Snow Shovel

A snow shovel (especially in the northern German -speaking area often referred to as a snow shovel ) is a special, wide blade for the purpose of snow removal, especially smaller areas such as sidewalks, garage exits, parking and forecourts and ice.

Larger areas such as streets or public places, however, be freed with effective Räummitteln the snow, such as snow plows or snow blowers. Especially for the evacuation of - mostly public - sidewalks exist even small snow plows. Accordingly, the snow shovel for the professional or public service winter is rather inappropriate.

Especially in areas where large snow depths are more common, there are also other clearing means for private snow removal, such as the snow scoop, which makes it possible to create much greater amounts of snow to the side without having to lift the snow.

Species

Snow blades are made ​​of lightweight material to facilitate the work. The handle is usually made ​​of unbreakable hardwood, the shield is usually provided because of the wear resistance with a bottom edge of hard metal.

There are differences in the nature of the sign. Traditionally, it is made of waterproof glue plywood. Newer and cheaper versions are snow shovels with aluminum or plastic shields. Since 2009, some places snow shovels with steel shields are available, which are characterized by higher load.

Because the aluminum blades usually have no additional bottom edge of hard metal, the edge wears faster, reducing the thoroughness of the vacation. Advantageous is the high load, for example by wet snow.

Snow shovels with plastic shields have the disadvantage that they can be shaped very easily, which means that they give in quickly when wet snow or other types of compacted snow. In dry powder snow, however, these are due to the frame shape very well to shovel the snow. For very heavy frost the plastic material tends to be brittle.

Snow shovels with hardwood shields are good at any Schneeräumtätigkeit. They are best (which distinguishes them from the plastic shield - shovel and the fast -wearing aluminum ) and the resulting lower wear but for simple pushing aside of snow every description due to their robustness and the bottom edge of hard metal. However, even those blades may have fractures in excessive loading with heavy wet snow, the moisture addition added to the wooden sign in the long run.

As an avalanche shovel, slightly smaller and with a folding or telescopic handle, a part of the snow shovel along with the avalanche transceiver to the standard safety equipment for anyone who is traveling off maintained ski slopes in the mountains with skis, snowboard or snowshoes.