Features of car shovels

Motorists are always ready for unforeseen events. Therefore, in the trunk of any car, you can find the necessary tools and devices to get out of the most difficult situation. Among them is a shovel. It is a real helper when drifting into snow, mud or sand. Car dealerships have a large selection of shovels. However, deciding which one will perform best can be difficult.

To make your choice, you should learn more about car shovels.

In this case, we cannot talk about a garden shovel. The purpose of this tool is completely different. Of course, traffic situations are different. In some, even a simple garden tool can provide tangible help. But it is still better to purchase a special version for the car.

Auto shovels have a certain length. When unfolded, they reach 80 cm, the length of the cutting is about 60 cm.

There are tools of the following types:

• folding;
• telescopic:
• collapsible.

To work in snow drifts, the shovel must have a recess on the bayonet. But for working with soil, a pointed end is required.

The most popular among motorists are steel tools. Shovels with titanium blades are also available in stores. The lightest are plastic shovels. Modern technologies make them very durable.

Before moving on to buying a tool, you should think carefully about what kind of work it may be required for. Shovels also differ in cost. It depends on the brand and the material from which the instrument is made.

Among the most bought are snow-removing equipment of the Zubr and Vityaz brands (Russia), Fiskars and Snowxpert (Finland).

When choosing a shovel for sand, it is worth considering that it is more difficult to work with it than with snow. At the same time, it is easier to get the transport out of the sand captivity. The sand tends to crumble, so when working you need to capture most of it, making gentle slopes. The car will be able to jump out of such a trap, but before that it is worth aligning the race. This will keep the sand from crumbling and prevent the machine from slipping again.

Dense ground is considered one of the most difficult problems. It takes motorists more than one hour to solve it. The situation is especially difficult when the equipment sank deep into the ground.

Often drivers use a small sapper blade... However, its use is recommended only as an additional equipment. This is an important condition in Russian realities. Still, the sapper shovel has a different, military purpose. Although seasoned drivers prefer it precisely because of its small size and travel capabilities. At the same time, it should be noted that it will be difficult to get the equipment out of the snow captivity with such a shovel.

The shovel is convenient for working with snow and dry sand... But it is not suitable for working with land. The length of the handle for such a tool is standard. The shorter holder can be useful in the desert and is often used by rally participants.

Concerning bayonet shovel, it can handle any soil, even ice... This tool must be particularly durable.

Garden shovel combines a bayonet and a shovel... She has a straight bayonet. This complicates the work when removing loosened soil. When choosing this type of shovel, it is best to pick up a tool with a metal handle. It should be slightly curved. This option is considered the most durable.

When choosing a folding car shovel, you need to look at its size. With the hand down, the stalk should reach the elbow bend.

Some prefer shovel with a telescopic handle. It is more suitable for city street conditions... The tool is considered not the most practical in car trips due to the unreliability of the telescopic handle. But often this version of the shovel is sold in a travel kit with an ax and a knife. Its plus is the ability to adjust the handle for a specific person.

Most often, the need for a shovel arises with the fall of snow. Winter weather is becoming more and more unpredictable. You never know what will happen tomorrow - freezing rain or many days of snowfall. In any case, the tool in the car will definitely wait for its participation in the fight against the consequences of the winter disaster.

When choosing a winter snow shovel, you need to pay attention to its weight, material, shape and size of the bucket. Light types include plastic tools... They are as convenient as possible in working with snow, they are quite maneuverable. Plastic products work well for female drivers.

Aluminum shovels are also light tools.... But there is one requirement. When working, such a shovel must be held at an angle of 45 degrees. Thus, the driver or his assistant will be able to save energy.

The steel shovel is designed for physically fit people... Its weight is quite perceptible. But she copes with any kind of road cataclysm, serves for a long time and reliably.

Experts do not recommend taking a shovel with a large scoop.... Sometimes it seems that this option is more practical, as it will allow you to capture more snow at a time. But there is never enough snow, it still needs to be thrown back. Strength can run out very quickly.

A flat shovel will allow you to remove snow from a large area. On uneven surfaces, the round-shaped shovel works best.

You should also pay attention to the bumpers on the back of the scoop. The wider they are, the better. the tool will show itself when clearing snow in large areas. These bumpers allow the tool to glide easily on snowy surfaces.

The handle should be of a comfortable length. Too short will cause the driver to bend over frequently. In this case, the favorite is the telescopic shovel that can be adjusted to suit any height.

It is better to select the option with an aluminum handle... However, for the price, such a shovel can be more expensive than other types, so more often car owners choose shovels with wooden handles.It should be noted that metal cuttings are always thinner than their wooden counterparts.

Many people wonder if it is possible to make a shovel yourself. Experts say that it is possible, and from scrap materials and in just an hour.

To make the tool you will need:

• plywood sheet measuring 50x40 cm;
• a block of wood measuring 40x7 cm;
• pieces of tin or galvanized metal;
• lever;
• self-tapping rods.

We prepare a block in which we make a hole for the handle. It should not be larger than the diameter of the cutting. This is essential for a snug fit. We attach a piece of plywood to the bar with self-tapping screws. For the strength of the fasteners, we place strips of sheet metal or galvanized on both sides of the plywood.

At the point of attachment of the cutting, we cut it off at an angle of 45 degrees. We wrap it with a galvanized sheet and place it in the prepared hole. We fix the handle in the bar with self-tapping screws. To disassemble the blade, it will be enough to unscrew the self-tapping rods.

Like any other tool, a car shovel requires maintenance. After work, it must be cleaned. If you have worked with snow or water, be sure to wipe the tool dry. It is important to keep an eye on the wooden handle so that it does not dangle.

For metal tools, look beyond the edge of the build plate., regularly grind it with a grinder or a rasp. When buying, you should pay attention to the junction of the plate with the handle. The fasteners must be solid. Such a tool will last a long time.

For information on choosing a shovel in a car for winter, see the next video.