Related Products: Lawn and Garden >Yard Tools > Rakes
Most rakes have an overall length of 5' or 6' but that is where their similarities end. There are several types, each for a specific function.
Garden Rakes are used to break up and smooth soil after it has been spaded and cultivated. They have sharp, curved teeth of high-carbon steel to pulverize dirt clods, and straight backs to level the soil for planting.
The head of a level-head rake is set close to the handle, attached by driving the shank of the head into the handle. Bow-rake heads are attached to the handle with long, curved bows extending from each end of the head. Spring action of the bow rake makes it preferable to many gardeners. Handle should be at least 54" long.
Lawn Rakes or Leaf Rakes have two designs: straight edge or sweep (broom).
Straight edge rakes pull leaves and debris toward the user, gathering up heavier trash such as sticks and stones.
Sweep rakes are used like a broom. They pull or sweep the leaves and debris past the user. Sweep rakes are fan shaped, better ones with spring-steel teeth of graduated lengths for a straight leading edge. Others have a rounded leading edge.
Level head (straightedge), spring-steel lawn rakes range from 18" to 36" and wider. Generally, the closer the spacing of spring-steel teeth, the better the raking and cleaning action.
Better metal lawn rakes are made of heat-treated and tempered flat spring steel for strength and flexibility. Flat teeth offer better lifting action than do wire teeth.
Wooden rakes with wide heads quickly rid lawns of heavy debris. Ash teeth with rounded tips are gentle on lawns and are easily replaceable. Solid aluminum bows support the 28" wide head and help hold and gather bulky loads. The best wooden rakes have tubular steel necks to minimize handle breakage.
Better quality bamboo rakes have an arched steel support attached to each tooth and a spiral wire which allows the rake to work well over uneven surfaces. The teeth should all be evenly bent for best raking results. Bamboo rakes are lightweight, allowing widths up to 30". Usually, the thicker and wider the individual teeth, the better the rake.
Plastic rakes are lightweight and have easy lift. They have 18" and 24" one-piece polypropylene heads, offering a multitude of uses.
Thatchers are usually described as wheeled or half-moon.
The wheeled rake rolls along the ground digging up thatch. It digs as it is pushed forward, cleans itself of debris as it is pulled backwards.
The half-moon type does not have wheels and is dragged over the ground. The work stroke is pulling the unit towards the operator, the cleaning stroke is pushing the unit away.
Special purpose rakes include crabgrass/dandelion rakes which pull out crabgrass and dandelions without injuring grass. Push-pull rakes with crescent-shaped disc teeth eliminate the need to lift the tool while raking. Related Products: Lawn and Garden >Yard Tools > Rakes |
National Retail Hardware Association