Draper 21862 190-570 mm-Spread Adjustable Lawn Rake

Product Information

We found the best leaf rake for most people to be the Bully Tools 24-Tine Leaf and Thatching Rake with Fiberglass Handle. We loved its sturdy metal head with dextrous US steel tines, comfortable rubber grip, and weatherproof polyester-coated fiberglass handle that prevents splinters. We also like how easy it is to reattach the steel head to a wooden handle should you want to repurpose it. Altogether, we think it's got some of the best durability and function of any rake out there. The pole in this leaf rake is made from aluminium. Aluminium is a lightweight metal that’s weather-proof and rust-proof. Basically, I don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving the rake out in the rain, although I do recommend keeping it undercover. The soft grip at the end of the pole is designed for maximum comfort and is ergonomic for efficiency. Today’s rakes go well beyond the traditional relics of yesteryear. With a range of widths, tine spacing and materials, some yard rakes are best for lightweight leaves, some are rigid enough to double as a lawn dethatcher, and still others rugged enough to clean out a shrub bed. You may find it’s best to keep multiple rakes around for various yard cleanup tasks. The area where material matters most is the tines. Steel tines have the benefit of being able to handle heavier yard debris in addition to leaves, are extremely durable, and have more spring and flexibility. Plastic tines are lightweight, less likely to get clogged with leaves, and better at handling wet and soggy debris. This lightweight, durable corrugated plastic chute fits inside a standard 30-gallon yard waste bag to make filling it up with leaves an effortless task.

Protect your body. If you plan on being outside for any extended period of time, it's wise to apply sunscreen. Also, stay hydrated. Raking is hard work! Leaf rakes: A leaf rake is likely what you picture when you hear the word “rake.” It has long tines in a fan shape which are typically made of steel or plastic, and a long handle. These rakes are designed for cleaning up leaves and other light yard debris. The handles of the rakes can be made of steel, preferably powder-coated; aluminium; wood; or fibreglass. Apart from wood, the other materials are weather- and rust-proof and are easy to look after. Aluminium and fibreglass are the most lightweight, but fibreglass is often formed around a wood core which adds to its weight. Ergonomic considerations A rake’s head width refers to how far the tines on the rake fan out. Rakes with a wider head are good for clearing a lot of material at once, but if you’re doing more detailed work around plants, a rake with a smaller head may be a better option. Weight Even though this product is designed as a lightweight rake for easy handling, it has a sturdy construction and a stainless steel handle.Most rake handles are between 30 and 70 inches long. A longer handle allows you to reach farther, but you don’t want a handle that’s so long that it’s hard to control. In general, a rake should be in line with your eyes when it’s upright, meaning longer handles work better for taller people and vice versa. It also has non-slip grip at the end of the handle to ensure it’s comfort to use. The hook at the end of the handle makes it easy to store the rake out of the way in your garden shed or garage, the telescopic handle really does make it compact which I think is ideal.

Whether a metal or plastic leaf rake is better depends on your needs. All-metal rakes are heavier and more durable than plastic ones, but plastic rakes are less expensive and easier to use. Many leaf rakes use a combination of materials; for example, a metal handle combined with plastic tines or vice versa.Flooding: A layer of leaves can prevent excess water from draining, which can cause your grass to become waterlogged and cause flooding in your home. The rake head at the other end of the pole, the most important part in my eyes, is constructed of lightweight plastic and is nice and wide at 60cm, so around 2ft. Pros Leaf rakes that are longer with a wider head allow you to clear big areas fast. They can also be heavier and require more effort to manage depending on their materials. Rakes with small heads—narrower than 10 inches or so—are ideal for clearing hard-to-reach spots. Compared to using a chainsaw, an adjustable garden rake doesn't seem that dangerous, but there are still plenty of ways to injure yourself if you’re careless. The following are a few safety tips to help you stay free of injury.

The holding end of the handle has a Control Grip feature. This helps you hold the rake firmly so it won’t fly out of your hands if you apply a bit of pressure. Pros The number of tines is also important and is dependent on the width of the rake head. Too few tines means that there are large gaps between them through which leaves and other debris can escape. All the rakes reviewed here have around 22 to 24 tines for a width of around 50cm to 60cm. This is a good ratio to look for. Length of handle It’s also best to avoid over-raking your lawn. “It’s important to leave leaves in beds as much as possible; it’s really important to insects and animals to have leaf cover,” says Steve Windham, landscape designer and gardening expert. “It’s important not to strip the earth of the organic matter that naturally falls.”Most tines are made of metal or plastic. Metal tines are more durable, but they’re heavier and tend to make garden rakes more expensive. Rakes with plastic tines aren’t as durable as metal rakes, but they’re more affordable and lightweight. Occasionally, you’ll find tines made of resin that give you the durability of metal and the flexibility of plastic. Head Width A true leaf bully, the Bully Tools Law/Leaf Rake is a powerfully built plastic-headed leaf rake that gives poly tines the longevity you’d expect out of traditional steel-headed rakes. With an extra-wide 30-inch head, this huge rake does a great job of pulling in heaps of leaves. A good half of the length of the handle is covered with the Softgrip technology that makes this leaf rake a pleasure to use. It lets you hold comfortably anywhere all along the upper half of the handle while keeping the rake in a good position for raking up the leaves and other organic debris from your lawn. The handle is slightly curved at the top for further efficiency. Overall its a great piece of kit. Pros You want your adjustable garden rake to be lightweight, but you also need it to be durable. Since wood tends to be heavy, most users prefer aluminum or fiberglass. Steel is a more affordable option than aluminum, and it will work just fine as long as it’s been treated to resist rust. Components This model also includes an 8-inch hand rake that snaps onto the handle so you can take it on and off as needed while working. Hand rakes can clean tight spaces, which is especially handy when trying to rake up thin pine needles, which have a tendency to pile up in small nooks and crannies.