The Weather Outside is Frightful …

lake-effect

The local meteorologist is comically dressed in a scarf and wool stocking cap, while pointing to a map, painted in array of whites, blues and that dreaded purple – LAKE EFFECT SNOW. Sleeping in was the only calendar entry for tomorrow morning, but it looks as though that will be cancelled and replaced by a meeting with Mother Nature and a shovel, probably followed by a trip to the Chiropractor. You are seriously regretting that decision to cut the heated driveway from the building budget this past summer…

Short of calling your contractor a or renting a jack-hammer for a bit of DIY work, the driveway situation is probably not going to change. But, lucky for you, there are alternatives:

TP-500-043 SuperDroid Robot

superdroid-robotThis is a 6 wheel drive RC Snow Plow and it packs a Star Wars worthy punch! The chassis is a rigid gusseted 3/16″ thick aluminum frame that was redesigned to mount the plow further back on the robot. This allows for better plow positioning when plowing at an angle and makes the snow plow robot more durable during the worst winter storms. The plow is raised and lowered using an electric linear actuator. It is also removable so you can use the robot for other purposes such as hauling/towing material and equipment making it not only powerful, but versatile as well. The wheels are mounted on 0.75″ OD solid steel axles, each of which are supported by two heavy duty pillow block bearings. The three wheels on either side are chain coupled, giving the robot 6WD power and torque. The robot uses differential steering; i.e., movement is based on two separately driven wheels placed on either side of the robot body, therefore it can change its direction by varying the relative rate of rotation of its wheels and “pivot turn” in place. Given time and practice, you may even be able to master controlling it one-handed, while sipping Cognac with the other.

HeatTrack Industrial Driveway Snowmelting Mats

heattrack-driveway

Heated Driveway mats are a great way to get in and out of your driveway. Durable enough to withstand the weight of your car, these mats are designed to lay as a track for the car’s tires.

And then, there’s always the old-school, low tech, reliable answer –

snow-shovelers

  • I have more questions and concerns about getting an oil-change than I do about this project.

    ~ Tom H.