Moving snow

[Martha]

We got about 10 inches of snow the weekend and I worked maybe 5 hours to remove it all. It took me 40 minutes to shovel the front steps and walk because of a big drift. The rest of the time was spent operating the monster snow blower.

I just heard that a lawyer I know, who is my age, died of a heart attack while snow blowing this weekend.

Any tips to minimize risks beside having someone else do the work?

For shoveling, I use a very light weight plastic shovel. I take small "bites". I push when I can, rather than lift. However, there is enough snow on the ground now that lifting is a necessity.

The snowblower is self propelled on tracks, but it is big and a lot of muscling around is required.

It is snowing hard again. I am thinking about having a tenant (who is a weight lifter) help this time around.

EDIT: I just read the forecast for this storm-- one to ten inches accumulation. Huh! Talk about a lack of confidence in a forecast. Given we are right by the big lake, it will probably be 12 inches.

 

[pfpelican]

My answer to snow removal: Texas

 

[Khan]

I just heard that a lawyer I know, who is my age, died of a heart attack while snow blowing this weekend.

Any tips to minimize risks beside having someone else do the work?

Something I read: don't start shoveling immediately after going outside. Take a few minutes to breathe the cold air.

 

[Fireup2020]

It is snowing hard again. I am thinking about having a tenant (who is a weight lifter) help this time around.

I believe this will be your best bet. BF does his neighbor's driveways/steps when it's time....also get to know your neighbors (bake cookies (if this is your thing), etc for thank you gifts)

 

[RunningBum]

Different shovels for different tasks. There are wider "plow blade" type shovels for pushing, and scoop type when you have to scoop. If you get enough snow (are you the one near Duluth? I think that would qualify!), it's worth investing in a couple different types.

Your shovel isn't so lightweight that it's flimsy, is it? I'm not sure of the physics, but it seems like a flimsy blade and/or handle can feel unbalanced and cause more stress on your arms. I have a nice graphite one seems to stay steady even if I overload it.

The "small bite" method is good. Time consuming, but safer than lifting a huge wet chunk. Make sure you are getting your whole body into it, not just your arms.

It's probably too late now, but some strength training before the season would help. Every year as we get older, we lose muscle. If you're not in shape for lifting, it can be dangerous. I think this is the #1 problem. A coach potato who gets out there with no exercise in the last two months and really exerts themselves shovelling a big wet snow is asking for trouble. I don't know what lifting would be best, I haven't done much weight training, though it's in my future.

Take breaks, and STAY HYDRATED. Spread it out over two or three days if you have to, especially if a thaw/freeze isn't predicted.

It is hilly? Push and throw everything downhill as much as possible, even if it means you have to walk back uphill for every row you do. Gravity is your friend.

Hire someone, or trade a dinner or a 6 pack for a neighbor or tenant to do it. I actually like shovelling snow. If I find out a neighbor doesn't like it or know they would struggle, often I'll just do it, but a small reward makes me much more likely to help.

 

[tightasadrum]

Why does everyone up nawth shovel all that snow anyway. Why don't you embed heating strips in the concrete?

 

[Goonie]

Back during my w*rking years (TGIF...Thank God I'm FIRE'd) if we got a large or 'wet' snowfall, I would shovel from the front door out to, and around the cars before I went to w*rk. I'd come home at lunch time (only 2 miles away and a company truck) and shovel from the front door around to the back door. Then when I came home after w*rk, I'd shovel the patio and the sidewalk back to the workshop. Each shoveling expedition averaged about 10-15 minutes.

If it was a light snowfall, say 2-4", I'd usually just do it all at one time.....usually before I headed out to w*rk.

I do take breaks, sit on the glider on the patio, sip beverages, and watch the birdies flutter around too!

My plan now is to do about the same thing, however I won't even think about starting the expedition until mid to late morning, and plan on the 3rd expedition being complete by mid-afternoon....in time for a siesta!

I have a couple different style snow shovels....pushers & scoopers, and a nice lightweight TORO 16" 2-stroke, single-stage snowblower. It's light enough that I can pick it up with one hand and set it on top of a snow drift, and let IT work it's way to the bottom. It's similar to this one:

 

[Martha]

I fantasize about one day living far enough south that a single stage snow blower would make sense.

My two stage Honda:

 

[jdmorton]

Hey, Martha - Remember This Thread...

...from last winter? (http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/anybody-have-wovel-25547.html) This thing looks crazy, but it works. I'm not sure if I can use it anytime soon, since I had my hip replaced about a month ago - but the kids can try . We aren't really expecting any significant snows around the Pittsburgh area in the near future - just 1 to 3 inches of lake-effect snow tomorrow.

 

[In-control]

While I have a 10hp 2 stage which works well for me. It is noisy/ heavy and requires gas/oil. This my second one, the first one was a 5hp and broke due to the straine of a big storm. I would recommend an electric snow thrower - here is a link to the Toro one - get the largest one. Toro - Homeowner Snowthrowers

Their light, quiet and require almost no maintenace. I addition you can buy re-furbished ones, which include a warrenty, and about a 30% discount. Make sure that you buy a good 100' electric cord. If your driveway/paths are larger then that go to a gas powered one. Or enjoy your self and hire a plow service.

 

[haha]

I fantasize about one day living far enough south that a single stage snow blower would make sense.

My two stage Honda:

This looks like something that should only be operated by the state highway department.

Ha

 

[haha]

...from last winter? (http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/anybody-have-wovel-25547.html) This thing looks crazy, but it works. I'm not sure if I can use it anytime soon, since I had my hip replaced about a month ago - but the kids can try . We aren't really expecting any significant snows around the Pittsburgh area in the near future - just 1 to 3 inches of lake-effect snow tomorrow.

I went to the website. Really cool!

I ordered the one with the tall redhead attached to the handles.

Ha

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

The reasons that show throwing seems to bring on so many heart attacks (and I'm not really sure this is the case compared to other unaccustomed strenuous activities) may be:

1. Strenuous, unaccustomed, lots of bearing down (may decrease blood flow to the thorax)
2. Cold air causes blood vessels to constrict in the skin, making it harder for the heart to pump (higher resistance)
3. Dehydration underneath all those jackets, sweaters, etc.
4. BP goes up with really loud noise.

It's really not a healthy thing to do. Still, if you don't have underlying coronary disease, it shouldn't really increase the risk of a heart attack, just precipitates it now versus later.

I feel you should look at it just as you would running a mile in cold weather: if you haven't been doing it routinely there is some risk.

One of my least favorite parts about snow was having to get up 45 minutes early for w*rk, shoveling, coming in and getting ready, finding another half-inch of accumulation which I either had to shovel again or run over with my car, thereaby assuring its enduring icey presence for weeks or months more. Don't miss that part.

 

[haha]

Rich,

Is the cold mainly the culprit? Lately I have been doing more activities that require anerobic bursts. I feel fine and seem to have the base conditioning for it, but it really puts the pedal to the metal.

In the past if I really went at it repeatedly my legs would be shot the next morning. Lately it is as if I had not been doing anything out of the ordinary; legs feel totally normal

I've basically thought it was probably healthy, and I am always well warmed up prior. Do you believe it is basiacally ok for older but fit people to hit it sometimes?

Ha

 

[Martha]

I don't like that "bearing down" part. I have to do that a lot with the snow blower.

My weight lifter tenant is going to help. I am going out to shovel the first load now. That I can do without straining myself.

But if I don't come back, bye!

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I think that it's all about your prior conditioning. But it's hard to compare routinely jogging 3 miles with a 30-45 minute burst of 4-limb aerobic activity in the cold.

No science to suppor this (I doubt it is knowable) but if you anticipate snow-throwing type activity (even digging trenches would be similar), you should include both interval training (with some high intensity) and upper body multi-rep training as part of the plan. I think you're on the right track.

Or just take it slow and easy and check your pulse one in a while. Exertion in extreme heat and humidity is probably even more dangerous for most people. The bottom line is not to do anything you're not conditioned to do without a gradual build-up. I'm a big believer is heart rate monitoring as a guideline to aerobic conditioning.

 

[Goonie]

This looks like something that should only be operated by the state highway department.

Ha

Looks like something Clark Griswold would have!

 

[73ss454]

Last year I dropped off my snow blower at my DS's house and moved to Fla. That was a good day.

 

[unclemick]

Greater Kansas City - got me the old wood handled plastic snow shovel - Lowes I think.

Even at two years out of New Orleans - it is fun - no really big ones(snow storms) yet. The old timers say I'd sing a different tune if I'd been here in the 1970's.

The Golden Retriever thinks snow is the greatest thing since sliced bread - or at least swimming in Lake Ponchartrain.

If we ever got snow in New Orleans - people went nuts - got their video cams out and made the kids quick make snowmen before it melted.

heh heh heh - it will wear off.

 

[Zipper]

Make sure you are in good shape.

I'm 64, kept the same weight all my adult life, and use common sense.

We just had another big dump in London and I did 3 walks/driveways. Easy cash.

We are in a snowbelt and expect this every year.

I think Khan might be a little south of the Lake Erie one but we get Lake Huron with a vengeance here.

I handbomb them and make sure they can all be done in < than an hour.

Basically you don't go all out and do a rush job. I'm retired and go for a few minutes and rest for a minute. Never had a problem.

If you are a fat smoker, call me and I'll come over and do a good job for you.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

My weight lifter tenant is going to help.

So what are the liability issues involved if the tenant has a heart attack, blows out his back or gets partially eaten by your snowblower?

 

[Martha]

So what are the liability issues involved if the tenant has a heart attack, blows out his back or gets partially eaten by your snowblower?

I don't care! I admit it! I am DONE blowing snow. He is out there right now. He is much faster at this than I am and he uses good ergonomics.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Awww...the snowman is frowning...

 

[Martha]

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I don't care! I admit it! I am DONE blowing snow. He is out there right now. He is much faster at this than I am and he uses good ergonomics.

Lesson 1: always weigh more than your snow thrower.