Action for traction

What a winter!

So far, it’s been colder than normal in parts of the state and multiple icy occurrences have kept children home from school and parents struggling to run errands or get to work.

And we’re just now heading into the weeks when Arkansas typically experiences its most wintry weather, says John Robinson, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s North Little Rock office.

“Usually our snowy period is from mid-January to the first part of February,” and the northwestern part of the state typically experiences snow, while a band of sleet or freezing rain taunts the middle of the state and south Arkansas experiences rain, or, occasionally, freezing rain, Robinson says.

For those who are not prepared, any wintry weather can range from hassle to downright dangerous.

However, there are tools - such as snowblowers and throwers, snow pushers and shovels, ice choppers and liquids and salts that melt snow and ice - that make getting out and about after a winter storm a little easier.

Each is useful in different conditions. A snowblower or thrower is ideal if there are a few

inches to a foot of snow on the ground, but is absolutely useless on ice. And manual snow shovels and pushers are good for snow, but ice choppers or chopper attachments are needed to clear ice and firmly packed snow.

So, how should buyers decide what tool to buy for the sometimes schizophrenic Arkansas weather?

Here are some tips.

ICE AND SNOW MELTERS Deicing agents like rock salt,snow melt and ice melt are among the most popular products, particularly in the South where ice and snow often go hand in hand.

There are two basic types of deicers, granular products like sodium chloride and calcium chloride, and liquid deicers.

For thick ice, a granular product is best, says Ed Brookmyer with Bare Ground, a company that manufactures granular and liquid products. In that situation, using a liquid ice melter can create what he calls “melt water” that can refreeze if it is not removed from the surface.

Granular products pit the ice and sit there, slowly melting away the frozen layer. For those who have pets or delicate landscaping, caution is warranted. The harsh chemicals used in rock salts and other dry deicers can kill vegetation, make pets or neighborhood animals sick and may lead to corrosion of the surface they are intended to clear.

Liquid products work for snow and ice up to a half-inch thick or slick spots left over after mechanical snow removal. “The beauty of a liquid product is that it’s noncorrosive, safe on all surfaces and safe around animals, plants and pets,” Brookmyer says.

Many liquid products, including the one manufactured by Bare Ground, use a corn derivative that melts ice and makes any salts in the formula less corrosive. Some liquid products don’t contain any salt at all.

Granular deicers are typically inexpensive, costing anywhere from $5-$20 per bag or carton. Liquid deicers cost $10-$20 per gallon.

SNOW PUSHERS AND SHOVELS

Sometimes the best course is to just move the snow out of the way.

Snow shovels allow the user to scoop and toss snow off a driveway or walkway, while snow pushers are used to push snow off the pavement and onto surrounding areas.

Snow shovels typically have a curved blade. Pushers have straight blades for scraping snow and even chopping ice, according to Marc Goldman with Manplow. The Manplow Multi-Tool line also includes an ice chopper that’s good for use on up to an inch of ice. According to the Manplow website, Multi-Tool snow shovels retail for $44-$59.

Different conditions demand different tools, Goldman says.

Use wider blades for lighter snowfalls. A 30- or 36-inch wide shovel or pusher allows the user to make fewer passes and clear snow more quickly.

Use a smaller blade for heavier snowfalls. A 20- or 24-inch blade is ideal. Otherwise, the loaded tool will be too heavy to lift or push, Goldman says.

A straight blade is better for cleaning up slush, he says.

Think about a normal winter when choosing a tool. “Buyers should think about what conditions they face most when selecting a snow shovel or pusher,” Goldman says.

SNOWBLOWERS AND THROWERS

If a shovel isn’t doing the job, a snowblower or snow thrower probably will. Snowblowers and throwers are essentially the same thing, according to Troy Blewett with Snapper/Briggs & Stratton. They pick up snow from one place and blow it to another.

Snowblowers come in two basic types - single- and dual-stage. Single-stage blowers have an auger in the front that chews up snow and spits it out through a chute, according to Blewett. Dual-stage blowers have an extra auger, or impeller, in the chute that helps move more snow more quickly, making them best for heavier snows or larger areas.. “Single-stage snowblowers are generally for lighter use,” says Larry Costello with Craftsman.

“If you have a real small driveway and small walkways,even if you have a heavy snow, a single-stage will probably do because you have such a small area,” Blewett explains. Even on larger driveways and walkways, a single-stage will work unless the area routinely experiences heavy snowfall.

Single-stage blowers can be powered by electrical cord, battery or gasoline, while dual-stage blowers are always gas-powered. Single-stage gas blowers cost $300-$600, while a dual-stage can cost up to $1,600. Electric blowers cost $90-$250. A battery-operated blower from Snow Joe will cost about $400.

Take a test drive. Blewett recommends testing a snowblower before buying it. “Have every person who might use the snowblower go along when it’s purchased to make sure they’re able to operate it and that it has features that allow them to operate it safely,” he says. If a teenager is going to be clearing the snow, make sure he can handle the blower.

Consider average yearly snowfall. “You normally buy your snow thrower for what an average snowfall is per year,” Blewett says. That means an Arkansan would probably only need a single-stage, while someone in a state like Wisconsin or Illinois might need a dual-stage blower. Electric snow shovels are also available through manufacturers like Snow Joe for people who experience little snowfall and/or have small walkways and driveways. “If you have a smaller property,there’s no reason to go for a larger snowblower,” Blewett says. “These units get heavier as they get bigger, and it’s going to make it harder to maneuver and turn around.”

Always use fresh gasoline. Snapper products feature a fuel stabilizer dispensing cap on the gas tank that keeps gas fresh and usable, but if a blower does not have that, it’s recommended that owners use fresh gas each season or buy a fuel additive to keep gas fresh. “Bad gas is the No. 1 reason for [snowblower] repair,” Costello says. “If a homeowner puts a blower in storage after the season without draining the gas, it will gum up the carburetor and need repair when used the following year.”

Think about features. Snowblowers and throwers come with a number of unique features ranging from electric start and electronic chute controls to hand warmers and snow cabs to keep the user out of the wind. Most are self-propelled. Of course, more features bring a higher sticker price.

Read the owner’s manual. “Regardless of who the manufacturer is, you need to read the operator’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions,” Blewett says.