Snow and Ice Removal Equipment

Snow removing equipment can be a simple hand tool like a snow shovel or a portable machine like a snow blower or snow thrower.  Or it could be something for a big job like a snow plow which is attached to a vehicle.  Removing snow by hand can take a lot of time and energy, and it is back breaking work.  A snow blower or a snow thrower can save you so much time and save your back, especially in the mornings before going to work.

Removing ice is another story.  To crack the ice you will need an ice pick, a solid spade or some other kind of ice breaker.  You will have to break through the ice with controlled force as to not damage the sidewalk underneath.  There’s also salt and de icing compounds to melt the ice if it is not too thick, but they also could do damage.  So it is crucial to remove the snow early before it turns to ice, especially if you got to drive over it.

Snow blowers or snow throwers are a great way to remove snow especially if you are elderly, have health problems, are short of time or have a big area to clear.  These snow removal equipment can save you a lot of time, your back and it may even save your life.  It is said that 1,200 people in America die each year shoveling their driveways.

The snow thrower removes snow by throwing them away from where you are clearing. They can be powered by gasoline, electric or diesel.   They are smaller than a snow blower and are good for level driveways, and pathways with no more that 4 inches of snow.

These smaller models can cost as little as $100 because of their small size.   You can use them on you decks.  If they are the electric ones the power cord will be a limiting factor in how far you can operate them.  They will clear an 11 to 18 inch swath.

A bigger snow thrower or a snow blower can do the bigger heavier jobs.  A snow blower will throw the snow only a few feet, where as a snow blower will shoot or blow the snow up to 25 feet into the air, high enough to clear a high embankment.  A small snow thrower sucks in the snow and it comes out the back.  Good enough for small areas with little snow but not very much power for areas with lots of snow.

Snow blowers are two stage machines which not only suck the snow into the machine, but they also have an impeller that then shoots the snow out where you want it.  This makes snow blowers good in heavy snow fall because of the distance and height it can blow away the snow.

The bigger model snow blowers are good for long, wide driveways with 8 inches of snow or more.  They are also good where there is gravel because they will not disturb the gravel.  Most snow blowers are also self-propelled making it easier to move through thick snow.  The larger snow blowers are used to clear streets and airport runway.  They can quickly remove large amounts of snow.  You can even direct the snow to be shooting it into the back of a truck to be hauled away.  

Snow plows are a device mounted on to a vehicle to remove snow from surface areas.  Mainly they are used on streets and train tracks.  Basically the snow plow is a big blade used to push the snow off to one side, both sides or straight ahead clearing the way.

Not everyone owns a snow blower or can afford one.  Some people actually want to go out and shovel the snow by hand and enjoy it.  Snow shovels are made out of plastic, aluminum, steel, plastic with a metal front edge and other materials.  They come in a wide variety of sizes, kinds and shapes and some are specially made for different surfaces.  Some snow shovels that can remove snow from your roof are called snow rakes.

There are snow shovels with 2 handles and off-set ergonomic handles to prevent back injury.  Some handles can be extended.  The handles can be made of plastic, wood, aluminum or steel.  They can come with special grips along the shaft to prevent your hand from slipping off and for leverage.

Some snow shovels are just made for pushing.  There are different kinds of shovels with a wheel behind the blade.  These are meant to be pushed.  Some come with two wheels and there are even shovels with motors.  They are similar to a snow blower but are light enough to clean off stairs, your porch or deck. 

The snow shove blade or scoop comes in different materials, widths and depths.  Shovels with metal on the front of the blade are good for chipping packed snow or scraping.  Some are treated so that the snow just slides right off the blade.  Snow shovels can cost form under $10.00 into the hundreds of dollars.  Get a snow shovel that will fit your needs.

Removing snow from your driveway or walkway can be very hard work, especially if you got to do it three or four times a day.  After awhile ice will form on the ground or driveway if you fail to remove the snow right away, especially where you run over the ice with your car.  Ice picks, ice chippers, ice choppers or a straight edge hoe are good for cracking the ice unless they are real thick, then you can put sand on it.

Sand is good for traction in icy areas where people will walk or drive.  Some ice, especially a thick patch, will not break easily so the sand will help, but it will not actually melt the ice.  The cheap, easy way to remove ice right away is to pour rock salt on it.  But rock salt is very corrosive and can hurt your driveway and plants.  There are also deicing products that you can buy that will remove the ice quickly and easily without causing harm or damage.

Heated driveways or getting a snow melt system is a good way of preventing the ice from ever forming.  Snow melt system is a way to melt the snow as it falls on your driveway.  When the snow starts to fall some systems will automatically turn on with a sensor and start melting the snow, even when you are at work or on vacation. 

Snow melt systems have different options for different systems that can be installed on new construction, on existing driveways, stairs, decks even parking lots or they can also be retrofitted.  They come in portable systems that you can plug in and you can also move them around to different areas. 

Snow melting mats are another option to prevent ice from forming.  Though to install the snow melting mat in your driveways or parking lot it has to be dug up them replaced.  In some conditions some systems can be installed under the existing driveway.  There are also snow melt systems for your roof and rain gutter.