Move Serious Snow With These Tools That Don’t Require a Power Source
With winter storms upon us, it’s time to get out the snow removal equipment. Snow blowers are great, but if you have a battery-powered tool, you won’t be able to charge it if the power goes out. Likewise, it can be difficult to ensure gasoline-powered models have enough fuel when roads are closed due to snow and ice. But you don’t have to settle for a simple old shovel to dig out of a winter storm. Here are some innovative tools that don’t need a power source other than you.
Removing snow from the roof
If you need to remove snow from your roof, instead of using a regular snow broom, try a tool that allows the snow to slide right off your roof by pushing it onto a slippery sheet of plastic. The aptly named avalanche tool climbs up to 15 feet onto your roof and removes snow. A similar roof snow removal tool that reaches 20 feet in length and has an aluminum pole and blade rather than fiberglass, known as a snow blower, is a good alternative for heavy-duty snow removal.
Pushing shovels
Clearing driveways and sidewalks can be quite tedious, and this wheeled shovel can help you out. It works like a hand plow and helps avoid lifting heavy shovels of snow. Depending on how much snow you get, it may not be deep enough to reach all the snow, but it can still give you a good start.
Sleigh shovels
To move more snow at once, try a shovel sled . Capable of sliding across the ground and picking up several feet of snow at a time, these shovels can help you move more snow at once without lifting it off the ground. This can save your back and speed up the process.
Handles added
Regular shovels can put stress on your back, but adding an extra handle for leverage can make shoveling easier and less painful. The additional handle slides over the handle of most long-handled tools to give you an advantage and can be moved to find the most ergonomic position.
Retractable snow brushes
For removing snow from vehicles, the best option is a broom that extends and has a rotating head that allows you to reach the entire roof of the vehicle. Keeping snow on cars clear is important to prevent it from getting on other vehicles in traffic and freezing, creating road hazards.
Shakers for melting ice
To prevent snow from sticking to driveways and walkways when you’re only expecting dust, or to prevent ice from forming on the sidewalk surface, using a seed shaker to quickly spread melted ice over a large area is a huge time saver. Using an ice melting product can reduce the amount of shoveling you have to do, as well as prevent the more difficult task of removing ice.
Car covers
To prevent cars or outdoor equipment from getting buried, cover them with a tarp or drop cloth to quickly free the vehicles. Folding down the tarp when you need to use your vehicle will clean it up in no time. Because it can be folded, the tarp can also be taken in your trunk to cover your car when you’re on the road as well as at home.