Finally, we assess comfort-in regard to position of our back, arms, and hands while shoveling-and ease of use. Additionally, we scoop up as much sawdust as each shovel blade will hold to measure how much weight it feels like compared to how much the sawdust actually weighs. Then we spread the sawdust out in a 6-by-8-foot area, 5.5 inches deep, for a total of 22 cubic feet of “snow.” We use each shovel to clear the test area and clock how long it takes us, working at a steady, consistent pace. Wet snow weighs, on average, about 20 pounds per square foot, so we spray down our pile of sawdust, mix it well, check the weight of a cubic foot, and repeat until we hit 20. Instead, try Entry, a chloride-free spray that lowers the freezing point of water in temperatures as low as -63 degrees.īecause we test shovels before the cold weather arrives, we use wet sawdust as a proxy for snow. Magnesium chloride works in colder temperatures but, like sodium chloride, is corrosive and can damage greenery and paved surfaces after repeated use. Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is the most popular choice, but it’s only effective at melting ice when the temperature is above 15 degrees. Once you’ve shoveled, cover walkways with de-icing products. SIMA also recommends clearing snow every few inches during storms, to keep the loads manageable, instead of waiting for it to stop falling. Warm up before you start clearing, and be mindful of your shoveling technique. In addition to using the proper equipment, wear weather-appropriate, high-visibility clothing and high-traction snow boots. “Shoveling is, in a lot of cases, like doing a heavy workout,” Tirado says. Shoveling snow is a labor-intensive task that leads to an average of 11,500 injuries and medical emergencies-and even some deaths-every year, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital researchers. The Best Tools, Gadgets, and Accessories This Year.An ergonomic handle that’s bent at an angle, has a smooth curve, or outfitted with a smaller second handle to help you lift the shovel can also help reduce strain on your body by requiring less exertion of your lower back muscles. If you want a push shovel, the blade can be even wider, he says. Martin Tirado, CEO of the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), recommends selecting a blade that is 24 inches or less in width for traditional and combination shovels. One square foot of snow can weigh between 3 and 21 pounds, depending on whether the snow is dry and light or wet and heavy. This is useful for push shovels but less so if you plan to mostly lift snow. You should also consider blade width and handle features. But the trade-off can be worth it if you’re calf deep in heavy, ice-crusted snow. These metals are heavier than plastic and, in the case of steel, prone to rusting. Those are useful but still not a true replacement for a steel or aluminum blade. Just beware, this plastic material is less effective at scraping hard-packed snow or breaking up ice, which is why some poly blades feature metal wear strips. Many shovels have a heavy-duty polypropylene blade that won’t damage somewhat delicate surfaces like wooden decks. The blade is curved and not so large that it would create loads too heavy to lift. Each kind is useful to have, but if you’re looking for an all-around workhorse, choose the versatility of a combination shovel.Ī combination shovel has a scoop design good for lifting and pushing snow. Shovels designed more for lifting and throwing snow have shorter handles to get you closer to the load being lifted, while pushers have longer handles to get the blade out in front of you. Pushing shovels tend to have shorter, wider blades, while those designed to scoop have taller, narrower blades. Some shovels are designed to push, some to scoop, and some to do both.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |