Frequently Asked Questions

SURF RAKE QUESTIONS:

SAND MAN QUESTIONS

TURF RAKE QUESTIONS

LITTER PICKER / ROAD RAKE QUESTIONS


SURF RAKE QUESTIONS

Will the BARBER SURF RAKE pick up cigarette butts and small debris?
YES. This is one of the most common tasks for the SURF RAKE. Hundreds of tines mounted in offset rows rake through the sand each second capturing the small debris such as cigarette butts and broken glass.

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Small Debris removed from beach
 

Does the SURF RAKE need modification to work in wet sand?
NO. The BARBER SURF RAKE has been designed to work well in both wet and dry sand. The SURF RAKE does not need any modification to go from dry sand cleaning to wet sand work.

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Wet sand beach cleaning
 

Is the SURF RAKE effective in removing seaweed?
YES. The BARBER SURF RAKE is the most effective beach cleaner in removing seaweed. Our tine raking method of cleaning is ideally suited for this type of debris.

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SURF RAKE cleans seaweed from beach
 

Does the SURF RAKE dig down into the sand?
YES. The Barber SURF RAKE has 4 offset rows of tines working in the sand at all times. The tines clean to a consistent depth over the full width of the conveyor. This action actually pulls debris to the surface of the sand for removal by the tines.

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Oil Spill cleanup on beach with beach cleaning machine
 

Are tines individually replaceable?
YES. Each tine may be replaced individually. 100 tines could be changed with simple hand tools, at the jobsite, in one hour.

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Does the life expectancy of the SURF RAKE conveyor belt match the life expectancy of other beach cleaners?
YES. The life expectancy of the conveyor belt exceeds that of any other beach cleaner by at least 5 times. The unique rubber belt is immune to the abrasion inflicted by sand on steel belts/screens. It also will not stretch, as is the case with steel belts and screens.

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1974 SurfRake old beach cleaner
 

Do hidden or submerged objects damage the SURF RAKE?
NO. The machine rides over hidden or submerged objects. The SURF RAKE does not employ a buried cutting edge like those found on some other machines.

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Can the operator be harmed if the machine encounters hidden or submerged objects?
NO. As the machine rides over hidden or submerged objects, the operator will not experience any quick stop or lunge of the machine.

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Can I choose the machine color?
YES. H.Barber&Sons, Inc. will match any color at no charge.

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Hawaii Teal beach cleaner
 

Does the surface being cleaned need to be flat in order to get an even cleaning?
NO. The SURF RAKE will level the beach as it cleans allowing for an even cleaning every time.

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seaweed at cleaned at tideline
 

Is the Barber SURF RAKE friendly to the environment?
YES. The Barber SURF RAKE is the least intrusive method of beach cleaning: lifting only unwanted debris from the sand rather than all of the sand in order to clean, the SURF RAKE has very low ground pressure, and the optional finisher removes all tire marks as it operates.

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Can the SURF RAKE be used for other jobs?
YES. The SURF RAKE can be used on and off the beach. Additional applications include removing trash and debris from pavement and grassy areas, thatching and stone picking.

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Snow Russia beach cleaner application
 

Can the SURF RAKE only be towed by a tractor?
NO. Many other machines have been used to tow the SURF RAKE. Contact the factory for individual advice.

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CAT Challenger
 

Can the SURF RAKE make tight turns?
YES. The hydraulic drive system allows very tight turns. The turning radius of the SURF RAKE matches that of its towing unit. Most tractors have a narrow turning radius.

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Surf Rake beach cleaner makes Tight turn
 

Are Barber products quiet?

Environmental Noise
Telephone dial tone 80dB
Barber SURF RAKE 85dB
City Traffic (inside car) 85dB
Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic, Lawn Mower 90dB
Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss 90 - 95dB
Subway train at 200' 95dB
Competitor’s Beach Cleaner 96dB

YES. One of the quietest products in the industry. In an effort to keep noise pollution to a minimum, BARBER has eliminated all steel on steel friction from their products and replaced it with quiet urethane rollers to smoothly convey material to their hopper. Operating at levels of 79dB or less with BARBER meets and/or exceeds all Occupational Safety and Health Standards.
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OSHA Daily Permissible Noise Level Exposure
Hours per day Sound level
8 90dB
6 92dB
4 95dB
3 97dB

*Statistics for the Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart were taken from a study by Marshall Chasin , M.Sc., Aud(C), FAAA, Centre for Human Performance & Health, Ontario, Canada. There were some conflicting readings and, in many cases, authors did not specify at what distance the readings were taken or what the musician was actually playing. In general, when there were several readings, the higher one was chosen.

 

SAND MAN QUESTIONS

Will the SAND MAN damage grass or sidewalks when I transport it to the jobsite?
NO. The SAND MAN is equipped with rubber tires, which allow it to drive over grass with out gouging and over sidewalks without leaving scratches. The optional front transport wheel also assists in moving the SAND MAN from site to site quietly and without damage to the surface it is driving on.

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The sand at my beach is unique. Can I get different size screen mesh to fit my specific conditions?
YES. The SAND MAN comes with the three most often requested mesh sizes. We also offer 8 other sizes for custom beach conditions.

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Sand Man beach cleaner screen options
 

TURF RAKE QUESTIONS

 

Do I need another machine to collect the stone after the TURF RAKE makes a pass?
NO. The TURF RAKE removes the stone and elevates it to a debris hopper at the rear of the machine in one pass. It does not windrow material.

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Stone
 

Do I need to run a cultivator or leveling blade after the TURF RAKE removes the stone from an area?
NO. The TURF RAKE leaves the area level with no ruts; even tire marks are smoothed. Seeding can begin immediately after the TURF RAKE is done cleaning.

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Can I dump the stone and roots, which are removed directly into a truck?
YES. The hopper on the TURF RAKE can raise to a height of nine feet so the unit can even dump into high sidewall dump trucks.

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LITTER PICKER / ROAD RAKE QUESTIONS

 

Is there a difference between the BARBER ROAD RAKE and LITTER PICKER?
YES. The ROAD RAKE has its own engine, is towed by a truck, has gutter brushes and works on pavement. The LITTER PICKER is towed by a tractor and is powered by the hydraulics of the tractor, for use on grass and turf.

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Road Rake removes debris from highway shoulder
 

Can the LITTER PICKER work on the pavement?
YES. The LITTER PICKER can work anywhere a tractor can work. However, the LITTER PICKER does not benefit from gutter brushes (ROAD RAKE is equipped with brushes) and the LITTER PICKER cannot travel at highway speeds.

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Can the BARBER ROAD RAKE work on grass?
ONLY ON FIRM SHOULDERS. The ROAD RAKE can be used "off-road" on dirt shoulders. The ROAD RAKE cannot be used on soft shoulders or in grass medians due to the increased weight of the unit and the likelihood the towing truck may get stuck.

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Can I choose the machine color?
YES. H.Barber&Sons, Inc. will match any color at no charge.

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Does the Barber ROAD RAKE replace a street sweeper?
NO. The ROAD RAKE is designed to compliment a sweeping program by removing the large debris that would damage a street sweeper.

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Road-side debris
 

Can the Barber LITTER PICKER or ROAD RAKE pick up a dead animal?
YES. Everything but large deer. OK, we have heard the horror stories too: no cows, horses, circus animals or anything over 100lbs

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