Rakes That Pick Up Leaves

Types of Tines

• Basic rakes are available in metal lawn rakes, garden rakes and leaf rakes, usually constructed of plastic or a type of polymer. Leaf rakes and lawn rakes are very similar and interchangeable depending on construction. The tines come in plastic or some type of polymer in addition to metal. Metal tines are resilient and durable; however, they are not as effective as plastic when dealing with large quantities of fallen leaves. Plastic tines work well for large volume raking of dry or wet leaves, whereas metal tines work better with a smaller amount of dry leaves.

Sizes and Shapes

• The tines of a leaf rake generally form a "fan" shape and are sold in a few different sizes Sizes of leaf rakes range from 18 inches wide to 24 inches wide and the tip of the tines. These are the most common widths available, however occasionally you can find one that measures 30 inches. These are good choices for larger lawns with an abundance of trees and leaves.

Common Uses

• Leaf rakes are designed to gather leaves into a pile for bagging and disposal. However, they also work well for raking up loose grass clippings and various other yard debris. This versatility is what makes the leaf or lawn rake a handy tool for keeping your yard looking good. Leaf rakes are designed differently than garden rakes, which have shorter, thicker tines and are used primarily for working with soil.

What To Look For

• Leaf or lawn rakes are a basic gardening tool and available most anywhere. Commercially sold and labeled as either leaf or lawn, they are sold in discount stores, home improvement and hardware stores. Look for flexibility and durability for a good quality rake that will last through a number of seasons. Check the construction for stability and ease of use. The spacing of the tines is sometimes dependent on the material used. If just using for leaves, wider spaces tines work OK, however, if you plan to use the rake for other debris, select one with closely spaced tines.