Content
Snow drifts significantly complicate the movement of people and cars in winter, so every resident of the country tries to deal with snow to one degree or another. It is customary to clean paths, parking spaces and areas with a snow shovel. This type of hand tool has many varieties, but the most convenient option is a drag scraper. This shovel has a large bucket and is able to grab a lot of snow, which increases productivity. Scraper-drag for snow removal can be made of various materials with the introduction of certain design features. In our article we will try to talk about the most famous types of scrapers, determine their advantages and disadvantages, and also provide detailed information on how to make a scraper with your own hands.
What is the difference between a scraper and a regular shovel?
The drag scraper is a modernized analogue snow shovel. It is a simple design in which a voluminous bucket is securely fixed to 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 option or another 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 this to be done.
It is worth noting that all drags are intended only for raking snow into a pile. It is not possible to lift and throw snow using a scraper. This is the main difference between a drag scraper and a regular 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, 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 seemingly insignificant nuances in the design of a particular model can become reliable assistants in your work.
Material for production
Manufacturers use metal, plastic and wood to make drag scrapers. The durability, weight of the shovel, and ease of use largely depend on the material:
Plastic drag scrapers
Plastic drag 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, the higher cost will most likely be justified: polypropylene equipment can withstand strong shocks and frosts down to -400With no damage, while cheap polypropylene will probably fail at the first collision with compacted snow.
All types of plastic shovels have two main advantages:
- Plastic is not subject to corrosion and rotting.
- The light weight of the shovel makes cleaning the area easier.
Manufacturers of plastic scrapers try to protect their tools as much as possible from damage, so many models have a metal plate along the edge of the bucket designed for cutting off thick snow. The presence of a U-shaped handle is also a kind of strengthening in the overall design of the shovel.
Wooden drag scrapers
Only a few manufacturers produce wooden drags for snow removal. The thing is that, along with low cost, a wooden shovel has a lot of disadvantages:
- A scraper made of wood has a significant mass.
- Wet snow often sticks to wood surfaces.
- When in contact with moisture, wood absorbs water, as a result of which it deforms, swells, and increases its weight.
- The tree is susceptible to rotting.
- With regular use, a wooden scraper gets numerous chips and damage.
Thus, wooden drag scrapers are affordable, 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 aluminum. These materials are highly reliable in operation.Their lifespan is practically unlimited. The proposed types of metal are relatively light and 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 of the bucket. For greater reliability and durability, conscientious manufacturers provide special stiffeners that prevent deformation of the wide metal sheet.
Metal for making cuttings
When the scraper is operating, 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 drag is based on the fact that the worker rests on the handle, thereby moving the shovel and shoveling snow.
It is most convenient to work with a drag scraper 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 regular straight handle or a T-shaped 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 worker and solves some special problems. For example, the retractable telescopic handle allows you to clear snow from the roof.
The folding handle makes the snow shovel as compact as possible and makes it easy to store. This advantage is also inherent in equipment with a telescopic handle.
Design or ergonomics
Some scraper models 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 complete a particular task. The size, shape, plane of each element in this case has its own meaning:
- The scraper's flat bucket is not capable of capturing large amounts of snow. To maintain the thickness of the snow cover, manufacturers provide limiters on the rear edge and side walls. The higher the walls and deeper the bucket, the more snow it can move.
- The curved shape of the bucket allows you to overcome small obstacles as comfortably as possible and move snow caps without any effort.
- The scraper handle 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 turn out to be extremely convenient to use. True, you can only verify this through 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 resting on the wheel axle. Working with a scraper on wheels is easy and simple. Photos of such equipment can be seen below:
A worthy alternative to scrapers are manual bulldozers. They are a metal blade rigidly mounted on a wheeled cart. This device allows you to shovel snow.Unfortunately, it will not be possible to lift a load using such a device.
Another version of the scraper is widely used abroad, which involves fixing the handle using a hinge on a large diameter wheel. This scraper allows you to effectively rake and move snow cover. The design is distinguished by high cross-country ability.
Highly specialized scrapers
In winter, you have to remove snow not only from walkways and playgrounds, but also from the roofs of houses and car windows. For such needs, special devices are provided, which are also called scrapers.
A snow scraper for clearing roofs of snow is a flat, narrow bucket mounted on a long telescopic handle. This design allows you to clean roofs at the attic level.
You can see another original design of a scraper for clearing snow from a roof in action in the video:
The scraper (scraper) for cleaning car windows is distinguished by its compact dimensions, soft material, and the presence of a comfortable ergonomic handle. The scraper blade must be made of reliable polymer materials that can efficiently remove snow without damaging the glass.
Introduction to some scraper models
Having understood a little about the design, material and purpose of scrapers, you can pay attention to some common models of this equipment, 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 famous 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 aluminum. If necessary, the handle can be adjusted in height. The SnowXpert drag scraper costs about 3.5 thousand rubles. Among the disadvantages of the model is the inability to fold the shovel for compact storage.
Gardena 3260
Another high quality plastic scraper can be found under the brand Gardena 3260. The width of its working blade is 70 cm. The edge of the scraper is protected by a reliable, durable blade. If necessary, the aluminum handle of the equipment can be extended or folded. Perhaps the only drawback of this model is the inflated cost, which amounts to 5.5 thousand rubles.
SibrTech
A domestically produced metal scraper 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 lining on the handle and the absence of sides. The cost of the scraper is approximately 900-1000 rubles.
Roof cleaning scraper Instrum-Agro
The scraper for cleaning snow from roofs has a narrow bucket and a telescopic handle, the length of which can be increased to 6.4 m. The scraper bucket itself is made of polypropylene. The cost of such equipment 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 their own snow removal equipment.
How to make a scraper with your own hands
If desired, you can make a reliable and durable scraper with your own hands. To do this you will need absolutely accessible materials, some tools and a little time.We will offer only one simple option for making a scraper-drag with your own hands:
To make a metal shovel with a wide bucket you will need:
- A sheet of metal (preferably aluminum), size 60*40 or 70*40 cm.
- Metal tape 3 mm thick.
- Cutting.
- Rivets.
The principle of making a scraper is as follows:
- Cut 3 pieces from metal tape. Fix one of them perpendicular to the main blade on the back edge of the bucket and two on its sides. The metal must be secured with rivets.
- Make a hole on the back vertical edge for the handle.
- Make an oblique cut on the cutting from one edge. Attach it to the base of the shovel and secure it with a countersunk self-tapping screw.
- Additionally, the handle should be secured to the base of the bucket using a metal plate and rivets.
Another option for making a homemade drag can be seen in the video:
A detailed manufacturing manual will help even a novice craftsman cope with the task.
Conclusion
A drag scraper is a worthy replacement for an ordinary shovel for removing snow. Its main difference is ease of use and high performance. With such simple equipment, you can clean even the largest areas very quickly and easily. Due to its high efficiency, this type of shovel is used not only in private buildings, but also in public utilities. Everyone will certainly be able to choose the appropriate scraper model from the wide variety of models on the market. And if you wish, you can independently make reliable equipment for personal use. We offered all the necessary information in order to make a successful purchase or competently make an instrument with your own hands.
