My test of a rubber scraper vs a pipe on the blade edge results

[puckgrinder85]

Buy a stihl power broom with the rubber flap head instead of the bristled broom. This pulls rocks out of the grass every spring for us. We plow like we need to and worry about the rocks in the spring. Let a gravel drive pack down the first few snowfalls to lessen the amount of loose stuff picked up.

 

[timswi]

I've been doing that for years using machine belts..Works great. Weled 2 pieces of Lowes 1/8 plate together and drilled & bolted with stainless fasteners. Left equal amounts above and below the retainer so it can be flipped when worn.

 

[drizler]

I've been doing that for years using machine belts..Works great. Weled 2 pieces of Lowes 1/8 plate together and drilled & bolted with stainless fasteners. Left equal amounts above and below the retainer so it can be flipped when worn.

Good idea. I wonder how well old snowmobile track would work. I might try that myself as I have a couple kicking around. FWIW do yourself a favor and never buy steel at lowes or the hardwarre store. You can get for less than half price at the nearest steel fab place or even picking through the scrap yard and buying it at scrap rate. Those places(lowes HD, hardware stores)are absolutely out of their minds with their prices . You can usually pick up smaller lengths for cheap at the steel yards because they just end up tossing it back as scrap

 

[timswi]

Good idea. I wonder how well old snowmobile track would work. I might try that myself as I have a couple kicking around. FWIW do yourself a favor and never buy steel at lowes or the hardwarre store. You can get for less than half price at the nearest steel fab place or even picking through the scrap yard and buying it at scrap rate. Those places(lowes HD, hardware stores)are absolutely out of their minds with their prices . You can usually pick up smaller lengths for cheap at the steel yards because they just end up tossing it back as scrap

I agree about the steel prices but I ponied up for the convenience. No rust removal, cut, MIG, grind and paint. If I needed 200' of it I'd be hunting too.

Don't know much about snowmobile belts but I'd guess they have some degree of similarity to machine belts in terms of construction...Don't use a dry-rotted belt though, they fall apart faster than you can imagine..The horse stall mats at TSC make sense given they are fresh. I had access to new discarded 3'x20' belts from a mill that is now leveled. Have to care for my remaining inventory.

 

[drizler]

I agree about the steel prices but I ponied up for the convenience. No rust removal, cut, MIG, grind and paint. If I needed 200' of it I'd be hunting too.

Don't know much about snowmobile belts but I'd guess they have some degree of similarity to machine belts in terms of construction...Don't use a dry-rotted belt though, they fall apart faster than you can imagine..The horse stall mats at TSC make sense given they are fresh. I had access to new discarded 3'x20' belts from a mill that is now leveled. Have to care for my remaining inventory.

Here in Plattsburg the Camoplast co does or at least used to give away the end of the run and defect snowmobile track. Nice heavy stuff and brand new just cut across. PLaddle tracks are a tad high though. All for the asking. They make nice tarp holders to keep things from flapping around.