• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

wheeled snow shovels?

IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
News pics from the great white north feature folks shoveling snow with shovels with a big wheel in the middle. I searched on these and apparantly they are called "wovels". Anyone here use one? Are they actually better than regular snow shovels? It doesn't look like one could toss the snow very high/far with one.
 
Odd-looking sort of thing...but I think for us "older" folks...or those with fucked up backs, they'd be a good idea.

14962.jpg


I've seen these before:

21967_lg.jpg


With the smaller wheels, they didn't work well in heavy/deep snow, but worked OK for light snow.
 
They look totally useless for any amount of snow over an inch or two. All they are good for is pushing snow out of the way. You need a real shovel or snow blower here in upstate NY.
 
that would be neat. haven't seen one of those. My snowblower is sitting nicely in the garage ready for snow. hopefully it sits in the garage unused until i have to put it back in the shed in the spring.
 
There are so many better shovels to get rid of snow than with a regular shovel, but I think the social stigma of looking "special" is a major deterent.
 
Imp said:
There are so many better shovels to get rid of snow than with a regular shovel, but I think the social stigma of looking "special" is a major deterent.
Click to expand...

Really? When I'm shoveling off our 60 feet of driveway I am not thinking about how special I look. I'm thinking about how warm it is inside, and how pretty the snow will look once I'm back in there.

Never used a wheeled shovel. For light duty I prefer a simple, plastic shovel with no metal edging and no funky ergonomic handle. For heavier stuff I have a small Toro snowthrower. Not as capable as a full-size unit, but good up to about 10".
 
I have one of these:
41rZ%2BT9G7VL._SY300_.jpg


I've been planning on an upgrade to gas powered though. I'm hesitant though because I never have good luck with small engine equipment. I always spend more time fighting them to get them running that actually using them.
 
I saw those when I was shopping for a shovel, but it seemed rather gimmicky and a pain on the butt to use.

I got one of these instead, and have used it for several hours over the last few days. It's great -- really moves lots of snow fast, and no need to lift anything.
 
Gillbot said:
I have one of these:
41rZ%2BT9G7VL._SY300_.jpg


I've been planning on an upgrade to gas powered though. I'm hesitant though because I never have good luck with small engine equipment. I always spend more time fighting them to get them running that actually using them.
Click to expand...

The Ariens snow blower we have is 25+ years old and still works great, it needs a new coat of paint but it still runs fine. 15 years in Maine winters and 10+ in western NY
 
Our neighbor has one (the one with the big wheel, not the little one), I saw him struggling it the other day when we only had about 6" of snow, so I went over and helped him out with my snowblower.

Those things seem really awkward, I'd rather use a shovel with a decent kink in the handle, something like this:
31MNCBDnpHL.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wyndru said:
Our neighbor has one (the one with the big wheel, not the little one), I saw him struggling it the other day when we only had about 6" of snow, so I went over and helped him out with my snowblower.

Those things seem really awkward, I'd rather use a shovel with a decent kink in the handle, something like this:
31MNCBDnpHL.jpg
Click to expand...

If you don't get enough snow often enough to warrant a snowblower or tractor, this is what you want. They make this kind, and the kind without the helper handle in the middle with just the bend. It makes one hell of a difference, and you can shovel practically for hours with one of these and never feel a thing. Even if you have back or knee problems, you can still shovel snow carefully with one of these without aggravating them if you work slowly.

You seriously wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference, but after the two monster blizzards we went through here with ours I will never use a regular shovel again. It is seriously a night and day difference. I can work almost three times as fast with one of these over regular shovel, and I have less strain afterwards.
 
Anubis said:
The Ariens snow blower we have is 25+ years old and still works great, it needs a new coat of paint but it still runs fine. 15 years in Maine winters and 10+ in western NY
Click to expand...

Yeah, but me and small engines do NOT get along well. Most trimmers and other small engined equipment last me a couple years before they are so hard to start I end up throwing them across the yard. Ive tried everything that I can think of to "winterize" and store them, but eventually they need service because they are too hard to start or just flat refuse to run. I'm not patient enough to service them myself as I usually end up losing small screws or something and the cost of repairs just isn't worth it.

Ironically, my Toro lawn mower never gets properly winterized and it's lasted me over 5 years! Fresh gas come spring and it starts after 1 or 2 pulls every time. I'm really debating on trying to find something Toro in a snow blower to see if I have similar luck because fighting the cord on the electric one is a pain, but I can always keep it as a backup.
 
Gillbot said:
I have one of these:
41rZ%2BT9G7VL._SY300_.jpg


I've been planning on an upgrade to gas powered though. I'm hesitant though because I never have good luck with small engine equipment. I always spend more time fighting them to get them running that actually using them.
Click to expand...


I got my wife out to shovel with me once and she agreed we needed a snow blower and I got one the next day :biggrin:
 
sdifox said:
I got my wife out to shovel with me once and she agreed we needed a snow blower and I got one the next day :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I asked the wife to help, she looked at me funny and laughed. I demanded she help and ironically there was no dinner on the table that night..... 😱
 
Gillbot said:
I asked the wife to help, she looked at me funny and laughed. I demanded she help and ironically there was no dinner on the table that night..... 😱
Click to expand...


I am the one that cooks anyway :awe:

my snowblower has an electric starter. Hook up extension cord and press a button. It is essential.
 
Wyndru said:
Those things seem really awkward, I'd rather use a shovel with a decent kink in the handle, something like this:
31MNCBDnpHL.jpg
Click to expand...

I've got one like that and I find it really awkward to use. The standard issue shovel is actually better.

If you live anywhere that gets a good amount of snow, a snow blower is always a wise investment.

I wonder what ever happened to the young entrepreneurs who used to shovel your drive for a fiver. Never see the kids out doing that anymore.
 
Gillbot said:
Yeah, but me and small engines do NOT get along well. Most trimmers and other small engined equipment last me a couple years before they are so hard to start I end up throwing them across the yard. Ive tried everything that I can think of to "winterize" and store them, but eventually they need service because they are too hard to start or just flat refuse to run. I'm not patient enough to service them myself as I usually end up losing small screws or something and the cost of repairs just isn't worth it.

Ironically, my Toro lawn mower never gets properly winterized and it's lasted me over 5 years! Fresh gas come spring and it starts after 1 or 2 pulls every time. I'm really debating on trying to find something Toro in a snow blower to see if I have similar luck because fighting the cord on the electric one is a pain, but I can always keep it as a backup.
Click to expand...

it as an electric starter as well

also we have it checked out every other year or so. never any issues, had to replace the spark plugs a couple times but in 25 years id call that normal. its only ever failed to start once and that was when we had a month of single digit cold days, it simply would not turn over until it warmed up, I solved that with 2 space heaters and a large box - when it was in a heated space (Maine) it never had this issue

we don't winterize it at all, it gets used and sits in the garage (not heated) sits there all summer and then gets used again
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top