Owners of summer cottages and personal plots know that in order to get a good harvest in the fall, you need to take good care of the site. And this work includes not only constant watering, but also soil fertilization, its aeration, constant weeding. In order for this work not to cause difficulties, not cause fatigue and bring joy, you need a good inventory. Therefore, every summer resident needs to have good and high-quality garden pitchforks in his arsenal. With their help, you can not only remove grass and debris, but besides that, they are able to dig, loosen the soil and scatter manure.
Content
This garden tool is a handle and a working part consisting of several teeth. The diameter of the cutting varies from 3 to 5 cm, and its length reaches about 1.5 meters. There are also elongated models, where the length can reach 2.5 meters. Wooden cuttings are made from ash, birch or oak, in addition, aluminum is sometimes used.
The working part of the tool is made of stainless, high-carbon steel, which has a protective coating or tool steel, which has undergone heat treatment. Also, this part can be either forged or welded. The teeth at the base have a diameter of 5 to 10 mm, and towards the ends they taper to 2 or 4 mm.
Thus, the total weight of such a garden tool reaches 1.5 or 2 kg. This parameter will depend on the materials and size of the fixture.
There are several varieties of such a garden tool. They differ in scope and therefore have their own characteristics. Therefore, in order for the work to be not only effective, but also not to take a lot of effort, you should select the appropriate tool.
So, digging garden pitchforks can be attributed to the first category. They are quite massive in appearance and have a solid construction. With their help, you can easily dig the ground. And working with them is easier than with a shovel. During operation, the earth will not stick to the working part of the fork, and the base of the fork passes into the ground more easily than with a shovel. At the same time, digging the ground with a pitchfork reduces the possibility of injuring earthworms, which bring a lot of benefits to the summer cottage.Also, with such an aggregate, you can not only dig, but also make punctures in the soil, thanks to which oxygen will be supplied to the roots of the plants, which is necessary for good growth. Digging forks can easily get rid of weeds. Their strong teeth easily penetrate the soil and separate the plant from the root, so you can weed a large area of land in a matter of minutes.
Forks are used to carry hay, grass or when harvesting. Their distinguishing feature is that the teeth have a slightly curved shape. Due to this, the center of gravity shifts slightly, which makes work easier. Sometimes in such models, the outer teeth are slightly longer than those in the middle. This is done to better capture and carry dry vegetation.
The third option for garden pitchforks is manure or utility. From the name itself it is clear that such a tool is designed to work with manure. Their design makes it quite easy to carry around the site and scatter manure or humus over the beds. But since these fertilizers are quite heavy, the tool has its own characteristics. The working part here is reinforced teeth that can withstand heavy loads and do not bend under weight. Also, their shape is more curved than other fork models, while the tool looks like a bucket. Due to this, the summer resident will transfer a large amount of fertilizer at a time and will not lose part along the way.
The forks, which have balls on the teeth, are designed for harvesting. Such a tool is called ball or potato. With such a tool, it is easy to penetrate the soil, and due to the balls at the ends of the teeth, all the fruits will remain intact.Of course, at first glance it will seem that it will be faster and more convenient to work with a shovel, but after trying a pitchfork, many will change their mind. When working with a ball option, all the earth will pass through the teeth, which will significantly reduce harvest time. Such a tool is most often used to collect potatoes, but it can also be used to collect beets and carrots. In addition, such a pitchfork can be used to reload the harvested crop.
In addition, there is a version of the tool that combines a pitchfork and a shovel. Here the working part has teeth, but their ends are combined. Such a fork-shovel is used for digging up a land plot that is overgrown with weeds. Due to the fact that the end of the tool has a part like a shovel, the unit easily copes with penetration into the ground and cuts through the roots of plants.
Also, products are classified according to the method of manufacturing the working part. If this part of the tool is made from a single piece of steel, then such a pitchfork is considered to be forged. The second option is welded. In that case, the extreme teeth and the base of the working part are a single piece, to which the middle teeth are welded. Such an option would be a cheap forged tool.
Each version of the fork, depending on the design of the teeth and their number, is designed to perform a certain type of work. If the forks are needed for digging the earth, then you should pay attention to the product of a classic design with 4 or 5 teeth. For cleaning grass or spreading manure, it is better to pay attention to a product with widely spaced teeth. In this case, do not forget about the design of the working element. A more reliable option would be forged.But if you buy a product of a welded structure, then you need to carefully examine the seams, they should not have cracks or cavities. Otherwise, the tool will not last long.
You also need to pay attention to the material from which the working part is made. High carbon steel forks are great for working in clayey soil or carrying heavy muck. Since this material is highly durable. If the tool will be used to work with light soil, then the working part made of tool steel will cope with this task. If the buyer will use the pitchfork for harvesting grass, leaves or throwing hay, then you can pay attention to stainless steel. But whatever the working part is made of, it is important that it has a protective coating. Without this, the metal will quickly rust and become unusable.
Do not disregard the stalk of the pitchfork. It can be made from metal, wood or plastic. Metal cuttings are considered the most durable and resistant to wear. But such products will be quite heavy, a person will quickly get tired of working with such a tool. Wood cuttings are very popular. Here you need to look so that there are no notches and cracks on the product. Otherwise, when working, it will be possible to injure your hands. In order for the wooden handle to last as long as possible, it must have a varnish coating. Plastic cuttings are lightweight, a quality product will be resistant to mechanical stress, and working with such a tool will not require much physical exertion. But at the same time, any cutting should fit snugly against the working part.
You also need to look at the length of the pitchfork.This criterion will also depend on what work is planned to be performed by this tool. If the summer resident plans to dig with a pitchfork, then the optimal length will be 120 cm. For cleaning foliage or grass, it is better to take an aggregate with a total length of 150 cm. If you plan to work with hay, then it will be more convenient to work with a tool that has an elongated handle. In addition, there are models where the manufacturer installed a telescopic handle. So each summer resident can easily adjust the tool to suit his height.
Well, in addition, you can pay attention to the rubber pads on the handle. With their help, calluses will not appear on the hands when working. Also, the presence of a D-shaped handle will not be superfluous. It will make your workflow easier.
This product will easily help to loosen or dig the ground. You can also use it to remove garbage, move goods and even harvest. Therefore, "Palisad 63802" can be considered a universal pitchfork.
The manufacturer made the working part of the tool from medium carbon steel. In order for the tool not to suffer from corrosion over time, the manufacturer covered the working part with protective enamel. "Palisad 63802" has 4 triangular teeth. The shank is made of top grade wood and has a lacquer finish. The diameter of the handle is 3.6 cm. Also, for added convenience, the manufacturer added a V-shaped handle. The total length of the product is 125 cm, and the weight is 1.9 kg.
The average cost is 975 rubles.
With the help of such a unit, you can till the soil or remove garbage. The teeth are highly durable and can withstand heavy loads. Thanks to the protective coating, they will serve their owner for a long time. "Fiskars Solid 1026687" have four round teeth, they penetrate the soil without much effort.
The handle of this model is made of durable plastic. For greater convenience, there is an additional handle. You can use "Fiskars Solid 1026687" both with gloves and with bare hands. At the same time, after a long work, the owner will not have corns. The diameter of the handle is 3 cm, which ensures a comfortable grip when working.
The total length of "Fiskars Solid 1026687" is 120.5 cm, and the weight is 1.9 kg.
The average cost is 1500 rubles.
With the help of "Gardena NatureLine 17002-20" you can not only dig, but also remove the soil from the beds, while the plants and their roots will not be harmed. The working part of a pitchfork is made of the tempered steel, and for additional protection there is a special covering. Thanks to this, the tool will cope with heavy loads.
The handle is made of ash wood and has a D-shaped handle. Do not disregard the ergonomic shape of the handle, due to this it fits comfortably in the hand, and the work does not cause difficulties. The handle and the working part of the unit are firmly connected to each other with a reliable fastening.
The length of "Gardena NatureLine 17002-20" is 117 cm, and the weight is 2.2 kg.
The average cost is 2150 rubles.
This product has 4 teeth. The width of the working part reaches 22 cm, thanks to which such an aggregate is convenient when working with compost or manure. The working part is made of stainless steel, it does the tool reliable and practical. Even with frequent explantation of such pitchforks, they will serve their owner for a long time.
The handle is made of durable wood, its diameter is 40 mm. It is worth noting that during operation the tool will not slip in the hands and thus will not cause unnecessary inconvenience to the owner.
The total length of such a tool is 150 cm, and the weight is 1.52 kg.
The average cost is 400 rubles.
This product is a four-horned fork with a welded structure. With their help, you can easily scatter manure over the beds, as well as clean mowed grass or make hay.
The working part of this model is made of durable steel, its width is 20 cm. The handle is made of birch. When working, the tool will not slip out of your hands. You can work with or without gloves. The fastening of the handle and the working part is quite reliable, thanks to which the product is not afraid of active use.
The height of the "Gigant G-01-06-12-003" is 145 cm, and the weight is 700 grams.
The average cost is 300 rubles.
For the manufacture of the body and the working part of this model, the manufacturer used medium carbon steel. Also, these structural elements are covered with powder enamel. This will protect the product from corrosion and other harmful environmental factors. The height of the working part is 32 cm.
The handle "Palisad 63801" is made of the highest grade of elm, and is covered with a matte varnish on top. Thanks to this, the product will not only retain its presentable appearance for a long time, but will also be comfortable when working. On top of the handle there is a handle made of polypropylene. The presence of a handle reduces the load during work. The diameter of the handle is 40 mm, and the total length of the tool is 125 cm. The working part is attached to the handle with glue and rivets, which is very reliable even with frequent use.
The average cost is 1100 rubles.
For the manufacture of the working part of this model, the manufacturer used high-quality steel. Due to the fact that there are hardened blades, as well as a cover against corrosion, the operation will be comfortable, reliable and long. It is also worth noting that the steel for the manufacture of the working part has undergone special processing, due to this, the teeth will not deform and break, even under heavy loads.
For the manufacture of the handle, the manufacturer used the highest quality wood. It also has a D-shaped handle, which improves the grip of the tool and reduces the load during operation.Due to the ergonomic design, the handle fits comfortably in the hand and does not slip during operation. To prolong the service life of the pitchfork, the manufacturer covered the handle with a varnish layer.
The average cost is 3500 rubles.
The right tool will make it easier to do many jobs in the garden or in the country. The garden forks presented in the rating are reliable, easy to use and have positive customer reviews. Thanks to this, you can not doubt the quality of these products.