| Telescoping garden tools have improved in recent | | | | lifting and moving large amounts quickly. |
| years, and there are now several new types on | | | | Rakes |
| the market. Before I explain the various types of | | | | The two most common rakes are bow rakes and |
| telescoping garden tools, let's first define | | | | leaf rakes. Bow rakes usually have 14 to 16 tines, |
| telescopic tools. Telescopic means that some part | | | | and are typically 12 to 16 inches wide. Strong, |
| (usually the handle) is retractable for ease of | | | | forged steel is the best construction for bow |
| storage or transport, and in some cases, can be | | | | rakes as they endure quite a bit of strain and |
| extended to various lengths for different types | | | | wear. |
| of work applications. | | | | Leaf rakes come in a variety of designs, and |
| There are several types of telescopic garden | | | | those made with high grade steel construction |
| tools that come in a variety of sizes. | | | | are, by far, the most durable. Plastic and cheaper |
| Shovels | | | | steel can be used, but these materials don't |
| The three most common types of telescopic | | | | typically last long. |
| shovels are garden shovels, spades and scoop | | | | Lopping Shears and Tree Saws |
| shovels. Garden shovels are heart shaped and | | | | There are several different types of lopping |
| have a round point head. Spades are different | | | | shears and various types of tree saws that are |
| than garden shovels and are used for different | | | | available in telescoping designs. There are even |
| work. | | | | electric and gas powered tree saws, so the key |
| The end of a spade is shaped like a rectangle and | | | | is to know the type of work you will typically be |
| it has a straight flat blade. A spade also has a | | | | doing. Lopping shears are usually good for cutting |
| shallow pan, since it is not used for scooping. | | | | branches up to two inches, and the various types |
| Spades are great for slicing through dirt and other | | | | of tree saws will handle much larger branches. |
| material and for trenching. A carbon steel blade is | | | | When buying telescoping garden tools, make sure |
| probably the most long lasting type of shovel, but | | | | you select tools with professional grade materials |
| tempered steel doesn't rust and it also weighs | | | | and highly durable construction. Well made garden |
| less. | | | | tools can last for decades, and indeed, some even |
| Scoop shovels have a deep pan and are great for | | | | come with lifetime warranties. Remember, you |
| shoveling grain or snow. Scoop shovels are | | | | get what you pay for, so pay a little more for |
| typically made of tempered steel or aluminum, | | | | tools that will last. |
| which is light weight. Scoop shovels are used for | | | | |