Rakes are garden tools used to loosen and level the soil surface, crush clods of earth, clean lawns of debris, fallen leaves and last year's grass.
Content
How to choose the best rake for a summer residence?
The selection criteria depend on the purpose of purchasing this instrument. A narrow grip is used for ennobling flower beds, and for large areas - a wide one. If the tool will be used by different people, then it should be purchased with a telescopic handle. Some models simplify the process of soil cultivation.
Advice! If you bought an iron rake, then keep in mind that they must have an anti-corrosion layer. In contact with damp soil or grass, there is a high likelihood of rusting.
What to look for when choosing
When choosing a garden appliance, it is worth taking into account their appearance, the material that went into their manufacture, as well as the quality and manufacturer. Durable include wood and plastic, and durable - galvanized and steel.
Stalk
The handle is the main component of the rake. Although this part of the product may seem simple and unassuming at first glance, it affects a lot. Usually the stalk is considered an insignificant part, but when it looses or becomes covered with cracks and notches, it becomes inconvenient to work with.
The rake is usually sold with a wood handle. Such a handle makes it possible to use the working part of the tool, accelerating it and forming a lever, without which there would be no sense from the tool. The mass of the entire tool depends on the material of the handle.
The surface of the cutting is treated with a special substance that does not allow the formation of jags and irregularities that contribute to rubbing the hands. In most cases, the stalk is varnished. The size is determined by the height of the person who will use the rake for gardening. It has a circular cross-section. In addition to wood, plastic and aluminum are used to make the handle. These materials are lightweight, highly reliable and do not rot. Mistakes in the selection can lead to the purchase of an unsuitable model.
Functionality
The main functionality of the rake is:
- Elimination of large lumps of soil that have formed during plowing or digging a site;
- Loosening the earth;
- Leveling the soil;
- Elimination of roots and weeds;
- Removal of foliage and crop residues;
- Forming haystacks and raking dry grass.
The size
For products that are used to rake fallen leaves and debris, the optimum working width should be at least 0.4 m.For the tool that will be used to loosen and level the ground, stir up and rake hay, the working width should be at least 0.6-0.8 m.
The pitch of the teeth for products used for cleaning leaves, debris, small plant residues should be 30 mm. If the device is used for working with the ground, as well as in order to remove debris from the lawn, the distance between the teeth should be 5-6 cm.
Material
The work item for this inventory can be:
- Plastic.These products are good for shoveling dry grass and debris.
- Painted iron. For dry work.
- Metal, with anti-corrosion coating. They are used for excavation work and for cleaning wet grass.
- Made of hardened aluminum for a wide range of applications.
What are the types
The following varieties are known:
- Wooden. Such tools stand out with their sharp teeth. As in the old days, they are used to break up large clods of soil and level surfaces. Presented with a wide comb, they are lightweight.
- Plastic. Such tools are used for lightweight work and with small clogged areas.
- Steel. This type of equipment has straight teeth that loosen the soil well. Products with a moderate width, all-metal, with expanded tines for hard ground, breaking large stones after digging up the soil. With long, curved tines, a wide comb for scooping up debris and grass.
- Narrow. It is a tool with a narrow comb that allows you to scoop up debris in hard to reach places. Such a device is usually made of metal.
- Milling. The main advantage of these products is that the tines are located on both sides of the comb. Such equipment can be used in several directions: as an aerator, using different tines to break up clods of earth, remove debris, stones, branches. For the latter function, the side with sharp teeth is used.
- Lawn. They come in combination with a wide comb, 0.6 m and frequent tines, which allow you to clean grass from the lawn efficiently. To limit the collected grass and prevent its scattering, arches attached to the base are adapted.
- Aerators. They are sharp-toothed, crescent-shaped attachments that do not require sharpening. The tool is made of hardened steel, coated with an anti-corrosion agent. The advantage is a high degree of strength and excellent quality of soil cultivation.
- Fan-shaped. They appeared relatively recently and are very convenient for collecting fallen leaves, small grass. The material from which the tool is made is plastic or steel. The main difference between these rakes is the presence of long elastic teeth. The tool is good for keeping the area clean.
- Compact tool. Such models are used to cultivate the soil near berries and small bushes, as well as to loosen the soil at the initial levels of crop growth.
- Rakes. They attach to the scythe and help harvest crops.
- Tedders. Serve for collecting grass in windrows and tedding. Such tools are represented by a variety of lines. The most widespread are multi-wheeled varieties. The main features are: high processing intensity of the available surface, considerable tedding and raking width, low weight, optimal pin size and high quality of the material from which it is made. The tool can work together with walk-behind tractors of a certain power.
- Transformers. These tools have recently become widespread among gardeners. Completing them: an aluminum handle and plastic attachments. They have a quick-clamping mechanism, which makes it possible, if necessary, to change the purpose of the tool by rearranging the nozzle. In most cases, the kit consists of a multifunctional rake, for leaves of various sizes, for flowers. Such devices are easy to store and comfortable to use. The material from which they are created does not lose its qualities over time.
The above designs can include a wide variety of components. The set includes attachments: ripper, hoe, shovel. An important feature of this type of tool is the quality of the fasteners. It should be reliable and easy to use. The popularity of models is not only related to how much the model costs, but what it is capable of.
The main purpose
The main purpose of the rake is leveling and loosening the ground.For this work, reliable and straight models are used, which are used for garden work, for combing the lawn, raking grass, breaking up clods of earth, after recent plowing, which improves its air exchange.
You can use them not only in the country. Agricultural varieties of this tool act as a mounted or trailed installation for field work. Based on the design features, they are used for raking, tedding hay and grass.
Review of the best rake for 2020
Here is a rating of high-quality rake models used in horticulture, as well as simply for household purposes, with a detailed description and characteristics.
Gardena 3104-20
This model is well suited for owners of a summer cottage when collecting foliage from the lawn, because of the fan shape. They are made of plastic and have a width of the working part - 52 cm. The light weight of the product of 0.42 kg allows you to work without straining. The number of teeth is 21.
Advantages:
- you can adjust the working area;
- not a lot of weight.
Disadvantages:
- without cutting.
Cost: from 1500 rubles.
Palisad 61702
The most optimal design has been developed here, in which the number of teeth is 22 pieces, and the width of the body is from 32 to 47 cm. The metal device provides highly efficient work in the garden due to its low weight of 0.46 kg.
Advantages:
- galvanized teeth will not rust over time;
- there is a tulle regulator;
- working part is made of spring steel;
- durable;
- you can adjust the coverage area;
- the fence from the plane is most effective due to the flat shape of the teeth.
Disadvantages:
- was not found.
Price: from 289 rubles.
Fiskars Solid 1014811
The best Finnish manufacturers have made a model of a convenient pin-type shape. The construction is straight, with a wooden handle and metal teeth, of which there are only 12. A small form of 30.5 cm was completed with 0.9 kg.
Advantages:
- elongated stalk;
- the working part is protected by high class steel;
- the tines are of the most advanced shape, which collects leaves and grass most effectively.
Disadvantages:
- there is no regulator of the working part.
Cost: from 800 rubles.
Raco Maxi 4230-53809
It has an improved shape, especially the working part, which is 35 cm. The shaft is straight, and the teeth are made of metal, which guarantees their durability. There are only 22 of them. It will be convenient for men to use such a rake, since the equipment is intended for cleaning large areas, as well as for maintaining cleanliness on the site.
Advantages:
- the shape of the teeth;
- inexpensive;
- special gripping mechanism.
Disadvantages:
- the term of use is not set.
Price: from 246 rubles.
Bison 4-39583-14
Direct type of rake, suitable for the owner of a country house, in the garden or vegetable garden. The peculiarity is enclosed in a wide body, the handle is made of wood, and the metal teeth are made in the amount of 14 pieces. Perfectly copes with its purpose.
Advantages:
- thanks to straight teeth, wood aeration can be done;
- steel coating will provide a service life for many years;
- the handle has an anti-fungal and sanded coating.
Disadvantages:
- the groove has limited depth.
Price: from 253 rubles.
Gardena 3179-20
The most popular model and a reliable representative of this segment, due to the fact that the company gives a 25-year guarantee for the use of this rake. The straight design with a wide 41 cm working part has 16 teeth, which, according to buyers, perfectly perform collecting functions.
Advantages:
- made of high quality steel;
- anti-corrosion protection is complemented by a duroplastic coating.
Disadvantages:
- cannot be attached to wooden cuttings.
Price: from 944 rubles.
Bison 39585-12
The spiral teeth of this model and the lightweight design contribute to a comfortable and productive use. The 12 tines are made of metal and the working area is 38 cm wide. An excellent choice for experienced gardeners who like to clean up their gardens.
Advantages:
- the working area is made of high-carbon steel;
- the teeth have an anti-corrosion coating;
- strength and light weight of the product;
- the handle is made of plastic, which prevents the hand from slipping.
Disadvantages:
- few teeth.
Cost: from 306 rubles.
Truper 19881
The best rake is a fan type. Covers a large area for gathering foliage or grass. They are characterized as metal, with 26 teeth, as well as a working area of 66 cm. According to customer reviews, they are able to capture up to 1 kg of leaves the first time. This is a good result in line with the quoted price.
Advantages:
- polypropylene rake;
- multifunctionality;
- productive work.
Disadvantages:
- you cannot adjust the length of the handle and handle.
Price: from 619 rubles.
Sprout 39600-12
The domestic model for the garden will become indispensable for collecting large volumes (grass, hay or garbage). The teeth are twisted. There are only 12 of them. Model weight - 0.44 kg. The model is lightweight, but it meets all the necessary criteria. The tool is presented at the most budgetary price.
Advantages:
- made of high quality steel;
- efficiency of use;
- deeper into the work surface due to twisted teeth;
- quality rake material;
- comfortable use;
- durable.
Disadvantages:
- breaks large lumps poorly.
Price: from 63 rubles.
Gardena XXL vario 3107-20
Fan type device for the garden. Able to process large areas in a short time. Designed to level the ground. The surface quality is top notch. Picks up even small rubbish. The design includes a plastic handle, and the weight of the product is 1.02 kg. The average price is 2-3 thousand rubles.
Advantages:
- the device is folded;
- screw fastening of handles;
- reliability of the device due to the safety device against swinging and loosening of parts;
- you can attach a wooden handle;
- good service life.
Disadvantages:
- not.
Cost: from 2500 rubles.
Wheel-finger rake-tedders GVV-6
This is an improved version of the rake and the most expensive representative in this review. Designed for large-scale work in the fields. Attached to tractors, combines and harvesters. It is very popular among the national economy. The device is completed as follows - a working surface with a thinner, attached to 8 wheels, which operate at a speed of 15-20 km / h. The weight is 450 kg.
Advantages:
- easy to use;
- there is a function of drying the cut grass.
Disadvantages:
- mandatory use of traction vehicles.
Cost: from 105,000 rubles.
The rake is designed for extensive work in the garden and more. Fallen leaves, branches, grass, hay, scattered around the perimeter, spoil the aesthetic appearance. The effectiveness and ease of use of the tool has been proven not only by experienced gardeners, but also by people who care about cleanliness. After studying this review, you can easily understand which rake company is better. You will also learn which rake is better to buy and which is not.
