With the onset of winter, the change in weather conditions is not only associated with the joy and entertainment of children. The large amount of snow on the property can also cause certain problems. These include snowdrifts that interfere with free access to the house or vehicle exit, as well as unnecessary strain on the roof.
A snow shovel helps to clear the area. Any diligent landlord should have it in stock. And you have to worry about buying one beforehand.
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Types of cleaning tools
Snow clearing shovels can come in a wide variety of modifications. But all models can be divided into two large groups:
- Hand shovels with a handle;
- Mechanical tools.
The easiest solution for a dacha is hand tools with a bucket and a long handle. It can be self-made from wood or plywood. In the store you can buy plastic or metal analogues. The type of material determines the strength and durability of the tool. However, even more important is the shape of the bucket. Choose a shovel with a roomy working surface that easily picks up and discharges snow mass.
Also convenient is the option with an ergonomic angle of the working plane. It is recommended to choose models with a rectangular or trapezoidal bucket shape. And the presence of sides will increase the amount of snow to be taken away.
Mechanical devices do not exceed 15 kg in weight, are driven by a man, and the snow mass is removed by the work of a special mechanism. They are used to clean the area around the country house, as well as other areas with a small area.
No special knowledge and skills are required for work. Two types of inventory are available for sale:
- manual auger tools;
- electric models.
Types of cutter snow shovels
If you don’t want to overspend on this equipment, then the cutter models will be a great solution. The most convenient size bucket is the 500x400mm model.
The wooden handle is suitable for snow removal near the house. And the holder itself can be cut if necessary. The aluminum version is more expensive, but makes the whole construction easier. There are also plastic cuttings.
Wooden construction.
This is the easiest and cheapest option. Such a shovel is easily made with your own hands. Plywood is used as a bucket, which is inexpensive. It can be used if the winters in your region are short and snowy. Buying an expensive model will be unprofitable. But for the elimination of drifts that rarely occur, such a simple option is sufficient.
This is a short-lived construction, which is unlikely to last you more than 2-3 weeks. Plywood will begin to delaminate and disintegrate, breaking under the pressure of the carried snow.
A cutter made from the holders of other garden tools will be more durable. It can also be used for other purposes. But operation in cold and wet conditions with temperature fluctuations will have a negative effect on the cuttings as well.
Also the construction is not too strong, especially when the plywood is attached with self-tapping screws or nails. But such inconveniences can be tolerated if bad weather caught you suddenly, and there was no other better and more reliable device for cleaning the area.
Plastic shovel.
This is a more comfortable and lighter model with a comfortable handle. Among the main advantages are:
- Equipped with convenient sides that trap snow on the work surface;
- the presence of wide ribs gives better sliding;
- The frost-resistant flat surface of the bucket, especially if composite plastic is used, which is also resistant to mechanical damage;
- gentle effect on the pavement of paths and lawns.
Of course, standard plastic is not too durable, the scoop area of the design wears out quickly enough. However, quality copies may well last up to 4-5 seasons. And such a shovel will not get wet and rust. Many models are resistant to salt, equipped with additional attachments and convenient fasteners.
Among the popular manufacturers of plastic shovels are GARDENA, Fiskars, etc. On sale you can find models with a telescopic handle, compact car designs. Special plastic scrapers with arc-shaped handles are popular. The latter option is used mainly for wet and loose snow.
Aluminum inventory.
These shovels are often lighter than their plastic counterparts, have comfortable handles and perfectly shaped and designed blades. But most importantly, they are very durable. The following advantages should also be noted:
- excellent flexibility;
- corrosion resistance;
- recoverability after deforming contacts;
- excellent sliding of the working plane.
Along with such positive characteristics, the high cost should be answered. However, they can have an additional purpose – for motorists or climbers. Titanium models are also widespread and are characterized by durability, reliability and lightness.
For the convenience of use, products can be equipped with additional options. For example, a shovel on wheels is considered very convenient to use. It is easy to move it, clearing the area. A large width of the bucket allows you to do it very quickly. Among the devices made of aluminum, such brands as Ferrino Shovel, “St. Tropez”, “Snowball” are popular.
Mechanical types of shovels
For cleaning small areas or long garden paths, it is more advantageous to buy mechanical models. They require much less effort, and the productivity will be much higher.
Auger design.
This is a more advanced modification of the conventional hand-held attachment. Auger shovels work as follows. When a person moves the auger across the area, the auger touches the ground with its edge and begins to rotate. This rotation causes the snow to be thrown away in the direction of the shovel.
The snow mass is thrown up to 300 mm to the side. This value depends on the speed at which you move the tool.
On both sides along the path of movement the layer of drifts will increase. Therefore, this design is more suitable for cleaning garden paths. But if you want to clear a strip wider than the size of the bucket, you will have to work very long.
This type of tool is preferable when clearing loose masses. It is not suitable for clearing the area of compacted and caked snow. Among the well-known models can be distinguished, for example, Forte QI-JY 50 or Patriot Arctic.
Electric shovel
You don’t have to put a lot of effort into cleaning. You can use a more efficient and productive tool. Electric shovels work in one mode and are driven by an electric motor, which, through a gearbox, makes the auger rotate. The snow mass entering the nozzle is removed outside.
Depending on the motor, it is possible to clean a single strip up to 50 cm wide, although this requires power of about 2 kW. As a result, the weight of such a design can be up to 10 kg. On average, the grip is 20-30 cm, which is enough to effectively clean the area.
Of course, human effort is significantly saved, the load on the hands and spine is reduced. However, the scope of application is also considerably limited. Especially if the equipment is low-powered.
There will be no effect if you plan to clear an area of deep (more than 25 cm) or frozen snow. In the first case, the shovel will get stuck in the drifts, and in the second – the auger made of plastic simply will not withstand the load. The work with the wet mass will not be effective either. Such snow will clog the chute, and the moisture can cause a short circuit.
Using an electric design is appropriate when cleaning flat surfaces, such as concrete or tile covered surfaces. If you work on gravel surfaces, the auger will break from contact with rocks or earth.
You can see a wide variety of models and designs in the photo of a snow shovel for the home. HYUNDAI S 400, BAUMASTER STE-3431X, SunGarden ST 35, PATRIOT PS 1000 E are popular among electric counterparts.
How to make one at home
If your yard is blocked by snow, and you did not have time to buy a device for cleaning, then you will have to make it yourself. It is important to initially decide what to make a shovel out of. The simplest option to quickly arm yourself in bad weather is a plywood construction.
First, from a piece of board it is necessary to construct the back surface of the bucket. Beforehand on the workpiece make an arc-shaped mark with the following parameters:
- The height in the center is 100 mm;
- height at edge level 50 mm
Cut the workpiece along the contour with a planer and make cuts in the central part with a hacksaw for the cuttings. Use a chisel to make a rectangular hole in this place. The handle will be inserted into this hole.
The handle, made from a board, is inserted into the hole. In this case, its surface must go flush with the cover, go under the plywood and subsequently close to it.
The plywood must then be placed on top of the back cover and nailed down. Prepared steel plates corresponding to the parameters of the bucket are bent over the edges of the bottom and fastened with screws on its surface. With the help of a small plate reinforce the attachment of the cutter to the plywood.
A snow shovel is a useful tool in the household. In snowy winters you will be able to clear the territory of the plot, prepare the access roads. To do this, you need to buy any model made of plastic or metal, choose the right design or make the simplest version of the inventory from plywood.
Photo of a snow shovel for the house
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