With the onset of winter, it is often necessary just to clear the snow: in the yard of a private house, near the garage, in the summer cottage, in front of its own store. But if the snow shovel is wrong, this procedure can be a real challenge for you. Therefore, it is worth a more responsible approach to the choice of snowplow, and this article will help you with this.
Snow shovel: purpose and types
Snow shovels are distinguished by the material from which they are made, as well as by purpose. Consider the characteristics and features of the main types of snow shovels. So, shovels are metal, plastic and wood.
Metallic
Snow shovels made from light metals and alloys are today leaders in the market. The most popular are:
- Aluminum spade. This type is not reliable enough, if used to remove the ice. But the advantage is the relative lightness of aluminum shovels.
- Steel models - very heavy, but the most durable shovels.
- Galvanized surfaces - the most durable model. The alloy of metals allows to keep small weight and to give the maximum durability.
Important! It should be noted that a metal tool can damage the surface to be cleaned, for example, expensive tiles in front of your house.The cost of a shovel with a screw is higher than that of other species. However, this option does not require any additional costs from you and pays off due to durability and quality. The mechanism does not depend on gasoline and electricity. The mechanical snow shovel does not have an engine, it can be done even with your own hands.
Plastic
In modern markets there is also a wide selection of plastic tools. Plastic snow blowers are the most convenient to use. They have a smooth surface, which does not stick to the snow. Their color range is much more diverse. But the main advantage lies in the very light weight of plastic shovels. You can buy such shovels even for children.
In addition, a plastic snow shovel has a high wear resistance. The shovel does not cool so much. It is also neutral to any chemical reagents. However, plastic is a rather fragile material, therefore shovels are often equipped with a metal border, which protects them from deformation and increases the service life. 
Wooden
The most inexpensive option among snow shovels is a wooden or plywood model. A wooden snow shovel can be easily made by hand. However, this type is the most short-lived. This view is quite convenient to use, but is only suitable for cleaning fresh snow.
Cleaning the ice massif from various surfaces or a wet layer of snow will be difficult: due to the snow sticking to the wooden surface, the plywood becomes wet and heavy. In addition, moisture plywood splits, and the spade quickly becomes useless.
Therefore, there are more reliable options for a wooden snow shovel - scrapers with a metal protective edge on the tray. But due to the poor moisture resistance of plywood, even the steel edge does not protect the material from cracking. In order to extend the life of a wooden shovel, it should be regularly dried. 
How to choose a snow shovel: which material is better
A snow shovel, first of all, should be easy and convenient. The most convenient tool is a small shovel made of plastic. However, each type of shovel is designed for different situations. For light freshly fallen snow, a plastic shovel will do. For cleaning a dense layer of snow you need a strong metal shovel. For regular use in everyday life is best suited wooden or plastic snow plow. Metal shovel may be too heavy.
Important! No matter how perfect the surface of the spade handle, it is necessary to clean the snow with gloves. This will protect hands from frost and calluses.
Features of the choice of snow shovel: what else to pay attention
Snow shovel is selected on a number of parameters. It is necessary to take into account the size of the working blade, the angle of roll of the shovel, the length and weight of the handle, the presence of the sides and a number of other points. The main thing that the shovel was the most comfortable and convenient for you. 
Tray dimensions
Tray size must be selected individually, based on their physical capabilities. Pay attention to the shape of the scoop. Usually, shovels have the shape of a square with sides of about 40 cm each. The improved model is a rectangle with a large side of 40 cm. Such a tool is more optimal in operation.
It is convenient to clean large and flat areas with a wide snow shovel. The wide working surface of such a shovel at once captures a large amount of snow. However, the more snow is on the shovel, the greater the load on the back and arms.
The way out in this case is to adapt to the working base of the wheel. The wheels help to easily bring the collected snow to the right place, and the long handle helps to keep the body straight. A snow shovel on wheels can be bought or assembled with your own hands.
Spade Angle
If a shovel bucket has an appropriate downhill angle, this may be an added advantage. The slope of the working base plays the role of a lever. Thus, snow removal work will be faster and easier. The optimum angle of inclination should be 20-25 °. 
Length and weight of the cutting
When buying a snow shovel, it is important to determine the optimal length and weight of the cutting for you. To avoid rapid fatigue, it is desirable to clear the snow standing, not bending. Therefore, pick a shovel with a long and light handle. Take a few shots of the shovel, this will help determine the correct length and weight of the handle for the shovel. Cuttings are usually made of wood of different species - from the simplest to the most expensive. To ensure protection from moisture, such cuttings are coated with a moisture-proof varnish.
Did you know? There are prefabricated models of snow shovels, giving the opportunity to change cuttings. Such a scraper is equipped with a telescopic handle, the height of which can be adjusted. The telescopic handle can be extended up to 10 meters. This shovel is suitable for removing snow from roofs.
Availability of sides
Snow shoveling technology suggests the presence of special buckets in the tool scoop. The sides do not allow snow to fall from the work surface. In addition, the presence of bumpers helps to transfer a sufficiently large amount of snow at a time. The sides can be located on one side - single-breasted snow shovels; or from three sides - triple snow shovels. A wide shovel for snow removal with deep sides has a large dustpan in which a lot of snow fits.
Did you know? Today, snow shovels with a U-shaped handle instead of a handle can be found more and more often. AT Unlike the classic cutting shovel, this design allows much more efficient and faster to clean the surface. This result is achieved by capturing much more snow.As popular wisdom says: "Prepare a sleigh in the summer, and a cart in the winter!" Having bought once a qualitative and convenient manual snow-removing shovel, you can forget about its change for a long time.
