Customer Reviews

AVALANCHE! DB550 Drift Buster 550 Snow Rake with Shield

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It works in removing layers of snow from the roof. It was fairly straightforward to add and remove segments to adjust the length in order to make things less unwieldy. The installation was ok but could have been a little better: I believe I installed the slide backwards and forgot to install the shield before attaching the slide.

It can get heavy at full extension and the slide could be a little thicker as it got a little tangled now and then. Also, snow falling from the roof gets packed down pretty tight so shoveling that from the front steps was quite a chore.

It feels expensive at over $100 but with the aftermath of snowpocalypse 2010 and the ice dams building up, it was probably worth it.

This product does in fact function as described, but with some significant limitations. It can best be described as a modified snow rake with an edged cutting frame, wheels on the bottom (to enable it to roll up and over shingles), a hinged gate (to let snow through frame) and a rolled-up plastic slide (to allow snow to slide to the roof edge). I have used this product for approximately 2+ hours and have the following observations:

It is NOT useful for breaking up piles of hard-packed snow on roofs. A regular snow rake was needed to get things "started". However, once the "hard" snow is broken, the product does a credible job breaking up soft snow and crust, and the cascade of snow down the slide is occasionally impressive. It worked best on exposed soft snow and was able to whittle away edges of some harder crust.

Much of the product is plastic (except primarily the cutting frame and pole connectors), so I'm not optimistic for the product's long-term survival. Aluminum would have been better, and for this price, that's really what I expected. I'm definitely concerned how long the plastic front shield will last.

The pole sections also are a hard plastic, NOT aluminum, and tend to flex A LOT when trying to loosen snow. This made the product nearly unusable at its full 16 foot length, as the poles tended to flex and bounce. At its 12 foot length, the product was reasonably usable from a ladder; however, I was hoping to reach higher from the ground without the ladder.

Biggest problem - the plastic "slide" roll has already detached from the roller; also, it quickly developed some small holes which will need repair. While the product is usable without the slide, it's much more like a standard roof rake then, as you need to pull the snow back toward yourself rather than letting it fall.

Bottom line: This product - while usable - is best suited for preventative removal of new / soft snow. It feels a bit overpriced, and its durability is questionable. I'm going to keep it, but I foresee quite a bit of repairs and maintenance to keep it functional. I admit to being more than a bit disappointed.

The snow rake works well and performs as described. I have only two issues with the product. The drift busting blade broke at the hing during the second use. It obviously should be desinged with a steel hinge, because the plastic will not hold up to repeated impact into crusty snow and drifts. The long plastic slide/shield is useful, but will tear along sharp edges (gutters, shingles, etc.) so be careful. It takes a little bit of practice (and muscle) to get used to manuevering the rake, but once you got have the technique down, the snow will come sliding down in blocks from the roof. The rake works just as well without the blade, so I recommend the original version over the drift buster version.

This is overpriced and not sturdy. We received it on 1/29/11 and within less than 24 hours it snapped apart. For this money, I was very disappointed. I am going to call the company tomorrow and hopefuully they will replace it.

Wow!
Used twice on 15"+ snow falls. The roof had 24" inches with the drifts.
Simply amazing. The most effort is lifting it to the roof.

Then it's fun. A little push and down comes the snow. Much easier than a snow rake.

When the snow gets a crust, the drift buster, cuts through and aids in getting the loose snow to build some momentum to get it to slide off the roof.

I purchased the Avalanche DB550 Drift buster early January 2011. Several friends have the older model and love it. I decided to buy it and give it a try. It lasted a whole 20 minutes before it broke. The concept is great and for the first 19 minutes, it was wonderful! I found it took a lot less effort than a conventional roof rake. Unfortunately by minute 20, it could no longer assist in the removal of snow from my roof. The right arm of the Y bracket broke and the drift buster shield hinge pin snapped clean off. The older style used metal, not plastic. Don't buy this if you plan on removing snow from your roof. It should placed on the mantle, not on the roof. Plastic should never be used, the Y should be steel or forged aluminum. I am in the process of cutting and welding pipe to forge a new Y in an attempt to salvage part of my $130.

In planning for the major snowfall in New England January 2011 I purchased this Avalanche drift buster. Now to be fair when it worked, it worked great. I unpacked it from shipping, assembled it. I trudged outside and used it for about 3 hours and got half my roof cleared off with very little effort. I was pretty happy with it and continued to clear my roof. Then, without warning the blue plastic piece that connects the two metal yellow pieces (it looks like a Y in the picture) broke off on the left side. Leaving me with my mouth open and $[...] bucks down the drain.

I got stuck shoveling the second half of my roof, taking about an additional six hours and wishing the darn thing hadn't broken the entire time. Again, when it works, it works very well.

The possibility is that I received a unit that had a poorly cast plastic piece leaving it weaker than designed but I'm not taking another chance. Using plastic as a structural component in the frigid cold then subjecting it to shock and vibration is not a good idea.

Concept - 5 stars
Ease of use - 5 stars
Effectiveness - 5 stars
Durability - 1 star and left me with a sore back

I live in CT. We have been dumped on with snow this year. Bought this overnight shipping from Amazon. This thing works great. Very easy to assemble and really does cut through the snow like the video. Would recommend this to everyone who gets a lot of snow.

With fresh snow ~1ft deep, this works great. However, if the snow has "packed" or ice has formed you will most likely break the blue plastic (yes, plastic) "Y" connector rendering the snow rake useless. Mine broke during use, the manufacture was pleasant and replaced the part free of charge... however that took almost 2 weeks to get the replacement. In the mean time my roof went from 18" of snow to 36" of snow, requiring it to be cleared with shovels.

Just get the snow off early. It does work pretty slick otherwise. Just wish the manufacture would design a stronger "Y" connector.

It worked well until the plastic that holds the whole thing together broke the second time I used it. The factory sent out a new part and it worked well. This would be a great product if they made that plastic part that joins everything out of a sturdier material.