The power of this unit is impressive. We have worked with these guys many times over the years - now happily retired! - as access was needed to stage rescues after storms.
On a very serious note -
For many years a buddy and I would make annual trips down to the Sacramento and the Bay Area to give talks to Boy Scout groups who travel up to the Sierra on snow camping adventures. Education is always much better than picking up the pieces after things go wrong. The road crews always asked us to stress the importance of never tunneling into road cuts - a very attractive place to dig snow caves or play. Many years ago a Scout group was up from the Bay Area and snow camping in the Icehouse Reservoir parking lot. It snowed more overnight, covering any evidence of use. The blower came through to do more clean up and widen out what he was unable to do earlier. Imagine his horror when bits of sleeping bags and personal items flew out of the chute. Shaking and sick to his stomach, he could barely exit the cab after he shut it down....................
Thank god the group had left for the day.
These operators are very mindful of the power of the machines they operate. Stay out of the way. Back off. Let them do their work, and never tunnel into cut banks along roads..