Build a Zamboni

[Fritzy]

Hi; I am in Canada, Ont. and I would like to make a Zamboni, or maybe something I can pull behind the Tractor. I was thinking an old Gas barrel and go from there, does anyone have any ideas or has someone made something that will help to smooth out the pond. The kids are ready to skate.

 

[jimgerken]

I thought about this a couple years ago. I never did build it, but was set on the idea of mounting a water barrell/spray tank above my box blade. A PVC tube to a "T", and more tubing to spread out from side to side. Small holes drilled in the tube that spans side to side. A valve somewhere. Let it drip onto a couple layers of beach towel when open. So, using it, I would first leave the water off, using the boxblade to cut off the high spots and drag the ice parts to the side of the rink. Might be real nice to have a rotary brush on the front of the tractor at this point too, but hopefully not required. Then go over it all again with towel dragging and water dripping. This should apply a thin coat of water. It will self-level, and should freeze real fast if its just that thin layer.

PLEASE keep us posted if you build anything.

 

[JohninCT]

I really like the idea of using the box blade with tank and towel I mounted a 65 gallon water tank I bought at Tractor Supply on my box blade not to use as a Zamboni but to use as additional weight and horse riding arena wetter (I guess its kinda like a summer Zamboni).

There are lots of videos on YouTube of homemade zambonis. Here is one with a small tractor with what looks to be an old water heater and a box blade

YouTube - Homemade Zamboni

Here's another one made from a riding mower with plastic water tank and scraper blade.

YouTube - Backyard Zamboni

 

[Diamondpilot]

Red Green made one out a K Car. If he can do is so can you.

Chris

 

[Pops15]

Red Green made one out a K Car. If he can do is so can you.

Chris

He no doubt used a judicious amount of duct tape too.

 

[zzvyb6]

Stick a posthole digger in a rototiller and add a hot water tank and some indoor/outdoor carpeting for a sweep.

 

[Tig]

I've been doing the lagoon with a sump pump and an ice spud. It's the way they do the Rideau canal.
Simple and quick, just need the right weather.

 

[JohninCT]

Don't know how big your rink is or if you have access to a garden hose water connection, but another inexpensive way to resurface a backyard ice rink is with a rink rake. You can make one out of PVC pipe with holes drilled in the bottom and an old beach towel.

Here's a video of one in use

YouTube - Outdoor Rink flooder

 

[keeney]

The magic part of a Zamboni is the blade that cuts the ice smooth and flat, removing lumps and humps. The edge on a box blade is probably not sharp enough or smooth enough to make good ice. You will need to mount a sharp, level blade. As the blades in Zambonis need to be sharpened and eventually wear out, ice arena supply companies can sell you a blade for a few hundred dollars, and re-sharpen it for you as needed.

Flooding wih a towel dragged behind will help a lot, but on pond ice, you will find that you have ridges and lumps that are much too high to get filled in with a limited amount of water from a tank.

- Rick

 

[Dogballs]

Hot water is important to melt the top layer of ice and then re-freeze.