Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake

by Avalanche

Product Features

• 22" aluminum roof rake
• Wheels help prevent shingle damage
• Includes 4 poles for 20' total length
• Lightweight aluminum construction

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00007FPHT
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: JR1503
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,122 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #44 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Snow Removal > Snow Rakes
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Avalanche snow rake is a long handled tool invented in Minnesota to help remove snow from your roof. It is used from the ground and has a cutter frame similar to a "cheese cutter". With an axle and two small wheels on each side. The axle holds the long plastic slide. The wheels allow the cutter to roll up your roof rather than scrape the shingles like traditional tools. You set the frame on the edge of the roof and push up. The axle acts like a cutting edge and slices through the snow causing it to break off in chunks, and slide down the plastic slide to the ground.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, January 24, 2004

By 

Michael Griggs (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake (Lawn & Patio)

I purchased this product approximately a week ago and I am disappointed with this products performance. I have used the product twice now and I now have HALF the roof rake that I purchased.

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Snow rake review, February 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake (Lawn & Patio)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works well, but will it last?, February 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake (Lawn & Patio)

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.