Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District

“to protect and enhance Maine's soil and water resources by providing educational programs, conservation information and technical assistance to municipalities, schools, landowners and residents of Kennebec County."

District Front Runner Program

Several Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Maine including Kennebec have Frontrunner grader rakes available to loan to landowners. To request use of the Frontrunner contact Dale Finseth @ 622-7847 ext 3

Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a Front Runner/Grader Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop Monday, July 20, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downstairs Conference Room in the Farmington Municipal Building on Route 2.  The workshop will be held rain or shine.  It is designed for camproad owners, highway crews, camp owners and contractors.  Contractor certification credits will be given upon request.  Participants will have a chance to actually operate a Front Runner in the workshop.  The cost of the training is $55 per person, with a required minimum of 15 people.  Registration should be mailed by July 13th.  To register mail your check payable to FCSWCD, 107 Park Street, Farmington, ME 04938, with "Front Runner" written in the memo line.  For more information about the Front Runner or the training call 778-4279.

The Front Runner grader/rake is an attachment that fits onto the front of pickup trucks in place of the snowplow. It is used for road grading and maintenance, site cleanup, landscaping, finish grading and snow removal on soft roads.

Front Runner consists of a row of heavy duty, flexible, spring steel tines individually bolted to a rugged, welded steel frame. A set of adjustable gauge wheels is attached to this frame in front of the tines for support. The entire attachment forms the configuration of a miniature road grader. It is controlled by the truck's snowplow hydraulic hoist.

Front Runner has the advantage of improved visibility and control over rear mounted attachments. The spring steel tines allow faster operating speeds than a bucket or blade because of their "forgiveness", plus they have the ability to separate and remove debris ahead of the vehicle so that it will not have to drive over the debris as happens with a rear mounted or towed device. 

The most powerful feature that all users have discovered, aside from its time saving capability, ease of operation and its ability to provide outstanding results, is its versatility.

To take a look at the Frontrunner loan agreement if you want to borrow it, click here.