When winter blankets Lincolnshire with snow and ice, it’s the hardworking gritters that keep our county moving.
It’s a daunting task, but our fleet is always ready. But what happens during the off-season?
Let’s take a closer look at the year-round preparations that ensure we’re ready for whatever winter throws our way.
Keeping Our Gritting Fleet in Top Shape
Even though it’s June and the snow isn’t falling, our team is hard at work preparing for next winter and our gritters are getting some well-deserved TLC.
Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Fleet Maintenance
Our team has been busy tinkering, tweaking and tuning up our fleet. From bumper to spreader, no bolt is left unturned.
- Rust Protection: Salt is essential for keeping areas safe, but it’s also incredibly corrosive. To combat this, we apply Jenolite rust converter to the chassis and spinning discs. It’s satisfying to watch rusty spots transform into a rich, deep purple, a sign that the rust converter is working its magic.
- Undersealing: We’ve undersealed two vans for extra defence against the elements.
- Regular Cleaning: Throughout the season, we wash our machines after every use and take extra care when loading salt to minimise spillages.
- Engine Checks: We’re checking all engine levels and making job lists for each van to ensure they’re in peak condition.
Salt Bins and Supplies
Ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of grit and salt is crucial.
Our summer tasks include:
Reviewing salt stockpiles and placing orders
We assess our current inventory of salt to determine if we have sufficient quantities to handle the demands of the upcoming winter season.
This involves analysing usage trends from previous winters and forecasting potential needs. Once we have this data, we place orders with suppliers well in advance to ensure timely delivery and avoid any shortages during critical periods.
Inspecting and refilling salt bins throughout the county
Our team conducts thorough inspections of the salt bins located in various key areas across the county. These inspections ensure that the bins are in good condition and ready for use.
We then refill these bins, so they are stocked and prepared for immediate use when winter weather arrives. This approach helps us maintain safety and efficiency in our winter operations, keeping car parks clear and minimising disruptions when the time comes.
Community and Team Spirit
At Lincolnshire Gritters, we’re all about building a strong community with our team and the residents we serve.
Each Winter may challenge our resilience, but it also brings us together. We’re committed to maintaining safety and ensuring that everyone in Lincolnshire can travel safely, no matter the weather.
So, when winter comes knocking, be rest assured that Lincolnshire Gritters are ready. Our year-round preparations ensure that our fleet is in top shape, our salt supplies are stocked, and our team is prepared to tackle any challenge that comes our way.
Keep following our updates and behind-the-scenes stories on social media. And remember, our work doesn’t stop when the snow melts, we’re always working to keep Lincolnshire safe.