On A Mission For The Perfect Outdoor Ice Rink

[@HometownAcres]

Seizmik Side by Side Door Kit: www.sidebysidestuff.com/seizmik-full-hinged-framed-door-kit-mid-size-polaris-ranger-500-570-etx-ev.html

[@granitestatewoods2601]

When I was a kid we'd after the major snow removal we'd slap on skates and run a good wide snow shovel with a sharp edge to remove the powder. Thanks for the great video Adam.

[@SPFOconee]

As a southern boy from South Georgia who has never seen a frozen pond…. I’m all in on this sons content!

[@c_driscoll]

I do a lot of commercial plowing here on Long Island, for snow type and depth like what you’ve shown on this pond video, the fastest tool I’ve found for removal is a decent back pack or walk behind blower. If you already have one I’d suggest giving it a shot. Would certainly save you the added step of going over the ice again with the power broom.

[@markbouchard525]

Built a rink for the kids for years ! Lots of work, but you’re 100% right that the payoff is well worth it !!!

[@DetroitLove1977]

Love the pond hockey setup!!! So many memories in Michigan flooding the lake to get a glass surface.. we didn't have all those sweet tools but we had a sweet rink and all the kids would come and play till the sun went down every night. Miss those days

[@edmc755]

O WOW THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES < WE DID LIVE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE SCHOOL WAS ACROSS THE ROAD FROM OUR PLACE > WE HAD A OUT DOOR RING FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS OR SO < WAS ALWAYS ALWAYS FUN TO MAKE A RINK ON OUR FARM LAND < WE WAD 2 WATER PONDS TO DRAW THE WATER FROM . ALWAYS KIDS AT OUR HOUSE < WE HAS BOARDS AND LIGHTS AND A SHACK TO WARM UP>>>

[@tompurvis1261]

It is great how the pond is paying dividends the first year, both for content and enjoyment.

[@jimwiskus8862]

Hi Adam, you’re also creating a video legacy for your family and friends . So proud of the way you’ve stepped up and creating all the things you have and encouraging others whether those who because of age, are not able to do what you’re doing now, or those of your age or those like me who just retired, 2 weeks ago. You’ve shown a entire world what you can do if you save your money, apply the wisdom you yourself have gathered and imparted it to the rest of us. Keep dreaming and stretching. You have and will continue to do great things.

[@AdamsMom921]

Thank you for your kind words. When he started making a few videos we thought it was crazy. But…He has grown in so many ways during this process. And it really is a legacy. I think it has made his life values stronger. Many improved areas come to mind: His vision, determination, goals, friendship, sharing ideas to help others, and he doesn’t mind showing his mistakes for others to learn… He also does listen to advice. So I appreciate your view on his efforts… ❤️

[@jimwiskus8862]

I give him the same advice & love I would to my 2 sons. That said they probably give me better advice. I guess I don’t know for sure if Adam is a daddy? My prayer is this channel will grow and give him the time he needs with his children & wife. When it’s snowing like crazy he can sit by the window with a coffee and know he doesn’t have to go anywhere unless he just has too. My favorite verse for him, for all of you is Jeremiah 29:11. Take care & thank you for your kind words.

[@foreverbrownsfan]

What you are doing for your family (and yourself 😉) is positively awesome! I don’t skate anymore, but my daughter took my grandkids outdoor skating last night here in central Ohio at a community rink. She FaceTime’d us and they were the only ones skating.🤷‍♂️ Really enjoy your channel!

[@ritterjon]

Get yourself a 3 foot wide shovel and clear that rink with your skates on. I really like that paddle wheel, gotta get one! *Keep on tractoring!*

[@HometownAcres]

That shovel is a 36” shovel. I clear with the skates when it’s 2” or less. 2-3” I’ll clear with boots on. >4” calls for the snow blower lol

[@tkskagen]

How gratifying it must be to have an Ice Rink for your Family to enjoy after less than 6 months of construction! And next Summer (2023) you should have fish large enough to catch as well as Swim this Summer. Well done. 👍

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

To a Florida boy, that looks soooo cold....yet so fun! Great to see your vision realized!

[@thompasanski7076]

Adam, I know the feeling of skating outside on your own rink. We had an island driveway we filled it each year skated built igloo`s from snow and ice with fruit wooden crates, drained each year then had our own ball diamond. we had 80 acre farm.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

The dolly under the plow was a great idea! 😁 Now time for a fire pit at the rink to warm hands and feet! Also, if you have an old sheet of plywood, put it down at the water ice edge when you change into your skates. That will give you a way to get out on the ice without destroying your skate blades on rocks. You should, you should you should! Lol

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

Or a couple of thick rubber mats.

[@kenthorsen4558]

That's what I did, then I built a cabana ,then an outhouse and then a cabin. Then hooked up a pump to the spring so we could have running water in the cabin. Did all of that in about a 25year period. Looks like you and Adam are in for job security.

[@HometownAcres]

Hahahaha

[@richardmain8059]

He Shoots, He Scores one for Home Town Acres. There is something about working in Great Outdoors, if your dressed correctly, after a while you don’t even feel the Cold. 😊👍👍👍

[@FirewoodMidwest]

Half the fun is getting it ready!👍🏻

[@jonbowles7480]

From Thomasburg, Ontario and live on a river so I totally get the ice rink and the skating outside. We clear a rink on the ice with large loops at each end so you can essentially skate a big loop if you want. If you ever get the chance to visit Ottawa, Ontario in the winter skate the Rideau Canal as they turn it into a 8 km (5 mile) Skateway accessible to all and from many locations. Nothing like being able to skate outdoors!

[@cygnus1965]

We use to do the same to a pond near home in Littleton Colorado. We could usually flood the pond the first time around thanksgiving til dec1st. Then we would Snow blow and flood as needed throughout winter. Usually 3-4 times a season and it worked wonderful. Was definitely a bit of work but to be able to take My kids pond skating like I grew up doing back in Chicago was something I am glad I did. We still talk about the pond every winter. It doesn’t really get cold enough since I moved a couple hours south but if I even get my pond sealed up and have water in it come winter I’ll sure try. I think a good rule of thumb is 3.5-5 inches to have safe ice.

[@jimjasper9314]

We have a pond across the street and our neighbor puts on his skates and uses a shovel to get that last bit. Good exercise and works great.

[@jeffgootjes8418]

That’s how we did it when we were kids. A nice 3’ wide snow pusher shovel makes quick work of it. Especially on skates.

[@onedashusmc]

A big leaf blower works great on fluffy snow.

[@oakrunacres2564]

When we were kids my dad made a similar "zamboni" out of copper pipe. He would drag a burlap sack behind it to help spread the water more evenly. It worked great. Dave in Ontario, Canada

[@adventurerhoades]

I live in hockeyland. Northern Michigan. It's always cool seeing kids and adults out in the winter playing

[@kennyp507]

Right on, its one thing to go and pay for something already ready, another thing to create, maintain and gain skill on, plus your outside getting fresh air and living life.

[@craigwilson9560]

Adam great video of plowing and getting ice rink glassy. Was wondering hownyou did it and now i know. We use to have cloder winters and lots of ice and snow Now we don't always get the cold below freezing that often. Nice work! Great opportunity for friends of you to enjoy it when they come over. Great video!

[@kenthorsen4558]

Great job on the pond! Love the drone video too. You're so right that it is a labor of love, but it is always worth it when family and friends enjoy just like you.

[@johncollins500]

Brings back memories back early 60's. We would skate till 3-4 am. Would build fire on bank. Enjoy your skating Adam

[@Anna-xf4bg]

I’m Australian, so this blows my mind. If I could be going to this effort to make my own rink I would be in a heart beat! How amazing that you have the opportunity to do this.

[@davidpoole5729]

Lovin'these latest videos. You have created a hockey players dream. This old hockey player really appreciates what you are doing.

[@HometownAcres]

Glad to hear it

[@kingwood4357]

That is a lot of work so I hope you get some cold days and no snow for a while, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Reminds me of the days when I would skate on Deep Creek Lake in Maryland in the winter.

[@HomesteadJay]

My outdoor rink we didnt get to this year but I used a leaf blower too to help with residual. I had the skates on with the leaf blower and that was fun haha

[@hughwilliams8062]

When the melt comes in the spring that will certainly fill your pond up

[@harleyjetdriver1957]

Being from the south, then living in MN for 11 years on a lake. I can appreciate your enthusiasm. LOL, growing up, I never heard of "broom ball." It was an awesome game for non proficient skaters!

[@tagoutcrew]

Looking good! It has came along way!

[@Curtis1824]

Glad you're able to enjoy the pond this year!

[@billkiessel6682]

All of that hard work on the pond is paying off. Keep the videos coming, thanks

[@peteanderson1714]

Grew up in NY in the days before inside ice rinks. nothing like outdoor skating. Every few years our lake at the cabin gets wind scoured of snow and you can skate for miles

[@Brian-Outdoors]

My coworker just got a new side by side for Christmas and was complaining once they put the cab on that it would fog up with people inside. I am guessing that 5% leakage/airflow you speak of probably helps in preventing window fog. On a side note I have the Echo PAS system with power broom and love it too. You are a hard worker my friend to do the whole pond with it. We had one year where are cottage’s small 50 acre lake was like glass and it was amazing to skate the whole lake.

[@adampittman1624]

Great man glad to c the pond filled up enough this winter to enjoy winter sports. We here in my neck of the woods have a pond on a friends farm wich is at the bottom of my lane and we ride our smaller dirt bikes on it I usually go and plow it off with my brute force if we get any snow on it so we can ride lol

[@tntom5479]

Many fond memories of ice skating and playing outdoor hockey during my childhood on Maryland!

[@mitchjones2821]

I always used a 36” foam rubber(not hard rubber) squeegee to get that layer of light snow off after clearing. Would go back and fourth the short way so not as much snow built up. I wore skates too. Of course I didn’t have a power sweep!!

[@aldiminico6513]

Just a thought on your snowblower! If you raise the skids a bit, it would scrap most of the snow. There shouldn’t be an issue with the housing wearing on the ice.

[@HometownAcres]

I have the skids all the way up. Housing was scraping the ice

[@toocoolfortheroom380]

@@HometownAcres the answer is probably one of those rubber-flapped Toro snowblowers. Pretty much a hybrid of your two passes into one 👍💪🇺🇸

[@Cinder2008]

5”,is that the depth of the pond, or the ice? Ha Ha! I’m glad to see you enjoying the pond after all you went through to build it.

[@THECRAZYLI0N]

I’m so jealous damn. Too bad the weather in the netherlands is not cold enough (yet) to ice skate.

[@dannys813]

I have gotten more entertainment out of your videos the last couple of days then I did the Superbowl. Not kidding.

[@nebraskawoodstr]

Thanks for sharing options for the Polaris 570. I've been looking for alternatives to the manufactured Polaris doors. Thanks again. Nebraska WoodSTR

[@njonebale7889]

pond skating is just number 1, three inches is good enough, so it shoots cracks everywhere, which actually makes the ice stronger, at four inches it stops cracking unless your jumping up and down in one spot, at five inches you can drive your side by side and plow with that, i see you took my paddle bit tip, much easier huh, only thing i don’t see is…you working on your slap shot! great video…i’m so jealous…thank you!

[@HometownAcres]

I bought a stick last year and lost it. Need to go out and get another. Tough when you only use it 3 weeks out of the year lol. You forget where you put it

[@OldIronAcres]

We had a rink growing up, but it was closer to the house…. We always plugged the hose into the hot water heater and drained it. The hot water took care of all of those slushy snow spots, and filled in the gaps, and took off rough edges. Not sure if it would be possible to get a heater in your system. I do thinks it’s a nice thing you’ve made there. Hot water would just make it smoother! - Nothing beats skating on your own ice!!!

[@moniquemelanson1114]

Consider getting a piece of sheet metal approx 3' x 4' and put a wooden handle on it. Acts like a scraper and works like a charm. nothing left on the ice

[@ryanhausmann1012]

Try a leaf blower for that small amount of snow. It works in MN.

[@sameaston1301]

Great job Adam! That is a beautiful outdoor pond. I'm your neighbor here in NE Ohio and I thing winter storm Izzy is going to have you doing that all over again. It'll make for interesting videos next week! I'll be sure to watch.

[@HometownAcres]

Yep. Instead of 2” of snow it’s gonna be more like 8 haha. Really happy I invested in a snowblower

[@fcsturningwoodcraft2933]

As I was watching you flood the ice I couldn’t help but think “ it’s a good thing the earth is flat or all that water would run down to one end” Just saying The pond looks awesome 👍

[@robertafazio3449]

No doubt you look like you are having fun out there! I enjoy watching but personally hate the cold and am seriously coordination hampered! Have fun for the rest of us, Adam!!

[@jbozz]

You have put a lot of time into that ice, should open it to the neighbors or even a local hockey time n charge for the ice time, great video as always

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Nice video! We're about a 45 min drive south of you and you usually get more snow than us, and they're calling for 6-10 inches here on Monday. Looks like you'll be doing lots of snow blowing on that pond early next week! The side-by-side doors look great! - Chad

[@stanleykeith6969]

Adam, you need a rubber floor squeegee after you put the water on, maybe have the wife or friend go behind you with it or add some rubber to your wand.

[@cooks128]

Love the zamboni but you might want to try use a regular garden nozzle sprayer, that's what we would do growing up on a pond around the same size as yours and had smooth ice like glass.

[@howdyshaun6139]

I'm thinking if you put a rubber lip under the Zamboni so the rubber smoothes out the powder before being wet down and the lip will help evenly distribute the water at the same time you'll have a cleaner finish faster.

[@MannistoCay]

Nice job Adam stay warm! 🏝🌴

[@kevinkozlowski1463]

need doug to rig up the sweeper behind the snow blower :)) and go grab a dozen tiki torches and put them around ice :)) and at 5" of ice i would be doing donuts with your side-by-side out there.. and after watching a few of your videos i want to dig a pond and organize my garage

[@DDL2728]

I'm soooooo jealous of your weather!! It'll be 70° in South Louisiana today, which is nice (at least not 80°, which it was the entire month of December), but that snow is beautiful. If I could get my bigs & littles to move north, I'd head that way in a flash!! God bless y'all! P.S. Going to a public rink & renting skates - you're putting your feet in skates where other feet have been 😵😳😖😄😄

[@markknister6272]

Pond - ice - freezing 🥶 Good for you! I live in AZ so I know NOTHING about ice but could you use a light brush on the Zamboni to level off to “windrows?” Right on Doug!! Would take considerable more than that for me!!!🥶😳

[@njonebale7889]

i’m from jersey and just walked across this little pond we skate on which is across my street in the woods a little bit, just a natural frog and turtle pond only a couple feet deep and it was only a inch and a half thick and it held me up and i’m 170 lbs. DON’T DO IT! i’m just trying to point out that ice is really quite strong, 3” is enough to hold up anybody and after that your not breaking it by jumping up and down or with a sledgehammer, nothing better than skating outdoors on ponds.

[@wendellhaines4350]

Put your skates on while your clearing the snow with the broom

[@davehenderson47240]

How about getting Doug to make you something for that pump, like a crossbar that won't go through the hole, but would keep the pump out of the muck.

[@wingwhacker7500]

Adam, when your doing this in the future with a deeper and full pond, you may want to install some life throwing rings with rope like they have at public pools for safety. Cant hurt.

[@Manoffire260]

That Polaris looks just like a mini-Unimog, maybe just a versatile?

[@coreyriley7160]

Hey Adam. Looking good !

[@HometownAcres]

Thanks Corey, good to hear from you!

[@Sthilboy56]

A backpack leaf blower is good for snow removal if the snow is quite light and fluffy

[@donlowe9125]

Great job

[@larrywalters6195]

Adam, A little more ice, and I would be using your side by side to do the plowing and put a 55qallon drum in the back of the side by side and build a Zamboni on the back of the side by side! Look good.

[@kevinmaxam2414]

Finish with back pack leaf blower on the light dry snow maybe be safe and be careful

[@brantz648]

If the snow is that fluffy, maybe try a backpack blower to save you some time.

[@1amaker]

Once the pond if full I can see a nice fire pit on the damn breast for year round enjoyment. Sure would be nice to warm up by when out leisurely skating.

[@njonebale7889]

absolutely, we use to bring a 55 gallon drum and a truck bed of wood and another truck bed of thirty packs and the hockey sticks and…i don’t remember too much more…but it was a great time!

[@MrRickoscar]

Nice , looking good.

[@davidcarrow6851]

I hope it gets colder so you can use the Polaris on the pond too

[@exotictones1054]

I agree w doug.

[@nyfalcon1]

Lot of work - What about using a lawn mower before the power broom to losen everything up.

[@wayupnort6271]

When you hit the 6” mark on your ice depth you’ll be plenty safe enough to plow that pond off with your Ranger! If you really want to get nerdy you could a spreadsheet and figure out how much PSI you put on the ice standing stationary on your skates vs. how much the Ranger puts down sitting on its 4 tires based on its GVW. You haven’t done a good old spreadsheet video forever! 😁

[@HometownAcres]

Haha that’s a very good point I haven’t done any fuzzy math in a while

[@davidpoole5729]

Beautiful

[@andydsimmons]

Looking awesome. Squeegee also works great. How big is the rink? And you need to saw yourself a nice bench for all the team to lace up. Thanks for sharing.

[@slackoutdoors]

Nice side by side. it won't be long it will be just like a little truck. #slackoutdoors

[@alexkasacous]

Excellent rink on that pond. Have you tried using old towels on your "zamboni" where the water comes out to help smooth out the ice?

[@HometownAcres]

Yes. We did in our last video but I wanted to try it without the towel just to experiment. I think I’ll go back to the towel

[@johngrumbach9885]

Being a Canadian I absolutely love the idea of a backyard rink. Like you said, there's a feeling you get that you can't get from an arena skate. The only thing I was wondering is that when you did your flood previously you had a towel where you water came out. Is this the way you're going to flood from now on?

[@hughwilliams8062]

The snow melt will fill the pond up for you

[@awbjr9871]

Why no towel on the pvc "zamboni" this time? Love the channel.

[@Cattelinoable]

Would a backpack blower work for the dusty snow left on the pond? I use mine to clear my driveway and sidewalk when we get light fluffy stuff, less than an inch. Works awesome.

[@OntarioFirewoodResource]

Nice!

[@ranger178]

lol it looks like a video game driving around plowing with the 4x4

[@wallacesmith865]

Adam- the angle for the plow is performed by a linear actuator, not hydraulic. Not a big deal, but….. love yer vids

[@HometownAcres]

Thanks!

[@nealtubbs9608]

I loved the video. When I was a kid we played hockey on a pond in the woods as often as we could. When our kids were growing up I made a rink in our backyard with 2x4’s and plastic sheeting. We’d play hockey back there and had so much fun. Would it be possible to direct the water coming into the pond up onto the top so it would give you a fresh coat of ice similar to using your Zamboni?

[@allenhenry1113]

Those doors are really cool. Do you know if they make them for a 2017 polaris General 1000? Pond looks great!

[@pietervenvande1578]

Hey Adam I was wondering if you could use the spring water to like auto-zamboni the pond? If you let it flow over the ice. Or is it too much water to freeze?

[@HometownAcres]

I would need about another hundred foot of the corrugated 4” pipe

[@johngiannetti.]

I've heard that the brush style drum works better than the flap style. Not sure if it'd be worth the cost or not.

[@YoungbloodFamilyFarm]

Adam, nice job, I wonder if there is a way to use that water from your spring to flood the area after you have cleaned the snow off. Probably would be slow, but a thought

[@stevedoty5841]

Pond looks awesome. Was that your dear wife with the drone cam or now I see a friend showed up. Enjoy

[@mblind]

Any thoughts on what all this snow is going to do for your pond's water level come spring?

[@kentcorbett5436]

Well I know it takes a lot of time but it sounds like you're going to have to do a couple flood today so the dog can get up there skating

[@cgsoutdoors_professor3883]

Work hard; play hard - doesn’t get any better! Any update on the chainsaw mounts?

[@blklbluvr]

How about a backpack blower instead of the snow broom? If you have one that is.

[@njonebale7889]

just blows the snow all over you

[@collincolston8443]

Hello from Texas. I watch all your videos and was wondering why you didn't use the towel this time on your zamboni.

[@HometownAcres]

Wanted to try it without. I think I’ll go back to using the towell