Clear Your Sidewalk With A Snow Thrower

If you live in an area which gets a great deal of snow, you probably own a snow shovel and get a lot of exercise shoveling all that beautiful white stuff off your sidewalks. If you're fit, then certainly you'll have no problem with that shoveling...unless you've got three sidewalks and a driveway to do! Everyone reaches a point when its best if they don't do that kind of hard physical activity - and that's where the snow blower comes in.

A snow blower is a machine that does all the work for you. You simply stand behind it and push.

There exist different types of snow blowers - single stage or two stage. Most homeowners will only need a single stage machine - rental property owners who have a responsibility to their tenants will be the ones who most likely use a two stage machine

Single Stage

A single stage snow thrower works with a single high-speed "impeller" – usually two or more curved plastic paddles - that suck the snow into the machine, and then forces it out of the discharge chute into the adjacent yard. These snow blowers are very light and not fit for snowfalls of more than a foot or so.

Two Stage

As its name implies, the two stage snow thrower gets rid of the snow in two stages. An auger is used to break up the snow first, and then it is sucked into the impeller and blown out through the discharge chute. This type of thrower is used if your area typically gets snowfalls of more than a foot or more at a time.

Properly used, a snow blower can save you a lot of time and back ache. There are many manufacturers, including Honda, John Deere, Sears-Craftsman and Toro. The best time to buy a snow blower is after the season has ended, when they all go on sale.

Qualities to consider when buying a snowblower are its clearing width, throwing distance, and the poundage of snow it can handle at one time.

Take care

Whenever you use a snow blower, it is imperative that you wear ear protection and eye goggles.

As with any bladed tool, snow blowers can be dangerous if not used properly. If your snow thrower jams...turn it off and disengage the clutch. Even then, do NOT reach in with your hand to clear the jam - use a sturdy stick or broom handle to do the job. A lot of people each year use a finger to a snowblower blade because they do not follow these simple precautions.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding long articles on lawn care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . You can find more information and resources on snow thrower at his website.

Snow Throwers

Snow throwers serve a great purpose during the wintertime. This article will give you information on how snow throwers do their job and how to get the best results from your snow thrower. These tips will help you to reduce the time that you have to spend outside getting rid of that cold and wet snow.

Snow throwers Can Keep You Warm

When there is snow outside. many men have to leave the warmth of their home to keep their sidewalks and driveways clean so that their family can go on with their life as normal. Your local government keeps the roads clear of snow. but the snow in front of your home is your responsibility. A snow thrower will allow you to quickly do this job and get back into the warmth of your home in no time.

Gas Engine Single Stage Operation Snow Throwers

You can find a snow thrower that is either single stage or two stages. The single stage snow thrower has a hard rubber or a combination metal and plastic auger. The engine uses a gear system to drive the auger. which cuts through the ice by chipping it. cellecting it. and then spitting it out of the snow thrower with quite a bit of force. This gets the ice off of the driveway. A single stage snow thrower is self-propelled as it rides on the snow. This kind of machine clears 12 to 22-inch width strips so it will most likely take several passes to clear your driveway of snow.

The More Powerful Two-stage Machine

The two-stage machine includes a pump in addition to the auger that is in a single stage machine. In a two-stage machine. the ice that is churned by the auger is sent to a pump. The pump helps to increase the distance that the clear snow goes and in some cases. the distance that the snow is thrown can be up to 45'. Children love watching the snow flow through the air and this machine can make your snowy chore easy and fun. These machines can make a path of 2 to 3-feet in one pass so it will take you less time to clear the driveway and/or sidewalk.

How to Remove the Snow Easily

? Sprinkle salt over the snow to help clear it more easily. (It is important to check with your local authorities to see if this is allowed.)

? When using your snow thrower. you need to wear many layers of clothing instead of just one layer to ensure that you stay warm.

? Spiked shoes are a good idea to help make sure that you do not slip on the hard snow. Keep in mind that if you fall. you could break a leg. arm. or another bone or you could hurt your head. That is why you want to take precautions to ensure that you are safe.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A website with tips on lawn care and snow throwers

Snow Removal Equipment: Using Roof Rakes

Removing snow from your roof is not the same as the removing snow from your garden. Where there is a possibility of snow, the roofs are made inclined and this is a major reason why the mechanical tools cannot be used by the house-owner. Either he has to use manual tools or he has to call for an expert in roof raking. Fortunately, the gravity works for the house-owner and if the snowfall is not continuous and long lasting, the nature itself would melt the snow and a minor effort on part of house-owner will ensure that no ice collects on the roof.

Roof Rakes Are Made Of Aluminum Or Hard Plastic

For roof raking aluminum ladder and roof rakes are required. The roof rakes are attached at the end of a tube. They are made of aluminum or hard plastic. Aluminum is preferred over plastic as they are not as tough as the aluminum ones. Aluminum ladder is necessary, as roof is slippery, inclined and thus not safe for access. Whatever portions can be reached with the help of the tube extensions, are cleared of collected snow and the other portions left out in as is condition. Chemical deicers if available in market can be used.

Safety In Roof Raking

Do not do the following when clearing the snow from roof

1. Never ever, climb on the roof to clear the snow. All the ingredients for an accident are present the roof. A slippery surface and slope are sufficient for hurtling you downwards.
2. Do not work on the snow by mechanical means, that means no pounding or chopping
3. Aluminum ladder should have a firm footing, and it should be anchored firmly. It should not topple down.

Roof Raking Alternatives

To reduce the manual effort required in roof raking and removing snow from roof, roof and gutter de-icing cable can be installed on the roof. This has to be installed on the roof in a zigzag pattern and parallel to the gutter. A controller situated in your house will ensure that the temperature of the area under the cable does not get hot. Andrew Caxton is the webmaster of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A guide on lawn mowers and garden tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden;including snow removal tools for the winter season such as snow blowers and roof rakes http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/snow-removal-equipment/roof-rake.html

Buying a Snow Blower - here are a few tips to remember

Some people love snow and welcome its arrival, while others wince at the back pain they have to look forward to. Its not surprising that these 2 people fall into 2 groups: those with snow blowers, and those who shovel. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the white stuff once again.

Know Your Snow Job Just like a car, there are many makes and models of snowblowers (or snow throwers as they are also commonly known as). Each car is suited for a different purpose, and snow blowers are no different.

How long is your driveway? How much snow do you anticipate receiving each year? How heavy is the snow? How wide a space does your snow removal needs cover?

For most city dwellers, who have just a driveway and a sidewalk to clear off, a single stage gas blower will do the trick. These types of snow blowers will touch the ground, so be aware of the area you are clearing. Most single stage gas snow blowers retail for $300 to $900.

However, if you find that you get a lot of snow, or have a larger area to clear, a two stage gas blower will save you time and help avoid further back aches. These types of snow blowers come equiped with wide augers to clear off larger areas, while throwing the snow further. Depending on the type of two stage gas snow blower you are looking at, prices can range from $600 to over $2000 according to Consumer Reports.

If you have a gravel driveway, you'll want to ensure that the auger doesn't touch the ground (thus picking up rocks which can be hard on the snowblower, and cause harm if to items near the path of the blowing snow. Most two stage blowers are perfect for gravel driveways.

If you find that you only get a few inches per snowfall, or have a relatively small area to clear, you may find that a single stage electric blower will take care of your needs. Electric snow throwers range between $100 and $300 and will clear an area of about 11-18inches.

Take It For A Spin While a retailer wont let you clear off any snow at your house to test it out, they will let you push the floor models around. Find one that suits your strength. The larger snow blowers are normally very heavy. While it may be fun to have the largest snow blower on the block, it doesnt make sense to buy it if you cant push it around without hurting your back.

Are the handlebars adjustable to your height? You have to remain in control of your snow blower at all times and the handlebars will help you to move around corners. You should also pay attention to the chute control. By adjusting the direction of the chute, you can angle the snow where you want it, not in front of you or on your neighbours driveway.

Play Safe If you purchase a single or two stage gas snow blower, remember to start it up outside. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an invisible killer. Clearing snow is tough enough without having to worry about carbon monoxide.

Do you have a set of ear plugs? You'll need them, especially with the larger snow blowers.

Remember not to wear anything that is loose fitting. Its very easy for a scarf or sleeve to get caught in the snow blower and the results are not very nice.

Its obvious, but many people loose limbs because they dont watch what they are doing. If your machine gets clogged, turn it off. Only when the engine is off (or unplugged if you purchase an electric snow blower) should you attempt to clear the clog. Use a wooden broom handle or hockey stick to clear out a clog. Better you have to buy a new broom or a new hockey stick than to have to explain why you no longer have an arm.

Other than price, buying a snow thrower is no different than buying a car. In both cases, you buy the one that meets your exact needs and fits within your budget. Take it out for a test drive and remember safety first.

Start enjoying snow again. Think of how envious your neighbours will be when they see your new machine purring down the driveway, without a care, and without a worry of a sore back.

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