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Remove snow normally shovel hard and long. This tool can be used in a small area. To clear large areas, mechanized snow removal devices are used. For example, if you use a shovel with an auger for snow removal, then the work can be completed several times faster and with less labor.
Types of auger shovels
Despite the wide variety of auger shovels, these tools have a mechanism similar in design and operating principle - an auger. It is he who is responsible for capturing, grinding and throwing snow. If we consider this snow removal tool in general, then an auger shovel for snow removal can be:
- The single-stage model has only one auger with spirally twisted disc knives as a working mechanism. As the drum rotates, the blades capture the snow, grind it and feed it to the blades, which push the snow mass through the outlet sleeve.
- The two-stage model has a similar device, only before ejection the snow passes through a rotor mechanism. The rotating impeller with blades further loosens the mass and pushes it through the outlet sleeve with an air flow.
According to the type of drive, an auger shovel can be:
- The hand tool is similar in functionality to a blade scraper, only the snow inside its body is ground by an auger. The drive here is the physical strength of the operator. The man simply pushes the shovel in front of him.
- A mechanical tool is powered by a motor. Moreover, it can be electric or internal combustion engine. A mechanical shovel may not be equipped with an engine, but serve as a hitch for a walk-behind tractor or mini-tractor. In this case, the auger drive is connected to the traction unit motor. The snow throw range of a mechanical shovel can reach 15 m. A hand tool does not have such parameters. He simply pushes the snow aside. Mechanical auger shovels differ in the type of movement:
- A non-self-propelled tool usually has skis instead of wheels. It moves due to human pushing efforts. The motor is only responsible for rotating the auger.
- Self-propelled tools can be wheeled or tracked. Such machines move themselves, and a person only controls the handle.
Despite significant differences in design, the operating principle of any auger shovel is the same.
When the snow removal tool starts moving, regardless of the type of drive, the rotating auger grabs the snow and then throws it out to the side through the sleeve. The ejection range depends on the speed of rotation of the working mechanism. The operator adjusts the direction of ejection using a rotating visor.
Auger miracle shovel FORTE QI-JY-50
A regular shovel can clear a small area of snow, but this process is still labor-intensive. The mass captured by the bucket must be lifted in front of you in order to be thrown to the side. This type of work puts a lot of strain on your arms and back. Designed manual miracle shovel is a mechanical snow removal tool. A special feature of its design is the auger installed inside the blade bucket.
The FORTE QI-JY-50 model is a worthy representative of this instrument. The blade itself is made of durable plastic. The working width is 60 cm. An auger is attached to the blade. It begins to rotate when a person pushes the shovel in front of him. At this time, the spiral-shaped blades capture the snow and throw it to the side. Thanks to the auger, a person uses less force to push the shovel. Due to this, the load on the spine is reduced.
Conventionally, we can distinguish two types of snow cover that a miracle shovel can cope with:
- It's freezing outside, and the ground is covered with fluffy snow up to 15 cm thick. There is no better weather for working with hand tools. The shovel will easily move along the surface of the earth, and the auger will capture the entire thickness of the cover. While working, you need to find the correct angle of inclination of the tool relative to the ground. The auger should not touch the ground, otherwise it will slow down.
- The snow cover compacted, and overnight it grew to 30 cm. A miracle shovel cannot cope with such a layer. The auger will simply get stuck in the snow and will not rotate. Only a strong person can physically move such thickness. Elderly people or teenagers will not be able to cope with this work.
However, there is a way out of the latter situation. Craftsmen have learned how to modernize the FORTE QI-JY-50 shovel. To do this, an additional blade is installed in front of the auger at a height of 15 cm. When a person begins to push such a combination tool, the front scraper clears off the top layer of snow.The miracle shovel following behind easily captures the remaining 15 cm thick cover.
Self-made mechanical auger shovel
Factory snow blowers are quite expensive, so many craftsmen make mechanical shovels themselves. The motor can be used electric, but there are inconveniences of being tied to an outlet. In addition, the cable constantly gets tangled under your feet. It is optimal to find an air-cooled gasoline engine. A motor from a walk-behind tractor is perfect.
The manufacture of a mechanical shovel is carried out in the following sequence:
- For the auger you need to find a shaft. An ordinary metal pipe 20 mm thick will do. Trunnions are welded along the edges, onto which closed type bearings No. 305 are mounted. You immediately need to decide on the type of drive. If it is a belt drive, then a pulley is mounted on one of the axles. For chain transmission, a sprocket from a moped or bicycle is used. Two steel plates measuring 12x27 cm are welded in the center of the pipe. They will play the role of blades. Disc knives can be cut from a conveyor belt or a car tire. You will need four rings with a diameter of 28 cm. They are attached to the shaft with turns towards the blades.
Good circular knives are made from steel. If you cut a serrated edge on them, the auger will easily take snow with an icy crust. - The frame of a mechanical shovel is welded from corners. You can use a bolted connection. The frame is provided with jumpers that will serve as a mount for the engine.
- The ladle is bent from a sheet of steel 50 cm wide. Since the diameter of the knives is 28 cm, the semicircular body inside should have a height of 30 cm. The side walls of thick plywood are secured with rivets or bolts. The second option is better because of the ability to disassemble the bucket if necessary.Holes are cut in the center of the side walls, and the hubs for the bearings are bolted here. A hole with a diameter of 160 mm is cut out on top of the bucket using a jigsaw. It should be located in the middle of the body directly above the shoulder blades. A galvanized pipe is attached to the hole. A sleeve will be put on it to throw out snow.
- Before assembling all the components of the mechanical shovel, you need to complete the drive. If an asterisk is put on the auger shaft, then the motor PTO must be equipped with a similar part. The same is done when using pulleys.
- Assembling the shovel begins by installing the auger inside the bucket. To do this, the shaft with bearings is inserted into hubs mounted on the side elements of the housing. The finished bucket with auger is bolted to the front of the frame. A galvanized or PVC pipe with a visor is put on the outlet pipe.
- The motor is positioned on the frame so that the alignment of the pulleys or drive sprockets is maintained. Engine mounting elements must be adjusted on the frame by movement. This will allow for optimal belt or chain tension.
- The running gear can be wheels or skis. The first option is reasonable to use for a self-propelled vehicle. In this case, the engine will need to make another drive to the wheelset. It is easier to place a non-self-propelled vehicle on wooden skids. The skis will go easier on the snow and will not fall through a large snowdrift.
When all the components of the mechanical shovel are assembled, all that remains is to attach the control handle. It is made from a pipe 15–20 mm thick. The shape can be given to any one convenient for the operator. It usually resembles the letter "P" or "T".
The video shows a homemade snow removal unit:
Starting the engine of a mechanical shovel is performed after checking all components.The auger should rotate freely by hand inside the bucket, and the knives should not catch its walls. After the test, it is advisable to cover the drive units with a casing for your own safety.
The speed of snow removal with an auger shovel is high. For a person, such work will become more useful entertainment in the fresh air than a tedious task.
