![]() ![]() Time-tested design: steel spring-tine head with wood handle.This rake could be an excellent primary leaf rake for small to midsize yards or when the rake is used in combination with a leaf blower/vacuum and lawn mower. Users of smaller stature may find the size to their advantage. But its relatively light weight somewhat offsets the compact size, making the work less physically demanding. However, the Ames 22-Tine Steel Leaf Rake has a smallish head, and its 22-inch width is less efficient for moving bulky dry leaves. It moves fall leaves at a slower pace, but its compact build and durable materials make it the better tool for year-round tasks like cleaning up after pruning or preparing a new garden bed. If we had to choose only one yard cleanup tool, this rake would be it. The flat working edge makes it a great choice for all types of yard cleanup projects. The rake measures 22 inches wide and 65 inches from the tip of the tines to the top of the handle, and it weighs 2.52 pounds. Ames’ version of this classic tool is not only a really good leaf rake, but it also works really well to pick up small branches, spread gravel and mulch, and prepare bare soil for planting. Runner-Upįor its versatility, the old-fashioned spring-tine rake has an enduring place in the yard. Get the True Temper leaf rake at Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply Co., or Amazon. May require assembly (insert handle into head and secure with a screw).Dual-tine design works quickly and resists clogging.Materials: Polyresin head, rubber-coated aluminum handle.However, the tines are quite stiff, which makes them less suitable for those applications in which “digging in” is less desirable. We liked that the working edge where the tines meet the ground is relatively flat, because it allows the rake to pick up more new material on each stroke regardless of the user’s height. In our tests, the dual tines really did collect more debris faster, including hard-to-reach pine needles, acorns, and grass thatch, eliminating the need to double rake. We awarded the True Temper 26-Inch Dual Tine Poly Leaf Rake “best overall” because it works as advertised. It features an efficient dual tine design, with alternating straight and curved tines, which aggressively collects leaves and debris and resists clogging. The rake measures 27 inches wide and 71 inches from the tip of the tines to the top of the handle, and it weighs in at a modest 2.75 pounds. This dual-tine poly leaf rake by True Temper helps get the job done quickly and easily thanks to its lightweight, efficient design. Two of the worst aspects of leaf cleanup season are the time commitment and physical exertion that raking requires. The others should be considered good picks for their intended design, which, in collapsible rakes, means an occasional seasonal clearing of small areas. Any of the standard leaf rakes is a reliable pick for consistent, extended use. We reviewed the hand rake and leaf scoops as specialty tools with either a “yes, they worked,” or a “not worth the money” rating.Īll the rakes on this list performed according to our requirements. For the collapsible rakes, we gauged the tool’s effectiveness and perceived durability, since we viewed them as limited-use tools. In addition to speed and efficiency, we noted the number of passes each rake required to clear the space as well as any noticeable user discomfort, such as hand, arm, or shoulder fatigue. We spread 6 inches of leaves and debris evenly across the area, then used a leaf blower to push the pile under the hedge. The testing area included a wide open grassy lawn space and a hedge with low, spreading branches. We used them to assemble a test plot to try out each of the rakes. Our testers had access to a massive windrow of dried, matted, partially broken-down leaves from the prior fall, bales of pine straw, and a huge collection of southern magnolia leaves that naturally drop in spring. It may seem a bit of a stretch to test leaf rakes in the middle of spring, but that’s exactly what we did. Photo: Debbie Wolfe How We Tested the Best Leaf Rakes ![]()
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