Teleo and Storm's Autonomous Skid Steer Retrofit Kit: The Future of Remote Snow Plowing

The Teleo–Storm Equipment collaboration is redefining how contractors use skid steer loaders for remote‑operated and autonomous snow plowing, turning standard machines into high‑productivity, year‑round assets. This guide explains how the retrofit kit works, why it matters for fleet owners, and how similar technology can apply to machines like excavators, wheel loaders, and tractors in modern construction fleets.

What Is Teleo and Storm’s Autonomous Skid Steer for Snow Plowing?

Teleo and Storm Equipment have introduced a remote‑operated and autonomous industrial snow plow solution built around a skid steer platform. The system retrofits a John Deere 332G skid steer with a Storm Equipment Metal Pless snowplow blade and Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy technology to create an autonomous skid steer for snow plowing in large open areas.

Once the retrofit kit is installed, the machine can be operated from a central command center and later upgraded to more autonomous functions, allowing one operator to supervise and control multiple machines across different sites. This approach helps snow contractors cope with labor shortages, long overnight shifts, and harsh winter conditions while improving safety and productivity.

How the Autonomous Skid Steer Retrofit Kit Works

Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy is a full‑stack system that combines hardware, software, and connectivity to enable remote and semi‑autonomous operation of existing heavy equipment.

Universal retrofit kit and sensors

– Teleo provides a universal retrofit kit that mounts on the machine, typically externally, and integrates with the existing controls.

– The kit includes cameras, sensors, and onboard computing using technologies originally developed for self‑driving vehicles to deliver a 360° view around the machine and robust perception capabilities.

– The system can be installed on many makes and models, not only John Deere, making it suitable for mixed fleets of skid steers, loaders, and other equipment.

Command center and mesh network

– Operators sit in a centralized command center, an office‑style environment equipped with Teleo control stations that replicate in‑cab controls via joysticks and screens.

– A dedicated mesh network connects the machines and command center, helping ensure continuous connectivity across work sites, with mobile solar stations available for power where needed.

– If network connectivity is lost or interrupted, the system is designed to bring the machine to a safe stop, adding redundancy and safety.

Remote, supervised, and autonomous modes

– Initially, the solution operates as a remote‑operated snow plow, with the operator directly controlling the skid steer from the command center.

– The roadmap includes enabling more advanced autonomous modes, where the skid steer clears snow on its own and pauses to ask for human intervention only when encountering tasks it cannot handle.

– Operators can switch quickly between manual, remote, and autonomous modes and can move from one machine to another in seconds, even across different sites or regions.

Key Benefits for Snow Contractors and Fleet Owners

This autonomous skid steer solution targets three main outcomes for snow contractors: safety, efficiency, and comfort.

Safety and operator comfort

– Operators work from a climate‑controlled command center instead of sitting in a vibrating cab in freezing temperatures, reducing fatigue and health risks.

– On‑board cameras provide better visibility than a traditional cab, especially in heavy snowfall or low‑light conditions.

– The perception stack detects obstacles such as people and vehicles and alerts the operator, and multiple safety redundancies stop the machine if connectivity is lost.

Productivity and staffing

– By removing travel time between sites, one skilled operator can supervise several machines and cover more ground in less time, effectively multiplying productivity.

– Snowplow operators can instantly switch from one loader to another and even work on jobsites located in different regions via remote access.

– The system broadens the potential talent pool, because the work experience becomes closer to operating a simulator than driving a machine in harsh conditions.

Cost‑effectiveness and asset utilization

– The retrofit kit can be installed on existing fleets, allowing contractors to avoid purchasing new machines and instead upgrade the equipment they already own.

– The same skid steers and loaders that move gravel, peat moss, and other bulk materials in warm seasons can be used as remote‑operated snow plows in winter, increasing year‑round utilization.

– This flexible deployment model makes the system scalable and financially attractive for both small and large contractors.

Teleo and Storm Equipment Partnership Story

Storm Equipment initially explored simulator‑based training for its operators but found that simulation did not feel realistic enough compared with operating real snow plows. The company encountered Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy at a major industry trade show and decided instead to upfit real machines with Teleo’s technology for remote and autonomous snow removal.

Working with dealer RDO Equipment Co., Teleo and Storm retrofitted a John Deere 332G skid steer with a Metal Pless snowplow blade and Teleo’s supervision system. The resulting machine is optimized for large commercial parking lots and other wide, flat surfaces where fast, repetitive snow clearing is needed.

Feedback from Storm Equipment’s operators has highlighted better visibility, improved comfort, and the ability to manage more work from a single control station. For Teleo, this snow application extends its existing customer base in construction and material handling to include commercial snow removal contractors.

From Skid Steers to Mixed Construction Fleets

Although this solution is currently showcased with a skid steer for snow plowing, the underlying approach is relevant to multiple categories of construction machinery.

Cross‑season, cross‑application usage

– Machines used to load bulk materials in the summer can switch to snow plowing in winter using the same retrofit kit.

– The retrofit concept can be applied to excavators, wheel loaders, tractors, and tracked carriers in applications such as material handling, landscaping, road maintenance, and earthmoving, depending on control integration and safety requirements.

Strategic implications for OEMs and manufacturers

– For manufacturers of excavators, skid steer loaders, road rollers, forklifts, tractors, and tracked transporters, universal retrofit technologies create new ways to position machines as “autonomy‑ready” without redesigning the core platform.

– OEMs can collaborate with autonomy providers and attachment specialists to bundle retrofit kits, sensors, and work tools (snow blades, buckets, forks) into application‑specific packages for different seasons and industries.

Practical Steps to Retrofit a Skid Steer with an Autonomous Snow Plow Kit

For contractors who want to adopt an autonomous skid steer for snow plowing, the process can be broken down into clear steps.

1. Assess your fleet and use cases

Identify the machines that already work in winter for snow removal and in summer for material handling. Prioritize units that operate mostly in large open areas such as industrial parking lots, distribution centers, and logistics hubs.

2. Select compatible equipment and attachments

Confirm that your skid steer models can be integrated with the chosen retrofit kit and autonomous‑ready snowplow blades. Standardize a core set of machines and blade sizes to simplify support, training, and spare parts.

3. Work with dealers and integrators

Engage the autonomy provider’s dealer network or local distributors to plan installations, connectivity, and command‑center setups. Plan for incremental rollout, starting with a small pilot group of machines and operators.

4. Set up the command center

Choose a central location with reliable power and network connectivity. Equip it with operator control stations, ergonomic seating, multiple monitors, and clear operating procedures for shift changes and incident handling.

5. Train operators and build workflows

Provide training on remote controls, perception alerts, and emergency procedures. Define workflows for switching between manual, remote, and autonomous modes and for scaling operators across multiple machines.

6. Measure performance and optimize

Track key metrics such as cleared area per hour, operator utilization, and downtime. Use data from the system to refine route planning, blade selection, and dispatching strategies.

Year‑Round Utilization: From Snow Plowing to Construction and Landscaping

A major advantage of the retrofit model is its ability to unlock year‑round utilization of the same equipment across seasons.

– In winter, retrofitted skid steers can run as remote‑operated or semi‑autonomous snow plows in industrial parking lots and commercial sites.

– In warmer months, the same machines can switch to loading gravel, peat moss, and other bulk materials, or support landscaping and general site work, either manually or with remote assistance.

– This flexibility allows contractors to justify the investment in autonomy by spreading its value across multiple revenue streams throughout the year.

Tele‑Operated vs. Traditional Snow Plowing

Aspect	Remote/Autonomous Skid Steer Solution	Traditional Snow Plow Operation
Operator location	Central command center, office‑like setup	In‑cab on each machine on site
Visibility and perception	360° camera views with obstacle alerts	Limited by cab position, mirrors, and weather
Fleet utilization	One operator can supervise multiple machines	One operator per machine, per site
Seasonal flexibility	Same machine used for snow and site work	Often specialized for winter or summer only
Upfront investment	Retrofit kit for existing machines	Purchase dedicated snow equipment or trucks
Safety in network loss	Machine is designed to stop safely	Driver must respond manually to any incident

Strategic CTA: Transform Your Fleet into Autonomy‑Ready Machines

If you operate skid steer loaders, compact loaders, or multi‑purpose construction machinery, this is the right moment to build an autonomy‑ready strategy that increases safety, productivity, and year‑round utilization. Whether for snow plowing in winter or material handling in warmer seasons, combining robust machines with remote and autonomous technologies can significantly improve your return on investment.

For fleet owners, dealers, and equipment manufacturers, the next step is clear: explore how autonomy‑ready skid steers, excavators, and other compact machines can be integrated into your operation. Reach out to your technology and equipment partners today to evaluate retrofit options, pilot projects, and tailored solutions that will keep your machines working smarter, safer, and more profitably in every season.

FAQs: Autonomous Skid Steer for Snow Plowing

1. What is an autonomous skid steer for snow plowing?

An autonomous skid steer for snow plowing is a standard skid steer loader retrofitted with a snowplow blade and an autonomy system, enabling remote and semi‑autonomous snow removal operations in commercial and industrial environments.

2. Do I need to buy new machines to use an autonomy retrofit kit?

In most cases, you do not need to buy new machines. Modern retrofit kits are designed to be installed on a wide range of existing heavy equipment, allowing contractors to upgrade their current fleet and protect previous investments.

3. How many machines can one operator control?

Because operators work from a centralized command center and can switch between machines with a click, a single skilled operator can supervise several units. The exact number depends on job complexity, site layout, and the level of autonomy deployed.

4. Is the system safe if the network connection drops?

Well‑designed systems include multiple redundancies and are configured to bring the snow plow to a safe stop if there is a network glitch or loss. This prevents uncontrolled operation and helps maintain safety around people, vehicles, and structures.

5. Can the retrofitted machines work outside the snow season?

Yes. The same tele‑operated machines can be used for tasks such as loading gravel, peat moss, and other bulk materials in warmer months, as well as landscaping and general site work. This multi‑season use is a key factor in maximizing return on investment.

References :

1. – https://compactequip.com/attachments/watch-teleo-and-storm-equipment-can-create-an-autonomous-skid-steer-for-snow-plowing-with-a-retrofit-kit/

2. – https://compactequip.com/skid-steers/snow-efficient-teleo-and-storm-equipment-team-up-for-autonomous-plowing/

3. – https://www.equipmentworld.com/technology/article/15665817/teleo-launches-remoteoperated-autonomous-snowplow-attachment

4. – https://www.lawnandlandscape.com/news/teleo-snow-equipment-introduce-remote-operated-autonomous-snow-plow/

5. – https://futurride.com/2024/03/06/teleo-adds-snowplows-to-its-remote-operated-and-autonomous-use-cases/

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Teleo and Storm’s Autonomous Skid Steer Retrofit Kit: The Future of Remote Snow Plowing