Types and rating of models of snow shovels and how to make it yourself

Metal

Shovels made of light metals and alloys are leaders in durability and quality. The most popular are:

• steel (very heavy, but as strong as possible);
• aluminum shovels (not strong enough if used to remove ice, but lighter than wooden ones);
• duralumin (alloy of metals allows you to keep light weight and give maximum strength).

Metal shovels do an excellent job with both loose snow and wet snow during a thaw. By weight, duralumin is slightly heavier than wooden, and the most durable are models with a galvanized surface.

Foto: DELFI

With the wrong choice of snow plowing equipment, the process can become time consuming. Cleaning even a small area from snow, cleaning paths and approaches to buildings will take a lot of energy

Therefore, before you go to the store, you need to study the characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying

Operating tips

Do not assume that you can do all the snow removal work with a shovel. In fact, even there should be several of them - different in width, material.

And a few more tips.

• In addition to shovels, you need to have scrapers with which it is convenient to shovel snow into piles, and ice axes to remove ice. And of course, do not forget to sprinkle the tracks with a special compound that prevents the formation of ice at the end. The shovel must be used for its intended purpose, otherwise its life will be short-lived.
• During work, you need to correctly calculate the snow load. Don't take too much snow. It is better to do several approaches than one, thereby damaging your health and tool. But you should also not use a snow shovel to move bulk building materials (such as sand).
• After work, all shovels must be shaken off of snow. Wooden shovels require more delicate handling - they deteriorate from excess moisture, so they should be wiped dry.
• To place the shovels, use special racks or wall mounts located in a dry place - a utility room or garage.

The shovel should be inspected for damage before and after snow removal. Weak points - the transition of the bucket blade to the handle and attachments. If cracks appear, it is difficult to do something, but the risk of injury during work increases. Loose fasteners can be tightened or replaced. Even in the event of a breakdown, do not rush to throw out the tool - you can try to fix it by replacing the failed part.

For an overview of the two shovel models, see the following video.

DIY snow scrapers

Making a snow scraper with your own hands is not a difficult task. It only requires more material than a shovel, but in the end it also turns out to be an economical option.

A regular wooden scraper is made from wood planks and bars. One side is covered with an iron strip for better sliding of the scraper. The square frame is made of bars and fixed with one side to the board with self-tapping screws.

The second option is to create a scraper controlled by wheels. For manufacturing, you should prepare:

• A metal sheet;
• An arched handle from an old wheelbarrow or stroller;
• Narrow metal pipes;
• Two small wheels;
• Self-tapping screws or screws;
• Conveyor belt;
• Welding machine.

Work order:

1. The metal sheet is given a semicircular shape.
2. Stops are made from narrow pipes.One end of them is welded to the scoop, in the second, holes are drilled for the axle of the wheels.
3. From the metal corners, they create fixing ears for the racks, which are also welded to the metal blade.
4. To lighten the structure for the racks, you should take two more pipes, make three holes in them and adjust the height of the arc handle.
5. In dreams of fixing, the remaining parts are fastened with screws or self-tapping screws.
6. To avoid damage to the scraper when cleaning the tracks, a conveyor belt is attached to its lower part.
7. The finished product is covered with colored paint.

Instead of a metal sheet, an unnecessary large diameter pipe can be used. Having cut it in half, one part in a finished semicircular form is used under a scoop. Such a tool outwardly resembles a mini snowblower, which is manually operated.

What to look for when choosing a shovel: tips from the pros

With the wrong choice of snow plowing equipment, the process can become time consuming. Cleaning even a small area from snow, cleaning paths and approaches to buildings will take a lot of energy

Therefore, before you go to the store, you need to study the characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying

The weight

When choosing a shovel, you need to pay attention to its weight. The lighter the weight, the easier it will be to remove the snow. The lightest are plastic and aluminum models.

The length of the handle and the size of the scoop

This criterion is especially important when buying equipment, especially if it will be used by a woman or teenager. With an incorrectly selected handle length, even a lightweight shape will not save you from physical overload, also, the wider the bucket, the more snow can be removed at a time, but the more effort will be required. This criterion must be selected individually, taking into account the strength and capabilities.

Design features

When choosing, pay attention to the sides. The snow shovel is available in two versions: single and three-sided

It is better to choose the second option, since the sides prevent snow from falling out of the scoop and the cleaning efficiency increases. Considering that freshly fallen snow is very light, it is better to choose a wide shovel to capture a larger area.

When choosing a tool, you need to pay attention to details such as the edge and the presence of edges. The presence of ribs on the back side provides sliding, and therefore ease of cleaning

The edge is the cutting part and is of three types:

• aluminum;
• plastic;
• steel.

Aluminum edging is most often used to strengthen plastic and wood in order to increase its service life and protect it from damage. The plastic attachment is replaceable and is suitable for cleaning ceramic tile paths, painted wooden fences, natural stone surfaces, lacquered decorative objects, and generally wears out quickly. The steel edge is effective for removing ice and stale snow.

Choosing a shovel handle

The main criteria for choosing a cutting are lightness, ergonomics, durability.

When choosing a cutting, pay attention to its length. She must match the height

Otherwise, there will be an additional load on the back, which will lead to rapid fatigue, and with large volumes of work, it can cause injury.

Attaching the handle to the shovel should be at a slight angle. Thus, it acts as a lever, which significantly lightens the load on the body.

Cuttings made of wood do not slip and do not freeze hands, but they can burst at large volumes of work under load. Less commonly, plastic handles are used, they are not very durable and bend over time. If it is supposed to remove snow from roofs, then a shovel with a retractable plastic or aluminum handle is suitable, where the height of the handle can be adjusted.

Additional selection criteria

In order to remain completely satisfied with the tool for cleaning snow, there are a number of other criteria must be taken into account when choosing it. Special attention should be paid to such characteristics as the presence of sides, the length and weight of the handle, the angle of roll, the size of the working blade. But the most important thing is that the purchased product is as convenient as possible.

Tray dimensions

When determining this parameter, you must proceed from your physical capabilities.

Be sure to take into account the shape of the scoop. Traditionally, shovels are made in a square shape.
with a side of about 40 cm

But sometimes you can find improved models in the form of a rectangle, in which the largest side has a size of 40 cm. It will be much more convenient to remove snow with such a tool.

For cleaning large and flat areas from sediments, it is best to purchase a wide model. Due to the presence of a wide working surface, such a model will be able to capture the maximum amount of snow at a time. But this can also be called a disadvantage: the more snow fits on the scoop, the greater will be the load on the back and arms.

Slope angle

A model that has an optimal slope angle may be more comfortable to work with. The tilt of the working base can be used as a lever. This will significantly speed up and facilitate snow clearing. It is best to choose models with an inclination angle of 20-25 degrees.

Shaft length and weight

When choosing a tool for cleaning snow, you need to pay attention to the length and weight of the handle. To less often get tired during work, it is necessary to throw snow from the cleared area while standing, without bending

Such an opportunity can be provided by a model with a long and light handle. When choosing a suitable product, it is recommended to do it a few strokes while still in the store so that you can choose the optimal length and weight of the handle. Shovel shafts can be made from various wood species. To make them less likely to suffer from moisture, manufacturers treat them with moisture-proof varnish.

The presence of sides

Since during cleaning it is important that as little snow as possible falls from the surface of the shovel, when choosing the most tool, you should pay attention to the presence of special bumpers. Thanks to them, the snow will crumble less from the working surface. Also, the bumpers will allow you to transfer much more snow at a time than in the absence of them.

Also, the bumpers will allow you to transfer much more snow at a time than in the absence of them.

Depending on the location of the sides, shovels can be single-breasted or double-breasted. To make the snow clearing work most effective, it is best to purchase a wide, deep-sided shovel. Thanks to the increased volume of the scoop, it will be possible to transfer a large amount of snow in it at one time.

Material classification

From what material the shovel is made of, its durability and convenience depend. The cleaning process is less time-consuming, if the tool is equipped with a large bucket, it grips and throws snow well. The work piece must be at the correct angle. Under all these characteristics, you can bring a snow shovel with a rectangular or trapezoidal bucket.

The hem of the sides increases its capacity. But lifting a lot of snow takes a lot of effort.

In addition, the handle affects the convenience of the shovel. It can be made of wood, which is convenient when purchasing a shovel for the local area. Such a stalk is simply shortened if it turns out to be the wrong length. The aluminum handle is much lighter but also more expensive. The plastic shank is too brittle and is more suitable for a bucket.

There is a great variety of shovels on sale.

They differ in shape and materials:

• moisture resistant plywood;
• polyethylene and other types of plastic;
• polycarbonate;
• Cink Steel;
• aluminum or duralumin;
• combined materials.

Plastic inventory is lightweight and short-lived. But plastic is not afraid of moisture and it can be stored anywhere. You can extend the life of plastic inventory by inserting metal plates into it. The main difference is frost resistance and resistance to chemicals.

The aluminum snow shovel is reliable, lightweight and durable. But for the consumption of less energy during operation, this tool is held, observing an angle of 45 degrees. This is the best option for long-term cleaning of a large area. Duralumin is an alloy of metals that allows you to give a lightweight product maximum strength. It is slightly heavier than wood, but much stronger. A snow shovel made of steel is a paragon of reliability and durability. Even ice can be easily cut with it. But to manipulate it, you need to be in good physical shape.

A shovel with a plywood blade is the cheapest and available for self-assembly. Due to its structure and small thickness, the product wears out quickly. On more expensive models, an additional metal border is made on the bucket. Mostly suitable for removing fresh snow. It will be difficult to remove the icy caked crust. But even a steel border with crossbars does not prevent moisture-resistant plywood from cracking over time.

How to choose?

Before moving on to buying a tool, you should think carefully about what kind of work it may be required for. Shovels also differ in cost. It depends on the brand and the material from which the instrument is made.

Among the most purchased are snow-removing equipment of the brands Zubr and Vityaz (Russia), Fiskars and Snowxpert (Finland).

When choosing a shovel for sand, it is worth considering that it is more difficult to work with it than with snow. At the same time, it is easier to get the transport out of the sand captivity. The sand tends to crumble, so when working you need to capture most of it, making gentle slopes. The car will be able to jump out of such a trap, but before that it is worth aligning the race. This will keep the sand from crumbling and prevent the machine from slipping again.

Dense ground is considered one of the most difficult problems. It takes motorists more than one hour to solve it. The situation is especially difficult when the technique sank deep into the ground.

Often, drivers use a small sapper blade. However, its use is recommended only as an additional equipment.

This is an important condition in Russian realities. Still, the sapper shovel has a different, military purpose.

Although seasoned drivers prefer it precisely because of its small size and travel capabilities. At the same time, it should be noted that it will be difficult to get the equipment out of the snow captivity with such a shovel.

The shovel is convenient for working with snow and dry sand. But it is not suitable for working with land. The length of the handle for such a tool is standard. The shorter holder can be useful in the desert and is often used by rally participants.

As for the bayonet shovel, it can handle any soil, even ice. This tool must be particularly durable.

The garden shovel combines a bayonet and a shovel. She has a straight bayonet. This complicates the work when removing loosened soil. When choosing this type of shovel, it is best to pick up a tool with a metal handle. It should be slightly curved. This option is considered the most durable.

When choosing a folding car shovel, you need to look at its size. With the hand down, the stalk should reach the elbow bend.

Some people prefer a telescopic shovel. It is more suitable for city street conditions. The tool is considered not the most practical in car trips due to the unreliability of the telescopic handle. But often this version of the shovel is sold in a travel kit with an ax and a knife. Its plus is the ability to adjust the handle for a specific person.

For winter

Most often, the need for a shovel arises with the fall of snow. Winter weather is becoming more and more unpredictable. You never know what will happen tomorrow - freezing rain or many days of snowfall. In any case, the tool in the car will definitely wait for its participation in the fight against the consequences of the winter disaster.

When choosing a winter snow shovel, you need to pay attention to its weight, material, shape and size of the bucket. Light types include plastic tools

They are as convenient as possible in working with snow, they are quite maneuverable. Plastic products work well for female drivers.

Aluminum shovels are also light tools. But there is one requirement. When working, such a shovel must be held at an angle of 45 degrees. Thus, the driver or his assistant will be able to save energy.

The steel shovel is designed for physically fit people. Its weight is quite perceptible. But she copes with any kind of road cataclysm, serves for a long time and reliably.

Experts do not recommend taking a shovel with a large scoop. Sometimes it seems that this option is more practical, as it will allow you to capture more snow at a time. But there is never enough snow, it still needs to be thrown back. Strength can run out very quickly.

A flat shovel will allow you to remove snow from a large area. On uneven surfaces, the round-shaped shovel works best.

It is also worth paying attention to the bumpers on the back of the scoop. The wider they are, the better the tool will show itself when removing snow over large areas.

These bumpers allow the tool to glide easily on snowy surfaces.

Mechanized types

To facilitate snow removal, several types of mechanized equipment have been developed.

For example, a conventional auger was attached to a scraper and a small snow blower was obtained. The working method is similar to the classic scraper - it needs to be pushed, and the auger will send debris to the side. However, there are also limitations - packed snow and its thick layers will be quite difficult to remove.

The wheel versions of the scrapers have reduced the friction force and, accordingly, the amount of effort applied. Among them, one can distinguish a snow shovel with one large wheel installed between the bucket and the handle. The device is easy to roll, has a lifting lever, and also has good maneuverability.

Well, at the top of the "snow removal chain" are electric shovels. Probably the most convenient but expensive way to clear snow. They have the following characteristics:

• convenience of work, the auger throws snow aside by itself;
• minimum effort;
• compact size.

Moreover, they are very expensive, require a power source and more careful handling.

Photo of a snow shovel for home

We also recommend viewing:

• Correct repair of petrol cutters with your own hands
• Review of the best generators for home
• Which hoses are better for giving
• How to choose a gasoline lawn mower
• How to choose a brush cutter for a summer residence
• DIY composter
• How to make a garden wheelbarrow with your own hands
• How to choose a garden pruner
• How to choose a garden sprayer
• How to choose a garden rake
• Choosing the best garden shredder
• How to choose a good ax
• How to find and tension a saw chain

DIY snow shovel

There is nothing complicated in the design of a snow shovel. Therefore, you can do it yourself at home.

Consider the two most popular options for homemade people:

• plywood shovel;
• scraper (engine) on wheels.

Having prepared all the materials necessary for the work, you can make a shovel for cleaning snow with your own hands from plywood within 1 hour.

The set of parts for assembly includes:

• Wooden lath with a section of 30x40 mm (length 1.5 meters) for the manufacture of a shank.
• Plywood sheet 5 mm thick and 40x40 cm in size.
• A piece of pine board 3 cm thick and 40 cm long.
• A strip of galvanized steel 5-6 cm wide.
• Wood screws 3 cm long for attaching the handle to the plywood.
• Nails 15-20 mm long.

From the tools you will need an electric planer, a hacksaw, metal scissors, pliers, a chisel, a hammer and a screwdriver.

The first operation is making the back wall of the bucket from trimming boards. To do this, draw an arc on the workpiece with a pencil. Its height is 10 cm in the center and 5 cm at the edges.

Having cut out the outlined contour with a plane, they take a hacksaw and make two cuts in the center of the board according to the size of the future cutting. A rectangular hole is cut out with a chisel to pass the handle.

The edge of the cutting is marked with a pencil and cut with a hacksaw so that it fits snugly against the plywood sheet.

A sheet of plywood is applied to the bucket wall and fixed with nails.

The steel strip is cut to the size of the bucket, its edge is folded and screwed to the bottom. Pieces of steel strip are used to reinforce the attachment point of the handle to the plywood sheet and the area where it passes through the back of the bucket.

To strengthen the working edge, the strip is bent in half, put on the plywood and the edges of the metal are bent. To prevent the strip from slipping off the bucket during operation, it is fixed at the edges with short screws or rivets.

And now let's consider the manufacture of the second constructive option - a homemade snow shovel on two wheels.

On the Internet, you can find a solution, the basis of which is a frame with handles from an old stroller. We believe that it is too "flimsy" for a normal scraper. Therefore, we propose to use a profile pipe 20x40 mm for the manufacture of the frame. It will take a little for our homemade product, only 1.5 meters.

There will be no square frame in our version. It will be replaced by a central tubular post. A handle is welded to its upper part - a piece of a water pipe with a diameter of 20 mm.

Before assembling, you need to buy two wheels for 8 ”trolleys. The dump is made of sheet steel with a thickness of 0.8-1.0 mm. Having drilled holes in two steel flange plates for the passage of the shaft, they are welded to a profile pipe that serves as a handle.

After that, a short piece of pipe 20x40 mm is welded to the inclined post for attaching the swivel plate with the blade. Three holes are drilled in the plate and in the pipe on which it will lie: one for the mounting bolt and two for installing a stop rod that secures the blade.

As the axle for the wheels, you can use any steel tube or reinforcement of a suitable diameter. Having passed the axle through the holes of the flanges, it is necessary to weld retaining rings to it, protecting the wheels from displacement.

How to choose

To choose the right one
snow shovel, you will have to answer these questions:

• who
  will remove snow;
• which
  snow will be removed;
• where
  will remove snow;
• make
  a shovel yourself or buy;
• how
  you are ready to spend on a purchase.

So that snow removal does not turn into torture, it is necessary to choose the right shovel by lenght
.

After all highest efficiency
cleaning will be with a straight back and slightly bent shoulders. This posture ensures minimal fatigue while maximizing performance.

If there is no possibility or desire to buy shovels of different lengths, take a shovel with adjustable length
pens. It is more expensive than usual, but cheaper than two or three different shovels.

Most effective
removing fresh shallow snow is obtained using:

• auger shovel;
• scraper;
• dump.

Removing snow using this tool takes away minimum strength
.

For cleaning fresh deep snow (20–40 centimeters), the following are well suited:

• dump;
• wide shovel.

The scraper will only cope if its height is equal to the thickness of the snow.

To take away very deep
snow (over 40 centimeters), you must use:

shovel;

You can also use a homemade wooden one, but provided that:

• shovel bucket made of plywood not thinner than 10 mm
  ;
• bucket edge sheathed with metal
  .