Change
Monday, 3. November 2008, 04:47:00
After a few weeks of cold weather in early October, the last two weeks of the month have been very pleasant, Indian Summer they call it. Near record breaking high temperatures that lead one to forget that it is winter.
Well, now it's here. Cold, rain and snow in the forecast.
For years I have always shoveled snow by hand from the driveway and sidewalks.
Besides the good exercise it's also interesting to be scientific about the methodology of the process.
For example, during heavy snows, I've learned that shoveling 2" while it's still snowing and understanding that you will have to do it again, is much easier than waiting and shoveling 6" or 8".
Also, it didn't take me long to understand to throw the snow in the in the best place. I have a 12' wide driveway and so I split it down the middle and shovel each direction. Near the drive approach from the street, it's totally different. You can slave away and have a clean, clear path and then the snowplow comes along and pushes a 3' high windrow of snow right into your drive approach.
O.K., we want clean streets and the big piles are just a by-product. So, split it down the middle and make 8' high piles on each side of your approach............didn't take long to realize this was a futile effort. The plow comes by again, going the same direction and places the left hand pile back in the drive approach. It's much smarter to take all the snow a throw it to the right. That way the plow throws it in the neighbors yard.
Last week, I widened my driveway to almost double the width.
No more cars parked in the street......wanted to do it for years.
Holy Crap!
Twice the area to shovel........
Went right down and purchased a super duper snow throwing machine. 6 H.P., 4 speeds forward and one reverse. No more exercise......my loss but, I will not get a sore back and muscles and I have a new toy to play with.
Hope I haven't bored you with this personal post but it's just what came out tonight.
My you have long days and pleasant nights with little snow.
Well, now it's here. Cold, rain and snow in the forecast.
For years I have always shoveled snow by hand from the driveway and sidewalks.
Besides the good exercise it's also interesting to be scientific about the methodology of the process.
For example, during heavy snows, I've learned that shoveling 2" while it's still snowing and understanding that you will have to do it again, is much easier than waiting and shoveling 6" or 8".
Also, it didn't take me long to understand to throw the snow in the in the best place. I have a 12' wide driveway and so I split it down the middle and shovel each direction. Near the drive approach from the street, it's totally different. You can slave away and have a clean, clear path and then the snowplow comes along and pushes a 3' high windrow of snow right into your drive approach.
O.K., we want clean streets and the big piles are just a by-product. So, split it down the middle and make 8' high piles on each side of your approach............didn't take long to realize this was a futile effort. The plow comes by again, going the same direction and places the left hand pile back in the drive approach. It's much smarter to take all the snow a throw it to the right. That way the plow throws it in the neighbors yard.
Last week, I widened my driveway to almost double the width.
No more cars parked in the street......wanted to do it for years.
Holy Crap!
Twice the area to shovel........
Went right down and purchased a super duper snow throwing machine. 6 H.P., 4 speeds forward and one reverse. No more exercise......my loss but, I will not get a sore back and muscles and I have a new toy to play with.
Hope I haven't bored you with this personal post but it's just what came out tonight.
My you have long days and pleasant nights with little snow.
WIDGETIZE