A Rake for Every Purpose

Straight Edge Rake

• Used to pull leaves and debris toward the user.
  
• Also used to gather up heavy trash such as sticks and stones.

Sweep Rake

• Used like a broom to pull leaves and debris past the user.
  
• Fan-shaped.
  
• May have a straight or round leading edge.

Shrub Rake

• Used to rake around small plants and shrubs
  
• The flexible tines may have a straight or rounded edge.

Landscape Rake

• Has a wide head braced with brackets attached to the handle.
  
• Used for spreading dirt, gravel and sand.

Level Head Garden Rake

• Has a level head set close to the handle.
  
• Used to break up and smooth soil after it has been spaded and cultivated.
  
• Has sharp, curved steel teeth to pulverize dirt clods.
  
• The straight back is good for leveling the soil for planting.

Bow Head Garden Rake

• Rake head is attached to the handle with a long, curved bows extending from each end of the head.
  
• Handles are usually 48" to 54" long.
  
• Used to break up and smooth soil after it has been spaded and cultivated.
  
• Has sharp, curved steel teeth to pulverize dirt clods.
  
• The straight back is good for leveling the soil for planting.

Bamboo Rake

• Lightweight and inexpensive
  
• Used to gather light debris such as dry leaves or grass.
  
• Teeth should be evenly bent for best raking results.

Thatching Rake

• Used to remove thatch and dead grass from the lawn.
  
• Pointed on one side for pulling and rounded on the other for pushing.
  
• The wheeled version rolls along the ground. It digs as it is pushed forward and cleans itself of debris as it is pulled backwards.
  
• The half-moon version does not have wheels. The user drags it along the ground. The pull stroke digs up the thatch, while the push stroke cleans.

Courtesy of NRHA.org