Putnam County Government: Snow Plow Restoration

Press release from the Putnam County Government:

October 20, 2021

Immediate Release

Putnam County Executive

MaryEllen Odell

845-808-1001

October 20, 2021

Putnam County’s Department of Highway and Facilities is proud to announce that it has completed the restoration of its 1959 FWD snow thrower.  What started as an inventory check of snow equipment turned into a restoration of a historic Putnam County vehicle.

The historic vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959.  All original documentations are on file and remains a “matching numbers” original vehicle.  The vehicle was in service for almost forty years and served faithfully from 1959 to 1998 were it sat dormant since.  A copy of a historic newspaper article, believed to be the Putnam Trader was in the file and noted the vehicle’s service during the storm of January 28, 1977were two Putnam County Highway staff, Albert Hudson and George Anderson, Jr. of Patterson drove the FWD to Watertown, NY to assist in emergency the operations and “spent eight days. . . clearing away some of the 273.5 inches of snow with drifting as high as 30 feet”.

The 1959 FWD has always been admired for its history with the county, classic style, durability and simplicity.  After discussions between Commissioner Pena and Fleet Manger/Chief Mechanic Vitiello the project started in 2017 as a part-time effort to determine IF the classic could come back to life.  With that the vehicle was turnover (towed) to Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlanshi.  Mechanic, Vlanshi, is known not only for his expert work with diesel and heavy equipment, but also for his abilities to restore and fabricate.  The project was in good hands.

After a system’s check of the major components, Mechanic Vlanshi, with his quiet easy-going smile, reassured the Commissioner and the Chief Mechanic, “sure, we’ll getting her going again”.  As with all his work, Mechanic Vlanshi meticulously and methodically investigated and restored all the major systems, including both gasoline and diesel motors, the snow thrower, and the entire drivetrain.  With Chief Mechanic Vitiello’s help in finding some rare missing parts and supporting the project through all its phases, Mechanic Vlanshi then proceeded to repair all the bumps and brushes, rebuild all major mechanical and brake components, and then painted the classic to a functionally restored and “presentable” condition.

With pride, Commissioner Pena and the entire department would like to thank Chief Mechanic Vitiello and especially, Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlanshi for their “part-time” efforts in restoring the classic snow-thrower for all to enjoy.

This press release was produced by the Putnam County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.