World's worst snow shovel?

[billf]

I was cruising around the Home Depot website when I came across this "snow shovel".

Goofiest looking thing I've seen in a long time and it cost $119!  Make sure to check out the lone customer review - classic.

[psik0tik]

I'm so glad I live in Florida

[billf]

I'm in the market for a snow shovel for the first time in like 15 years and that is what I come across.   

[psik0tik]

I couldn't imagine getting up in the morning....putting on a bunch of clothes to go shovel snow off my car and driveway. 

[ChadTower]

You know, if I am guessing correctly on the mechanics of that thing, it may not be that bad... stupid looking, sure, but it's doing almost all of the work for you through springs and leverage.  There's a lot to be said for that at 6am when it's 10 below 0 and you haven't even showered yet.

[ahofle]

I couldn't imagine getting up in the morning....putting on a bunch of clothes to go shovel snow off my car and driveway. 

I couldn't imagine having to share my house with 3 inch roaches, deal with hurricanes/floods on a yearly basis, and run 2 air conditioners just to keep the house livable.   

[billf]

You know, if I am guessing correctly on the mechanics of that thing, it may not be that bad... stupid looking, sure, but it's doing almost all of the work for you through springs and leverage.  There's a lot to be said for that at 6am when it's 10 below 0 and you haven't even showered yet.

The mechanics to lift the snow maybe.  I don't see any springs.  I was thinking more of pushing 26lbs worth of shovel through 4-8 inches of wet snow and then how do you dump it after lifting it.

[ChadTower]

There could easily be a spring/stepper type mech that is black and next to the wheel axle... there could also not be one.  Who knows with such a wonky thing.

[billf]

http://www.wovel.com/

The Wovel in action:
http://www.wovel.com/Tour/How-Wovel-Works.aspx

I'll stick to the standard shovel and/or snow thrower.

[psik0tik]

I couldn't imagine getting up in the morning....putting on a bunch of clothes to go shovel snow off my car and driveway. 

I couldn't imagine having to share my house with 3 inch roaches, deal with hurricanes/floods on a yearly basis, and run 2 air conditioners just to keep the house livable.   

No roach problem.....I live in Tampa hardly ever have to deal with hurricanes and no flooding at all...lmao 2 ac units. It's not that hot here.

[knave]

LOL, Watching that video makes me want to swap out my front bike tire for one of those...never worry about snow in your way again!

 

And at home depo there is also this one.

 

[billf]

And at home depo there is also this one.

 

Any idea what makes the auger part spin?

[SavannahLion]

And at home depo there is also this one.

 

Any idea what makes the auger part spin?

It's magic. BTW, Home Depot won't let you return it if you use up all the magic.

[SavannahLion]

Read the description of this Power Broom.

The Power Shovel Plus easily converts from a Power Shovel to a Power Broom in minutes. The Power Shovel Plus utilizes its exclusive Power CurveŽ design to clear snow up to 6 In. deep and 12 In. wide from sidewalks, steps, decks, and small driveways with a powerful 7.5 Amp motor that throws snow up to 20 Ft. Flip the unit over, change the rotor and use as a tool for seasonal outdoor clean up projects to effectively clear leaves, dirt, and debris. The lightweight Power Shovel Plus also features easy to use adjustable handle controls, efficient storage capability, and is maintenance free.

Power shovel and Power Broom
Easily converts from a Power Shovel to a Power Broom.
Power Shovel Plus. One machine, multiple uses.
300 lbs per minute capacity.
MFG Brand Name : Toro
MFG Model # : 38360
MFG Part # : 38360

Clears snow up to six inches? It's a 7.5amp powered shovel and broom?

Move over batteryless solar powered flashlight, here's a real practical product.

[ChadTower]

Snow shoveling is good exercise.  Doesn't bother me.

[SavannahLion]

Snow shoveling is good exercise.  Doesn't bother me.

How many feet though?

[ChadTower]

Both of 'em.

We get a good amount here in MA, a couple feet at a time is not uncommon.

[billf]

How long is your driveway or how much surface area are you clearing?

[ChadTower]

Two cars/driveways, each driveway two car lengths or so, plus a roughly 20' path to the front door.  It's not a giant amount but it's certainly not one car on the side of the road either.

The way I see it, I would have gotten on the elliptical or headed to the Y anyway, so I'm just doing something different that day for exercise.  I'm not a person who is bothered by the weather part of it.

[CCM]

http://www.wovel.com/

The Wovel in action:
http://www.wovel.com/Tour/How-Wovel-Works.aspx

I'll stick to the standard shovel and/or snow thrower.

Yea, no springs or levers there.  That thing looks like a piece of crap...

[shardian]

Duh people - this thing is for older folks and women who can't shovel heavy snow. They don't expect a real man to buy it.

[billf]

Two cars/driveways, each driveway two car lengths or so, plus a roughly 20' path to the front door.  It's not a giant amount but it's certainly not one car on the side of the road either.

The way I see it, I would have gotten on the elliptical or headed to the Y anyway, so I'm just doing something different that day for exercise.  I'm not a person who is bothered by the weather part of it.

Doesn't bother me either - the exercise or the weather.  This is the first year of snow shoveling in our new house with a much smaller driveway.  At our old house, the driveway was approx 120 feet long and 20 feet wide.  I had a snow thrower that I sold to the couple who bought the house.

[billf]

Duh people - this thing is for older folks and women who can't shovel heavy snow. They don't expect a real man to buy it.

I can't picture older folks or women using this thing either.

[Ed_McCarron]

but it's doing almost all of the work for you through springs and leverage.

You are still doing all the work - probably a -eensy- bit more due to the friction at the pivot point.

Its just changing the direction in which you apply the force.

Now, if that keeps you from tearing up your back, thats a good thing.

Gimme a snowblower anyday.  I live on a 4 lane state road - the plows pack the snow on my sidewalk 6' deep when its a good blizzard.  I end up breaking chunks off to feed to the snowblower.

Anyone have any luck with those torches for melting snow?

[Jouster]

I couldn't imagine having to share my house with 3 inch roaches, deal with hurricanes/floods on a yearly basis, and run 2 air conditioners just to keep the house livable.  

The roaches have their own place outside...the exterminator takes care of that.  Tampa hasn't been hit by a hurricane in nearly a century...but given the options of a big storm that you see coming for weeks or an earthquake/tornado/mudslide/blizzard that can sneak up on you...I'll take the hurricane.  No need for 2 ACs either...the ladies in bikinis with palm fronds fanning me makes it nice and cool.

Jouster

[psik0tik]

I couldn't imagine getting up in the morning....putting on a bunch of clothes to go shovel snow off my car and driveway. 

I couldn't imagine having to share my house with 3 inch roaches, deal with hurricanes/floods on a yearly basis, and run 2 air conditioners just to keep the house livable.   

No roach problem.....I live in Tampa hardly ever have to deal with hurricanes and no flooding at all...lmao 2 ac units. It's not that hot here.

P.s. Don't hate because I wear shorts and swim in the pool during the peak of winter.

[ahofle]

I don't 'hate'.  I lived in a tropical climate for about 22 years.  After moving and living in a climate where you get to experience actual changes of season, I have no desire to return to a hot, humid, bug-infested environment like that.
Just curious, have you lived anywhere other than Tampa?

[Ed_McCarron]

P.s. Don't hate because I wear shorts and swim in the pool during the peak of winter.

Not always true.  Tampa may be a bit different, but in Orlando in January, me and some Canadians were the only ones in the pool.  It was 76 degrees.  The locals had parkas on.

[shardian]

P.s. Don't hate because I wear shorts and swim in the pool during the peak of winter.

Not always true.  Tampa may be a bit different, but in Orlando in January, me and some Canadians were the only ones in the pool.  It was 76 degrees.  The locals had parkas on.

Crazy Canadians ride water rides at Canada's Wonderland when it is snowing! I've seen those crazies in action.

[ChadTower]

Not always true.  Tampa may be a bit different, but in Orlando in January, me and some Canadians were the only ones in the pool.  It was 76 degrees.  The locals had parkas on.

 

I lived in Tampa for a while... that is so damn true.  It drops to 70 and they bust out all their heavy clothing and start complaining.  Meanwhile me and my relatives, also Canadians, would be talking about the heat finally breaking.

[weasel-like_animal]

Don't you guys have neighborhood kid labor?

[ChadTower]

Nope.  Most of the people on my street are elderly.  Besides, kids nowadays don't go around looking for work.  They just complain when they don't have money.

[psik0tik]

I don't 'hate'.  I lived in a tropical climate for about 22 years.  After moving and living in a climate where you get to experience actual changes of season, I have no desire to return to a hot, humid, bug-infested environment like that.
Just curious, have you lived anywhere other than Tampa?

I've lived in Tampa, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach.

[Jouster]

I've lived in Tampa, Gainesville and Tallahassee.  If I move anywhere else...it'll be farther south.

Jouster

[knave]

You guys mean it "Snows" at your house?  I thought that snow was something you drive to the mountains to play in.  I suppose the workers at the ski lifts have to deal with it but it's their choice to work there.   

[psik0tik]

I've lived in Tampa, Gainesville and Tallahassee.  If I move anywhere else...it'll be farther south.

Jouster

Just don't move to Miami...nice place to visit bad place to live. Ft. Meyers is nice.

[Havoc]

Besides, kids nowadays don't go around looking for work.  They just complain when they don't have money.

Sad but true.

[ChadTower]

I was thinking about that on the drive in this morning... I wouldn't have been able to do that as a kid anyway.  My grandfather used to send me (and my brother and any cousin that may be about) around the neighborhood to shovel walks and such without any thought of getting paid... a way of making the neighborhood better. 

Man, I think about doing that now, and the kid would probably get yelled at and told to get off their property.  People here in MA just aren't friendly.

[FrizzleFried]

That wheel is HUGE...I didn't realize how big it was until I saw the video.  It seems to be a nifty invention,  but being I only had to shovel snow off my driveway once last year,  I think I will stick to my standard ole' snow shovel.

As for Florida,  I'd rather live in FARGO, ND than Florida...the humidity kills me.  I'd rather deal with -10 temps than Florida humidity (and bugs...and the damn Cubans too!    )

[shmokes]

Miami is pretty nice.  The traffic at rush hour is abominably bad, and their public transit is practically non-existent, but that just comes from incredible, unexpected growth.  But there are some great things about it.  Obviously having some of the greatest beaches in the world is nice, but there's lots more.  The restaurant scene here is amazing.  The only places that I have ever seen anything approaching this kind of quality and variety of cuisine in America are San Francisco and maybe New York City.  And the city is pretty damned beautiful thanks to the tropical climate.  I live in Coral Gables, of course, which is certainly more beautiful than other parts of the city.

And yeah, even in Miami you don't need two air conditioners to cool a place.  At the hottest time of the year Miami sits in the 90's.  The place I moved from (Southern Utah) commonly hits 115 in the Summer.  3-inch cockroaches suck, but they aren't really much of a problem, especially if you don't live like a slob.  Roaches live outside.  They venture inside only to find food.  If you keep your house clean, you won't see many roaches.  I probably kill a roach once a week or so.

I was dreading the heat and humidity when I was getting ready to move here, but I was pleasantly surprised.  I find that I actually prefer the humidity, and it isn't nearly as hot here as I expected it to be.  I do love the snow, though, and the distinct seasons.  I doubt I will make Miami my permanent home, but I do like it quite a bit.

[ChadTower]

Living clean to avoid roaches only works if your neighbors live clean... I lived in apartment buiding in Tampa and my neighbors were terrible slobs... there was simply no possible way to keep the roaches away because of that.

[shmokes]

Yeah.  I imagine an apartment would be worse.  I live in a house, but that's likely going to change.  My landlord came into an investment opportunity for which he needs as much capital as he can get.  He wants to sell his house and offered me a $3300 to let him out of the lease agreement.  The thought of moving again less than six months after moving across the country makes my stomach churn a little, but we're just scraping by and $3k is pretty tempting.

[shmokes]

BTW, cockroaches are nothing.  It's the ---fracking--- ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- mosquitoes here that get you.  Oh my god, they love my ankles and feet.  I was outside at dusk cutting some wood a couple months ago, only for about 20-30 minutes.  I had 15 mosquito bites on one side of one ankle.  They've bitten me multiple times on the underside of my toes and the bottoms of my feet.  It's torture.  Luckily it's not so bad year-round and mosquito season is coming to a close, but I tell you what, I'll take roaches over mosquitoes any day.

[Zakk]

I ventured far to seek one of these fabled Canadians that you speak of.  I found one, after years of searching under shrubs and behind small hills.  They have much wisdom.  This one only communicated only by small written cards. 

[knave]

You guys make me glad I live in California. Three inch roaches...Damn, I don't think I've ever seen a real roach that wasn't in a cage at some bug exhibit.  We have some Mosquito's but not like the midwest...or apparently Miami.  Northern cal not hot either...Maybee 100 in the summer once and a while (just don't go to Sacramento) ...Can drive to the beach or in the winter, If I want to see some snow I can drive to that too.

Ha, I've just realized that I'm environmentally spoiled.  Now if we would all just sell our cars and take trains it might stay that way...

...oops sorry the hippie is oozing out.   

Have fun

[ChadTower]

It is probably a lot harder to shovel all that fire.

[Ed_McCarron]

It is probably a lot harder to shovel all that fire.

Much like snow, fire will go away on its own if left alone long enough

[ChadTower]

Unlike snow, there may not be much left when the fire is gone.

[Ed_McCarron]

I'm amazed at how many people have the wrong idea about fire.

Not all fire kills people.

I have fire, and I let my kids play with it and they are fine.

Why can't you people understand that fire isn't dangerous if you handle it properly???

[ChadTower]

Wow.  One kid got killed by a picture of fire.

[knave]

I'm amazed at how many people have the wrong idea about fire.

Not all fire kills people.

I have fire, and I let my kids play with it and they are fine.

Why can't you people understand that fire isn't dangerous if you handle it properly???

 

I also like fire and think it has a bad wrap.  But one day I was playing with my own fire and did something only a little bit stupid and got burned.  I don't think my fire wanted to burn me...I'm just an idiot for letting ny guard down...

...not for having fire in the first place.

 

[Zakk]

I think all fire should be banned.  Or at least put to sleep.

[tommy]

I'm in the market for a snow shovel for the first time in like 15 years and that is what I come across.   

It's funny how people think up some crazy ideas to make money. I guess you can put a wheel on almost anything and it would seem to be better.