January 4, 2011 12:04 PM

Latest Helpers for Snow and Ice Removal

By
CBSNews
The snow storms that have been pounding wide swaths of the country have made it all-too-clear that many people don't have the right tools to get rid of all that snow and ice.

But on "The Early Show" Thursday, BehindTheBuy.com Senior Editor David Gregg spotlighted what he says are some of the best new gadgets out there to help you get the cold stuff off your sidewalk and driveway and away from your car:

The following descriptions were prepared, at least in part, with information from and assertions made by the manufacturers or retailers

SNOW REMOVERS

SHOVELS:

True Temper SnoBoss $37

www.amestruetemper.com
Worried about throwing your back our while shoveling? The SnoBoss has an ergonomic design and unique features that make it ideal for your back not only shoveling, but also pushing, scraping and cleaning snow and ice. The new ergonomic design features a multi-handle grip that allows for homeowners to more comfortably position themselves as they work to remove the snow. The SnoBoss is available at The Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon.com at retail price of $36.99.

The Sno Wovel $137
www.amazon.com
What happens when you combine the wheel with a snow shovel? The Sno Wovel wheeled snow shovel (by Structured Solutions) is a fast and safe alternative to shoveling. With virtually no effort, this snow shovel can throw snow without twisting or lifting. The wheeled shovel design greatly reduces the risk of back and heart injuries associated with snow shoveling. The Sno Wovel revolutionizes the mechanics of snow shoveling - outperforming many snow blowers and is 3x faster than shoveling. It is environmentally clean, quiet, and maintenance-free. The Sno Wovel multiplies mechanical force and leverage at the axle or fulcrum point of the 35-inch wheel. With a seesaw action, it's possible to throw twice as much snow as a traditional snow shovel into piles over 4ft high. Great in all snow conditions, from slush to over 2-feet (and especially for heavy) snow. Made of heavy gauge steel and injection-molded polypropylene, the Sno Wovel can move up to 2-feet of heavy snow with their 26-inch extra wide blade (and even slush). The frame, wheel and tire have a lifetime warranty, durable yet lightweight and easy to maneuver - performance tested by professionals and consumers around the world. It's simple to assemble, comes with a DVD video guide along with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. A top U.S. ergonomic research center independent study (Univ. of Mass.) verifies using the patented wheel-based technology results in a 3-4 times reduction in lower back stress and cardio exertion vs. conventional snow shovels, greatly reducing strain, risk of back injury (comparable to simply walking). Anyone can use the wheeled shovel and it is fully adjustable for body type and size. Maintenance-free, the new Sno Wovel features a unique Folding Frame for even more convenient frame adjustment, storage and portability. It stores easily and can hang flat on the wall like a shovel. Accessories; including Gravel Wheels, a Chipper Plate for ice and packed snow, and an advanced composite Snap-On Wear Strip to extend shovel life are available.

Sno Brum $25
www.snowjoe.com
Want a solution to removing snow from the surface of your car without scratches?
The SNO BRUM by Snow Joe offers consumers a way to quickly sweep snow off a vehicle and away from the user. Perfect for sport utility vehicles and minivans where reaching the across the width of the windshield with a typical snow brush is often challenging. With the SNO BRUM, drivers can easily push even heavy, wet snow off the roof, hood and trunk without scratching the paint or harming the finish of any vehicle. The durable molded polyethylene foam head has been lab-tested for non-abrasiveness, freeze resistance and center load stress and durability and has achieved the highest ratings in all tests. The oversized head (6' x 17") is the largest snow remover available. The high-impact plastic face plate is recessed into the foam to prevent contact with the vehicle. The powder coated steel telescoping handle has special cold resistant nylon threads and extends from 27" to 46"

Garelick 21-Foot Aluminum Snow Roof Rake $60
www.snowjoe.com
Want to safely remove damaging snow from your roof without harming your shingles? The Garelick 21' Aluminum Snow Roof Rake features a patented "Shingle Saver" rollers. The unique snow flake roller design is easier to use because the blade never touches the roof's surface, preventing damage while making it easier to roll back up the roof. Using the Snow Roof Rake to safely remove snow from roofs, homeowners can prevent the damage of much-publicized ice dams. Ice dams cause water to back up under shingles, ruining roofs, ceilings and walls. Removing snow also relieves unnecessary weight on the roof which can damage the eaves.

The AutoBoss $13
www.amazon.com
Want the perfect new snow removal tool to clear snow from around your car? The AutoBoss is a compact snow shovel offering a sleek, patent-pending design. It is lightweight and portable, yet strong enough to handle heavy snowfalls. Its low profile design makes it great for easy storage in a trunk, under a car seat, or in a bag. The AutoBoss extends in an easy, fluid motion, and locks into place for strength and durability. It provides 150 square inches of coverage capacity and multiple hand placement options for comfort and control. The AutoBoss is perfect for clearing snow from tight areas but versatile enough to accompany campers and outdoor enthusiasts, too. The AutoBoss costs approximately $12.99 and is available on Amazon.com, at Ace Hardware stores, and in the Northeastern United States at The Home Depot.

To see david's picks for snow blowers, ice melters and a hand-warmer, to go Page 2.



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