user experience: snow shovels

[cellio]

Often when (or after :-( ) shoveling snow I notice that, despite my best posture efforts, the shovel's handle is just too darn short. Bending at the waist invites lower-back complaints later, but sometimes I just can't do it all by bending at the knees. Sometimes I can "shovel" by (mostly) pushing snow around, but when I've got to lift and move snow, I become quite aware of the shortcomings of the tool. This has been true for every snow shovel I have ever used.

I'm 5'3". This has to be an even bigger problem for people who are much taller than me, right? So... what's the secret? Are there long-handled shovels out there? Do tall people just crouch more when shoveling? Inquiring minds want to know.

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I think illustrative diagrams or photographs would be an enlightening addition, if not too much trouble.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Hmm. It approximates a backhand face-off stance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwKIZfh8s6c&t=1m45s) in hockey...not sure if that's at all useful. Just, instead of throwing the puck along the ice, you sweep the stick more vertically, twist, and straighten your knees to send the snow up and over.

First you shove the shovel into the snow, then you do the thing above. Snow goes flying through the air while you advance a little bit and get the next bit of snow. You're basically throwing the snow blind, over your shoulder, to a location you've scoped out ahead of time, so beware of pedestrians wandering by...

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*takes notes* Thank you. :)