About Power Snow Shovels
If you live somewhere that receives significant snowfall, you're all too familiar with the trying months of winter. The first snow is always pretty, particularly if it's around the holidays. After that, it's a frustrating inconvenience that means terrible commutes, changes to your schedule and worst of all, shoveling out the car and driveway. You've long had two options--the chronic backache or a big, expensive blower really only worthwhile if you have a large amount of pavement and a lot of storms. Well here's a compromise--the power snow shovel. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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The power snow shovel serves a very functional niche in making snow removal less strenuous while allowing the buyer to avoid the purchase of expensive and sometimes unnecessary machinery. Like a shovel, you push the power snow shovel through the snow. However, rather than having to lift the snow, the power snow shovel does the work for you and throws it out of the way, similar to a snow blower. It uses a series of rotating blades that pull the snow in and then propel snow outward away from the area you're clearing.
Benefits
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The power snow shovel makes clearing snow much easier and less physically demanding than shoveling while remaining far less expensive than a snow blower. For those who average one or two moderate storms a year, a full snow blower can be an excessive expense and bulky device to store. Power snow shovels, on the other hand, are compact and inexpensive; models can be purchased for around $100.
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Considerations
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When shopping for a power snow shovel, consider some important features. Perhaps most important, pay close attention to how deep of snow it is designed to operate in. Power snow shovels only clear limited depths, generally 4 to 6 inches. If you regularly get twice that amount, it will create extra work and you might want to consider a snow blower or plow. Power snow shovels also cut different widths through the snow. A wider path will allow for quicker clearing. Like other outdoor devices, power snow shovels can be gas or electric. Power snow shovels should not be used for gravel driveways as they will pick up rocks. Finally, the distance the shovel throws snow is a consideration, if you require a particular clearance. Of course, larger, more powerful power snow shovels will be more expensive.
Power snow shovels are best for small, paved areas with light to moderate snowfall.
Significance
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The main name in power snow shovels is Toro. The 38361 7.5 Amp shovel is widely available and retails around $100. In fact, if you search for "power snow shovel" you'll get page after page of the Toro. Additionally, some smaller names like Mighty Joe manufacture power snow shovels.
Function
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The power snow shovel is quite simple to use. First, you'll need an extension cord to plug it in. Be sure to use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord that is rated for such use as you'll be working in a wet environment. Place the power snow shovel on the ground facing the direction in which you want it to throw snow. Push into the snow. A button on top allows you to activate the snow-clearing mechanism. Proceed until clear.
Effects
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