$20 Snow Shovel vs. $30 Snow Shovel

[Jack D.]

blooz wrote:
Stuff it, olnacl:censor:
16 degree high today. 6 above zero tonight.

No snow to speak of, tho.

I have one of the bent handle snow shovels and it works fine for me.
I hadn't thought to use plastic. if solves the sticky snow problem I'm getting right on that.

11 degrees here now in eastern MA. but no snow ... yet. I bought a new Ariens 6 speed "snow shovel" with 'lectric start last year. No plastic on this baby to wear out.

[macphanatic]

The problem with an ergonomic shovel is that unless it is designed for the specific user, it isn't ergonomic. What is correct for someone who is 5'6" is not correct for someone who is 5'9" or 6'. Companies use the term ergonomic incorrectly or to blatantly mislead the consumer.

[OWC Jamie]

My good pusher for light snow - disappeared. I've never found another like it.
I have one similar to #2. Haven't had troubles with the metal edge, it's just a jack-of-all-trdes, excellent at nothing shovel.

Ariens 8 HP 2 stage snow thrower
and
a John Deere 2520
if things get bad.



I have two long driveways to keep cleared
(mine just good enough, gotta keep the 4WD in use)
gotta have Winter tools.

I live close enough to the ocean that snow fall often turns to rain.
Sometimes it pays to go out and clear it before it becomes a mess, sometimes I can just ignore it, it will wash away.

[Robert M]

Jack,

I hear ya. The idea of spending money on more than one shovel behooves me. If I'm going to spend extra cash for dealing snow removal, I'd rather just go for broke and get a snow blower and be done with it. Years ago, I bought a Toro Powercurve electric snow blower and a good all weather extennsion cord and they've more than paid for itself many times over. Lightweight. Easy to use. Does a great job overall.

Still have two shovels around but one is used for a quick sweep of the walk or tidying after using the snow blower and the other is kept in the back of my jeep for emergencies. Makes all the difference when a plow shoves so much snow against the car that you need flamethrower to melt it and open the door.

Robert

[Black Landlord]

billb wrote:
My good pusher for light snow - disappeared. I've never found another like it.
I have one similar to #2. Haven't had troubles with the metal edge, it's just a jack-of-all-trdes, excellent at nothing shovel.

Ariens 8 HP 2 stage snow thrower
and
a John Deere 2520
if things get bad.



I have two long driveways to keep cleared
(mine just good enough, gotta keep the 4WD in use)
gotta have Winter tools.

I live close enough to the ocean that snow fall often turns to rain.
Sometimes it pays to go out and clear it before it becomes a mess, sometimes I can just ignore it, it will wash away.

Well, on further thought, I may have different challenges than the rest of you. The sidewalk in front of my house is typically well-packed by the time I'm able to get to it, but the last 2 winters is typically turned to ice as well; and I've got a groove to deal with every 5 feet or so.

[OWC Jamie]

The right tool for the job makes sense.

I've used a flat garden spade on ice on concrete stairs. (that and salt).

City sidewalks are a challenge. I had no place to put more than just a couple inches of snow (for the short time I had an apartment). Especially with parking out front. Ended up using a wheel barrow and moving it to the back yard any time there was more than a foot. Couldn't have used a snowblower if I had one except to put it back out in the street.

[macphanatic]

Black Landlord wrote:
Well, on further thought, I may have different challenges than the rest of you. The sidewalk in front of my house is typically well-packed by the time I'm able to get to it, but the last 2 winters is typically turned to ice as well; and I've got a groove to deal with every 5 feet or so.

How about a surplus flamethrower? Should make short work of any snow or ice.