Use and Care Manual

2012 HD dot com: Rakes

There are several different types of rakes available for your yard and each one has a different

purpose. Having the right tool for the job is important because it not only makes the work

easier but also helps preserve your tools. Following is a summary of leaf, lawn, garden and

shrub rakes and what the general purposes are for each type.

Leaf Rakes

Leaf rakes are the most common style of rake and feature a large fanning end and generally have flexible teeth. They are

lightweight, so the job of sweeping is made faster and easier. Leaf rakes are meant to do lighter sweeping jobs such as

sweeping fallen leaves or freshly mown grass clippings into a pile without catching in the sod. They work most efficiently

when handled like a broom - using a sweeping motion rather than a raking action. Leaf rakes are an economical solution for

a clean yard and they don't emit carbon monoxide like leaf blowers do.

Leaf rakes are commonly made of steel, bamboo, or plastic.

Steel rakes are more versatile than plastic rakes because not

only can they clear leaves, the strength of the steel also allows

you to use them for thatching. While slightly heavier than their

plastic counterparts, these rakes are also more durable. Steel

rakes are very popular for spring cleaning. As winter shifts to

spring and the last of the snow melts, gardens are often strewn

with the debris tossed around by winter storms. So, in spring,

the first task is to clear the waste away, and the best tool for

that is a steel tine rake.

Poly rakes are lightweight and they come in multiple sizes to

accommodate any size yard. Look for good reinforcement

across the tines and around the area where the head attaches

to the handle. The heavy-duty models are most durable and

are worth buying even if your lawn is small. These are most

popular in the areas with broad leaf tree leaves (regions of

Northeast and Midwest).

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2012 HD dot com: Rakes There are several different types of rakes available for your yard and each one has a different purpose. Having the right tool for the job is important because it not only makes the work easier but also helps preserve your tools. Following is a summary of leaf, lawn, garden and shrub rakes and what the general purposes are for each type. Leaf Rakes Leaf rakes are the most common style of rake and feature a large fanning end and generally have flexible teeth.
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012 HD dot com: Rakes cont. Lawn Rake A lawn rake is actually very similar to a leaf rake. In fact, many people don’t differentiate between them because a lawn rake can be used as a leaf rake. The main difference is that a lawn rake needs to have a stronger, sturdier and therefore a heavier head. Lawn rakes are most often made of steel and are usually used to remove dead grass on the top layer of your lawn. Sometimes even dead grass can be well rooted, so you need a sturdier tool to help pull it out.