In short: A rake is an attachment with closely spaced tines that screens stones, roots and debris out of soil, leaving cleaner soil behind. It's similar to a skeleton bucket and a screening bucket, but it's especially well suited to quickly processing larger volumes.

What is a rake and when does it fit the job?

A rake grabs a wide layer of soil and shakes it through its closely spaced tines, letting finer soil fall through while larger stones, root fragments and debris stay on the rake. It's a fast way to process a large volume of soil or debris.

Preparing land for landscaping: removing stones and roots before spreading soil or laying a lawn.
Tidying fields and meadows: collecting stones and branch debris over a larger area.
Clearing a cleared area: picking up roots and smaller pieces of wood after felling.

Rake, skeleton bucket or screening bucket?

These three do similar work, but differ in volume and precision:

Rake: the fastest for processing large volumes, but less precise with fine detail.
Skeleton bucket: fits well if you also want to load with the bucket at the same time - see our skeleton bucket article.
Screening bucket: fits well if you also want to level the surface right away - see our screening bucket article.

What should you check when choosing?

Tine spacing: the closer the tines, the smaller the stones that get caught, but the slower the finer soil passes through.
Machine weight and quick coupler: size must match the machine and the quick coupler, just like with a bucket.

A common mistake

A rake is sometimes used to try to break up hard, undug ground. A rake isn't meant for digging - it screens soil that's already loose, not for breaking hard ground.