Idea for an ice scarifier

[shooterdon]

I have been looking at a home made scarifier using snowmobile carbide tips or self tapping screws . I do not have a huge area to address...maybe an acre total. Using the full 72" FEL width may not get enough pressure on the studs. Considering using 1/4x20 self tapping screws about 2-3" apart on a length of 48" angle iron. The angle iron would be mounted to a SSQA plate and screws would go through the angle iron with the tips protruding onto the ice.

I get ice two to three times a year. Even if I had to replace the screws every time, it would take less than 5 minutes, cost less than $10, and still be viable for my needs.

Has anyone done something like this or have a better idea?

 

[seville009]

If you’re just trying to crack the ice to give it a head start on melting (versus scrapping up all the ice), usually driving iver it eith chsins on your tires will be enough to crack it or grind it down

 

[boomer1025]

That would be a lot of broke off screws for the tires to pickup.

 

[jbrumberg]

I get a lot of icing here. I use my box blade with the scarifiers fully extended. I am satisfied with the results.

 

[RickB]

That would be a lot of broke off screws for the tires to pickup.

It sure would.

 

[Jstpssng]

Scarifiers on your box blade work. Also check out the Rachet Rake in the TBN store. Ratchet Rake
I'll bet it would do a number on ice. I've been thinking about buying one and welding on some tabs so that I can bolt it directly to the bucket.

 

[L47TLBwannabe]

I don't think screws would work that great but I know of a number of municipalities that use these both on ice and for grading gravel roads in the summer. Just remember that granite stone and gravel don't work well with these.

Blades

 

[heyu]

I used 4x4x3/8 angle 48 in long , Drilled 1/2 in holes every 3 in welded 3 in long by 1/2 rebar pins in angle and mounted on 3pth. I have a square frame for my 3pth. a trailer hitch tube socket .4 in pockets to slide my forks in or a straight back blade short pieces of grader blade for weight used on my b2100 when needed. I also use a frt snowblower I made this 2 winters ago works ok for what I do no pavement. probably last the rest of my life Ken

 

[shooterdon]

Never considered the screws would break off. If I only have them protrude 1/2”, they should be relatively stiff and resistant to breaking.

I am not trying to remove ice, just scratch it up to make it safer to walk and drive on. I will give it a try and report back.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had a large diameter, 3ph four disk, offfset disk for this purpose. Maybe 30" disks. It scratched up ice nicely. Unfortunately, a cotter pin fell out causing the axle to come off one end and bust the bearing casting on the other side, so I junked it. Disks are quite amazing in their agressiveness.

 

[farmalldx33]

I second that. Using a disc is great. Just make sure it is heavy enough to penetrate the ice.
Little screws won't do anything substantial on ice.

 

[Egon]

[video]https://www.google.ca/search?q=scarifier+cutting+edge&client=safari&hl=en-ca&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiizdfalYPnAhXGmeAKHZncAqIQ_AUoAnoECAwQB A&biw=1483&bih=970&dpr=2#imgrc=9U6TZyAtXmQZYM:[/video]

 

[ovrszd]

[video]https://www.google.ca/search?q=scarifier+cutting+edge&client=safari&hl=en-ca&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiizdfalYPnAhXGmeAKHZncAqIQ_AUoAnoECAwQB A&biw=1483&bih=970&dpr=2#imgrc=9U6TZyAtXmQZYM:[/video]

We have a set made by a company called Sanvik. They work great. They cost $300 p/ft. A bit pricey to clean up a driveway. But very effective.

 

[mbu]

Get yourself a Rotary Hoe. This is a non-powered pull behind cultivation tool. If you haven"t seen one then Google it.

 

[oosik]

I have two, 3-point, implements with scarifiers. LPGS & ROBB. With the scarifiers extended both work fine on ice.

 

[not2old]

I have been looking at a home made scarifier using snowmobile carbide tips or self tapping screws . I do not have a huge area to address...maybe an acre total. Using the full 72" FEL width may not get enough pressure on the studs. Considering using 1/4x20 self tapping screws about 2-3" apart on a length of 48" angle iron. The angle iron would be mounted to a SSQA plate and screws would go through the angle iron with the tips protruding onto the ice.

I get ice two to three times a year. Even if I had to replace the screws every time, it would take less than 5 minutes, cost less than $10, and still be viable for my needs.

Has anyone done something like this or have a better idea?

This is exactly what I have been considering. Being cheap, the studs are too expensive and I wasn't sure about the life of screws. Has anyone actually tried using screws yet. I just want to remove the glaze from the ice to make it safe to walk on. I have about 300 lineal feet of drive and only need to do this a few times each year.

 

[pmsmechanic]

What I have for this purpose is two sections of diamond/spike tooth harrow sections welded together with a hitch attachment. I mostly use this implement for harrowing my driveway but when I have ice I run it in reverse and cut shallow groves in the ice. Reverse because the rear edge is sharper than the front and it does a better job. The shavings freeze on top of the ice and I have a slip free surface. Google diamond or spike tooth harrow and pick out an idea that works for you.

I looked for a while but really couldn't find a complete diamond tooth harrow section online. The harrows come with these teeth. Harrow Teeth. Peavey Mart is an Alberta Canada store but I couldn't find anything similar in the US.

 

[Thunder chicken]

Go to your local public works dept. they may use scarifier cutting edges on a road grader blade. They get wore out, but there’d be tons of meat left for your purpose. And they are heavy!

 

[bailbud]

I built one a couple years ago as we end up with lots of ice on the drive and parking area even in the horse pen . Just used metal i had around as I wasn't sure it would work and didn't want to spend a pile of money. I used old ferrier rasps some were a little more brittle and snapped, i replaced those with 3/8 " stock those wore a little quicker tho. It just slips over the cutting edge and 4 3/8 " bolts to hold it in place. I just put a little pressure and back blade .