Contents
Snow drifts significantly complicate the movement of people and cars in winter, so every resident of the country tries to deal with snow in one way or another. It is customary to clean paths, parking spaces and platforms with a snow shovel. This type of manual equipment has many varieties, but the most convenient option is a drag scraper. This shovel has a large bucket and is able to capture a lot of snow, which increases productivity. A snow scraper can be made of various materials with the introduction of some design features. In our article, we will try to talk about the most famous types of scrapers, determine their advantages and disadvantages, and also give detailed information on how to make a scraper with your own hands.
What is the difference between a scraper and a regular shovel?
A scraper-drag is a modernized analogue of a snow shovel. It is a simple design in which the volumetric bucket is securely fixed on the handle. The width of the bucket varies from 70 to 120 cm. Such parameters allow you to rake a large amount of snow in one “pass”.
In scrapers, the design of the handle is of particular importance. It can be T-shaped or U-shaped. The choice of one or another option largely depends on the dimensions of the bucket: it is convenient to move a large mass of snow with two hands, so wide buckets are often equipped with a U-shaped handle that allows you to do this.
It is worth noting that all drags are designed only for shoveling snow into a pile. Lifting and throwing snow with a scraper will not work. This is the main difference between a scraper-drag and a conventional snow shovel.
Variety of scrapers
Numerous manufacturers of garden tools are trying to create the most convenient, reliable and at the same time inexpensive snow shovels. However, the quality, cost and ease of use largely depend on the material from which the tool is made. It is also important when choosing a snow shovel to pay attention to its design. Some, at first glance, minor nuances in the design of a particular model can become reliable assistants in your work.
Material for manufacturing
For the manufacture of drag scrapers, manufacturers use metal, plastic and wood. The durability, weight of the shovel, ease of use largely depend on the material:
Plastic scrapers
Plastic shovel buckets can be made from cheap polypropylene or more expensive polycarbonate. The cost of the material affects the cost of the scraper itself. But it is worth remembering that when buying a shovel, a higher cost is likely to be justified: polypropylene equipment is able to withstand strong shocks and frosts down to -400With no damage, while cheap polypropylene will surely fail on the first collision with packed snow.
All types of plastic shovels are characterized by two main advantages:
- Plastic is not subject to corrosion and rotting.
- The light weight of the shovel makes it easier to clean the area.
Manufacturers of plastic scrapers try to protect their tools from breakage as much as possible, so many models have a metal plate along the edge of the bucket, designed to cut snow. The presence of a U-shaped handle is also a kind of reinforcement in the overall design of the shovel.
Wooden scrapers
Only a few manufacturers produce wooden snow shovelers. The thing is that, along with low cost, a wooden shovel has a lot of disadvantages:
- A wood scraper has a significant mass.
- Wet snow often sticks to wood surfaces.
- Upon contact with moisture, wood absorbs water, as a result of which it deforms, swells, and increases its weight.
- The tree is subject to decay.
- With regular use, the wooden scraper gets numerous chips and damage.
Thus, wooden scrapers have an affordable cost, but their use is not the best option for snow removal.
Metal scrapers for snow removal
Many manufacturers make drag scrapers from steel alloys or aluminium. These materials are highly reliable in operation. Their term of use is practically unlimited. The proposed types of metal are relatively light, snow does not stick to them. The cost of metal shovels for snow removal is affordable.
When purchasing a metal scraper, you need to pay attention to the back side of the bucket. For greater reliability and durability, conscientious manufacturers provide for special stiffeners that prevent deformation of a wide metal sheet.
Metal for making a cutting
During the operation of the scraper, a very large load falls not only on the gripping bucket itself, but also on the handle. After all, the principle of operation of the shovel is based on the fact that the worker rests on the handle, thereby moving the shovel and raking snow.
It is most convenient to work with a scraper-drag with a U-shaped handle. For its manufacture, plastic or metal can be used. The most reliable option is a lightweight aluminum handle.
Scraper buckets that are not too wide can be equipped with a conventional straight handle or a T-bar design. In this case, the manufacturer can use not only plastic or metal, but also wood.
The scraper handle, made of metal, can be telescopic or folding. The telescopic design allows you to “adjust” the dimensions of the device to the height of a particular employee, solves some special problems. For example, a retractable telescopic handle allows you to clean snow from the roof.
The folding handle makes the snow shovel extremely compact and easy to store. This advantage is also inherent in inventory with a telescopic handle.
Design or ergonomics
Some models of scrapers may seem strange to the buyer due to their unusual shape. But the original appearance can be justified not only by the design approach, but also by ergonomic requirements. A curved bucket or handle often helps a worker to cope with a particular task. The size, shape, plane of each element in this case has its own meaning:
- A flat scraper bucket is not capable of capturing large amounts of snow. To keep the thickness of the snow cover, manufacturers provide for the presence of limiters on the rear edge and side walls. The higher the walls and the deeper the bucket, the more snow it can move.
- The curved shape of the bucket allows you to comfortably overcome small obstacles, move snow caps without any effort.
- The handle of the scraper is often made curved so that the applied force to move the shovel is used as efficiently as possible.
Thus, even the most “wonderful” shovel can be extremely convenient to use. True, this can only be verified by personal experience.
Scrapers on wheels
Some scraper models are equipped with wheels. This element of mechanization allows you to reduce the load on a person during work. To overcome some obstacles, the scraper can be slightly raised by leaning on the wheel axle. Working with a scraper on wheels is easy and simple. A photo of such inventory can be seen below:
A worthy alternative to scrapers are manual bulldozers. They are a metal blade, rigidly mounted on a wheeled cart. Such a device allows you to shovel snow. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to lift the load using such a device.
Another version of the scraper is widely used abroad, which provides for fixing the handle with a hinge on a large-diameter wheel. Such a scraper allows you to effectively rake and move the snow cover. It has a high cross-country design.
Highly specialized scrapers
It is necessary to remove snow in winter not only from footpaths and playgrounds, but also from the roofs of houses, car windows. For such needs, special devices are provided, which are also called scrapers.
A roof snow scraper is a flat, narrow bucket mounted on a long telescopic handle. This design allows you to clean the roof at the level of the attic floor.
You can see another original design of a scraper for cleaning snow from the roof in the video:
Scraper (scraper) for cleaning car windows is characterized by compact dimensions and soft manufacturing material, the presence of a comfortable ergonomic handle. The scraper blade must be made of reliable polymeric materials that can remove snow without damaging the glass.
Acquaintance with some models of scrapers
Having dealt a little with the design, material and purpose of scrapers, you can pay attention to some common models of this inventory, evaluate their cost, advantages and disadvantages.
SnowXpert 143021
The SnowXpert 143021 scraper model can be called one of the most reliable. It is produced by the well-known company Fiskars. The scraper bucket is made of high-strength, frost-resistant plastic. The width of the bucket is 72 cm. Its edge is protected by a metal plate. The shovel handle is made of lightweight and durable aluminium. If necessary, the handle can be adjusted in height. The SnowXpert scraper costs about 3,5 thousand rubles. Among the shortcomings of the model can be called the inability to arrange a shovel for compact storage.
Gardena 3260
Another high quality plastic scraper can be found under the Gardena 3260 brand. Its working width is 70 cm. The edge of the scraper is protected by a reliable, durable blade. If necessary, the aluminum inventory handle can be extended or folded. Perhaps the only drawback of this model is the inflated cost, which is 5,5 thousand rubles.
SibrTech
A metal scraper of domestic production with a curved working surface is characterized by affordable cost and reliability. The width of its bucket is 75 cm. The material of manufacture is steel alloy. The main disadvantage of the model is the lack of a rubber pad on the handle and the lack of sides. The cost of a scraper is approximately 900-1000 rubles.
Roof scraper Instrum-Agro
The scraper for cleaning snow from roofs has a narrow bucket and a telescopic handle, the length of which can increase up to 6.4 m. The scraper bucket itself is made of polypropylene. The cost of such inventory is 1,5 thousand rubles.
The cost of scrapers is quite high, and the device is distinguished by its simplicity. That is why many craftsmen prefer to make snow removal equipment on their own.
How to make a DIY scraper
If desired, a reliable and durable scraper can be made by hand. This will require absolutely affordable materials, some tools and a little time. We will offer only one simple option for making a do-it-yourself scraper scraper:
To make a metal shovel with a wide bucket you will need:
- A sheet of metal (preferably aluminum), 60 * 40 or 70 * 40 cm in size.
- Tape metal 3 mm thick.
- Shank.
- Rivets
The principle of making a scraper is as follows:
- Cut 3 pieces from the metal tape. Fix one of them perpendicular to the main canvas on the back side of the bucket and two on its sides. Fasten the metal with rivets.
- On the back vertical edge, make a hole for the handle.
- On the cutting from one edge, make an oblique cut. Attach it to the base of the shovel and fix it with a countersunk screw.
- Additionally, the handle should be fixed to the base of the bucket with a metal lining and rivets.
Another option for home-made sledding can be seen in the video:
A detailed manufacturing guide will help even a novice master to cope with the task.
Conclusion
A scraper-drag is a worthy replacement for an ordinary snow shovel. Its main difference is ease of use and high performance. With the help of such a simple inventory, even the largest areas can be cleaned very quickly and easily. Due to its high efficiency, this type of shovels is used not only in private buildings, but also in public utilities. Everyone will surely be able to choose a suitable scraper model from a wide variety of models on the market. And if you wish, you can independently make reliable inventory for personal use. We offered all the necessary information in order to make a successful purchase or competently make a tool with your own hands.