Landscape Rakes

About Landscape Rakes

Landscape rakes are essential wide-headed tools designed for levelling and grading large areas of soil, gravel, sand, and other loose materials. Unlike standard garden rakes, landscape rakes feature extra-wide heads typically ranging from 24 to 36 inches, allowing you to cover substantially more ground with each stroke. These specialist rakes are invaluable for site preparation, lawn installation, driveway surfacing, and general landscaping work where speed and efficiency matter.

Most professional landscape rakes feature aluminium heads for the perfect balance of strength and lightweight manoeuvrability, paired with either wooden or fibreglass handles for durability and comfort during extended use. The wide, straight-edged design allows you to achieve a level finish quickly, making them particularly effective for spreading topsoil, smoothing gravel paths, and preparing ground for turf laying. Quality landscape rakes from trusted brands like Roughneck, Draper, and Faithfull are built to withstand the rigours of daily professional use whilst remaining accessible for serious DIY enthusiasts tackling larger garden projects.

Whether you're a groundworker preparing a site, a landscaper creating the perfect lawn base, or a homeowner renovating your garden, a landscape rake dramatically reduces the time and effort required for levelling tasks. The wider working area means fewer passes, less fatigue, and a more consistent finish across large areas that would be impractical to achieve with conventional rakes.

Jargon Buster

• Landscape Rake - A wide-headed rake, typically 24 to 36 inches across, specifically designed for levelling and grading large areas of loose materials such as soil, gravel, or sand.
• Aluminium Head - The rake head material of choice for landscape rakes, offering excellent durability and rust resistance whilst keeping the tool lightweight enough for extended use without excessive fatigue.
• Grading - The process of levelling ground to create an even surface or a controlled gradient for drainage purposes, one of the primary functions of a landscape rake.
• FSC Handle - Forest Stewardship Council certified wooden handle, indicating the timber comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
• Tine Spacing - The distance between individual rake teeth, which affects how the tool interacts with different materials. Wider spacing is better for moving larger aggregates, whilst closer spacing provides finer finishing.
• Working Width - The effective width of the rake head, determining how much area you can cover with each stroke. Professional landscape rakes typically offer working widths between 600mm and 900mm.

Who Uses Landscape Rakes?

• Professional Landscapers - For site preparation, lawn installation, and general ground levelling work
• Groundworkers - Preparing and grading sites before construction work begins
• Gardeners and Garden Maintenance Contractors - Creating level surfaces for new lawns and garden features
• Sports Ground Maintenance Teams - Preparing and maintaining playing surfaces, particularly for sports pitches and golf courses
• Highway Maintenance Workers - Spreading and levelling gravel on paths and driveways
• Agricultural Workers - Levelling areas around farm buildings and preparing paddock surfaces
• DIY Enthusiasts - Tackling larger garden renovation projects, driveway installation, or lawn preparation
• Local Authority Grounds Teams - Maintaining public parks, verges, and recreational areas

How to Choose the Right Landscape Rakes

Working Width: Consider the size of areas you typically work on. A 24-inch (600mm) rake offers better manoeuvrability in confined spaces and around obstacles, whilst 36-inch (900mm) models maximise efficiency on large open areas. For most professional landscaping work, a 36-inch rake provides the best balance of coverage and control.

Head Material: Aluminium heads are the professional standard, offering excellent durability without excessive weight. They resist rust and corrosion, essential for tools regularly exposed to damp soil and aggregates. Steel heads are occasionally available but add considerable weight, leading to faster fatigue during extended use.

Handle Material and Length: Wooden handles, particularly FSC-certified hardwood, provide traditional comfort and shock absorption. Fibreglass handles offer enhanced durability and weather resistance. Standard handle lengths range from 1500mm to 1800mm—choose based on your height and typical working posture to minimise back strain.

Build Quality: Check the connection between head and handle, as this is the primary stress point. Quality landscape rakes feature secure socket connections with rivets or through-bolts. Brands like Roughneck, Draper Expert, and Faithfull are known for robust construction that withstands professional site work.

Application Specifics: Consider what materials you'll primarily be working with. Finer tine spacing works better for finishing work with topsoil and sand, whilst wider spacing is more effective for moving gravel and larger aggregates without clogging.

Popular Accessories

• Wheelbarrows and Dumpers - Essential for transporting materials to and from the areas you're levelling
• Spirit Levels and Laser Levels - For checking grade accuracy and ensuring proper drainage falls
• Measuring Tapes and Site Squares - Accurately marking out areas requiring levelling
• Landscaping Shovels and Spades - Moving larger quantities of material before fine levelling with the rake
• Garden Rollers - Compacting soil after levelling, particularly important for lawn preparation
• Work Gloves - Quality padded gloves reduce hand fatigue during extended raking sessions
• String Lines and Pegs - Marking level lines and boundaries for accurate grading
• Tool Storage Solutions - Keeping long-handled tools organised and protected on site or in the van

Safety Information

Whilst landscape rakes are relatively simple hand tools, proper usage is important to prevent injury. Always maintain a comfortable, balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart to avoid back strain during extended use. When working on slopes, position yourself uphill of the rake to maintain control and prevent the tool sliding towards you.

Wear appropriate PPE including sturdy work boots with steel toe caps to protect against dropped tools or hidden debris in the material being raked. Safety gloves prevent blisters and provide better grip, particularly important when working with wooden handles that may develop splinters over time.

Be aware of buried services when working on new sites—always check for underground cables, pipes, and other utilities before beginning work. Store landscape rakes with heads down or hung on wall brackets to prevent trip hazards, and inspect handles regularly for cracks or splits that could cause the head to detach during use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a landscape rake and a normal garden rake?

Landscape rakes feature much wider heads, typically 24 to 36 inches compared to 12 to 16 inches for standard garden rakes. This extra width allows you to level large areas much more quickly and efficiently. Landscape rakes are designed specifically for moving and levelling loose materials like soil, gravel, and sand, whilst garden rakes are better suited to gathering leaves, grass clippings, and general garden debris.

Can I use a landscape rake for spreading gravel on my driveway?

Absolutely—this is one of the primary uses for landscape rakes. The wide head allows you to spread and level gravel efficiently, creating an even surface with proper drainage. For best results, spread gravel in layers of approximately 50mm, raking level between each layer. A 36-inch landscape rake is ideal for driveway work, significantly reducing the time required compared to using a standard rake or shovel alone.

Which width should I choose—24 inch or 36 inch?

For large open areas like lawns, playing fields, or driveways, a 36-inch rake maximises efficiency by covering more ground with each stroke. However, if you frequently work in smaller gardens with flower beds, pathways, and obstacles, a 24-inch rake offers better manoeuvrability. Many professional landscapers keep both sizes available, selecting the appropriate tool for each specific job.

How do I maintain my landscape rake?

After each use, remove any soil or debris from the head and wipe down with a dry cloth. For aluminium heads, occasional cleaning with soapy water prevents build-up of corrosive materials. Store in a dry location, ideally hung up or with the head off the ground to prevent moisture damage to wooden handles. Check the head-to-handle connection regularly and tighten any loose fixings. With proper care, a quality landscape rake will provide many years of reliable service.

Are landscape rakes suitable for DIY use or just professionals?

Landscape rakes are excellent for DIY enthusiasts tackling garden renovation, lawn installation, or driveway projects. Whilst they're essential professional tools for landscapers and groundworkers, the efficiency gains make them equally valuable for homeowners working on larger areas. The investment in a quality landscape rake quickly pays for itself in time saved and better results compared to using standard garden tools for levelling work.