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