Customer Reviews

Ames True Temper 1641200 Arctic Blast 18-Inch Lift-Rite Aluminum Snow Shovel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I live in Wisconsin so snows can be deep and heavy. I have a nice big snowblower so I don't use a shovel as the primary snow removal tool, but I use it often enough when the snow plows bury the end of my driveway that I wanted something with some durability.

The shovel this replaces also had the ergonomic handle (a must for all shovels I think) but was hard plastic with the steel wear strip on the bottom. So this one is a step above being all metal.

I wish the sides were scooped up some so the shovel was more of a bowl shape to keep snow from sliding off the sides as you use it, but that's about the only thing lacking in the design.

Nice solid feel, with a "save your back" handle - it should work out fine.


***EDIT***

After our first snowfall, I found out that this shovel really only deserved one star... The ergonomic bend in the handle is far too shallow so you still end up bending over too much. And the wear strip on the bottom is about the worst i've ever experienced (and living in Wisconsin or Germany my whole life, I've used many shovels). It makes it very difficult to smoothly push the shovel along concrete. Also, I was disappointed to find this shovel at the local brick and mortar for just $14 when I went to buy a better shovel that was better...

This is a decent shovel. It has great leverage and can handle snow that is not too heavy (the aluminum construction is light and cannot handle heavy snow). The problem is that the handle is attached to the shovel with a cheap sheet metal screw - which lasts about 15 minutes. I have since bought a larger screw and it lasted another 3 minutes. So, if you buy this shovel, be prepared to drill a proper hole through the other end of the handle and attach the shovel to the handle with a bolt, lock nut and washer. Then you're all set. But Ames could have spent another 35 cents on the shovel and saved you the hassle.

Buyers should be aware that this shovel is a very soft aluminum, and consequently, if you have any ice or hard packed snow to shovel, this shovel will bend quite easily.

The Lift-Rite 18-inch aluminum is a snow shovel that I have been using for the last ten winters. It was well designed for the lifting of heavy scoop of snow as well as pushing snow. It's light and egornomically designed for the easing up of its user. Ames really did a good job on manufacturing the product. It makes one want to proclaim made-in-the-US of A with an exclamation. I recently bought online a new shovel from Amazon to replace my two old and worn ones. They now even designed it a little better than the ones ten years ago. Although the cost is more expensive, however, I am sure it's well worth it. By the way, I also bought a 24-inch aluminum snow pusher made by Ames from a local store to replace my existing ten-year old worn one. 11-25-2008

I needed to bring the shovel inside and do a mod on the scoop after only 15 minutes of using this shovel new. The scoop was held in place by a single sheet metal screw that was completely inadequate for anything other than appearances. I needed to drill two new holes in the in scoop-handle assembly and secure it with two of my own bolts. But, wait there was more. The hand grip was held on by only a single screw that quickly came loose. Here again I needed to drill two holes (one on each side of the grip) and secure the grip to the handle with more hefty screws. The materials themselves are half-way decent for a snow shovel, but the implementation is severely lacking. Looks like the shovel was designed by a first-time summer intern engineering student who lacked any supervision or design review. Further, it is doubtful that the manufacturer performed any sort of real-world testing of the product before finalizing the design. I am giving this product a single star, and that is being generous because of the basic materials.

Although the shovel looks ruggedly made, it is only as strong as it's weakest link: one sheet metal screw. The actual blade of the shovel is riveted to the bracket using 6 rivets but the bracket on the backside of the blade is held to the handle with only ONE sheet metal screw. This screw always loosens up making the shovel wobbly. Why didn't the manufacturer use several screws rather than just one? Is this shovel manufactured in Florida where they have no experience with snow? Nothing is more frustrating than shoveling and having the snow slide sideways off the end of the shovel because the blade has loosened one again. I now carry a screwdriver with me when I use this shovel. Eventually I'll drill some holes and install a few more screws. But why wasen't this done in the first place?

My old aluminum snow shovel worked superbly for 30 years but is now worn down to a stub. I've been totally disappointed with the crap plastic snow shovels that are sold everywhere these days. So, in anticipation of the coming winter, I decided to go online to see if there's something better & I found this Ames Aluminum Snow Shovel at Amazon. Well I obviously haven't used it yet but it appears to be a quality, well constructed item that I'm hoping works as good as it looks. If I'm disappointed, I'll get back on here & let you know.

I purchased this shovel at a local hardware store for $32. I "THOUGHT" I had made a very good purchase.That is,until I used it for the first time,last week.We got a decent sized storm here,well over ten inches of very wet/heavy snow.I wanted something sturdy and reliable.Something,that wouldn't be a total piece of garbage.Well,needless to say,this is NOT a reliable/sturdy shovel.This thing is a VERY VERY thin/flimsy piece of sheet metal,barely tacked onto the shaft.The blade is very flat,with a slight curve.It has NO side scoop whatsoever.So,when you attempt to lift the snow,it falls right off.Hence,creating that much more work and strain.I used this thing for all of two minutes,before I got so disgusted and gave up.I have NO CLUE what this "thing" is possibly good for.But,it certainly is NOT good for SNOW!!! Anyone in the market for a "very gently used" piece of junk?!?!?!

I bought this shovel and after getting it found I had to reinforce the connection where the shovel meets the blade like so many others have stated. I put three 3/16" rivets and that seemed to make a little stronger but I wouldn't buy another one......Ames USED to mean quality but I don't know what happened with this design.....DON'T waste your money.

Sadly we have had to use this more this year than any other, but it does what we want it to do.