Convert 3 point landscape rake to grader blade

[PhysAssist]

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.

Well, all I can say is that they must be wimpier where you buy them, the ones we have are stiffer than you describe, AND get stiffer when you cut them in half.

I still think sections cut vertically from hdpe blue barrels laid across and clamped to the tines at the bottom by a slit pipe, and by u-bolts on top in several places would be ideal-they're already curved, snow doesn't stick to it, and it's stiff enough to not be deforned by the pressure of the snow.

 

[Clay45]

Rubber is super abrasive and difficult to cut...How do yall do it? Also, how do you suggest hanging it on the rake in a way that it will not tear loose? Its doggone heavy too. Wouldn't want all your handiwork coming undone when you're snowed in at below 0.

 

[kfickler]

I attached a 6' length of standard cutting edge (actually off of my box blade) to the tines of my landscape rake years ago and it works very well, even in snow deeper than the cutting edge. I used 6' of 3/16" x 2" on the back, and the same bolts off of the blade. I have collected some rubber roofing membrane and rubber belting as described above, but have never seen the need to install even for deeper snow.

 

[CNC Dan]

Rubber is super abrasive and difficult to cut...How do yall do it?.....

I've cut rubber stall mats with a sawzall with metal and wood blades, and also with a kitchen knife.

The trick is to separate the cut as you go, so the cut edges don't clamp the blade. You need at least two people, three is better.

You bend one side up and to the left, and the other side down and to the right. You need to mark a cut line or you will not make a straight cut.

 

[FTG-05]

Rubber is super abrasive and difficult to cut...How do yall do it? Also, how do you suggest hanging it on the rake in a way that it will not tear loose? Its doggone heavy too. Wouldn't want all your handiwork coming undone when you're snowed in at below 0.

I cut mine with my circular saw while the rubber mat was on my concrete driveway. I just set the depth to just less than 3/4" mat thickness and cut my line. Then it was easy to cut the remaining thin layer of rubber to separate the two. I haven't decided what to do with the 1'x6' piece left over from the dog house project.

 

[ttriff]

Rubber is super abrasive and difficult to cut...How do yall do it? Also, how do you suggest hanging it on the rake in a way that it will not tear loose? Its doggone heavy too. Wouldn't want all your handiwork coming undone when you're snowed in at below 0.

Even 3/4" thick conveyor belt material can be sliced with a razor knife. It's reinforced with multiple fabric plys like a tire. It's pretty easy to drill a hole and bolt it in place, and unless extreme force is applied, (probably enough to severely mangle the rake's tines) the bolts will not tear out..