Efficient Snow shovelling

[Nickelodeon]

Any landscapers or engineers out there who can tell me the most efficient way to manually shovel a long two car wide driveway, eg.

1. Push to the left, reverse and push to the right; or
2. Diagonal from the centre; or
3. Push straight ahead and then turn.
4. Go around the circumference like a lawnmower?

With all the snow we're getting I'd like to know if I'm optimizing my efforts.

Blue

 

[xix]

Toro

Get a snow blower with an electric starter and 10hp[horsepower] Not to wide.
Avoid plastic parts specially where the snow comes out from.

 

[Pargolfer]

Hire someone with a..

truck and a front plow...

 

[WinterHawk]

Depends on how much you have to move out of the way.

If you're doing a sidewalk swing your shovel in a 45 degree arc like you were cutting down long grass with a syth. Takes very little effort and doesn't strain your back.

For a light dusting of snow, you could even use a leaf blower. But for the heavy snow, nothing beats snow blower.

 

[Never Compromised]

hire a neighbourhood kid

 

[longlegs12]

truck and a front plow...

Or just offer a nice cup of hot coco, naked....to the driver when they are out plowing the commercial plaza near you...Haven't touched a shovel all winter and the driveway is nice and clear.

Damn I look hott naked under my fur coat! *wink*

 

[Keebler Elf]

Get one of those ergonomic shovels?

 

[hamermill]

4 wheel drive SUV

 

[The Bandit]

Damn I look hott naked under my fur coat! *wink*

Where's the pic?????

 

[S.C. Joe]

I am so sick of this snow. I have been using the snow blower all the time now, even if its 1cm

 

[MarkII]

Or just offer a nice cup of hot coco, naked....to the driver when they are out plowing the commercial plaza near you...Haven't touched a shovel all winter and the driveway is nice and clear.

Damn I look hott naked under my fur coat! *wink*

Okay I tried your suggestion....the pointing and snickering was not funny..

No serious..it was not funny

 

[cypherpunk]

There's only one good way to do any heavy shoveling of piles (Idunno about earth): lean down into the dig, lift with your legs, rotate, and dump/toss. This method came out of the late industrial revolution. If you're just trying to move a large area of snow, get a wide shovel. Aside from that, move in straight lines spaced a few shovel-fulls apart.

 

[jbar]

Hook up a hose to a hot water tap. Then sprinkle the surface with salt so that the ice melts.

 

[sailorsix]

Get one of those ergonomic shovels?

2nd...makes the effort 50% of ones with str8 handles.

I do the "down the middle then push to each side".

My cardio Dr says the worst thing is to go at full tilt when you have just crawled out of bed. Take your time and work your way into it gradually. Let your body warm up slowly before you start hefting heavy loads. It is the sudden tightening of the stomach & chest muscles that can trigger a heart attack.

And carry a cell phone so that if you drop to the ground on the other side of the SUV you can call inside or 911.

 

[Mack Bolan]

I use a "flamethrower" only take a few pulls on the trigger and all the snow is melted.

 

[Planner]

Any landscapers or engineers out there who can tell me the most efficient way to manually shovel a long two car wide driveway, eg.

1. Push to the left, reverse and push to the right; or
2. Diagonal from the centre; or
3. Push straight ahead and then turn.
4. Go around the circumference like a lawnmower?

With all the snow we're getting I'd like to know if I'm optimizing my efforts.

Blue

13hp snowblower is my efficient way

 

[Nickelodeon]

Humour and Helpfulness

Thanks to all,

As expected, I got usual mix of humour and helpfulness. Seriously though, I think there was some good advice on show shovelling.

Blue

 

[chris123]

Molotov Cocktails.

Just like to say the snow clearing crews of Toronto did a pretty quick and good job last night.

 

[Bud Plug]

Molotov Cocktails.

Just like to say the snow clearing crews of Toronto did a pretty quick and good job last night.

You must have low expectations. I drive from downtown to the edge of the city. What is usually a 40 minute trip took 2 1/2 hours along major arteries. While there had been some snow plowing, the curb lanes were partially blocked, and there was a layer of slippery slush covering all the roads I travelled on. Maybe it's the best that Toronto can afford (after wasting their tax money on all kinds of other nonsense), but it's hardly a world class operation.

The 905 does a much better job.

A good comparison on what could be achieved with the right budget and organization is Montreal.

 

[sailorsix]

A good comparison on what could be achieved with the right budget and organization is Montreal.

Downtown Ottawa is a better example of who does it right.

I go along Eglinton each AM (little Jamaica) and I cannot believe the shitty sidestreets. Snow has not been touched since the big Thursday Friday storm a week ago.

WTF is it with the goofy "plow your own sidewalks" when the city doesnt even plow those that THEY are responsible for plowing.