How to choose Screening Rake

Rake

Choosing a Screening Rake? We created this guide, so you can find the best Screening Rakes on the market.

We’ve analyzed all of the Screening Rakes on the market, looking at reviews, cost, ease of purchase, and many other factors.

Thus, we have compiled a ranking of the best Screening Rakes.

Screening Rake
What is Screening Rake?

This is a type of landscape rake used to level large areas of dirt, mulch, gravel, and other yard materials.

Screening Rake: In a nutshell

  • To keep your yard looking neat, you need a good rake to keep things in order.
  • Use to level soil, break up clumps of soil, and spreading topsoil, compost, or gravel.

Landscape Rake

A landscape rake is a general term for rakes with a larger level rake head. These wide rake heads range in width from 20 to 36 inches, and because of their size, the heads and handles are often made of lighter materials such as aluminum. Rakes of this size are designed to level large areas of cultivated soil and spread large amounts of sand or soil with ease.

Best Landscape & Screening Rake

Midwest Rake Head Screening Rake

Midwest Rake Head Screening Rake

Features:

  • Heavy-duty aluminum head and wrap-around bracing.
  • 66″ powder-coated aluminum handle with vinyl grip.
  • Head size is 48″.

Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake

Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake

Features:

  • Features long, rounded teeth provide a smooth, non gouging raking action, while its striking edge is excellent for grading.
  • It has a solid alumum plug in the head to handle connection; measures 66-inch length by 46-inch width by 4-inch height.
  • Strong wrap around bracng and heavy-duty double rib consuction maxizes head stability.

BSN Sports Aluminum Maintenance Rake

BSN Sports Aluminum Maintenance Rake

Features:

  • Long 58 in. handle makes it easy to rake the dirt without straining your back.
  • Use to keep the infield dirt on the baseball or softball field in playing condition.
  • Oversize teeth can easily rake through the dirt and disperse clumps.
  • Smooth side of the rake allows the dirt to be leveled to an even surface.

Midwest Rake Screening Rake

Midwest Rake Screening Rake

Features:

  • 36″ width high-grade aluminum / magnesium alloy head.
  • 66″ x 1-1/8″ diameter blue powder-coated aluminum handle with 6″ green non-slip vinyl grip.
  • Wrap-around bracing.
  • Non-gouging rounded teeth.

A.M. Leonard Straight Rake with Ash Handle

A.M. Leonard Straight Rake with Ash Handle

Features:

  • Handle is lacquered for weather resistance, and set deep into the welded socket.
  • Welded and reinforced ‘T’ connection at head.
  • Steelhead and teeth are forged for no tooth breakage.
  • Head is 16.5 inches wide, teeth are 2.75 inches long.
  • Use to level soil, break up clumps of soil, and spreading topsoil, compost, or gravel.

‎Track Emporium Track & Field Rake

‎Track Emporium Track & Field Rake

Features:

  • 24 inch Infield rake.
  • Sturdy. Aluminum. Won’t rust.
  • One side has long sturdy teeth to break up uneven surfaces. The other side is for grooming and leveling playing surfaces.
  • A great choice for all playing surfaces. Baseball softball track & field even golf sand pits.

How to choose a Landscape Rake?

A rake is a tool that is simple in design and operation. Usually, there are no problems with its choice. Nevertheless, a few simple tips can still help you:

  • Steel and galvanized tools are considered the most durable.
  • For work on a large territory, it is more effective to use wide models, and for flower beds, a narrow grip is in preference.
  • The telescopic handle will allow you to set the optimal length of the tool for the height of each family member.

Note: It is believed that the optimal length have models in which, if you put them vertically, the handle reaches just under the armpit.

  • The wooden handle should not have any visible damage, such as chips, knots or burrs.
  • The handle should have a zero-play fit, and the tool itself, even if assembled from separate parts, should feel monolithic.

Using a Screening Rake

Mostly, landscape rakes are used for spreading and leveling ground covers, typically over fairly large areas. They are usually strong enough to be used with a variety of ground coverings.

Leveling or grading the soil

Landscape rakes have very large heads, so they can cover large areas. The flat side of the head of a landscape rake is ideal for leveling or grading ground surfaces, such as soil. This prepares the area for work such as planting or laying down a lawn. The wide head allows you to move a large amount of soil at one time.

Spreading gravel and rocks

Landscape rakes are designed to move heavy ground cover such as gravel. Landscape rakes are typically strong enough to move harder materials such as rocks and gravel.

Spreading and mixing compost

The large head of the landscape rake can easily move and spread these materials. The tines can be used to dig into the soil, mix compost or mulch into the topsoil, and level the surface. They will also be able to remove rocks and other unwanted materials from the soil.

Debris removal

A landscape rake will help remove debris from the site. It is good to clean the ground from fallen branches, pine needles, pulled weeds.

Removing pond weed

Landscape rakes can be used in ponds and lakes to remove algae and other aquatic plant material.

Screening Rake Buying Criteria

Head Width

The best head width for a rake will depend on where you need to use it. For example, leveling soil on long driveways will take less time if the rake has a wide head. However, larger heads will be heavier, so you may get tired faster. If you’re working around bushes or in other hard-to-reach areas, you’ll need a rake with a smaller head, such as a hand rake.

Handle

Landscape rake handles can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, fiberglass, and aluminum.

  • Wood: Wooden handles are durable, but they add significantly to the price of a garden rake. They can also be on the heavy side.
  • Fiberglass: Extremely lightweight, fiberglass can be a big plus if you use your landscape rake frequently. However, of all the handle materials, fiberglass is probably the least durable.
  • Aluminum: Despite its high price, aluminum is strong and lightweight, making it a popular handle choice.

To make it easy for you to handle the rake, it should be the right length and weight.

Weight

Rakes should be heavy enough for you to perform your tasks, but light enough that you can hold them comfortably. Rakes designed for heavier jobs will often be relatively heavy because they need to be sturdy. The materials from which the rake is made affect its overall weight. Steel parts mean that a rake can be quite heavy. Aluminum and wood will be lighter but weaker than steel, and fiberglass is the lightest material. Most rakes have the head and handle made of different materials. You may want a rake with a fairly strong head but a lighter handle, depending on the tasks you will be using it for and how strong the rake needs to be.

Screening Rake Price:

Screening Rake under $100:

  • Midwest Rake Screening Rake;
  • Midwest Rake 48″ Head Screening Rake;
  • A.M. Leonard Straight Rake with Ash Handle.

Screening Rake under $80:

  • Track Emporium Track & Field Rake;
  • BSN Sports Aluminum Maintenance Rake;
  • Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake.

FAQ about Screening Rake

Do landscape rakes need to be cleaned?

Yes. Rinse off dirt and other debris at the end of use. For stubborn materials, use a damp cloth to wipe the tines clean. Dry the rake thoroughly and store it in a cool place in a shed or garage.

Does a landscape rake fold up or otherwise break down for easy transport or storage?

While you may find one or two landscape rakes that fold or break down, most do not.

David West is an experienced gardener and former salesman at a garden tools and supplies store. He has tended his own garden plot for many years and has extensive knowledge of plant care, landscaping and garden design.

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