Avalanche JR1503 Snow Rake

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...Read more

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.

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.