Maine Front Runner Gravel Road Maintenance Program

Introduction. Gravel roads and the associated sediment that may runoff them are currently the biggest threat to Maine's lake water quality. Road maintenance is key in preventing gravel roads from potentially eroding into streams and lakes. The Front Runner is a tool which can be used to achieve this goal. Proper road grading has been shown to be a significant portion (20-30%) of annual camp road maintenance and repair expenses.

The equipment. The Front Runner is a grader/rake attachment that fits onto the front of pick-up trucks utilizing a snowplow mount. It 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. It is controlled by the truck's snowplow hydraulic hoist.

Please visit the Front Runner Homepage where the developer of the Front Runner, Russ Lanoie, describes the equipment in greater detail. (Rural Home Technology, off-site).

The program. After a training session an individual is permitted to borrow (for a maintenance fee of $50 per week) the Front Runner to do maintenance work on their gravel road/driveway.  If you are interested in renting the Front Runner from the District, please call the office to reserve a time slot (Reservations, payment, and a signed agreement are required to use the Front Runner).