Paint and touch-up material

Working with a supplier that keeps parts in stock can save days of downtime in the middle of a storm.

1. Bonus Tips to Make Maintenance Easier

• Create a simple checklist for your operators
• Keep a maintenance log for each piece of equipment
• Train new operators on correct plowing angles and usage to avoid edge and frame damage
• Schedule monthly inspections during high-use periods

Conclusion

Taking care of your snow pusher doesn’t require a shop full of tools or a big budget, just a consistent routine and a little attention to wear and tear.

By staying ahead of problems, you’ll extend the life of your equipment, reduce costly repairs, and keep your operation moving through the entire season.

Need replacement parts or a snow pusher that’s built to last?

Contact our team at Damstrong today or browse our inventory of heavy-duty snow pushers and attachments.