OK, I got my Wovel today. Took about 20 mins to bolt together, and I honestly didn't have that big of expectations. I did not shovel half of the driveway in the last week, and there was about 6-8" with some of it melt-crusted...most of it is heavier due to mid 30's and sunny today.
I felt as dorky as the guys in the video, hawking around this big wheeled contraption. Then I started using it.
I'm sold, and consider it worth the $$$ for several reasons.
1) It was at least 3 times as fast as using a manual snow shovel...in part because of needing to go at a slower/sensible pace, and resting muscles from all the lifting when using a typical snow shovel.
2) It is even faster than the gas powered snow blower, because that has to go at a moderate speed to avoid clogging, and doesn't do well with heavy/wet/icy snow.
3) Because you are pushing, you have the advantage of your forward walking momentum, so less strain/force exerted with arms. This allows you to scoop into hard/crusted snow amazingly well.
4) There is no strain on the back. For all those who have had back injuries, or strains, this is for you. It works on the fulcrum/wheelbarrow principle with the wheel carrying the weight, and you work it as a lever using the handles. You have enough leverage that it is extremely easy to push down with handles and have snow fly forward.
5) The hardest stuff to shovel is all the heavy piled up, sand/salt/sloshy snow from the city snow plows. This wovel scooped and tossed it away like child's play. I was really amazed.
The only downside (besides the price) compared to a normal snow shovel is its larger and longer size. I got the folding handle model which releases with a single cotter pin, as does the wheel for easy removal, so doing that minimizes its storage footprint.
If I would have known about this before I bought my snow blower years ago, I would have gotten this instead.
