Ice Rink on Lake

Anonymous Poster · Jan 26, 2003

Hi,

We live on a smallish lake. I used our Ariens 2 stage snowthrower to clear off a huge rink, maybe 150' x 80'.
The ice condition was great at first, but then all the tiny strips of snow, left by the thrower, melted. So now the surface is bumpy. I can spray water on it but I have another question. (After seeing that maintenance is required, I'll make it smaller next time.)

I would like to buy or make a power broom. I see Ariens makes a 36" power broom like a snowthrower. It costs almost $3000 USD so that's out. Does anyone have any experience with a homemade power broom? I figure a single stage snowblower ought to be able to be refitted with a broom, and I have a Toro single stage left over from town living. Any suggestions or alternative approaches?

Thanks!

MossRoad · Jan 26, 2003

Send some kids out there with some pails of hot water and some big mops after each use. Sorry, doesn't address your broom question, but might lessen your maintenance. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Von · Jan 26, 2003

Don, Yea.. a rink is alot of work that s for sure!! I have no idea on your broom idea, but this is what I use to maintain my rink. (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO) But I wouldn't want to drive it on any lake! ... would make a lousy sub!

beenthere · Jan 26, 2003

My thoughts too, send the kids out there right after you blow the snow away, with snow pushers to start in the middle and push the remaining snow off. We used to do it all the time by hand. No adults came around to "make a place for us to play". One learns to skate better with something to push against, IMO.
Now if this is a skating rink for adults, by all means go for the $3000 broom. It is worth it for sure. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

hwp · Jan 26, 2003

Your profile is rather thin so I don't know what kind of tractor you have. Anyway, you might investigate the availability of a used power broom that will attach to your tractor. Checkout various sites on the web such as www.agdealer.com. I have been thinking about getting one for my tractor. The guy wants $850 for it. Maybe you get an even better deal for your tractor. I would be real careful to make sure the ice is thick enough to support you and the tractor and the kids.

JJT · Jan 26, 2003

Don, I know a guy that converted a walk behind snow blower into a driveway/sidewalk sweeper. It wasn't difficult. He did reverse the spin when he switched from the auger to the broom. With the blower you want to pull the snow to you, with a broom you want to sweep the debris away from you. JJT

darius · Jan 26, 2003

Find an old Gravely Walk behind tractor and get the broom for it. For under $500 you would have a great broom and a great tractor that takes over 60 attachements... most fairly easy to find. Also, it is a very heavy duty unit.

DocHeb · Jan 26, 2003

How about pumping some water out of a hole in the ice - it would flow out reeeaaallll smooth, then freeze. If you don't get every bit of snow off it doesn't matter.

MossRoad · Jan 27, 2003

<font color=blue>How about pumping some water out of a hole in the ice - it would flow out reeeaaallll smooth, then freeze. </font color=blue>

You'd think so. I would too. But it probably won't. I spent several hours standing in 2 inches of water on top of ice yesterday( fishing ) and it was a high of maybe 15 degrees. It never froze. And when we drilled a hole, the water never went in or came out of the hole, it just stayed at that level. Strange stuff ice is.

Wingnut · Jan 27, 2003

you beat me to it, Beenthere .... if the goal is to eliminate the stuff left by the snowblower ... I'd opt for snow shovels or scrapers too.
In all the years we built rinks on frozen ponds and lakes, I never heard one kid complain about the work and usually always had volunteers (but that may be because it was usually for one of my Scout troops).