Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake

When I received the product I took it out of the box and was quite pleased with the overall product that I purchased. Given that the construction was all aluminum and seemed sturdy I felt that I had a tool that I could depend on. The first time that I used it I cleared off my roof and the product worked well. I noticed that the long pole that connects the rake flexed quite a bit while I raised the rake to the roof to clear swaths of snow. I considered that this could eventually be a problem with more use but I though that the poles appearing sturdy would have a long life. Overall the first use went well.

The second use, I started clearing my roof and I noticed that the pole that I hung onto started to bend. After taking another swipe of snow the pole broke in half. Thinking that this could be a defective pole, I took the pole out and used the rake with one less pole. Again, the pole bent and broke. I now have half the snow rake that I bought just a week ago.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am getting tired of manufacturers flooding the market with products that appear to be quality, fetch a quality price and end up being junk.

Stay away from this product! I don't think that my rake was defective. I think that it is just under engineered.


Snow rake review   February 6, 2003
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

This snow rake is good at best. I purchased this item for my two story roof to remove snow and icicles. The head of the rake is very well constructed but the poles do not lock together well with the spring push buttons. The buttons do not pop tottally through the holes once the extension poles are put together. The first time I used the rake I lost the head off of the poles on the roof. I had to retrive it with a ladder. Also the poles are very lightweight construction. I didn't even assemble all four sections, I only used three of the four, and I was very concerned about the handle bending and breaking. Overall I would rate this item as good.


Not much left of it after 2 uses   February 19, 2003
S. Smith (Holden, MA United States)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

It started with one of the wheels shattering (it's still there - just square). Then I lost almost all of the bolts even though I tightened them securely according to directions. The left brace is somewhere on my roof - hopefully I'll find it in the spring. The locking button froze when I tried to add another length to reach higher. I was using it on what the meteorologists are calling "champagne powder" when it started to disintegrate. It WAS effective in clearing a lot of the snow but I had to rebuild it first.


Works well, but will it last?   February 3, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I just tried the snow rake for the first time, removing several inches of very heavy, wet, fresh snow from my back roof. This is a hundred times faster and safer than running up and down a ladder with a shovel, and only slightly less effective. Because of the wheels, the rake doesn't scrape the roof bare. Managing the rake is awkward, as is handling anything on the end of a twenty foot pole.

My main worry is that the pole will bend with repeated use -- it's alarmingly flexible to start with. But I can see why the maker didn't make the pole heavier, as it would be even harder to handle.


Great for Soft or powder snow   January 23, 2003
Bryan Vallieres (Nashua, NH USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This will work great on fresh snow, if you get out there and do it right away. If you should wait for the snow to melt a little and refreeze you will have problems as the roof protective wheels tend to ride on top of the snow crust. The actual device is a little sturdier than one I purchased at the local hardware store and I think this is safer to use on my new 8,000-dollar roof. I would say for those that don't procrastinate when it comes to snow removal... GREAT PURCHASE