Amazon Basics Telescopic Tine Lawn Rake

Product Information

While customers said the product was heavy, they liked that most of the weight was in the head. They said that this allowed the head to break through compact soil without requiring too much force. However, some customers expressed a desire for the handle to be longer. Our Experience Each testing metric was worth five points and a rake’s final score was an average of the three metric scores. Rakes made from fiberglass or aluminum tend to weigh less, whereas steel models offer more long-term durability but may have you tired after an hour or so of raking. Plastic options aren’t susceptible to rust but an all-plastic head may not be as durable as a metal or poly option. Size Our team researched some of the most important factors to consider before buying a garden rake to help you choose one that’s right for you. Type

Similar to the first rake, we tested this one with dirt. It raked and leveled a large amount of dirt at once and didn’t accumulate any dirt buildup. While the rake’s wide head made it easy to handle, it limited where we could use it because it didn’t fit in tighter spaces. Additionally, its size and metal material made it heavy, which made our arms sore after testing. Our Score If you’re looking for a versatile rake, consider one that weighs 2 or 3 pounds. Not only does this allow you to complete a variety of tasks, but it also prevents your arms from getting tired during use. Yard Size Similar to the ORIENTOOLS rake, this rake arrived in two pieces. However, it was more difficult to assemble because the opening in the head for the pole was too small, so we had to use some force to get it to fit. It also came with a nut and bolt that were meant to further secure the pole to the head, but we struggled to get the nut through the handle. Eventually, we used the rake without the nut and bolt because it was already secure from the tight fit.This type of rake removes the layer of organic material between your lawn and the soil’s surface, also known as thatch. Thatch rakes have sharp metal tines or blades that can be used to break up thatch. Hand Lawn rakes are typically used to clear your yard of leaves, but they can also be used for clearing other debris like pine straw. They have a long handle for a wide reach, and their metal or plastic tines fan out in a triangular shape. Shrub 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. Shrub rakes are similar to lawn rakes, but they have a narrower head that can fit in tighter spaces, such as around bushes and along fences. Bow

A hand rake is a smaller version of a shrub or bow rake. It has a shorter handle and fewer tines, and it’s designed for use around smaller plants like vegetables and flowers. Its short handle gives you ultimate control of where the tines touch. Material Leaves, pine straw, and other materials shouldn’t collect on the tines while you use the rake. Having to stop and clear your tines of materials can slow down your task and increase the time you spend in your yard. Ergonomics Fungus growth: Fungus grows in humid and cool conditions, which normally occur in the fall months when your leaves are on the ground. Fungus will start to grow in the leaves, infecting your lawn and creating yellow, white, or brown spots in the grass. B.D.: I tend to prefer plastic rakes with fiberglass handles because they seem to hold up better and are also generally lighter than wooden or metal options, which makes the plastic-fiberglass rakes easier to use. The rake was also easy to use. We liked that the rubber gripping went several inches down the handle because that allowed it to accommodate larger hands. However, our arms felt slightly tired after using the rake because of its heavy metal head. Our ScoreRakes are typically made of metal, plastic, wood, or fiberglass. The materials used for the rake handle and tines can be the same or different. Handle Five common types of rakes exist: lawn/leaf rakes, shrub rakes, bow rakes, thatch rakes, and hand rakes. Lawn/Leaf 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. Customers liked how lightweight this rake was, as it didn’t tire out their arms during use. They also said that the adjustable pole was easy to use, making it possible for several family members to use the same rake. However, its lightweight nature was also an indicator of its quality. Several customers said that it broke when used for medium- or heavy-duty tasks. Our Experience

Because this rake’s head is adjustable, customers were able to use it for both small and large raking tasks, saving them money and storage space. However, several customers said that the rake was flimsy and that both the pole and tines bent under a slight amount of pressure. Our Experience We tested it in its shrub position by raking pine straw in between shrubs. We also fully extended it and tested it in a larger bed with pine straw and leaves. The tines performed well in the shrub position, but when we extended them to rake larger debris, they bent under too much pressure. During our task efficiency tests, we counted the number of times we had to pause and clear the rake of leaves, pine straw, or debris. Ergonomics Rakes can weigh less than one pound or more than four. Their weight depends on their size and the materials used in their construction. Lighter rakes are good for tasks like raking dry leaves, while heavier rakes are good for heavy-duty tasks like moving dirt or leveling sand. Task efficiency—We gave each rake a rating on a scale of 1-5 based on how efficiently it performed its designated task.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