Shoveling snow?

[Earth_First]

I heard this on the radio earlier this afternoon:

The average shovel (loaded with 16 pounds of snow) ends up moving 192 pounds of snow, if you load your shovel about 12 times a minute. That's almost 2,000 pounds being lifted in just over 10 minutes!


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/24/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main668725.shtml

Yowzers!

[wtbymark]

1. 55F today n/t

[navarth]

2. I stopped using my snow blower

and I've moved a couple of cubic tons of snow this winter by hand. Well, it feels like a couple a tons.

It's good exercise, and I don't spew all that filth into the atmosphere any more. Feels good.

[Bonobo]

3. Same here.

I'm in Western Mass. It is good exercise. I downsized to a push mower too. Also am expanding garden tremendously.

[Betsy Ross]

4. No snow to shovel

and no water for a garden.
Typo on edit.

[navarth]

6. no water for a garden? what happened

[Betsy Ross]

13. Northern California snow level at 61% of normal.

Water restrictions were imposed just after I planted a garden last year. We've had almost no rain in our wettest month.

[navarth]

5. the problem with push mowers

is that they don't cut all that great...at least mine doesn't.

When I bought it from a neighbor I was all excited. We have the regular old-style postage stamp sized lawn, so why use a power mower? I took it to a local old guy that sharpens and adjusts them in his garage...very soulful.

But the damn thing just doesn't cut all that great. Especially if you wait too long between mowings and the grass gets too high.

[Siwsan]

8. I think I've moved a million tons

I live on a corner, and the road commission always manages to plow my driveway in, with a 2x3 foot wall of ice and snow. It's far too heavy for a snow blower, so I end up chopping out huge chunks of wet, icy, compacted, dirty snow, and moving them, by hand. I ended up with a totally wrecked back, over the holiday season.

So, I do not hesitate to break out the snow blower, for the rest of the driveway.

[4 t 4]

12. I am so sick of snow

I could scream but you know, like Neil Cavuto said "if it's global warming why is there so much snow" yea because all it means is WARMING you ass it doesn't mean Extreme weather you stupid fuck. Just go off the original coined phrase not the meaning you stupid fuck. He is such an asshole he is still calling everyone on the term not at all on the science.

[Earth_First]

16. Exactly.

Global warming is marked not only by an average temperature increase, but by weather extremes as well.

Something that they just don't seem to understand, do they?

[BeatleBoot]

7. Bustin' my butt this winter in Detroit

It's seems like its' snowing 1-3 inches every other day. Then a 6 incher once a week or so it seems.

I can't keep up with it.

I come in the house sweating and with the sweat on my hair freezing into clumps of ice.

But boy do I feel the endorphines afterwards - as good as the gym.


But I do worry about a sudden heart attack or something. It's always on my mind.

[Siwsan]

10. I'm in Flint

Between the heavy snows and strong wind storms, it's been a rough winter, in Michigan.

[Mnemosyne]

20. SE of Lake Erie. I hear you, Siwsan! Record snow and ice this year. I was just stuck

blocking my street, a steep hill, for over an hour, finally neighbor pulled me out. I went around the block to come down the hill instead and ended up stuck in the end of my driveway, 5 ft. into the road.

Whew! finally neighbor came out and pushed after I shoveled all the snow burying my front end.

Shoveling with a cane is a bitch.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[grasswire]

11. I hope you're taking an aspirin every day.

Are you?

[BeatleBoot]

18. It couldn't hurt could it.

It's great advice, actually.

My doctor and I have a great rapport.

I will ask him about it the next time I see him.

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. I shovel snow like it's a job, piecework - I pace myself for an 8 hour day

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I;m a mechanic by trade, but have worked in production lines where you are active during the whole shift.

Shoveling snow, I make a goal, pace myself, take breaks, and do not treat it as something I have to get done in a hurry.

This afternoon I spent over 4 hours just shoveling off the roof and around the base of my 8x12 greenhouse

Took my time, only using half or less of the shovel for throwing the snow, but got the job done

This morning spent about 2 hours on the driveway and entrance banks right after breakfast, then had lunch - a wee nap and read a book for about an hour before tackling the greenhouse roof and perimeter

I see people literally ATTACK their driveways and snowbanks with haste and fury

Not much wonder they end up with pain and afflictions like heart attacks.

Treat it like any other physical work/job.

Patience is not just a virtue,

It's a survival mechanism

sumthing to ponder

[Earth_First]

15. Unfortunately I'm in snow removal as a means of living this time of year...

so time is of the essence.

This last storm that we had I worked a 19 hour day with a snowblower, shovel and a pickuptruck.

By my best estimation, in the four years that I've been at this, I must have moved MILLIONS of lbs. of snow...

[navarth]

17. ahhhh come on ya wimps, where's that tough D Town attitude??

just kidding. I'm glad I don't have a huge driveway.

[Sherman A1]

9. Did 3 Driveways on Wednesday when we had about 7 inches here

I try to push as much as possible rather than lift it. Use the legs rather than the back.

[elfin]

19. Be careful out there --

My then 59 year old uncle died of cardiac arrest while shoveling a fairly light snowfall.

I now farm mine out to someone with a plow attachment and to teenagers for steps and backyard "paths" for my dog's poop run.

Even snowblowing can take a toll, given the temperatures and accompanied stress to "get it done" while pushing the machine.

Take care.