Rake or rear blade best?

[Diggin It]

I have a County Line 5 foot rake. Last time I used it, I replaced the top link with a piece of chain. That lets it fall to the low level set by the lift links, but lets it float up when going over high spots to reduce the teeter tottering, see sawing effect. Made a lot of difference in cutting those high spots to fill in the lows instead of digging in deeper when the front wheels went up a high spot.

 

[CoyPatton]

They are different implements and have different functions by design. Will what you can do with overlap? Sure!
From your description of uses, buy a good quality rake.
Then watch all the used marketplace stuff for a used blade if you want one. Often old ones look rough but still function. The biggest issue with all older implements is QH capability. Typically they are not!
For snow,spend some time cleaning up the blade, you probably want a rust converter, then prime, paint and wax (the wax is similar to wax skis, it helps the snow roll off or so my northern fiends tell me, my area rarely gets the 12” we got this year in 2 storms with a few days in between)

 

[zzvyb6]

Rake. I used mine for snow with a 2x12 strapped in front of the tines. I suggest you get an 8' rake because when its at a 45 degree angle its a lot narrower. If using rear gauge wheels for smoothing, use a loose chain for a top link. The wheels should set the cut height not the tractor.