Comments on: How to Shovel Snow Like a Man http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/ Men's Interests and Lifestyle Wed, 22 May 2013 22:15:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: John l http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-353993 John l Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:19:36 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-353993 Don’t push your shovel down the driveway with the handle in your groin area! Also don’t forget a path for your oil/propane delivery man.

]]> By: Eric http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-135906 Eric Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:17:31 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-135906 I have an old 400′ asphault driveway and it’s about a 10 degree grade. A big time (and effort) saver is to push a wide blade snow shovel down over the paths where the vehicle tyres travel before using the snow blower. This clears the new snowfall off of the traction sand and reduces the number of passes over the driveway from 6 (up and down and up and down, etc) to two on a light snowfall (4″ or less) or four on a heavy one (we had a foot come down on Monday morning!).
Also, I get as much snow off the road before putting on a mix of 90/10 crushed rock/salt using a quart sized scoop. I only sand the path that the tyres follow and the bit of salt ‘locks’ the gravel into the ice layer. Only have to reapply when the snowblower scrapes it off (or we have a thaw/freeze).
Lastly, keep a few shear pins on hand and NEVER use a bolt in it’s place – better to snap a $.50 pin than toast a $300 gearbox or $800 motor! Gravel works better than sand (by far) but can cost in the pins if it isn’t screened.
Keep your stick on the ice eh?

]]> By: Jay http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-133725 Jay Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:11:20 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-133725 Put down ice melt before the storm. It helps with the cleanup. Also, be a good guy and be sure to help shovel out the older folks in your neighborhood.

]]> By: Dan http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-133482 Dan Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:40:00 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-133482 If you know you have a couple feet coming it’s always a good idea to start before the snow stops. It’s much easier to shovel 1 foot twice then 2 foot once…especially if the storm ends with ice.

]]> By: sideways http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-133366 sideways Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:45:51 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-133366 Since a picture is worth a thousand words this is what I use.

Large sleigh shovel for moving lots of light snow with no lifting:
http://www.vastavalo.fi/albums/userpics/11180/8nk0001217-0.jpg
Metal D-shaped shovel for throwing snow:
http://www.p-wholesale.com/upimg/17/693a2/snow-shovel-ar-3b-edge-376.jpg
Metal spade with long handle for moving packed snow:
http://www.gardenvisit.com/assets/madge/bulldog_evergreen_spade/600x/bulldog_evergreen_spade_600x.jpg

The key is to have different tools for different jobs and to get at the snow good and early before it becomes a problem. Having a variety of shovels in different sizes can save you quite a bit of trouble.

]]> By: Malcolm http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-133193 Malcolm Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:44:16 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-133193 If your forecast calls for snow followed by sleet and/or freezing rain, do not shovel before the storm ends. It’s much easier to get under the ice-crusted mass if there’s a dry layer of snow next to the ground.

]]> By: David Cobb http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-133037 David Cobb Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:25:29 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-133037 Let’s hear it for some manly community spirit here! If you belong to a church or other community organization with its own building, head over there with your shovels and blades after your driveway is clear. It makes for a great party with someone scraping the parking lot while everyone else is clearing the walks and spreading salt or sand. Be sure to assign someone coffee and hot chocolate duty. Take extra care with the handicapped entrances and don’t bury the boxwood borders.

]]> By: Doug http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-132956 Doug Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:47:19 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-132956 A belt driven auger can keep it’s tension after the motor is off regardless of the spark plugs. If the auger is jammed with snow or a newspaper or whatever, do NOT stick your hand in to clear it under any circumstances. A broom handle should suffice or any makeshift repurposed tool for that matter. I know a guy who lost a finger to a snowblower that was completely turned off.

]]> By: G Quinn http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-132931 G Quinn Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:05:50 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-132931 Use a Wovel, especially if you’re over 40. It’s a somewhat wacky looking combination of wheel and shovel, and may remind you of the old Pennyfarthing Bicycles, but actually works great. The wheel and the lever combine for a big improvement on the plain old shovel. It’s helped me clear many inches of snow these past 2 winters.

]]> By: Cambias http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/04/how-to-shovel-snow-like-a-man/comment-page-1/#comment-132845 Cambias Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:17:03 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=14950#comment-132845 Advice from a scientist friend who studies circulatory systems: don’t hold your breath. Exhale when you lift that load of wet snow and throw it. Because it’s really hard to finish the job if you’re having a heart attack.

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