Best snow shovels & show pushers

[measuredtwice]

Best snow shovels & snow pushers

Need to pick up a few more shovels and I'm wondering if any of you guys have recommendations. Also wondering if any of you guys have tried one of these
--> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BVR96TW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It's one of the best sellers at Amazon. The manufacturer claims that it is "High wearing, self sharpening blades". I find that difficult to believe. I usually avoid all plastic shovels in favor of shovels with a metal wear strip. But this all plastic shovel seems to be popular.

I usually use a shop broom to push snow and a basic snow shovel with a metal wear strip to shovel. When the snow is compacted, I use an all metal snow pusher.

This review of the shovel caught my attention

The snowshovel of your DREAMS
December 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
My husband insisted we buy this shovel for the upcoming Wisconsin Winter. He said this was the shovel he grew up using and no other shovel compared. I scoffed a little bit at the price because I thought "a shovel is a shovel" but I was wrong.

I grew up using metal shovels on our driveway. After years of wear and tear, these metal shovels would get slightly bend, and would always seem to catch on those icy patches. Even for a high school kid, my back would ache after hours of shoveling. I had no brothers to help with the laborious chores, and often times my 5' mother and myself (only 5' 2") were outside trying to get the driveway clear before my father would come home from his 16 hour shift.

Fast forward to the glorious SNOWPLOW shovel. After the first real Wisconsin snow of the season, my husband and I went outside to clear the driveway. I picked up this shovel, and WOW does it clear snow. It actually clears the patches of matted down snow/ice left from car tires. Who knew?! Gone are the days of getting a running head-start to clear a path and getting caught on the icy divots of my driveway. No more internal bleeding after the abrupt stop - sending the handle of the shovel right into my gut. If this shovel could cook and clean, I would marry it.

 

[vertguy]

I have the 48 inch version and it was a great investment. It works perfect for light snows and for cleanup after snowblowing with the tractor.

 

[Jazz1]

Steel shovels may be heavy but last for years. My wife’s is a testament to that. A coat of paint every decade or so to maintain a smooth surface

 

[RKA]

I have one, but I regret getting it a little. But it’s no fault of the shovel, more a lack of thought on my part and the inability to see it and use it in person before I purchased it.

I got the 36” so I could clear the driveway of light snows faster. My old plastic pusher was 24” and it never moved enough in one pass. I should have bought the 30”. The heavy stuff we usually get makes it a bear to push, so I dial it back to only push 24-30” when it’s heavier. But I also used to use my old plastic pusher to lift and toss the snow off the driveway and onto the grass. With a 36” non stick blade, the weight is never perfectly distributed on the blade, so as soon as you lift it off the ground the pile starts sliding off the blade and the handle twists and the snow lands right back on to driveway. I’m only using this shovel for lighter stuff in the 1” range. After 2” I just get the single stage blower out. So I’m not lifting a lot of snow. Further, the shovel by itself has a larger head weight than a plain plastic pusher. It’s not enough to push down under packed snow, you still have to add downward force, but you feel the weight if you’ve been lifting the snow off the pavement and onto the grass at the end of a 75’ driveway.

It is made well, the self sharpening concept doesn’t really add much over a thin metal edge on a plastic shovel, unless you punish your shovel and put dings and divots in the edge. For me the plastic behind the metal edge tends to crack in cold weather after a few years, which shouldn’t be a problem for this shovel. The blade is something like 3/16-1/4” think. The biggest advantage is probably its non stick properties when you’re moving that wet sticky stuff, but spraying a plastic shovel when you encounter that stuff also works, so maybe this difference doesn’t make up for the other stuff?

So I’m not overly enthusiastic about it and then there is the price. I’m not going to chuck it, and I’m not getting a plastic pusher to replace it either. I’ve just stopped trying to lift the snow over the edge of the driveway. I just leave it at the edge and live with it, which happens to be less work. . Most of the time it melts in under a week.

 

[Ign]

Difficult to find quality plastic shovels anymore.

Anyway all I can tell you is coming from a microdiscectomy patient who now supposedly needs a bi-level fusion.....the angled/offset handles REALLY work. All I've used for 20 years and I'm in Colorado so we get a wee bit of snow occasionally.

However even the offset handles run the gamut from gentle bends to damn near two 90's

The most durable plastic shovels are thick plastic (duh I know) and have TONS of deep ribbing on the back like death-trap plastic vehicle ramps. Problem is they don't make 'em like this anymore, or at least I can't find any.

 

[wrenchguy]

Get some hay and a fork.

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. It seems the opinions are somewhat mixed on the linked snow pusher.

 

[Farmall450]

Looks stout, but like the right snow would roll right over the top

 

[measuredtwice]

It does look short. Will be even shorter after a couple seasons. I have shovels with the wear strips completely worn away and 1/2 inch of the plastic behind that worn away too. I'd guess that I bought most of them 2-3 seasons ago.

 

[metlmunchr]

The best shovel in the world is one that's attached to someone else's hand

 

[measuredtwice]

The best shovel in the world is one that's attached to someone else's hand

 

[Empty Pockets]

I generally look at a snow shovel as a disposable item. I buy at the clearance sale at the end of spring, they last a couple of winters. Rinse and repeat.

 

[measuredtwice]

I generally look at a snow shovel as a disposable item. I buy at the clearance sale at the end of spring, they last a couple of winters. Rinse and repeat.

I hear ya. Saw an ad this morning that snow shovels are on sale. And on top of that there's a store wide coupon. Not sure how that stacks up to post season but probably at least a warm deal.

 

[RKA]

That last comment in the review you added is true. My other plastic shovel doesn’t pull up tire tracks and if I try a little harder, I just get impaled. I think the JM pusher does a little better at this since I’m actually able to lift more than 75% of those tire tracks. The extra mass is part of it I’m sure. Maybe the edge is less likely to flex? Not sure.

 

[trackwelder]

These are the best in my opinion. The Dominator is my favorite.
https://www.jmenterprises.com/

 

[measuredtwice]

I'm finding it difficult to be swayed from my usual metal or metal wear strip shovels. Since shovels are typically only useful to me for as long as the wear strip lasts, I'm tempted to try one the shovels with a replaceable wear strip. Those are excluded from the local sale but I have a store wide coupon. Will take a look the next time that I'm there.

 

[Ing3018]

I like plastic shovels for the larger pushers. Less friction on my concrete.
Steel shovels on my concrete get progressively harder to push as the cutting edge bevel gets wider from wear.
I try not to lift snow into piles. I use my snowblower to move the snow back.

 

[ChrisLS8]

We used a pusher on our Cub Cadet growing up. We had a long steep driveway so who wants to bother with that

 

[joes169]

Re: Best snow shovels & snow pushers

Need to pick up a few more shovels and I'm wondering if any of you guys have recommendations. Also wondering if any of you guys have tried one of these
--> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BVR96TW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It's one of the best sellers at Amazon. The manufacturer claims that it is "High wearing, self sharpening blades". I find that difficult to believe. I usually avoid all plastic shovels in favor of shovels with a metal wear strip. But this all plastic shovel seems to be popular.

I usually use a shop broom to push snow and a basic snow shovel with a metal wear strip to shovel. When the snow is compacted, I use an all metal snow pusher.

This review of the shovel caught my attention

I've had that exact shovel, size and all, for at least 4-5 years. In lighter snows, it's unbeatable. I've had metal edged shovels as well, I can't get them to last nearly as long. Honestly, unless I lose it, I'll probably still have the same 36"shovel in 20 years the way it's wearing (not wearing)......

 

[Tduby]

I have 3 of those shovels 2-36 and a 30 and I think every family member has at least 1 the 36 is good but hard to lift. I usually just push to the edge and when it’s a heavy snow just clear an area on the edge of the sidewalk and drive to push the light stuff too. Only problem is one got ran over but $14 and 3 days later a new handle showed up at the door.

 

[johnu]

I have a 48” & 36” JM type shovels. I have a stamped concrete driveway with a clear sealer on it and metal blades scratch it.
The 48” is great in light snow to clear it fast. The concrete is flat. Asphalt has too many dips and valleys to get a clean scraps with a 48”

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Look online for a Yooper Scooper.

 

[Y00PER]

Need a scoop

https://silverbear.biz/collections/frontpage/products/snow-scoop-26-wide

 

[MileHighRover]

I've had this one for a number of years now. It is 36 inches wide and has small wings on the side like a plow. That helps keep the snow from dumping off the sides as you push. I like the handle because you can put it against your belly to assist with pushing if needed. It is made for pushing snow, so you'd need another shovel for actual shoveling into a pile. I bought mine at Ace Hardware. Since it pushes so much snow, it isn't good for more than a few inches, and the wet heavy stuff is pretty much a no go for these large pushers, regardless of the type you choose.

If you get just a couple inches of the light stuff, you can clear off a driveway in no time. All my neighbors were pretty impressed when I first got it.

Garant Yukon 36" Snow Pusher

 

[AA/FC]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. It seems the opinions are somewhat mixed on the linked snow pusher.

For pushing snow, that is the best shovel money can buy today, IMO.

 

[Super Mech]

The Snowplow snow shovels are the best shovels hands down. Pretty much bulletproof. I have a few that I use for commercial sidewalk cleaning. Very well made and you can order parts to repair them if needed.

 

[jimindm]

The snow plow shovels are a great investment. I do commercial snow removal, and would not have any other.

Like others have said it is just a tool that you have. I have several sizes to choose from. I use them up to about 4-5 inches of snow. I have found the few sidewalks I do, I just use the shovel. By the time I unload the single stage, start it and go. I can have much of it done.

They are not a fill and throw shovel. I do think they now make those types of shovels. They push it off nice. If you do have to sort of throw it, you want to make sure the whole width of the shovel is full..

For decks and side walks they are great.

The one poster mentioned downforce to get snow up that has been driven on. These are made to just flip over and sort of push it to lift it. Think of a wide type of ice scraper. I have a small one about 12-18 inches just for that.

the down fall of these is when new, you sort of have to wear the edge to an angle that you like to shovel. On rough concrete it takes a little bit. It starts off square, but once you get it tapered you can go great. I can always tell when my wife or kids use mine much, because it takes a little to get the taper back to my size.

 

[dkroth]

I've had this one for a number of years now. It is 36 inches wide and has small wings on the side like a plow. That helps keep the snow from dumping off the sides as you push. I like the handle because you can put it against your belly to assist with pushing if needed. It is made for pushing snow, so you'd need another shovel for actual shoveling into a pile. I bought mine at Ace Hardware. Since it pushes so much snow, it isn't good for more than a few inches, and the wet heavy stuff is pretty much a no go for these large pushers, regardless of the type you choose.

If you get just a couple inches of the light stuff, you can clear off a driveway in no time. All my neighbors were pretty impressed when I first got it.

Garant Yukon 36" Snow Pusher

I have this one as well. I like the loop handle for two-handed use or putting your belly into it as Rover describes.





**** snow.

.

 

[Mikeske]

After my back surgery I decided to ditch the snow shovels and got this snow plow for my tractor. Of course your mileage will vary but with long circle driveway I had to do something different and so the plow is it.

 

[Dodge]

After my back surgery I decided to ditch the snow shovels and got this snow plow for my tractor. Of course your mileage will vary but with long circle driveway I had to do something different and so the plow is it.

I'm sure that works great. Why didn't you take the deck off? Doesn't look right!!

 

[jonshonda]

The shovel you buy really depends on the surface and snow conditions. If got a 36" heavy metal shovel for post snow blower cleanup and scraping the garage floor. I've got a 30" plastic shovel for my wood deck, a poly scooper for breaking apart the heavy stuff the plow leaves at the end of the driveway and for cleanup where the blower can get after a heavy snow, and extendable handle shovel in each vehicle.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have three of the Snow Shovel that the OP posted. I bought a 12", 36" and 48" for my concrete drives. Personally I don't care for the 48" as it is too awkward with anything over about an inch of snow so I cut 6" off of each side so now I have two 36" shovels and a 12". The 12" is good for the heavy and wet kerf that gets thrown into the gutter from the city's snow plows and the 36" shovels work great for anything less than about 1-1/2" if it is light. I also like them to clear up the remnants after using the snowblower. Mine are just coming up on their 3rd winter and in like new condition as they wear very well and the handles are good quality.

 

[terry603]

# 12 aluminum grain shovel

 

[Minnesota Steve]

I intend on buying one of those JM shovels in the OP this year to replace a metal one I've had for a few years that's just too heavy and has rusted bad.

What we found that's exceptional for scraping compacted snow is something called the Ultimate Scraper. They use a piece of spring steel at the end that's pretty rugged yet thin and really just loosens up the snow easily.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BQSLE8Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I highly recommend this.

 

[fasteddie]

I picked up 2 of these several years ago on clearance for $10. Not for pushing but if you have to pick up and throw snow, it can't be beat, no bending over. I don't know if they are available anymore, if they ever break beyond repair I will attach a second handle to a stock shovel to duplicate it.

 

[measuredtwice]

Lots of good suggestions. I went to Menards and Fleetfarm this morning and took a look at the shovels.

I wasn't really that impressed with what's available. One thing I noticed is that most of the shovels are very short... like elf size... and unfortunately I don't have elves shoveling for me.

A couple shovels were on sale at Fleet Farm and I had a $10 off $50 coupon that stacks with the sale, so I picked up a 27" pusher and a 20" shovel for what I think is a good price. They were on sale for around 25% off and then my store wide coupon gave me an additional 20% off... approximately. I could use a few more shovels but I'll see how these work out.

Both are made in the USA. Both are poly with a metal wear strip. Oddly the wear strip on the 27" pusher is on the top rather than the bottom --hadn't seen that before. Wouldn't it be better on the bottom?

The 27" pusher is an okay height but could be taller. The 20" shovel is too short for me but all the shovels seem really short. I think it's around 52".

I usually push with a pusher broom. My current broom is worn but still hanging in there. Menards has some nice ones that I might pick up during the next 11% off sale.

Still have several stores to check but they are further away. Still on the lookout for the perfect shovel and pusher.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Are these a gimmick?

 

[measuredtwice]

Are these a gimmick?

Is that a photoshopped photo from the interwebz or is that a real thing?

 

[measuredtwice]

I picked up 2 of these several years ago on clearance for $10. Not for pushing but if you have to pick up and throw snow, it can't be beat, no bending over. I don't know if they are available anymore, if they ever break beyond repair I will attach a second handle to a stock shovel to duplicate it.

Several local stores have them on their website but I haven't seen them. I don't know if it is the same brand or a clone.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Is that a photoshopped photo from the interwebz or is that a real thing?

here's a video.