Some of us have already had our first snowfall for the year. For the rest of us northerners, it’s just a matter of time. You’re “going to do things differently this year,” you keep telling yourself.
Well, now is the time to start planning. Here are several snow removal hacks for you to use around your home or small farm this winter.
Spray Non-Stick Cooking Spray on Your Shovel
Have you ever found your shovel weighing down with sticky, wet snow? Some snowdrifts are soft, fluffy, and easy to toss out of the way. But when they’re not, your shoveling job takes two or three times longer than it seems it ought to. That’s where non-stick cooking spray comes in. Grab the cooking oil from the kitchen and finely coat your shovel before you head out to the driveway. Just remember to wipe it down afterward, so that sticky residue doesn’t start to build up once you’re finished.
Buy a Cheap Pair of Socks
What do extra socks have to do with shoveling snow? Traction control. Pull a larger pair of socks up over your workbooks to add extra “grip” when you’re walking on frozen surfaces around the property, the socks over your boots will help prevent chances of slipping or falling down. Don’t believe us? The tip was actually posted in the New Zealand Medical Journal! It turns out that one city in NZ even recommends all of their residents practice this snow-savvy DIY. (Dunedin)
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/mar/09/improbable-research-icy-socks-over-shoes
Cover Surfaces Prior to the Snow Coming In
Large tarps or pieces of cardboard can be draped over surfaces like windshields, firewood piles, cars, etc. for an easier job of getting overnight snow moved out of the way. You can even drape tarps over your driveway (hold them down with a few cinder blocks, so they don’t blow away) and then pull it up the next morning for a snow-free surface.
Blow it All Away
If your recent snowfall is a light, powdery mix, you’re in luck! Just pull out the leaf blower and put it on full power. Sure, there aren’t any leaves out, but the soft snow will whip right out of the way just as quickly. No shoveling necessary!
When it’s Time to Break Out the Big Guns
Unfortunately, big commercial snow blowers can often have trouble getting through ice dams (not to mention be a real pain to use.) A better option would be to use a personal sized track based dozer so that you don’t have to throw your back out or risk falling on the concrete when you’re working away with a shovel. The assembled MAGNATRAC® RS1000 has plenty of pushing power, so you can hook it up with a number of different attachments during your cold weather ventures. Some examples include:
Snow Blade — A 60” wide blade can be angled 3 different directions, to plow snow out of the way as efficiently as possible. The solid steel cutting blade can even be changed out!
https://struckcorp.com/attachments/sb60-snow-blade-kit/
Dozer Blade — Prefer something that can plow through more than just snow? A 15” high dozer blade can be adjusted in three different positions to level your uneven driveway, create gardens, clear an area for a shed and more.
https://struckcorp.com/attachments/db44-dozer-blade-kit/
Have a Smaller Budget? Go the D-I-Y Route!
The MAGNATRAC® RS196K is the little brother to the MAGNATRAC® RS1000 -assembled dozer. With the RS196K, it feels more like you’re on a riding mower, but it’s still handy for pushing snow or even raking leaves and hauling logs. Plus, you can still attach snow blades, buckets, or other heavy duty manual rear attachments. The best part? You save thousands, because it comes in a D-I-Y kit for you to paint, customize and assemble.
https://struckcorp.com/products/magnatrac-rs196k/
Dozers Need Snow Shoes Too
Rubber shoe kits enable you to have plenty of traction when you’re plowing snow off your driveway — without leaving any scratches behind on your surfaces! It’s exactly what you need to trench right through those tough ice dams at the end of your driveway. When you’re dealing with snow on a concrete or asphalt surface, rubber shoes are exactly what your mini dozer needs.
https://struckcorp.com/attachments/rs196k-rs58-rubber-shoe-kit/
