My ice scraper has a long handle so you can reach most of the way across the car with it. It also has a brush to brush away the ice you've scraped or the snow that's covering the ice you're about to scrape.
Yes. That is my ice scraper in Massachusetts. I was surprised that Laurence didn't at least show a picture of one or have a prop on hand. It's a long handled scraper that should reach at least the length of half of the front windshield and then you can flip it over to brush off the ice residue/snow.
living in Canada ... I have never needed to use the ice scraper ... I started my car with the heat on and defrosting the windows ... and used the brush part to remove the piles of snow ... the heater took care of the ice by the time I was done clearing off the snow and making a path to get out of the driveway ... but then I live in Canada and what americans call lots of snow we call a dusting of snow ... 2 to 4ft avg is what we call normal ... 6 to 12ft is heavy ... thats when you toss the kids out an upper window so they can find the back door and the snow shovels ...
@@JasonMistretta-wf5ip , 10+ years ago I found a small plastic scraper with a copper blade--maybe 6 " long. After letting the defroster run for a few minutes, even after an ice storm, that little "rascal" scrapes it right off.
Here in Phoenix it is common for people to just put a large beach towel on the windshield and back window. On icy winter mornings you just take off the towels and chuck them on the side of your driveway and forgo having to deal with the whole icy/frosty car windows thing.
Since you mentioned living rurally, one of the most important items in cold regions - especially on farms, is the "yard light". These are now moving to LED, but previously often used special light bulbs designed for the purpose, with extra heavy and durable filaments. Either on a free standing pole, or pole attached to a building, it is mounted to be the highest object in the yard. Nowadays farmers increasingly use vehicles that are heated and have GPS, but the yard light is still like a lighthouse is to sailor. In bad weather it can save your life, since it is a single point of light - or in a blizzard, a glow that will lead you back to the farmhouse and warmth
Living in upstate New York, I learned that when you park your car for the evening, turn on your windshield wipers until they are most of the way up then put a towel over the windshield and pin it in place with the wipers. The next morning, any snow and ice will be on the towel. Take it down, shake it off and put it in the trunk and you have a clear windshield.
LOL in Canada ... we grab the ice scraper and use the brush to remove the snow while the car heaters defrosts the windows ... and by the time we have made to tire paths out of the driveway the windows are clean and the car has no snow on it ... what you Americans call snow we call a dusting ... for us an average snow fall is 2 to 4 feet in a day ... heavy is 6 to 12ft ... in a day ... we measure depth by how high a window we have to toss the kids out of to find the backdoor ... yeah at 12ft ... you need a second floor just so you can find the ground floor doors ...
I lived in South Dakota for 5 years. I really could have used battery-operated socks. Even with the proper snow boots, -30 degrees doe not care what kind you have.
I am living in Anchorage, Alaska. Getting a meter or more of snow and being -15C and lower is not unusual. My ice scraper has 3 surfaces, a brush, a soft rubber for frost, and a hard rubber for ice. Last year, we had ice storms drop a cm of ice, and I broke my old ice scraper cleaning my car while trying to go to work. Having a remote start that makes sure to start all of your heaters is also very nice. When it gets really cold, we also have electronic plugs in our car engines to prevent the engine oil from freezing. I promise you that I am not 'taking the piss' with you. All of this is true.
From Chugiak, I have a long uphill driveway that is also gravel. That tiny snowblower he shows is totally inadequate. My snowblower is heavy, large, self-propelling, and has tracks (like a tank). We put space heaters in our cars' interiors with a timer to come on an hour before we leave in the morning, and of course block heaters for the oil pans. Chipping ice off the windshields is something we do de rigeur, and sweeping snow off the porch. We also have snow tires on our cars 5 to 6 months out of the year.
@mutteringcrone1210 my mother and sister came up here from Georgia this week. They didn't believe me that 32°F was still t-shirt weather. Until they saw me walking around, outside, in a t-shirt.
Right! Wellies will still freeze your toes in snow. They don't offer a lot of protection for temperature whereas snow boots are insulated from the snow.
In Alaska, most home owners/renters have both snow shovels & snow blowers (& you probably wouldn’t believe the variety of snow shovels available). Snow brushes & ice scrapers (often combined) in every vehicle - many telescoping to reach the entire windshield & remove snow, especially from the hood & roof (it’s bad manners to not clear off the snow & have 6” high clump slide off at 55 mph into the windshield of the vehicle behind you - also dangerous as it will momentarily blind that driver). Heated ice scrapers are also a thing. Ice melt & gravel for walks & entryways are standard purchases. Arctic entries are a small additional room between the outside door & the door into the actual living area that provides an extra cold break & place to divest & store winter gear. Remote car starters are a common luxury item (they’re a bit pricy but so so nice). Heated car seats, on the other hand, are a very common vehicle option. Studded winter tires (considered essential, have a legal season where they can be on your vehicle) for traction on ice & snow; emergency kit including snow chains, sand or gravel, snow melt, shovel, tire traction mats (or cardboard box), tow chain - all to help get you out if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. Other common winter emergency kit items include Duct tape, Emergency whistle, Flashlight with extra batteries, First-aid kit, Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife, Waterproof matches or a lighter, Jumper cables or portable jump starter, Reflective warning triangles or road flares, Tire inflator, Thermal blankets or sleeping bags, Bottled water (likely frozen, though), Hand warmers, Non-perishable food items (energy bars, dried fruits, nuts). Engine/gas pan warmers are installed on vehicles as standard equipment & it is recommended to plug in starting at 20 F to keep the engine from freezing. This also involves having outside outlets available at home, in parking lots, etc. & various lengths of extreme cold rated extension cords - the blues are particularly good for extreme cold & it’s best to get the ones with a lighted plug so you can see if it’s connected/functioning at a glance. And don’t forget winter windshield blades & winter/cold rated vehicle fluids such as oil, antifreeze, wiper fluid, etc.
I have a telescopic ice scraper since I have a midsize SUV. It extends to around 5 and a half feet and heavy duty. Snow blowers are awesome! After so many years of shoveling I broke down 10 years ago and bought a snow blower and can honestly say it is the best thing ever.
yup..they're not cheap to buy and people resist because of the cost..but if you live anywhere where you're regularly faced with a lot of snow to move. you quickly realize the first time or two you use it,that it's not only worth it,but it's easily one of the best things you've ever spent money on...
@@rayalevesquethat's why you make sure it starts before you need it. If you store it properly in the spring, you'll have it to use reliably in the winter.
@@rayalevesqueMy snowblower mostly stays unused in my garage, but when I need it, it starts instantly. I have a battery operated snowblower. (Yes, a battery operated two-stage snowblower. I love it!)
Fellow New Englander, from the Boston area. We had shovels for a pathe to the door, usually. Dad had an 8ft plow for his truck, and would plow out the neighborhood on the bad days. I've used different ice scrapers over the years, no real preference. But my favorite tool was a simple broom handle to scrape most of the snow off the car roof, for anything over 2-3 inches. Just a few swipes, top to bumper, got nearly all of the snow, and a brush to take care of what's left. (Having the car running all the while helps loads, ha ha!
Love seeing you and your mum doing this together. If she is anything like me (some of the things she says seem like we may have several things in common), then I know she appreciates that you and your wife allow her to be so involved in your life. ❤
Seems like a generic term that brand might use, to help try and extend number of use cases niche items like this are for. Plus after covid 'face shield' seems more associated with clear plastic things that covers your full face.
It's probably called that local to the Chicago Mid-West area. We also call it a balaclava here in the rest of the USA. I have never heard it called a "face shield!" I lived in New York City for 9 years and if you called it a "face shield" people would look at you as if you had two heads!
The ski mask really refers to a head covering with eye holes and a mouth hole. It also seems to be the robbers' mask of choice, at least here in the US. 😁
1 - You think THAT snow blower is cool? Cities have ones as wide as a road mounted to trucks for clearing streets 2 - 1961 or 1962 I lived on RAF Upper Heyford, Oxford Co. It snowed so much and the wind blew such .. that snow drifts touched the eaves on the one story homes 3 - You want wind and rain and sleet sideways? Go to Hohenfels, Germany in the Winter. (it was my firm belief after three years in Germany is that the Germans kept invading other countries so they could get better weather)
In northern michigan you need a snow blower than can handle 2 feet of snow. When you get more than that overnight in the driveway, then you'll probably be late getting to work
Texas Reporting in⭐️ Snow in our north West and higher elevation area ie El Paso. Southern part of the state almost never. North Texas is Dallas. We frequently go through snowless winters, but worse than that we have ice, again rare but when it does it cripples the city as not safe to drive. Otherwise most of the winter is mild and comfortable.
The city of Chicago is know as the windy city.. If you would live in a colder state then it would be a good idea to get a snow blower I'm sure there are videos on this
Even though I am from southern California I have used everything on this list when up skiing, everything except for a snow blower. A face mask works wonders in the cold wind and suprisingly a hot desert wind. The difference is, instead of blocking out the cold wind & ice, they can block the sun, wind, rocks and sand.
Living on a farm we use a walk behind snowblower for cleaning the sidewalks. We also have a tractor mounted snowblower to blow the driveway & yard clear of snow. Last winter I never had to use the snowblower at all for the first time ever.
I bet you didn't have to mark that parking space you cleared out while living in the UK either. Well it's a must in Chicago. Any household object will do, a lawn chair, a kids toy, a toaster....anything to show that space is taken.
I’m another Alaskan - you should look up what we consider full winter gear for some of the colder parts of the state (like the interior, where -40 f is not uncommon). I personally have experienced -70 f & that was straight temp, no wind chill. From top to bottom: * winter hat - fur is best * some sort of face mask to prevent frostbite & also warm the air before it enters your lungs * neck/face scarf - see previous, nothing beats Qiviut which is the inner wool of the Musk Ox but is $$$ * snow goggles - protect eyes from cold & wind * parka with hood & fur ruff - down preferable, ruff protects from wind & helps warm air * inner jacket + snow pants or bib overalls - one or two piece options for core & leg protection, usually down or fiber filled (if combined with coat function it becomes a snow or ski suit) * thermal underwear - long sleeved top & “long johns” next to skin to provide more layering & wick out moisture * full mittens - have an extra section that extends up & over parka sleeve to seal out cold & snow, preferably attached by a cord to prevent loss * glove liners - thin gloves to protect hands when finer manipulation is needed, reason for glove cords * wool/smart wool knee socks - additional warming layer for feet that also wicks out moisture * snow boots with thermal liners - preferably light weight $$$ as heavier ones $$ tire you out “Bunny Boots” (google this) are iconic winter foot gear in Alaska - they were developed by US military for extreme cold use You may have noticed several mentions of “warming air prior to breathing” - that’s because if it’s cold enough, the air can irritate your airways and cause discomfort, a burning sensation, or shortness of breath.
Winters here in Southern Indiana are hit or miss. Some years we'll get lots of snow and some years we just get cold rain. Since we don't get it every year, I bought a vintage snow thrower made by Ariens in 1965. Couldn't see spending $800 on a new one and then we might have 2-3 years before it's actually needed. Got the old one for $50 and after a tune up, it starts and runs fine on the first crank...and it's built like a sherman tank! Now, if there's just a light snow, like an inch or two I will actually use a leaf blower to blow it off the cars and out of the driveway. They work quite well for that.
I live not far from the Great Salt Lake and have suffered the heavy downpour of snow from lake-effect snow. Illinois, where Lawrence is at, has lake-effect snow. Lake-effect snow is super annoying to clear. The only people who're ok with it are the snowboarders and skiers in the mountains.
Nope. Not a face shield, Laurence. That is a ski mask in the USA. Everything else is spot-on. I livd in Indiana when I was young, and winters were brutal!
Chicago is called the Windy City. It's from the winds whipping across Lake Michigan. We also call them balaclava. I wish he'd shown the operation of a snowblower or snow thrower if you will. A large auger is on the front that draws snow into the chute. The snow is then drawn up into the top chute. There's another blade in the chute to shoot the snow out. Some don't have the second stage, and some have a 3rd stage to propel the snow further and prevent snow clog. Using spray furniture wax in the chutes helps a lot. You can purchase special stuff for twice the $$, but furniture wax works just as well.
I grew up on a corn/soy bean farm in north east Ohio. I was the oldest child and I remember having to climb out of the second story window to dig my way through the snow, with my hands, to the barn where we kept the shovel so I could shovel the snow away from the front door so everyone else could get through. It always made me feel like a hero. Some of the best memories of my life.
Laurence has it relatively easy living in the Chicago area during winter. They only get the occasional snow storm blowing through. I'm in the Detroit area, which is at about the same latitude, and sometimes its a real craps shoot on if we get hit by a particular storm or not. Areas downwind of the Great Lakes (usually to the east/southeast) have to deal with the added hassle of lake effect snow. This happens when cold air blows across the open, relatively warm waters of the lakes. The air picks up moisture and then when it gets back over the cold ground it releases the moisture as snow. Ironically, the colder the winter is, the less lake effect you get. The effect shuts off when the lake surface is completely frozen, and it takes a very cold winter to make that happen.
Up here in Wisconsin we get the Alberta Clippers and depending upon where the Low or Hi is rotating, we get Lake Effect snow off of Michigan that can put feet upon us.
We have a snowblower but haven't needed it in several years. I remember times when the snow was too high to use it. My two neighbors also have one so whoever gets out first does all the houses.
We had a snowdrift over my dad's semitutruck in our driveway, during the blizzard of 1978 here in Ohio (USA). Missed 5 days of school ( woohoo and uncommon for days of that long then). Snowblowers are always to have. Must have good boots, coat and gloves.
The insulation in the boots, gloves, and sometimes shoes is called Thinsulate. It’s done in varying thicknesses depending on the area you live in and how cold that area gets.
I've heard of belaclavas I've seen them a lot in UK crime shows. I grew up in Wisconsin and we always called them ski masks. They were usually knit with bright colors and crazy designs. Lawrence's mask makes him look like a hoodlum. I haven't had a pair of gloves in like 20 years. If you scrape the car windows quickly you don't need gloves. I haven't worn snow boots since I was a kid and the school forced us to wear them. We wore rubber boots that slipped over our shoes then they buckled up the side or had a zipper. I can see where Lawrence has to use all this equipment, he didn't grow up with cold weather. Heck the only time I close my winter coat is if it drops below 0 F.
I think I should ask Lawrence to compare sleds and sleighs between here and the UK. Nothing better than finding a perfect location to streak down a steep slope with no brakes. 😃 You've done it right if a generous amount of damp snow gets wedged between your neck and garments.🥶
Snow blowers arre only practical when you have 5 inches or more in 1 storm. Less than that you are better off with a snow shovel and if it's just a little even a broom.
For me, I kinda disagree... I use my snowblower for bigger storms, (or wet snow) my snow thrower for med storms. If I'm being super nice to my neighbors, where I do everyone's sidewalk, I use my snowblower as its self propelled. Using a shovel to remove an inch of snow off a few hundred square feet of sidewalks is a lot of work, and that's not including my driveways, walking paths.
I have a nice pusher shovel for small snowfalls (up to about 3 inches). It looks a lot like the blade of a snow plow. You push it across the driveway and throw the snow when you get to the edge. I can do my two-car-wide drive in about ten minutes with my pusher. For heavier snowfalls up to 8 inches, I use my little snow blower. More than that I hire the guy with the enormous snow blower to clear my drive. This is especially good because the city snowplow leaves a huge pile of snow at the bottom of my drive when it comes by to clear the street. That pile has sometimes been four feet high and six feet wide at the bottom. I live n Minneapolis-we can have truly epic snowfalls.
@dave4882 Not sure where you are from but north of the Mason/Dixon line the Ski-Doo is known as a brand of snowmobile just as a Ford is a brand of automobile.
I hate to break it to you, but Bombardier's ski doo was first produced 3 years after the Hetteen brothers' Polaris snow traveler, made in Roseau, MN. Of course they were both predated by Carl Eliason's motor toboggan, which he built in 1924 in Sayner, WI.
The only thing better for removing snow than a push snow blower is a snow blower that is attached to the front of your garden tractor! Although I had a tiny yard, I had a tractor with a snow blower attachment and I used it to clear driveways up and down my block. I even cleared the entire street a few times when the local snow plow didn't come by and people were trapped in their driveways! That was then - now I'm in a more temperate location and my snow removal days are behind me.
I live in Western New York which gets large lake effect snow storms that can drop up to 6 or 7 feet of snow in a single storm so I have a 44" snow blower that hooks up to my lawn tractor. It would take days to dig out without it when the big storms hit. Thankfully only storms usually get that crazy every year or two usually, though recent years have had multiple per year with the rising temps of Lake Erie.
I live in New Hampshire, lifelong resident not counting 4yrs in the Army. I literally gave my wife a snow thrower for an engagement gift the day before we got married at the end of June. We've literally had to shovel feet of snow just to get to the shed that had the snow thrower in it. I have tons of pictures, wish I could post them. I had people asking me where I got my ice scraper from when I was in Houston, TX in the early 90's, after I pulled it out of my trunk. I've literally driven in blizzards here going to work, as well as Nor'easters here in New Hampshire. You just deal w/it.
I live in Michigan and we frequently get light fluffy snow from Lake Michigan or Lake Huron (depending on the wind direction). I sometimes use my battery powered leaf blower to blow the snow off my sidewalk and driveway. I have to use it soon after snowfall or the snow hardens and is hard to move.
If Wellies are short for Wellington boots Yeah in cold climates you really need boots like Lawrence shows. Notice the cloth liner. Those are meant to keep you're feet warm when it's near or below freezing weather and keep snow out so your feet don't get soaked. Trust when it's subzero regular shoes which well sometimes you gotta wear for work, have you're toes frosty.
I live a little way west of Laurence and I have two snowblowers. The smaller one is the one I use the most. It's easier to maneuver and can move faster in light snowfalls. The big one is for DEEP snow and extremely wet snow.
Ice scrapper are usally one end of a snow brush, 1-3 ft or .5 to 1 m in lenth, there is a brush on one side similar to a broom used for powered snow, as ypu have to clear the whole car so it doesnt blow on others whole driving. The ice scrapper is on the back end for any true ice or frost that has to be scrapped off. In the north east at least in muddle class suburbs pretty much every house has a snow blower. When storms can from anywhere from 1 inch to 2 feet of snow shoveling could take hours to clear the driveway and get your car out to go to work by hand shoveling. Also snow is really heavy, sometimes its a very wet snow which is great for snow balls but you dont want to shovel that by hand.
The bit on snow shovels reminds me of my childhood growing up in a suburb of Chicago--not too far from where Lawrence lives. A snowstorm would inevitably pile up a drift across our front door, pinning us in the house. My mother used to pick me up and push me through a window (I was little then), hand me a snow shovel, and it was my job to clear the snow from the door.
You chop your own wood!!! I did the same when we lived in the boonies because you really didnt have any other option. Now that I'm back in Houston a cord of wood is just a phone call away.
Snow blowers are convenient, but a snow shovel is essential if you live in the snow belt. I go to work at six in the morning, so firing up the noisy five horsepower machine at five o'clock disturbs the neighbors. And I get a good cardio workout out of it.
Canada calling. A few years ago, we hit 49 below with wind chill. I took a screen shot of my phone weather app just to remember this interesting event. Quite funny, actually.
Down-filled jackets have hoods with a piece that covers the lower face. Also there are thermotech baclavas that aren't so restricting for breathing.The cloth material is not as tight as with the elasticized ones.
The most commmon ice scrapers in Canada have a brush on one side and the scraper on the other and is usually long in order to reach all the hard to reach places of your car. Sometimes you can get ice scrapers with a built in mitt. The brush is important because you're expected to brush the snow off your car. Leaving snow on top of your car is a hazard to other drivers on the road and is subject to a fine if you don't comply. Wellies are insufficient for winter, your feet would freeze in them and cause you to slip and fall.
think I'd rather shovel sand than snow. In CA we have winter flip flops, yard work flip flops, house sandals, hiking sandals, swim/beach sandals, dressy sandals and on occasion, sneakers. only wear socks when absolutely necessary. I would fail that weather!
My snow blower, like my lawn mower and string trimmer, is electric rather then gas. And all three use the same rechargeable batteries. Heavy rechargeable batteries. But they do the job. Ice scrapers come in multiple sizes, and there is even a small one attached to a can of "windshield de-icer" that I bought. It's got a chemical that's supposed to melt ice, and rather then the windshield, I bought it in case I need to use it for the lock on my shed, where the snow blower and snow shovel are normally stored. Front/rear window defrost and remote start handle most of the ice issues for me, but I still have to brush the snow off the car, and that's where my long handled telescoping brush/ice scraper comes in. As a kid I did have a pair of boots that were called moon boots, and they were meant for use in winter. I also had snow pants to use when out playing in the snow. (They went over regular pants.) Snow suits are a full body version, and something I might buy later this year now that I'm thinking about it. Along with a new set of snow boots.
For the really tough ice that feels as if it's welded to the glass, and you think you're going to break the 'windshield' (a.k.a. 'windscreen'), I like a product made by Prestone, windshield de-icer, an alcohol blend that you spritz on from what looks like a bottle of window cleaner. Melts it almost on contact, and your wipers will clear away the residue. Of course, by the end of the season, being alcohol, it tends to outgas most of its alcohol content, meaning you're spritzing a non-alcoholic liquid on your windshield to quickly freeze and increase the job of ice-scraping. Unless you buy a fresh bottle of it.
I live in north Florida and I have yet to use heating in the winter. The electric rates in my rural town are quite affordable and running the air conditioner is not a financial burden during the summer!
Lawrence is a comedy genius. He lives in Chi-town,as does my brother. I am in Cleveland Ohio,about 6 hours away. We get one or two snowstorms each winter. The snow gets above the knees. I dread those storms,as I have not invested in the snow blower machine. And,to conclude,I will use the euphemism for her. Hi,Mrs.Beezley😅
A snow blower is very much like a rototiller, except it blows it out the top, instead of just churning it and leaving it. My Dad actually had one that could convert between tilling and snowblowing.
To keep the snow off of your front and rear car windows, just cover them with a large beach towel. In the morning remove the towels and viola, no more snow on the windows.
They aren’t super common but in areas where snow is very common like east of the Great Lakes you will sometimes find heated driveways. This is a dealbreaker for me😅 Only way to live in the area imo lol.
Sometimes the snow shovel just doesn't cut it here in America. I live in Illinois and one winter we had a storm where it dropped 18 inches ( almost a half a meter) of snow in one night with winds blowing so strong that if you or snow plows cleared it it just drifted right back. When we looked out in the morning, I think every bit of the 1/2 meter of snow from the field across the street blew right up into our house. The snow literally came up to the peak of the roof on 2 sides. It took over a day to whittle that 25 foot high drift down using a snow blower to take it piece at a time and wait for the avalanche so you could continue making the top lower. The street had to be cleared with City Back Hoes that would scoop it into a truck to haul away. The plows couldn't handle it. A shovel then? Ha!
After living in the Pacific Northwest for a good 20 yrs, I've used snow shovels and snow blowers a LOT! Now that I'm old AF, my son comes and shovels and I get to play with the snow blower. Team work!
Our snows are so huge and heavy we have to have a truck with a plow clear our driveway; a snowblower, even a meag-huge walk-behind like the one we have, isn't powerful enough to clear the end of the driveway after the streets have been plowed. The street plows plow in the opening of our driveways when they clean the snow off the streets. The neighbors all pretty much use the same plow service as we do; once someone gets a plow out to our part of the county, just about everyone will hire them to clear their driveways. Winter isn't even here yet and I'm already looking forward to spring🌷🌹🌻🌳 CHEERS!
Once I scrap the iced off the windshield (and all of the rest of windows) I used a squeegee with a handle that's about foot and a half to two feet long to scrape off the ice...it's really cool. :-) Also, as best as I know, the law of the land is we need to scrap off all (most) of the snow off our vehicles before we drive, the long handle squeegee is great to do that. If you don't clean off the snow off your vehicle then as you drive down the street the wind blows the snow off and so it's "snowing" on the vehicles behind and sometimes large chucks of snow fly off and attacks the vehicles behind you.
I live up in the mountains of Idaho. I have several different snow shovels depending on the task. I built an apartment over my garage with an outdoor staircase. While the roof covers the stairs, snow will blow under the eaves & build up on the steps requiring both a shallow & a deep small snow shovel. Then there is the large snow shovel for open areas. However at 77 yrs. old, my doctor phones me every Nov. to tell me NOT to go up on my roof to shovel the snow off. We both agree that if I were to fall off the roof, I wouldn't bounce as well as I used to. When the snow gets to about 4' on my roof, I start to worry about the weight. To reduce shoveling, I bought a snow blower with a 205 cc engine, 6 forward speeds & 2 reverse. They can throw your snow up to about 50'. Snow storms come off of the Pacific every 2 - 3 days during the winter. I have a small 3/4 acre lot. I snow blow my driveway, extra parking area & down both sides of my house so I can access my dogs' fenced yard & takes about 2 hrs. If you don't remove the snow from the dogs' fence line, eventually it will get up to the top of the fence & the dogs will just walk out. Last winter my snow blower broke & I had to drive 60 mi. to buy another blower. They weigh about 250 lbs. "Across the Pond" forgot to mention another necessity that I use when the snow gets too deep. That is my chain saw! Some yrs., the snow builds up along side of my house from 2' - 5'. Much higher than my snow blower. I then get out my chain saw & cut the packed snow into blocks or chunks & either pitch them with the snow shovel or run them threw the snow blower.
One of the best inventions is the remote car starter. I just turn on the heating system in my car before turning the car off. After it has snowed, I just simply go over to the window, point, and click the remote and the car starts melting away the snow with no scrapping.
This is why I moved to San Diego, California from Michigan. Remember you owe us a visit 😅 here in Sunnyland 🌞 ☀️ 😎. To visit California and not San Diego you'll always feel you missed something special. 😉 Peace Gary✌️ suggestion avoid the midwest in winter 😀
First time I’ve seen video with your mom, mum I mean, 🤣 she’s great!! 😊 I love winter except getting snow off the car, but thank goodness I am a lucky, spoiled American and have a garage!! 😊
It depends on what your intentions are whether it's called a balaclava or a ski mask. If going to play in the snow we call it a ski mask but if we're going to do some night operations we call it a balaclava.
In a pinch you can use a credit card as a snow scraper.😊 In Oregon, in the Willamette Valley, where I grew up, we're just as likely to get an ice storm as a snow storm. Believe it or not, the ice storm causes more damage than the snow.🤪
My ice scraper has a long handle so you can reach most of the way across the car with it. It also has a brush to brush away the ice you've scraped or the snow that's covering the ice you're about to scrape.
Yes. That is my ice scraper in Massachusetts. I was surprised that Laurence didn't at least show a picture of one or have a prop on hand. It's a long handled scraper that should reach at least the length of half of the front windshield and then you can flip it over to brush off the ice residue/snow.
living in Canada ... I have never needed to use the ice scraper ... I started my car with the heat on and defrosting the windows ... and used the brush part to remove the piles of snow ... the heater took care of the ice by the time I was done clearing off the snow and making a path to get out of the driveway ... but then I live in Canada and what americans call lots of snow we call a dusting of snow ... 2 to 4ft avg is what we call normal ... 6 to 12ft is heavy ... thats when you toss the kids out an upper window so they can find the back door and the snow shovels ...
@@JasonMistretta-wf5ip , 10+ years ago I found a small plastic scraper with a copper blade--maybe 6 " long. After letting the defroster run for a few minutes, even after an ice storm, that little "rascal" scrapes it right off.
@@Kaboom-0623, I'm sure those in AK, or facing one of the Great Lakes could give you a run for your money.😀
Here in Phoenix it is common for people to just put a large beach towel on the windshield and back window. On icy winter mornings you just take off the towels and chuck them on the side of your driveway and forgo having to deal with the whole icy/frosty car windows thing.
Since you mentioned living rurally, one of the most important items in cold regions - especially on farms, is the "yard light". These are now moving to LED, but previously often used special light bulbs designed for the purpose, with extra heavy and durable filaments. Either on a free standing pole, or pole attached to a building, it is mounted to be the highest object in the yard. Nowadays farmers increasingly use vehicles that are heated and have GPS, but the yard light is still like a lighthouse is to sailor. In bad weather it can save your life, since it is a single point of light - or in a blizzard, a glow that will lead you back to the farmhouse and warmth
Living in upstate New York, I learned that when you park your car for the evening, turn on your windshield wipers until they are most of the way up then put a towel over the windshield and pin it in place with the wipers. The next morning, any snow and ice will be on the towel. Take it down, shake it off and put it in the trunk and you have a clear windshield.
We were doing that back in the 60's but we used 4'X8' piece of canvas. Tucking the sides into the car then closing the doors to keep it tight.
LOL in Canada ... we grab the ice scraper and use the brush to remove the snow while the car heaters defrosts the windows ... and by the time we have made to tire paths out of the driveway the windows are clean and the car has no snow on it ... what you Americans call snow we call a dusting ... for us an average snow fall is 2 to 4 feet in a day ... heavy is 6 to 12ft ... in a day ... we measure depth by how high a window we have to toss the kids out of to find the backdoor ... yeah at 12ft ... you need a second floor just so you can find the ground floor doors ...
A little vaseline on the rubber seals around the car door seals will keep them from icing shut
I've long been a believer in parking in a garage. Will not buy a house without one.
No scraping required.
@@Kaboom-0623 That depends on where you are in Canada. Some Canadian cities near the border are further south than the American cities next to them.
I'm in Montana, where some other objects show up too: snowsuits, yak trax, battery-operated socks, block heaters for cars, tire chains, etc.
I'm in Oklahoma and rechargeable battery powered heated vest have shown up on the market now as well.
I lived in South Dakota for 5 years. I really could have used battery-operated socks. Even with the proper snow boots, -30 degrees doe not care what kind you have.
I am living in Anchorage, Alaska. Getting a meter or more of snow and being -15C and lower is not unusual. My ice scraper has 3 surfaces, a brush, a soft rubber for frost, and a hard rubber for ice. Last year, we had ice storms drop a cm of ice, and I broke my old ice scraper cleaning my car while trying to go to work. Having a remote start that makes sure to start all of your heaters is also very nice. When it gets really cold, we also have electronic plugs in our car engines to prevent the engine oil from freezing.
I promise you that I am not 'taking the piss' with you. All of this is true.
From Chugiak, I have a long uphill driveway that is also gravel. That tiny snowblower he shows is totally inadequate. My snowblower is heavy, large, self-propelling, and has tracks (like a tank). We put space heaters in our cars' interiors with a timer to come on an hour before we leave in the morning, and of course block heaters for the oil pans. Chipping ice off the windshields is something we do de rigeur, and sweeping snow off the porch. We also have snow tires on our cars 5 to 6 months out of the year.
@mutteringcrone1210 my mother and sister came up here from Georgia this week. They didn't believe me that 32°F was still t-shirt weather. Until they saw me walking around, outside, in a t-shirt.
@@McKavian Heck, yeah. After winter 32 degrees outside had me in a sweat. My blood gets so thick.
"Wellies" are similar to our rain boots, Snow boots are a bit different
Right! Wellies will still freeze your toes in snow. They don't offer a lot of protection for temperature whereas snow boots are insulated from the snow.
technically they are insulted wellies ... at least that is HOW they started ...
@@Kaboom-0623 Snow boots may have started out that way, but over the last 150 years they have evolved into something very different
We call them ski masks
Isn't a ski mask one that covers more with only 2 holes for the eyes and 1 for the mouth?
@@3DJapan that one is still a ski mask
@@3DJapanthere are multiple kinds.
Kind of like underwear
Boxers
Briefs
There still called “Underwear”
@@3DJapan And usually made of knitted wool.
I'd call it a balaclava; ski masks have a smaller mouth hole. Which one would then pair with a scarf.
In Alaska, most home owners/renters have both snow shovels & snow blowers (& you probably wouldn’t believe the variety of snow shovels available). Snow brushes & ice scrapers (often combined) in every vehicle - many telescoping to reach the entire windshield & remove snow, especially from the hood & roof (it’s bad manners to not clear off the snow & have 6” high clump slide off at 55 mph into the windshield of the vehicle behind you - also dangerous as it will momentarily blind that driver). Heated ice scrapers are also a thing. Ice melt & gravel for walks & entryways are standard purchases. Arctic entries are a small additional room between the outside door & the door into the actual living area that provides an extra cold break & place to divest & store winter gear. Remote car starters are a common luxury item (they’re a bit pricy but so so nice). Heated car seats, on the other hand, are a very common vehicle option.
Studded winter tires (considered essential, have a legal season where they can be on your vehicle) for traction on ice & snow; emergency kit including snow chains, sand or gravel, snow melt, shovel, tire traction mats (or cardboard box), tow chain - all to help get you out if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.
Other common winter emergency kit items include Duct tape, Emergency whistle, Flashlight with extra batteries, First-aid kit, Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife, Waterproof matches or a lighter, Jumper cables or portable jump starter, Reflective warning triangles or road flares, Tire inflator, Thermal blankets or sleeping bags, Bottled water (likely frozen, though), Hand warmers, Non-perishable food items (energy bars, dried fruits, nuts).
Engine/gas pan warmers are installed on vehicles as standard equipment & it is recommended to plug in starting at 20 F to keep the engine from freezing. This also involves having outside outlets available at home, in parking lots, etc. & various lengths of extreme cold rated extension cords - the blues are particularly good for extreme cold & it’s best to get the ones with a lighted plug so you can see if it’s connected/functioning at a glance.
And don’t forget winter windshield blades & winter/cold rated vehicle fluids such as oil, antifreeze, wiper fluid, etc.
Never heard the balaclava called a wind shield. I have several for winter and riding my motorcycle on cold days.
Here in Indiana I think most people would call it a ski mask
Honey and pistachio in buttered pastry ... mmmm, my favorite.😋😜
@@JoshuaMartian-go3tm The best dessert.
@@mizztab3677Same in MN!
It's a ski mask here in Ohio as well.
I have a telescopic ice scraper since I have a midsize SUV. It extends to around 5 and a half feet and heavy duty.
Snow blowers are awesome! After so many years of shoveling I broke down 10 years ago and bought a snow blower and can honestly say it is the best thing ever.
Snow Blowers are fun too. Except when the snow is too heavy, because it doesn't flog that far.
yup..they're not cheap to buy and people resist because of the cost..but if you live anywhere where you're regularly faced with a lot of snow to move. you quickly realize the first time or two you use it,that it's not only worth it,but it's easily one of the best things you've ever spent money on...
Snow Blowers an expensive tool that sits in your garage taking up major space, for most all of the year and doesn't start when you need it.
@@rayalevesquethat's why you make sure it starts before you need it. If you store it properly in the spring, you'll have it to use reliably in the winter.
@@rayalevesqueMy snowblower mostly stays unused in my garage, but when I need it, it starts instantly. I have a battery operated snowblower. (Yes, a battery operated two-stage snowblower. I love it!)
As a hearty New Englander, these are all essential! 😂
I live in Northern Michigan on acreage, a snow blower wouldn't be up to clearing my driveway, we use a plow truck.
Fellow New Englander, from the Boston area. We had shovels for a pathe to the door, usually. Dad had an 8ft plow for his truck, and would plow out the neighborhood on the bad days. I've used different ice scrapers over the years, no real preference.
But my favorite tool was a simple broom handle to scrape most of the snow off the car roof, for anything over 2-3 inches. Just a few swipes, top to bumper, got nearly all of the snow, and a brush to take care of what's left. (Having the car running all the while helps loads, ha ha!
Living in Michigan next to the Great Lakes it gets very cold and lots of snow.
Love seeing you and your mum doing this together. If she is anything like me (some of the things she says seem like we may have several things in common), then I know she appreciates that you and your wife allow her to be so involved in your life. ❤
Dunno why he called that mask face shield it's a balaclava or more commonly known "ski mask"
i wonder if "face shield" is what they call them in the uk?
Seems like a generic term that brand might use, to help try and extend number of use cases niche items like this are for. Plus after covid 'face shield' seems more associated with clear plastic things that covers your full face.
It's probably called that local to the Chicago Mid-West area. We also call it a balaclava here in the rest of the USA. I have never heard it called a "face shield!" I lived in New York City for 9 years and if you called it a "face shield" people would look at you as if you had two heads!
The ski mask really refers to a head covering with eye holes and a mouth hole. It also seems to be the robbers' mask of choice, at least here in the US. 😁
Or burglar hat
He left out the full body snowsuit must have here in the midwest!
1 - You think THAT snow blower is cool? Cities have ones as wide as a road mounted to trucks for clearing streets
2 - 1961 or 1962 I lived on RAF Upper Heyford, Oxford Co. It snowed so much and the wind blew such .. that snow drifts touched the eaves on the one story homes
3 - You want wind and rain and sleet sideways? Go to Hohenfels, Germany in the Winter. (it was my firm belief after three years in Germany is that the Germans kept invading other countries so they could get better weather)
Hohenfels, brings back NON-fond memories. We would take off every third track pad for traction and still slide.
Well they keep invading France just to get a decent meal.
In northern michigan you need a snow blower than can handle 2 feet of snow. When you get more than that overnight in the driveway, then you'll probably be late getting to work
Your mom must be my age 🙂 I remember moon boots !! We loved them because they kept our feet very warm and dry.
Texas Reporting in⭐️ Snow in our north West and higher elevation area ie El Paso. Southern part of the state almost never. North Texas is Dallas. We frequently go through snowless winters, but worse than that we have ice, again rare but when it does it cripples the city as not safe to drive. Otherwise most of the winter is mild and comfortable.
Yes snow shovel cleaning horse stalls works. The good ones made back in the 80s.
Nice! Another Mum video! I love these. I can't wait to watch.
She's a vixen
It's not a wind shield, but a ski mask.
I'd call it a balaclava; ski masks would have a mouth hole. Which would then need a scarf to cover over.
@@xheralt A ski mask typically also has two holes for the eyes instead of one wide slit like the balaclava.
The city of Chicago is know as the windy city.. If you would live in a colder state then it would be a good idea to get a snow blower I'm sure there are videos on this
Chicago is called the Windy City not because the wind blows all the time. It's called that because they never shut up talking the place up.
Even though I am from southern California I have used everything on this list when up skiing, everything except for a snow blower. A face mask works wonders in the cold wind and suprisingly a hot desert wind. The difference is, instead of blocking out the cold wind & ice, they can block the sun, wind, rocks and sand.
Living on a farm we use a walk behind snowblower for cleaning the sidewalks. We also have a tractor mounted snowblower to blow the driveway & yard clear of snow. Last winter I never had to use the snowblower at all for the first time ever.
I bet you didn't have to mark that parking space you cleared out while living in the UK either. Well it's a must in Chicago. Any household object will do, a lawn chair, a kids toy, a toaster....anything to show that space is taken.
I’m another Alaskan - you should look up what we consider full winter gear for some of the colder parts of the state (like the interior, where -40 f is not uncommon). I personally have experienced -70 f & that was straight temp, no wind chill. From top to bottom:
* winter hat - fur is best
* some sort of face mask to prevent frostbite & also warm the air before it enters your lungs
* neck/face scarf - see previous, nothing beats Qiviut which is the inner wool of the Musk Ox but is $$$
* snow goggles - protect eyes from cold & wind
* parka with hood & fur ruff - down preferable, ruff protects from wind & helps warm air
* inner jacket + snow pants or bib overalls - one or two piece options for core & leg protection, usually down or fiber filled
(if combined with coat function it becomes a snow or ski suit)
* thermal underwear - long sleeved top & “long johns” next to skin to provide more layering & wick out moisture
* full mittens - have an extra section that extends up & over parka sleeve to seal out cold & snow, preferably attached by a cord to prevent loss
* glove liners - thin gloves to protect hands when finer manipulation is needed, reason for glove cords
* wool/smart wool knee socks - additional warming layer for feet that also wicks out moisture
* snow boots with thermal liners - preferably light weight $$$ as heavier ones $$ tire you out
“Bunny Boots” (google this) are iconic winter foot gear in Alaska - they were developed by US military for extreme cold use
You may have noticed several mentions of “warming air prior to breathing” - that’s because if it’s cold enough, the air can irritate your airways and cause discomfort, a burning sensation, or shortness of breath.
Winters here in Southern Indiana are hit or miss. Some years we'll get lots of snow and some years we just get cold rain. Since we don't get it every year, I bought a vintage snow thrower made by Ariens in 1965. Couldn't see spending $800 on a new one and then we might have 2-3 years before it's actually needed. Got the old one for $50 and after a tune up, it starts and runs fine on the first crank...and it's built like a sherman tank! Now, if there's just a light snow, like an inch or two I will actually use a leaf blower to blow it off the cars and out of the driveway. They work quite well for that.
A snow showel is great when you are swiping outside and to scrape of moss from the paths.
I live not far from the Great Salt Lake and have suffered the heavy downpour of snow from lake-effect snow. Illinois, where Lawrence is at, has lake-effect snow. Lake-effect snow is super annoying to clear. The only people who're ok with it are the snowboarders and skiers in the mountains.
Nope. Not a face shield, Laurence. That is a ski mask in the USA.
Everything else is spot-on. I livd in Indiana when I was young, and winters were brutal!
Chicago is called the Windy City. It's from the winds whipping across Lake Michigan.
We also call them balaclava.
I wish he'd shown the operation of a snowblower or snow thrower if you will. A large auger is on the front that draws snow into the chute. The snow is then drawn up into the top chute. There's another blade in the chute to shoot the snow out. Some don't have the second stage, and some have a 3rd stage to propel the snow further and prevent snow clog. Using spray furniture wax in the chutes helps a lot. You can purchase special stuff for twice the $$, but furniture wax works just as well.
I grew up on a corn/soy bean farm in north east Ohio. I was the oldest child and I remember having to climb out of the second story window to dig my way through the snow, with my hands, to the barn where we kept the shovel so I could shovel the snow away from the front door so everyone else could get through. It always made me feel like a hero. Some of the best memories of my life.
I'm in Wisconsin, and I love my wellies to shovel snow! You have to put on warm socks!
Laurence has it relatively easy living in the Chicago area during winter. They only get the occasional snow storm blowing through. I'm in the Detroit area, which is at about the same latitude, and sometimes its a real craps shoot on if we get hit by a particular storm or not. Areas downwind of the Great Lakes (usually to the east/southeast) have to deal with the added hassle of lake effect snow. This happens when cold air blows across the open, relatively warm waters of the lakes. The air picks up moisture and then when it gets back over the cold ground it releases the moisture as snow. Ironically, the colder the winter is, the less lake effect you get. The effect shuts off when the lake surface is completely frozen, and it takes a very cold winter to make that happen.
Try living in the UP of Michigan. Snow above your house sometimes
Up here in Wisconsin we get the Alberta Clippers and depending upon where the Low or Hi is rotating, we get Lake Effect snow off of Michigan that can put feet upon us.
We have a snowblower but haven't needed it in several years. I remember times when the snow was too high to use it. My two neighbors also have one so whoever gets out first does all the houses.
We had a snowdrift over my dad's semitutruck in our driveway, during the blizzard of 1978 here in Ohio (USA). Missed 5 days of school ( woohoo and uncommon for days of that long then). Snowblowers are always to have. Must have good boots, coat and gloves.
The insulation in the boots, gloves, and sometimes shoes is called Thinsulate. It’s done in varying thicknesses depending on the area you live in and how cold that area gets.
I've heard of belaclavas I've seen them a lot in UK crime shows. I grew up in Wisconsin and we always called them ski masks. They were usually knit with bright colors and crazy designs. Lawrence's mask makes him look like a hoodlum. I haven't had a pair of gloves in like 20 years. If you scrape the car windows quickly you don't need gloves. I haven't worn snow boots since I was a kid and the school forced us to wear them. We wore rubber boots that slipped over our shoes then they buckled up the side or had a zipper. I can see where Lawrence has to use all this equipment, he didn't grow up with cold weather. Heck the only time I close my winter coat is if it drops below 0 F.
I think I should ask Lawrence to compare sleds and sleighs between here and the UK.
Nothing better than finding a perfect location to streak down a steep slope with no brakes. 😃
You've done it right if a generous amount of damp snow gets wedged between your neck and garments.🥶
I live in the mid-south not much snow but windshields get heavy frost or ice. I usually use de-icer. Still need to let your car run for a few minutes.
Hi Mom. I can imagine you out in the winter cold chopping firewood. 😁 Snow shovels have many uses around livestock that have nothing to do with sow. .
For kids winter in northern states is so much fun but headaches for parents.
Until the kids become responsible for shoveling out the driveway and sidewalk.
@@merlinathrawes746you say that as if many kids don't enjoy the crap out of that
@@dead-claudia Kids shoveled driveways and sidewalks for a varity of reasons.🤣
👋👋hi momma!!! Love when you’re on here!! Thank y’all for the video 🥰
Snow blowers arre only practical when you have 5 inches or more in 1 storm. Less than that you are better off with a snow shovel and if it's just a little even a broom.
For me, I kinda disagree... I use my snowblower for bigger storms, (or wet snow) my snow thrower for med storms. If I'm being super nice to my neighbors, where I do everyone's sidewalk, I use my snowblower as its self propelled. Using a shovel to remove an inch of snow off a few hundred square feet of sidewalks is a lot of work, and that's not including my driveways, walking paths.
I have a nice pusher shovel for small snowfalls (up to about 3 inches). It looks a lot like the blade of a snow plow. You push it across the driveway and throw the snow when you get to the edge. I can do my two-car-wide drive in about ten minutes with my pusher. For heavier snowfalls up to 8 inches, I use my little snow blower. More than that I hire the guy with the enormous snow blower to clear my drive. This is especially good because the city snowplow leaves a huge pile of snow at the bottom of my drive when it comes by to clear the street. That pile has sometimes been four feet high and six feet wide at the bottom. I live n Minneapolis-we can have truly epic snowfalls.
Yes we know all about these in Canada as well. The snowblower was invented by a Canadian as well as a ski doo.
Snow Mobiles to the USA folks. A Ski Doo here is a personal water craft.
@dave4882 Not sure where you are from but north of the Mason/Dixon line the Ski-Doo is known as a brand of snowmobile just as a Ford is a brand of automobile.
@@tomschuster4859 thats what i get for commenting when half asleep. South of the mason dixon line, but i was thinking sea doo. Not ski doo. Duh
I hate to break it to you, but Bombardier's ski doo was first produced 3 years after the Hetteen brothers' Polaris snow traveler, made in Roseau, MN. Of course they were both predated by Carl Eliason's motor toboggan, which he built in 1924 in Sayner, WI.
The only thing better for removing snow than a push snow blower is a snow blower that is attached to the front of your garden tractor! Although I had a tiny yard, I had a tractor with a snow blower attachment and I used it to clear driveways up and down my block. I even cleared the entire street a few times when the local snow plow didn't come by and people were trapped in their driveways! That was then - now I'm in a more temperate location and my snow removal days are behind me.
I live in Western New York which gets large lake effect snow storms that can drop up to 6 or 7 feet of snow in a single storm so I have a 44" snow blower that hooks up to my lawn tractor. It would take days to dig out without it when the big storms hit. Thankfully only storms usually get that crazy every year or two usually, though recent years have had multiple per year with the rising temps of Lake Erie.
I live in New Hampshire, lifelong resident not counting 4yrs in the Army. I literally gave my wife a snow thrower for an engagement gift the day before we got married at the end of June. We've literally had to shovel feet of snow just to get to the shed that had the snow thrower in it. I have tons of pictures, wish I could post them. I had people asking me where I got my ice scraper from when I was in Houston, TX in the early 90's, after I pulled it out of my trunk. I've literally driven in blizzards here going to work, as well as Nor'easters here in New Hampshire. You just deal w/it.
I live in Michigan and we frequently get light fluffy snow from Lake Michigan or Lake Huron (depending on the wind direction). I sometimes use my battery powered leaf blower to blow the snow off my sidewalk and driveway. I have to use it soon after snowfall or the snow hardens and is hard to move.
living in Buffalo N.Y. I'm well aquatint with these items also lock de-icier and the ice scrapper for your driveway and sidewalk.
Ice scraper long Johns face mask.. stocking cap
We call the face sheild, ski mask out here in the pacific noerthwest
If Wellies are short for Wellington boots Yeah in cold climates you really need boots like Lawrence shows. Notice the cloth liner. Those are meant to keep you're feet warm when it's near or below freezing weather and keep snow out so your feet don't get soaked. Trust when it's subzero regular shoes which well sometimes you gotta wear for work, have you're toes frosty.
I have a seven foot wide snowblower hooked to a 75hp tractor we used to get a lot of snow here
You used it to get a lot of snow?
The face shield/balaclava/ski mask works very well with a pair of ski goggles, as anyone from WI and north, or at high altitudes, knows.
I'm surprised he didn’t show a typical modern ice scraper, which these days is at least two feet long with a brush at one end.
I live a little way west of Laurence and I have two snowblowers. The smaller one is the one I use the most. It's easier to maneuver and can move faster in light snowfalls. The big one is for DEEP snow and extremely wet snow.
I live in the woods in Maine.I just got a new snowblower this year. Can't wait to use it.
Ice scrapper are usally one end of a snow brush, 1-3 ft or .5 to 1 m in lenth, there is a brush on one side similar to a broom used for powered snow, as ypu have to clear the whole car so it doesnt blow on others whole driving. The ice scrapper is on the back end for any true ice or frost that has to be scrapped off.
In the north east at least in muddle class suburbs pretty much every house has a snow blower. When storms can from anywhere from 1 inch to 2 feet of snow shoveling could take hours to clear the driveway and get your car out to go to work by hand shoveling. Also snow is really heavy, sometimes its a very wet snow which is great for snow balls but you dont want to shovel that by hand.
The bit on snow shovels reminds me of my childhood growing up in a suburb of Chicago--not too far from where Lawrence lives. A snowstorm would inevitably pile up a drift across our front door, pinning us in the house. My mother used to pick me up and push me through a window (I was little then), hand me a snow shovel, and it was my job to clear the snow from the door.
You chop your own wood!!!
I did the same when we lived in the boonies because you really didnt have any other option.
Now that I'm back in Houston a cord of wood is just a phone call away.
Best way to get ice of the windshield is to turn on the defroster.
It's better to use the air vents on the dash if you use the defroster there's a good chance of cracking your windshield
Snow blowers are convenient, but a snow shovel is essential if you live in the snow belt.
I go to work at six in the morning, so firing up the noisy five horsepower machine at five o'clock disturbs the neighbors. And I get a good cardio workout out of it.
Canada calling. A few years ago, we hit 49 below with wind chill. I took a screen shot of my phone weather app just to remember this interesting event. Quite funny, actually.
Down-filled jackets have hoods with a piece that covers the lower face.
Also there are thermotech baclavas that aren't so restricting for breathing.The cloth material is not as tight as with the elasticized ones.
The most commmon ice scrapers in Canada have a brush on one side and the scraper on the other and is usually long in order to reach all the hard to reach places of your car. Sometimes you can get ice scrapers with a built in mitt. The brush is important because you're expected to brush the snow off your car. Leaving snow on top of your car is a hazard to other drivers on the road and is subject to a fine if you don't comply.
Wellies are insufficient for winter, your feet would freeze in them and cause you to slip and fall.
think I'd rather shovel sand than snow. In CA we have winter flip flops, yard work flip flops, house sandals, hiking sandals, swim/beach sandals, dressy sandals and on occasion, sneakers. only wear socks when absolutely necessary. I would fail that weather!
My snow blower, like my lawn mower and string trimmer, is electric rather then gas. And all three use the same rechargeable batteries. Heavy rechargeable batteries. But they do the job. Ice scrapers come in multiple sizes, and there is even a small one attached to a can of "windshield de-icer" that I bought. It's got a chemical that's supposed to melt ice, and rather then the windshield, I bought it in case I need to use it for the lock on my shed, where the snow blower and snow shovel are normally stored.
Front/rear window defrost and remote start handle most of the ice issues for me, but I still have to brush the snow off the car, and that's where my long handled telescoping brush/ice scraper comes in.
As a kid I did have a pair of boots that were called moon boots, and they were meant for use in winter. I also had snow pants to use when out playing in the snow. (They went over regular pants.) Snow suits are a full body version, and something I might buy later this year now that I'm thinking about it. Along with a new set of snow boots.
I’ve got my lawn mower for summer and my snow blower for winter! I live about 40 miles north of Chicago. Ski mask. I’ve never called it a face shield.
I grew up in n central MN, we faced mother nature at her best! We skied behind cars in wingtips at -20 below to get to school.
I live about 400 or more miles north of Chicago. In Northern Wisconsin we get over 6 feet of snow , and up to -40 F
I was trying to concentrate on the video but I kept getting lost in James' Mum's eyes! 😁
For the really tough ice that feels as if it's welded to the glass, and you think you're going to break the 'windshield' (a.k.a. 'windscreen'), I like a product made by Prestone, windshield de-icer, an alcohol blend that you spritz on from what looks like a bottle of window cleaner. Melts it almost on contact, and your wipers will clear away the residue. Of course, by the end of the season, being alcohol, it tends to outgas most of its alcohol content, meaning you're spritzing a non-alcoholic liquid on your windshield to quickly freeze and increase the job of ice-scraping. Unless you buy a fresh bottle of it.
People can get trapped in their cars for days during a really bad snowfall.
I also had ice melt spray to melt ice on the windshield and the ice around the doors. Can't get in if the ice is 2 inches thick around the door.
If you think that about snow blowers just wait to you see artillery used for snow control
They should see the snow blowers used by RAILROADS to clear the tracks. Awesome videos.
I live in north Florida and I have yet to use heating in the winter. The electric rates in my rural town are quite affordable and running the air conditioner is not a financial burden during the summer!
I wore one in the UK while in the Air Force having to work outside at night with the wind blowing it gets cold. Add the wet in and they are needed.
Yea, no! I live in San Diego. 33⁰N.
We have no winter.
Me too!
Lawrence is a comedy genius.
He lives in Chi-town,as does my brother.
I am in Cleveland Ohio,about 6 hours away.
We get one or two snowstorms each winter.
The snow gets above the knees.
I dread those storms,as I have not invested in the snow blower machine.
And,to conclude,I will use the euphemism for her.
Hi,Mrs.Beezley😅
A snow blower is very much like a rototiller, except it blows it out the top, instead of just churning it and leaving it. My Dad actually had one that could convert between tilling and snowblowing.
We call them balaclavas where I come from (Canada), too, though some might call them a ski mask.
To keep the snow off of your front and rear car windows, just cover them with a large beach towel. In the morning remove the towels and viola, no more snow on the windows.
10:25 I don’t know, I’d call that a ski mask. I’ve never been skiing before, but that’s what comes to my head when I picture a ski mask
They aren’t super common but in areas where snow is very common like east of the Great Lakes you will sometimes find heated driveways. This is a dealbreaker for me😅 Only way to live in the area imo lol.
Someone had to make this refrence "your momma was a snow blower" robot lives matter.
@@Raven5150 Lmfao Hell Yeah Johnny 5 is Alive!😂😂😂
LOL---We use the snow shovels for that as well. LOL
Sometimes the snow shovel just doesn't cut it here in America. I live in Illinois and one winter we had a storm where it dropped 18 inches ( almost a half a meter) of snow in one night with winds blowing so strong that if you or snow plows cleared it it just drifted right back. When we looked out in the morning, I think every bit of the 1/2 meter of snow from the field across the street blew right up into our house. The snow literally came up to the peak of the roof on 2 sides. It took over a day to whittle that 25 foot high drift down using a snow blower to take it piece at a time and wait for the avalanche so you could continue making the top lower. The street had to be cleared with City Back Hoes that would scoop it into a truck to haul away. The plows couldn't handle it. A shovel then? Ha!
After living in the Pacific Northwest for a good 20 yrs, I've used snow shovels and snow blowers a LOT! Now that I'm old AF, my son comes and shovels and I get to play with the snow blower. Team work!
Our snows are so huge and heavy we have to have a truck with a plow clear our driveway; a snowblower, even a meag-huge walk-behind like the one we have, isn't powerful enough to clear the end of the driveway after the streets have been plowed. The street plows plow in the opening of our driveways when they clean the snow off the streets. The neighbors all pretty much use the same plow service as we do; once someone gets a plow out to our part of the county, just about everyone will hire them to clear their driveways. Winter isn't even here yet and I'm already looking forward to spring🌷🌹🌻🌳 CHEERS!
Once I scrap the iced off the windshield (and all of the rest of windows) I used a squeegee with a handle that's about foot and a half to two feet long to scrape off the ice...it's really cool. :-) Also, as best as I know, the law of the land is we need to scrap off all (most) of the snow off our vehicles before we drive, the long handle squeegee is great to do that. If you don't clean off the snow off your vehicle then as you drive down the street the wind blows the snow off and so it's "snowing" on the vehicles behind and sometimes large chucks of snow fly off and attacks the vehicles behind you.
I live up in the mountains of Idaho. I have several different snow shovels depending on the task. I built an apartment over my garage with an outdoor staircase. While the roof covers the stairs, snow will blow under the eaves & build up on the steps requiring both a shallow & a deep small snow shovel. Then there is the large snow shovel for open areas. However at 77 yrs. old, my doctor phones me every Nov. to tell me NOT to go up on my roof to shovel the snow off. We both agree that if I were to fall off the roof, I wouldn't bounce as well as I used to. When the snow gets to about 4' on my roof, I start to worry about the weight. To reduce shoveling, I bought a snow blower with a 205 cc engine, 6 forward speeds & 2 reverse. They can throw your snow up to about 50'. Snow storms come off of the Pacific every 2 - 3 days during the winter. I have a small 3/4 acre lot. I snow blow my driveway, extra parking area & down both sides of my house so I can access my dogs' fenced yard & takes about 2 hrs. If you don't remove the snow from the dogs' fence line, eventually it will get up to the top of the fence & the dogs will just walk out. Last winter my snow blower broke & I had to drive 60 mi. to buy another blower. They weigh about 250 lbs. "Across the Pond" forgot to mention another necessity that I use when the snow gets too deep. That is my chain saw! Some yrs., the snow builds up along side of my house from 2' - 5'. Much higher than my snow blower. I then get out my chain saw & cut the packed snow into blocks or chunks & either pitch them with the snow shovel or run them threw the snow blower.
You leave your dogs outside in the winter?! What kind of monster are you?
One of the best inventions is the remote car starter. I just turn on the heating system in my car before turning the car off. After it has snowed, I just simply go over to the window, point, and click the remote and the car starts melting away the snow with no scrapping.
Be safe and prepared for the hurricane heading your way. I don't think the British Isles see many Category 1 storms.
This is why I moved to San Diego, California from Michigan. Remember you owe us a visit 😅 here in Sunnyland 🌞 ☀️ 😎. To visit California and not San Diego you'll always feel you missed something special. 😉 Peace Gary✌️ suggestion avoid the midwest in winter 😀
First time I’ve seen video with your mom, mum I mean, 🤣 she’s great!! 😊
I love winter except getting snow off the car, but thank goodness I am a lucky, spoiled American and have a garage!! 😊
I had a 120 foot driveway. And a heavy duty snowblower. Fun times.
It depends on what your intentions are whether it's called a balaclava or a ski mask. If going to play in the snow we call it a ski mask but if we're going to do some night operations we call it a balaclava.
In a pinch you can use a credit card as a snow scraper.😊
In Oregon, in the Willamette Valley, where I grew up, we're just as likely to get an ice storm as a snow storm. Believe it or not, the ice storm causes more damage than the snow.🤪