Using Landscape Rake For Snow Removal

[Jack3489]

I've read several old threads about using a landscape rake for snow removal. Most of the threads have been positive.

My current situation -- we don't typically get heavy snowfalls here in the Columbia River Gorge -- several inches to a foot or so at any one time. Our farm has approximately 1000+ feet of asphalt paved roadways and several parking areas.

My question regards the best option to use:

1. Landscape Rake without modifications.

2. Landscape Rake with gauge wheels.

3. Landscape Rake modified with something like a piece of a horse stall mat which covers the tines and extends about 2-3 inches beyond the ends of the tines.

4. Landscape Rake modified with a 2x6 or 2x8 attached to the lower part of the tines.

5. Something else?

Really looking at what works best for you on paved surfaces.

Appreciate any inputs.

Regards,
Jack

 

[chim]

I have a landscape rake with adjustable wheels. I also have 3 rear scraper blades and last year added a 64" PTO-driven snow blower. I never tried the rake, and am not tempted to. The rear blades can be angled to cast the snow to the side. Not sure how that would work with a rake.

 

[zzvyb6]

I've used an 8' landscape rake for a snow blade. You need a wide one because it should run at a high angle (30 --> 45 degrees). The tines aren't involved with the snow, they are just a backstop for a board (I used a 2 x 8) in front of them. I bolted the board thru the tine gap using large washers (about 4 as I recall). Worked wonderful on a gravle driveway. No problem. Gauge wheels serve no purpose if the driveway is solid or the gravel frozen. My rake has them, I just raised them out of the way. Probably would take a 2nd pass with 24" of snow, but for a few inches at a time, its a great setup.

OK so now lets hear about all the doubters (the board will wear out after 20 years, you need 50 hp and a front and rear blower to do the job, no shear pins on a landscape rake, the PTO shaft will get lonely and seize up, you can't push a landscape rake backwards, ...):laughing:

 

[chriswheeler]

Here in Nevada, 18" of snow in the driveway is a heavy snow day. I keep the 6' landscape rake on the tractor most of the snow season for just for snow removal. Don't angle it any, and use it stock as it came. I set the rake just a little higher than the top of the gravel drive way and it leaves most of the rock in place. Three passes up and down the drive leaves snow still on the drive, but good access to most cars and trucks. Snow removal is easy doing this on our 500' drive. You folks back east face much more snow, not sure how this would work out for you there with much more snow.
Chris

 

[Deerherd]

If you haven't purchased yet, look for a rake with a fold down blade, it's a great accessory. Here's a Land Pride version and I think others make them also. See page 9.

http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/manuals/302-185m_LR15.pdf

If you have purchased a rake see if a blade is made. Great for snow and light grading.

 

[Stick895]

I used a landscape rake last winter. Angled that bad boy out and it did a gem dandy job. No boards, no tips, just the rake.

 

[LD1]

A rake works, but a light rear blade on a paved drive is better IMO. Or a heavy blade but ran backwards

 

[bellweather]

I own the 60" Landpride rake with fold-down board (and gauge wheels) mentioned above. I use it to groom my 500' gravel driveway and it does a great job. I do not use it for snow removal. I can tell you that my BX22 will simply spin its wheels trying to rake snow of any depth greater than about 4". Maybe a bigger tractor and chains would give better results. I use a Puma 54" rear PTO snowblower. It does an outstanding job.

 

[NewToy]

My little Farmtrac with a 60" rake does a wonderful job removing snow from my 500' gravel drive. The drive is quite steep and I angle the rake to the first hole, start at the top and make 3-4 passes. The rake removes the majority of snow but leaves the stone intact, much better than a blade for my application.

 

[RobS]

I've done it and for lighter snows (a few inches at a time) it works great. My drive is gravel and I don't think I'd use it on a paved drive. For heavier snows, I use a regular back blade. For the heaviest, I have to stack with the loader. Much slower! My neighbor has a snowblower and pavement. For all but the heaviest snows, I'm done before him with my blade.