Snowplow Maintenance

Dependable snowplow operation is the result of following good maintenance procedures.

Inspect your plow frequently to ensure all parts are working properly, and establish a schedule for maintenance at regular intervals.

The majority of snowplow operational problems are caused by moisture in the hydraulic system. For best performance, change hydraulic oil biannually, if not annually.

Before each season, check the vehicle battery and electrical system for proper operation. A weak battery, dirty terminals, or faulty charging system may cause improper operation.

Periodically check all electrical connections for proper fit, and remove any corrosion that may be present. Always replace dust caps on connectors when not in use.

Regularly inspect the snowplow headlamps for proper function and aim. Also, inspect all hardware for proper torque value. Replace worn bolts and nuts as needed.

Inspect wear of the cutting edge before every plowing season and frequently throughout the season. Replace the cutting edge before wear reaches the main plow blade.

After each use, and before end of season storage, wash all salt and dirt off the plow. Touch up any chips or scratches in the paint and apply a light coating of grease to extended cylinder rods to prevent corrosion.

Nebraska County Bridge Match Program

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Gov. Pete Ricketts and NDOR Director Kyle Schneweis, along with Custer County officials and other representatives launched the Nebraska County Bridge Match Program which was created as a result of the Transportation Innovation Act, signed into law in April 2016 by Governor Ricketts. $40 million has been dedicated to program to pilot innovative solutions to help repair or replace critical bridges on county road systems. So far, 68 bridges across the state have been selected.

 “The state has committed substantial resources for infrastructure improvement to local government partners over the past two years.  Our bridge partners will continue to play an important role as we move forward with these much-needed improvements to our county bridges." - Kyle Schneweis, Director, NDOR

Custer County is home to the first bridge receiving funding from the program. A 25-foot timber bridge located near Broken Bow will be replaced with two 84-inch round equivalent culvert pipes with headwalls and wing wall construction.

Midwest Service and Sales Co is proud to be part of this program, along with True North Steel of Huron SD, supplying material for the Custer County bridge project and those to be started in the upcoming months.  

25-foot timber bridge to be replaced, Broken Bow NE

84" Round Equivalent Culvert with Headwalls ready for installation once the timber bridge is removed. Culvert constructed by True North Steel, Huron SD, supplied by Midwest Service and Sales Co, Schuyler NE

From left - Keith Stroud, True North Steel, Gov. Pete Ricketts, Terry Scheuneman, president Midwest Service and Sales Co.

Meet Our Sales Team

At Midwest Service and Sales Co., we believe personal meetings are the key to developing long term relationships with our customers. Wherever you are located in Nebraska, or the surrounding counties in neighboring states, we have a sales representative available to assist you with any project you may be working on.

Steve Svatora (left) and Ambrose Placzek

Ambrose Plazcek has been part of the Midwest family since 1984. He serves our customers in central and western Nebraska, and northern Kansas. In addition to his experience with culverts, lumber and steel, Ambrose specializes in bridge projects and repairs. He enjoys an afternoon at the horse track, and loves an ice-cold beer.

Contact him through the office or on his cell, (402) 615-0247.

Steve Svatora joined Midwest in 1991, first helping customers in the yard and with deliveries before becoming our eastern Nebraska sales representative. He also covers Iowa, Missouri and parts of Kansas. Steve can assist you with blades, chains, lumber and culverts, or our newest options in safety, signs, and delineators. When he’s not on the road, you can find Steve working in his yard, tending the vegetable garden, and enjoying time with his grandchildren.

Contact him through the office or direct on his cell, (402) 615-1970.

Sales Territory by county:

Nebraska and Kansas West of the green line, contact Ambrose.

Nebraska and Kansas East of the green line, Iowa and Missouri, contact Steve.

Spirit of Spring

May the spirit of hope that Easter brings help you find contentment in little things. 

As the weather warms and your garden grows, let Midwest Service and Sales help you make a statement in your landscape. We have remnant culverts of all sizes, perfect as an accent planter in the garden or a fire ring for summer nights on the patio. Our bridge plank can be used to create raised beds, retaining walls, garden paths. If you're looking to conserve water, hang a length of chain from your downspout to collect spring rains in a barrel. Or use the chain to make chimes to catch the Nebraska winds. The possibilities are endless.

Get the Edge with New Grader Blades

When it comes to grading, Midwest Service and Sales Co carries blades for any road condition.

Our double beveled, curved grader blades are available in stock sizes of 6” or 8” width, or you can custom order specialty blades in 10”, 13” or even 16” wide. The curved shape of the blade results in better material flow when used on graders and underbody plows. Standard carbon blades average 100 hours of use, in the right conditions, making them an economical choice for standard usage.

Upgrading to a heat-treated blade will increase blade wear by 30-40% over standard carbon, with only a slight increase in cost. Heat treated blades are manufactured from Boron Steel and through hardened to a hardness of 421 to 512 Brinell, compared to 250 to 320 Brinell for high carbon steel.

Curved carbide grader blades with surface protection are a superior choice for low impact, high abrasion applications. Tungsten carbide insert blades have an extremely long wear life, averaging 1,200 to 1,400 hours, depending on conditions, and result in reduced downtime due to blade changes. They provide an excellent resistance to crowning for applications that require a level grading operation.

Product Spotlight - Shur-Flex Delineators

The Shur-Flex® Driveable Delineator’s multi-hit, self-righting, omni-directional impact design utilizes Shur-Tite’s proven Sq2Rd insert. Its easy installation, durability and quick post replacement make it a great option for long tem maintenance cost savings.

The driveable delineator is comprised of three components, allowing for easy change-out of any one part, if necessary. These components include an anchor, joint, and post.

·         The anchor system utilizes 2” x 12ga non-proprietary galvanized steel perforated tubing which can be supplied in a variety of lengths to accommodate different soil types. The versatility of the square tubing anchor also allows for easy placement into concrete to assure long-term stable installations in extreme situations that see constant, recurring impacts.

·         The flexible joint component is a one piece, nonmetallic, molded, square to round design, assuring long-life in severe corrosive environments.

·         The posts are manufactured of no less than 70% recycled materials. The top of the post is permanently sealed and partially flattened, transitioning to round, which affords 360 degree visibility. Flattening the post allows for application of a 3”x12” piece of reflective sheeting. The heavier wall thickness of the post provides enough structural integrity to prevent collapse during storms or high wind.

·         Special tools are not required for replacement of post or flexible joint. If required, post replacement takes less than 60 seconds, minimizing workers’ exposure to traffic.

Posts are available in white, yellow, orange, green, black or grey, in 48”, 54” or 60” lengths. Reflective sheeting is available in High Intensity or Diamond grade, in a variety of sizes and color. Contact your Midwest Service sales representative today for pricing or additional information.

More Than CMP

Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP) is fabricated from coils of galvanized steel. It can be manufactured in a wide range of shapes and sizes for a variety of uses. At Midwest Service and Sales, we stock CMP in diameters ranging from 6” up to 144”, with the option of riveted, spiral, or 5x1.

One of the most common questions our customers ask is, ‘What’s the difference between riveted and spiral pipe?’ The difference is in the way it is manufactured.

Riveted CMP is assembled by hand using cut-to-length sheets with annular 2-2/3”x1/2” corrugations. Longitudinal and circumferential lapped seams are fastened with rivets.

Riveted CMP

Spiral CMP is fabricated by machine using coiled steel sheet with helical 2-2/3”x1/2” corrugations and a continuous lock seam. The ends are rerolled annular. In diameters 60” and larger, we also offer 5x1 Spiral CMP. The wider pitch and 1” depth increases the strength of the corrugated steel, allowing for the use of a relatively lighter gauge of material for similar design considerations. 5x1 SCMP can reduce both the cost and the weight of the project.

Spiral CMP

In diameters 60” and larger, we also offer 5x1 Spiral CMP. The wider pitch and 1” depth increases the strength of the corrugated steel, allowing for the use of a relatively lighter gauge of material for similar design considerations. 5x1 SCMP can reduce both the cost and the weight of the project.

Since there is manual labor involved in manufacturing Riveted CMP, the cost is slightly higher than the same diameter and gauge of Spiral CMP. In a 1965 comparative study published by Ohio State University in Columbia, their principle conclusion is the welded, riveted, and 2-2/3 pitch spiral pipe specimens were, for all practical purposes, equal.

Culvert manufacturing plant, True North Steel, Huron, South Dakota.