Snow shovel, how to choose the right one, store it correctly and use the snow shovel correctly
Keeping expensive snowplows in the arsenal, if winter trips to the country house are rare, is not entirely reasonable. In addition, it must be regularly serviced, fuel and lubricant purchased, and a storage space must be provided. Therefore, most summer residents use an old proven tool with a shovel. Thank God, the choice of these popular products is quite large. It remains only to choose the right tool, as well as correctly and carefully use it to last a long time. Let's try to consider the different types of shovels for snow removal, find out the pros and cons of the materials from which they are made, and also use the opportunity to make a shovel yourself.
Content
- Types of snow shovels video
- Metal shovel for snow removal
- Plastic snow shovel
- Wooden snow shovel
- Fiskars snow shovel
- How to make a shovel with your own hands video
- Snow shovel storage
Types of snow shovels
It would seem, what is so special about a simple snow shovel? In the design of the product, indeed, everything is extremely simple with a handle and a working surface (bucket), important differences are possible only in the materials from which the shovel is made.
Since during the cleaning of snow (especially when there are a lot of it) of significant surfaces, the laboriousness of the process is very high, the shovel should be light, therefore, appropriate materials such as plastic, wood, light metal alloys are used in the manufacture.
The loads on the work surface and on the handle can also be very significant, therefore, in addition to lightness, the shovel must also be strong.
The most productive type of snow shovels are scrappers with a wide and deep bucket and equipped with an arched handle, however, with high snow cover (or packed or wet snow), it is physically difficult to remove snow due to their large working surface.
Often there are combined snow shovels with a wooden handle and a metal or plastic bucket.
Metal shovel for snow removal
The most durable and durable products are made entirely of metal, however, the price of such a tool is relatively high, and the aluminum, often used to make metal shovels for snow removal, is quite soft, so the edges of the bucket are often bent and must be constantly returned to starting position.
Conclusion The aluminum shovel for snow removal is suitable for not very frequent work on loose, not very packed snow. The best material for the manufacture of the work surface is stainless steel.
Plastic snow shovel
Modern materials make a plastic shovel for snow removal durable and light, and a wealth of color solutions enhances the aesthetic component of the tool. It is equipped with a metal strap-knife, which protects the edge of the shovel from deformation and prevents the rapid wear of the working part.
The disadvantage of this type of shovels is the sensitivity of the material to temperature extremes, because of which the plastic loses its properties and cracks.
Wooden snow shovel
They have a wooden handle and a plywood work surface, upholstered in a place in contact with the ground. They are characterized by low strength both of the tree itself and of the connecting elements, which are also made of thin tin.
But if suddenly work is done without gloves, your hands will not freeze so much when touching a wooden handle (only it must be smooth and thoroughly sanded).
Fiskars snow shovel
The Finnish company Fiskars is a recognized leader in the manufacture of hand tools for gardeners and gardeners, and the snow shovels manufactured by it are of high quality and a rich assortment.
Also, Fiskars snow shovels are affordable and sold in every building supermarket or small store for summer residents.
How to make a shovel with your own hands
The best option is to make a metal shovel for snow removal with a wooden handle. A stainless steel sheet is perfect as a metal.
Fasten the handle to the working surface is also better with plates of durable metal with screws.
If it is not possible to get stainless steel, you can make the most common option - a completely wooden shovel for removing snow from a plywood sheet.
Snow shovel storage
In order for the snow shovel to last longer, you need to follow the simple rules of storage in a dry place, cleaned of dirt and ice and, if possible, with a greased metal blade. It is better to store a plastic snow shovel in a cold room, avoiding strong temperature extremes.
