Convert 3 point landscape rake to grader blade

lzicc · Sep 4, 2015

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 · Sep 4, 2015

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 · Sep 4, 2015

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 · Sep 7, 2015

npalen said:
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 · Sep 8, 2015

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 · Sep 8, 2015

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 · Sep 9, 2015

FTG-05 said:
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 · Sep 9, 2015

npalen said:
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 · Sep 9, 2015

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 · Sep 10, 2015

PhysAssist said:
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.