Scenario: it is late October and first snow could be weeks away or just days, depending on where you are. Direct answer: count backward from your own typical first plowing date, not from the calendar. Week 0 below is the week you expect to plow. If you are already inside 12 weeks, start at the row that matches today and do the earlier rows as a catch-up.
| Week | Focus | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| -12 to -10 | Inventory and inspection | Pull every plow; measure edge height; photograph wear; check moldboard straightness, shoes, hardware and trip parts; list what to replace |
| -9 to -8 | Plan and budget | Compare the list with last season’s log; decide what to replace at what height; set the order quantities; get quotes in writing |
| -7 | Order | Place orders with the lead times your suppliers have confirmed; for imports, ask for the shipping status in writing |
| -6 to -5 | Receive and check | Count and inspect incoming parts; check hole patterns on a sample; report any problem the same week |
| -4 to -3 | Fit | Fit edges, shoes and hardware; torque to spec; stripe the bolts; update the log |
| -2 | Test | Raise, lower and trip each plow; check hydraulics and lights; drive a loop, then re-check bolts |
| -1 | Staging | Place spares and tools on the trucks; brief drivers on the pre-trip card and the stop signs |
| 0 | First event | Check bolts after the first shift; log what you find |
Catch-up rules
Starting late changes the order of the work, not the work.
- If you start late, do the inspection and the order in the same week, and ask suppliers what ships fastest.
- Fit the trucks that plow the critical routes first.
- Never skip the test week: a short loop with bolt re-checks is the minimum.
Using it
The calendar is built backwards from the first snow.
- Counting back from your typical first snow date gives a calendar date for each week. Write them on the sheet.
- Lead times are the weak point. The calendar only works if the order week reflects what a supplier confirmed, not what you hope for.
- If your season starts later or earlier, slide the whole sheet.
Boundary: the weeks are a planning template, not a recommendation from any manufacturer. Winter timing and ordering lead times differ by region and supplier.
Further reading on this site.
How should we plan preseason blade stock when lead time and minimum order are not yet confirmed? ↗Measuring a Snow Plow Blade for Replacement: The Four Measurements That Matter ↗Carbide snow plow blades ↗El Nino Winters and Southern Fleets: Planning Edges for Occasional Snow ↗
