Convert 3 point landscape rake to grader blade

[lzicc]

With the snow on it's way, I want to be ready to plow the driveway. I usually just use the FEL, I don't want to spend the money on a grader blade since it will not get used much. I was trying to think of a way to convert my landscape rake into a grader blade for the winter. I don't want anything permanent, but if there was someway I could attach some material to the inside of where the tines are on the landscape rake, that just might work. I thought about cutting a piece of heavy duty plywood the same width and length of the tine section of the grader blade and somehow attaching it, then get a piece of 2" pipe with a slit cut the length of it to attach it to the bottom edge of the plywood. Does this sound like a bad idea?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know what your time is worth. I have a grader blade sitting here that I got for a hundred bucks that I intend to make some kind of a Grader" out of some day. In my opinion, the plywood will break.

 

[oldnslo]

I believe some people have just used a piece of 2 by lumber Vs plywood. In theory, the teeth will take the stress. Depending on the surface of your drive, length of drive, etc. a piece of 2 by could last a winter or more

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sorry, I misunderstood how you were going to do this. Too bad you could not find some robust plastic sheeting you could curve. I might worry about putting excessive load on the rake. Especially when angled.

 

[murphy1244]

Some companies like Land Pride sell just the blade that you can replace the rake with.

 

[oldnslo]

Too bad you could not find some robust plastic sheeting you could curve.

I like that idea and it would also help the snow slide much better.

 

[bcp]

Some people just plow snow with the rake. You could add skid shoes or wheels.

Bruce

 

[lzicc]

I like this idea. I wonder what I could use to do this. If I could curve a piece of plastic along the rake's then run a piece of 2" pipe on the bottom edge, that would help to put less stress on the plastic/teeth and keep from me gathering up gravel in my driveway when plowing.

Sorry, I misunderstood how you were going to do this. Too bad you could not find some robust plastic sheeting you could curve. I might worry about putting excessive load on the rake. Especially when angled.

 

[orangeandgreen]

Check out prices on a plastic driveway culvet at your local farm/hardware store. I have seen them cut in half and mounted on front end loaders clearing parking lots, should work for a landscape rake too.

 

[npalen]

I have used the landscape rake just the way it is for moving snow with a fair amount of success. The flex of the tines lets the rake conform to some extent without gouging. Does your rake have angle capability?
Might try slipping the split pipe over the lower end of the tines if you're needing to protect the surface that you're clearing of snow.

 

[lzicc]

Yes it does angle. I did think about just putting the pipe over the tines and trying that. Not sure how much if any snow will get through the tines.

 

[Bladehauler]

Plastic Truck mudflaps are about 2 feet wide and easy to trim, could you put 3 or 4 across the inside of your tines and make that work ? cheap alternative.

 

[npalen]

The "Plastic Truck mudflaps" suggestion would seem to have some merit. Clamp them to the tines with tiny u-bolts and adjust them down as needed for wear?

 

[PhysAssist]

The "Plastic Truck mudflaps" suggestion would seem to have some merit. Clamp them to the tines with tiny u-bolts and adjust them down as needed for wear?

I'm resurfacing my rusted through [in several places] steel bladed plow for my pickup truck using sections of a couple of those blue HDPE plastic barrels I'm cutting in half vertically after cutting the ends off.

They might work well for you to, and as they start out curved, and are quite heavy and thick, they might work better than re-purposing mudflaps.

They seem to be available really reasonably around here- IDK about near you.

Just sayin'
Thomas

PS: The slit pipe idea for the bottom is still a good idea- it could effectively clamp the barrel sections to the tines too

 

[ttriff]

If there are any places in your area that sells used conveyor belt material it would work and is practically indestructible

Used Conveyor Belting | Repurposed Materials- Repurposed Materials

 

[FTG-05]

Buy one of these and cut it in half length-wise, then attach it to the rake tines: Rubber Mat, Black, 4 ft. x 6 ft. - For Life Out Here

3/4" thick and very robust and tough, $40.

Good luck.

 

[npalen]

Buy one of these and cut it in half length-wise, then attach it to the rake tines: Rubber Mat, Black, 4 ft. x 6 ft. - For Life Out Here

3/4" thick and very robust and tough, $40.

Good luck.

How stiff are these 3/4" thickness mats? Could they easily conform to the shape of the rake tines? Also wondering how rubber or neoprene would compare to steel as far as snow sticking to it.

 

[PhysAssist]

How stiff are these 3/4" thickness mats? Could they easily conform to the shape of the rake tines? Also wondering how rubber or neoprene would compare to steel as far as snow sticking to it.

One, the mats are very stiff and not very compliant.
Two, they actually sell urethane and rubber scraper edges for plow blades- they are supposed to cause less damage and wear longer.

 

[Mysfyt]

Polycarbonate plastic is what you want, also known as Lexan. It can be cold formed in a brake, but the preferred way is by using heat which I've never done. 1/4" thick would be plenty robust for your application. If you do go this route, post your build. This would be interesting!

 

[FTG-05]

One, the mats are very stiff and not very compliant.
Two, they actually sell urethane and rubber scraper edges for plow blades- they are supposed to cause less damage and wear longer.

No they're not. They are very compliant and not stiff at all. That's what made it so hard to get it into the bed of the truck when I picked one a couple weeks ago for my dog house. It's like trying to pick up a 105 lb wet noodle. The only way to make it stiff enough was to roll it up, then lift it where it wouldn't just flop around on us - even then it took three people.

Now, cut it in half like I suggested, it will not only be half as heavy but also a little more stiff, but far enough compliant to bend and follow the rake tines. Easy peasy.