Abstract: A digging implement, for example, a snowthrower has a casing with a discharge from the casing and a coiled blade mounted in the casing on a lateral shaft. The blade is arranged for advancement sideways into a body of particulate material, e.g. snow. The blade shaft also carries a pair of discs attached to the shaft at opposite ends of the blade, with each of the discs having a cutting edge portion formed into radial corrugations. The discs cut kerfs in the snow at either end of the blade and reduce the power required to advance the implement into the material being removed.

Abstract: A blade is provided for a digging implement, especially a snowthrower. The implement is of the type having an auger blade arranged for advancement sideways into a body of material to be removed. The blade consists of a band with a leading edge wound along a blade axis, preferably helically, and a tapered body that slopes towards the axis away from the material discharge of the device. In the case of a snowthrower, where the material discharge is at the center, the blade will have two sections, wound oppositely around the blade axis and tapering in opposite directions towards the axis, away from the center discharge. The blade performs a slicing action on the material to be removed rather than scraping material from its face as is the case with the conventional snowthrower and analogous implements. The blade is thus aggressive and draws itself into the material, reducing the power requirements of both the blade and the system for propelling it into the material.