Best tool for scattered gravel

[dieselpwr]

PaulT

I have just gotten done getting blisters doing exactly what you need to do... only with a hand rake. I vowed to never go through this again so I asked around & here is what I have found. One cool little device is available called a power broom. It looks like a weed-eater set up - only with a rotating broom type thing on the bottom which has rubber paddles where you would picture the bristles to be. I have found that Stiel (like the chainsaws since I'm sure I spelled it wrong) & Shindaiwa both make them. I have been told they save a lot of time & countless blisters. The only problem I have heard is that the Shindaiwa unit is hard to get parts for. I think Echo makes a broom attacment too, however I think they might actually have bristles on theirs & I haven't gotten any feedback on how that works. None of them are cheap though about $600 give or take $50. All are available in a split boom style to accept other attachments as well. (I know one web sight is shindaiwa.com if you want a look)

For about $790 + adapter kit price you can get a broom kit for just about any riding mower or garden tractor. Doesn't sound too bad considering what the hand held jobby costs. If you have lots of money you can get a broom to mount to your 3 pt for gravel removal & dethatching your lawn (closer to the $3k - $5k range)

Lots of options - also lots of money. I'm starting to save my pennies now before next year becomes another blister-fest.

Troy

 

[mwagoner]

Never tried it, but how about a lawn sweeper that you pull behind a lawn tractor????? Might have to set it awfully low to get enough "grab" on the gravel to throw it in the hopper.

Matt

 

[rsthom]

I just finished getting the gravel back into both of my driveways using a push type power sweeper. It worked great everywhere except by the culvert (couldn't get by without getting at least one blister ). I rented one from my local dealer, and the rental fee was worth every penny. I have tried the pull behind lawn sweeper, but it was pretty rough on the sweeper and had to take several passes to get most of the gravel. If you can rent a power sweeper, that would be the way to go.

Rick