Leaf rakes are the tools used to collect leaves that fall onto the ground once the leaves have started to dry up. They are typically grime-free and designed to manage the leaves in one place.
But, just like any other tool, leaf rakes come in various shapes and sizes. So, what type of leaf rake should you purchase to help you collect leaves for your yard?
This blog will help you choose the best leaf rakes suitable for your needs!
Consider the Types of Rakes
When you buy a rake, you should first consider what types of rakes you are looking for.
There are so many variations of rakes available in the market. Each type has its role in your garden.
If you are still doubtful about what type of rakes you should get, we will give you their styles.
Overall, there are three types of leaf rakes. These are the basic rakes that you always see every day.
Scoop Leaf Rakes come in two styles: single or double-headed.
Single-headed scoop rakes come with a standard leaf rake, with a fan-shaped head that folds inward through twisting or pull-type mechanism, which role is to pull the leaves on the ground.
Same physical feature as the single-headed rakes, but its role is different from the single-head. Double-headed scoop rakes ables for lifting the leaves rather than raking it.
It has opposite scoop heads that can open and close mechanically, grabbing and lifting the leaves from the ground.
The next type is the Standard Leaf Rakes.
Since the word ‘standard’ is in its name, these are leaf rakes commonly used in your garden. It has a wider fan-style head with long and slightly flexible tines that can rake a larger ground area.
Because its head attaches to its long handle, this allows the homeowner to rake the leaves without bending. It is very comfortable and easy to use.
Last is the Hand Scoop Leaf Rakes. It is designed to grab the leaves and lift them to a bin.
Consider the Physical Features
Once you already know the types of rakes, you can now note the physical features it builds. As I said lately, leaf rakes come from different sizes and shapes, and each of them has a specific role in your garden.
Here are some of the physical features you should look at while looking for a good leaf rake:
Types of Leaf Rake Tines
Leaf rakes are provided with different types of tines according to their uses.
Those leaf rakes with curved tines help grab the fallen leaves.
The tines made from metal are mostly great options for medium to heavy-duty work. But it is heavier and more expensive compared to others.
Those leaf rakes built with plastic tines can be slightly used for light-duty works. Since the tines are made of plastic, you’ll expect that it is easy to break.
Being made from plastic will also give an advantage to the user for being light to carry, and it is also cheap compared to others.
Unfortunately, this type of leaf rake will not last long.
There are also leaf rakes that are made from bamboo and polyresin.
Bamboo is very eco-friendly, but it is suitable for light to medium work only.
In contrast, polyresin tines are very durable because they compromise metal and plastic material. It can also use for a heavy-duty job.
The Handle
The most common handles of the leaf rakes are made from wood, steel, aluminum, or fiberglass.
Steel and aluminum are very durable. Steel is solid and less likely to break. While wood and other materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum handles can easily break, others are resistant to corrosion.
We advise that you look for some handles that can last longer.
The Ferrule/Lid
The ferrule or the lid of the leaf rake is commonly made from the same material mentioned in the tines.
The role of the ferrule is to secure that the rake head is hardly attached to the handle.
Some ferrules have a bolt or two that secures the rake’s handle, depending on the style.
We advised that you look for a rake built with a durable ferrule because there is some case when the rake handle will break, it will replace it with another handle you can put on its ferrule.
But there are broken rakes that you have to replace the entire rake.
The Weight
Consider the weight of the leaf rake as a factor when buying the product. Think about who’ll going to use it.
The heavy it is, the more it can be challenging to use in a long day.
On the other hand, regardless of the weight, the more it is light weighted, the more inexpensive it is, but it can also break easily in contrast to heavy leaf rake, which is very expensive.
Closing Notes
In conclusion, leaf rakes are a great tool around the house for both homeowners and landscapers.
It is essential to know what features are most important before you buy them, such as if you want a durable or lightweight rake. There are many types of leaf rakes available to suit your needs.
If you’re looking for a good rake, consider the options we’ve discussed in this blog.
We hope you enjoyed our blog on choosing the best leaf rakes, hoping that this blog helps make your decision much more manageable when selecting the best leaf rake for your needs.