Let's talk about snow shovels

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by Johan Federko

I'll go for a hatrick

Please don't.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Johan Federko

I am a new user of this site

You seem to have a pretty good grasp on the features.

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

Please don't.

Too late.

[Dion]

http://www.theheft.com/

[jwslam]

Debating this
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/av...l#.VKwoRDBlDGg

or even wider, this
http://www.amazon.ca/MANPLOW-REV44-U.../dp/B00GNPB21W

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Snowcaster-.../dp/B00MWOOOMM

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Debating this
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/av...l#.VKwoRDBlDGg

or even wider, this
http://www.amazon.ca/MANPLOW-REV44-U.../dp/B00GNPB21W

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Snowcaster-.../dp/B00MWOOOMM

For an ice rink or drive/walk?
I'd go for the first one. You can actually walk into CTire and feel it, plus it's half the price.

[BuckminsterFuller]

Metal edges and shovel blades ice up, metal handles conduct cold to your hands.

First pic style in the OP with a regular plastic and a wood handle. Buy on sale for <$10. Replace it in a couple of years.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

For an ice rink or drive/walk?
I'd go for the first one. You can actually walk into CTire and feel it, plus it's half the price.

And not called the Man Plow.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

For an ice rink or drive/walk?
I'd go for the first one. You can actually walk into CTire and feel it, plus it's half the price.

After a year of using this pusher with a much smaller ergonomic one for lifting, I swear its gotta be the best combo. (see my post from last year)

Large wide swath can clear the driveway in no time, and then when its heavier or more volume, you just push it to the edges and then use the small ergo shovel to lift and pile/throw it.

Does sidewalks great in one pass too.

I used to reef my back every time using the usual straight handled "curly" style pusher than 80% of people have, because lifting and throwing those is horrific on your body.


Oh, and the "heft" is a good idea, but the execution is terrible, because the way its designed gives you the world's most awkward and unhelpful tool. You're still not lifting at the correct point, it forces you to "lift" the weight from above....if that makes any sense. Save your money.

[AcGold]

Its how you lift that matters. I've shoveled more snow than I care to recollect. When you lift the pile off the driveway to the lawn use a twisting motion with the abs and hips. Use the arms minimally

to start make a swath down the middle. Then start at the garage pushing half the snow to one side at first then half to the other. Move parallel to the swath. Maximum time shoveling minimum time walking. If there is a lot of snow start by walking close to the banks chucking some up before the initial swath. Trying to push a lot of snow while walking is a waste of time. The swath down the middle and pushing half each way makes it way easier. Fancy shovels are not really needed unless its a big bucket scoop for slush/huge snowfalls.

[killer_carlson]

I prefer the ergonomic one.

I replaced a plastic blade one with a metal blade shovel. The plastic just wore out. However the metal blade was useless. It caught on every imperfection in the concrete and was useless, especially at the angle i hold it at (being fairly tall 6'3"). Ended up giving it away (or I may even have just left it out at the garbage and a homeless type took it). In any event, I went and bought a new plastic ergonomic one and will stick with those for the time being. As an aside, the ergonomic plastic ones are also really effective at scooping up piles of leaves in the fall.

And AC Gold's techniques are bang on correct.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Its how you lift that matters. I've shoveled more snow than I care to recollect. When you lift the pile off the driveway to the lawn use a twisting motion with the abs and hips. Use the arms minimally

to start make a swath down the middle. Then start at the garage pushing half the snow to one side at first then half to the other. Move parallel to the swath. Maximum time shoveling minimum time walking. If there is a lot of snow start by walking close to the banks chucking some up before the initial swath. Trying to push a lot of snow while walking is a waste of time. The swath down the middle and pushing half each way makes it way easier. Fancy shovels are not really needed unless its a big bucket scoop for slush/huge snowfalls.

I agree, technique means a lot and can save a lot of energy.

For instance, if it's just light powder snow, I'll stand at the middle of the drive way and like a poke check, using one arm, just slide the shovel towards the sides while never really stepping a step away from the centre of the drive way. Also making sure to do it in a way where you don't have to go over areas you've shoveled before multiple times to clear the snow.

However, if it's wet snow, I'll walk to the side and use my leg to lift the shovel and toss the snow onto the lawn (rather than lifting purely with upper body). It's almost like kicking the shovel with my thigh.

I use a traditional plastic pusher with a metal bottom and a steel square mouth garden shovel for compact (driven on or walked on) snow. I really hate aluminum pushers or the pure plastic pushers as they grate against the cement and often don't really push well as a result vs the plastic with metal bottom which skims along nicely and are durable.

[AcGold]

Slush is the worst. Passed out once from exhaustion right on the sidewalk.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Slush is the worst. Passed out once from exhaustion right on the sidewalk.

What?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Slush is the worst. Passed out once from exhaustion right on the sidewalk.

Count your lucky stars you didn't succumb to a heart attack! It's too easy to over exert yourself. Using your leg to lift the shovel can really help to reduce the energy used when shoveling heavy snow, but it's secondary to ensuring you don't push yourself too hard. Stay safe everyone. Know your limits.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

What?

Had a job shoveling snow. 11 houses. On the 6th or 7th house I tunnel visioned and fell down from over exertion. Fortunately didn't hit my head.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Had a job shoveling snow. 11 houses. On the 6th or 7th house I tunnel visioned and fell down from over exertion. Fortunately didn't hit my head.

ah, that makes more sense. I read it as you doing your sidewalk only.


Nothing like manual labour to make you appreciate school.

[calgarygeologist]

Has anyone noticed if there are any shovels on clearance right now around Calgary? My shovel cracked when I was using it during the last snow fall and I'm hoping to find a good replacement on clearance as it is getting close to the end of the season. My preference is for a 21 inch plastic with a metal edge.

[DoubleK]

Not sure if they are gone from Costco, but they are amazing.

[Suzles]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Has anyone noticed if there are any shovels on clearance right now around Calgary? My shovel cracked when I was using it during the last snow fall and I'm hoping to find a good replacement on clearance as it is getting close to the end of the season. My preference is for a 21 inch plastic with a metal edge.

Lowe's on 130th SE have theirs on clearance. Just ask a member of staff to let you in to the garden centre. They are in the first bay on the left.