Hi, I’m in Brampton ON. The snow isn’t that bad compared to other places (there was a really bad one like 2 or 3 weeks ago tho), but I’m the only one that does the shoveling.
I can’t afford a 1000 CAD blower from Canadian Tire or Home Depot. And I don’t think I need anything super heavy duty.
Just want something reliable preferably under 400 CAD. Or is that not possible?
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Amazon, around $270 for an electric shovel
What the hell is an electric shovel… searches… Hm that just looks like a small snowblower. Is it fundamentally different or it’s just how it’s called?
(I live in a condo so pretty much clueless abt snow cleaning.)
Often not self propelled, some just glide without wheels, and just has electric auger to throw snow forward.
i swear by my Ego outdoor tools, and if i lived somwhere which had some (but not a ton) of snow, i’d get this https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ego-power-56v-cordless-dedicated-snow-shovel-12-in-0600676p.html
It might be rare for Brampton but probably at least once a year snow would be deeper than the mouth on that. Those things are great for pathways or patios but they often don’t throw enough volume of snow or throw it far enough to be useful on a driveway
I can clear a double driveway with an electric shovel/snow thrower. It depends on the battery and, of course, the length of the driveway. But we’re taking Brampton, not an estate house.
The thing is you have to do it before the snow is higher than the face of the shovel, so you might have to go out twice or even three times (while it’s still snowing and once when it’s done) instead of only doing one pass at the end with a significantly larger snow blower.
There are other shortcomings compared to a snow blower, such as it only throws the snow in front of itself; you can’t direct it otherwise. So you have to think about how you’re going to physically do the task. Also, I find it’s not as effective when the snow is wet.
Overall, though, if a snow blower is not feasible for whatever reason, it’s a decent option for lessening the physical burden of snow shoveling, but definitely not eliminating it.
If you have to leave your house for your job or other responsibilities, you may return to find the snow is over the mouth of that shovel. I guess I’m biased because I’m young and able bodied. Screwing around with that electric shovel would probably take me twice as long as just shoveling it.
I understand what you mean, but life is not binary and it doesn’t have to always be all-in. “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” We can still enjoy good things and incremental improvements even if they’re not perfect or ideal. A tool doesn’t have to be perfect for 100% of situations for it to still be useful.
Obviously, you don’t care for the device, and I’m not trying to convince you to get something you don’t want—and I note you haven’t tried. But I am saying we should (in life, in general) consider options for improvements even if they’re not perfect.
A $1000 blower from Canadian Tire or Home Depot IS a cheap blower. If you want something cheaper, look for a used one.
People would be willing to sell at half price? Or lower?
There are often some small engine shops or hobbyists that have some blowers for sale. Sometimes they’ll even have fully refurbished ones.
You could get an electric snow shovel instead, they are smaller so you’ll need to do more passes but they’re really nice
You’d really be better off toughing it out for this year and buying one in spring when they put them on sale to make space
Might do just this.
