Snow Shovels for Wintry Sidewalks

Keep your driveway and sidewalk clear this winter by getting a snow shovel to remove fallen snow before it becomes a hazard. Businesses do this for safety reasons and to keep up patronage. Clearing snowdrifts ensures visitors and customers have easy access to front doors and business operations can continue. When buying this essential winter gear, consider durability, design, size, and weight. Browse the extensive selection of facility maintenance gear at Staples to find the right shovels for snow removal.

Choose the right snow shovel for your needs
There are three basic types of this tool. Traditional shovels are ideal for lifting snow, while push-types move snow aside. A combination shovel can both lift and push snow. Push shovels are ideal for moving large amounts of snow out of the way. They usually have large curved blades that act like plows to clear large paths. A traditional shovel has an almost flat, rectangular blade and is suitable for scooping and tossing snow.

A combination model combines the best features of traditional and push types. It has a curved blade that’s larger than the scoop on a traditional shovel but smaller than the one on a push unit. Therefore, it can push snow when needed and isn’t too heavy to scoop too. While a combination shovel is an all-round tool for removing snow, a traditional or push model may be more suitable depending on the type and amount of snow on the ground.

Consider blade and handle materials when picking a snow shovel
This tool may use a blade made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both materials. Plastic blades are lighter and easier to maneuver. Metal ones are stronger, more durable, and cut through deep and solid ice better. For a lightweight tool capable of chipping through hard snow, consider getting one with a plastic blade with metal edges. Plastic and metal are also common materials for shovel handles. Other commonly used materials are wood and fiberglass. Fiberglass is the most durable option but is quite heavy. Wood doesn’t rust like metal, but it needs annual maintenance to prevent it from cracking.

Do shovel blade and handle designs matter greatly to snow removal?
Choose a unit with a flat blade to lift and cut through deep and heavy snowfalls. A blade shaped like a rounded scoop does a better job of pushing and lifting snow. Shovel handles can be straight, bent, or curved. Bent and curved ones are ergonomic, while straight ones require users to bend lower. A curved handle is the most comfortable option. It offers the stability of a straight handle and allows more flexibility with regards to hand positioning so users can keep their backs straighter.  

Should you consider blade width when shopping for a snow shovel?
Blade width determines the amount of snow the tool can scrap, lift, and push. Models designed for lifting snow generally have smaller blades than those meant for pushing them. A typical push-type unit has a 24-inch blade, while traditional and combination ones have blades measuring 12 to 18 inches wide.

What are the benefits of dual-handle snow shovels?
Dual handles allow users to wield the tool with two hands. Using a shovel in this way provides better leverage and more pushing or lifting power.