Electric Snow Shovels Making Light Snow Removal Even Lighter
Electric snow shovels are snow removal tools that are shaped and designed like ordinary snow removal shovels, with their long pole-like handles with hand grips at the upper end. At the lower end, however, instead of shovel blades, the electric shovels come with an electric motor and a housing that holds a bladed rotor whose role is to eat and chew up the snow.
These electrically powered snow shovels are great alternatives to manual shovels. They eliminate the need to strain your back by all the bending, scooping, and throwing. Snow removal is stripped down to the task of pushing the compact, lightweight electric tools ahead of you as the motor and the rotor work together to remove the snow in your path.
Electric snow shovels are excellent replacements for manual snow removal shovels, but only if they are used for the right snow removal tasks. Although they are electrically powered, they do come with some jarring limitations. Most electric models are limited to removing only light snow coverage.
Their capacities are limited to the height of snow that can enter the mouth of the tool, which is measured in inches and are called intake height. And since these models usually only have 12-inch clearing widths, they are only easy to use when clearing smaller areas. In larger areas, they will surely take you quite a long time.
If interested, here are the most popular models on the market.
The Toro 38361 Power Shovel is hands down one of the most popular electric snow shovels available in the market. It has hundreds of reviews, most of which positively commenting on its ability to move snow and its user-friendliness.
The Toro Power Shovel is equipped with a 7.5 amp electric motor that gives it enough ammo to throw snow up to 20 feet away, a feat you wouldn’t expect from a model as compact-looking as this. It also clears snow off small spaces quite fast thanks to its 12-inch clearing width as long as the snow is still within its 6-inch intake height limit.
As for its user-friendliness, the Toro Power Shovel is one of the lightest power shovels available in the market at 12 ½ pounds in weight. This is thanks to its durable plastic body. But to ensure durability, the handle is full metal.
The Toro Power Shovel is compact and light, but it requires minor assembly when taken out of the box. You can get this for $100 to $150.
If you want a cheaper model with the same 12-inch swath, check out the Greenworks 26012, which is also recognized for being one of the most environment-friendly electric snow shovels on the market. Although this has a lower power rating of 7 amps, it does make up for the disadvantage by being friendlier to the environment and easier on your conscience.
This is meant for light snowfall only with its intake height of 4 inches. Since the snow is very light, there’s no reason to use up too much energy and money and to endanger the environment. Thankfully, environment-conscious brand Greenworks makes protecting the environment easier even while you’re out clearing snow.
This is a bit heavier than the Toro Power Shovel at 14 ½ lbs., but at the least, it is safe to use thanks to the secure cord lock. It is also effective, throwing snow up to 20 foot away despite its compact size.
This is an excellent, cheap, and efficient choice for those looking for electric-powered snow shovels.
Among all electric snow shovels, the Snow Joe 322P is the model that looks the most like a regular shovel. Its design features a long ergonomically shaped handle attached to a small and thin head that eats up snow. Due to its size, it can only swallow up to 4 inches of snow coverage. Thankfully, its clearing width is average at 12 inches.
Since this is made for the lightest of snowfall, its 7.5 amp motor gives it plenty of power to go around. Thus, it comes with impressive effectiveness, moving up to 300 lbs. of snow every minute with its three-blade rotor.
Among all electric snow shovels, the Snow Joe 322P also many rave reviews due to its ergonomic handle that is also height-adjustable. By setting the handle to the right height, the tool will surely protect your back from strain.
This is ideal for use on sidewalks, steps, decks, and patios, as long as they only get a light and thin cover of snow. This is perfect for consumers living in areas where the snowfall is only light. This does mean, however, that if the snowfall suddenly increases, the shovel will be unusable. You will have to take that risk. Thankfully, at its price of $60 to $90, you will hardly regret purchasing this tool.
What to Look For
When choosing electric snow shovels, make sure to check the clearing width and intake height as this determines the capabilities of the tool. You should also check the weight so you will know how much effort you will need to use it. Ergonomic handles and adjustable height handles are excellent add-ons. Many of these tools are priced under $100, although some good brands offer higher-priced models too.
