Looking at clearing some trails and there are a lot of leaves that slow down the flow. Clearing leaves can’t be a bad thing I doubt I can get into trouble for it.

Just wondering if anybody has any experience or recommendations with/for folding rakes.

Have not seen a folding rake – but Fiskars make some really lightweight aluminium spades that I swear by and their wire-head-rakes (sort of retractable head-spreads [like a peacocks tail]) look like they would be suitably durable.

Do you know of anywhere to get more advice on trail maintenance? I have seen a few spots lately which could use an afternoon of TLC – but I am put off because I imagine I would be beset by people in red socks frowing… Locations I have in mind are out of the way footpaths etc. which are really fscked and I would only really be ‘improving’ small patches. Any idea?

Most of the bits I have seen are well out of the way of the red sock brigade. And at the moment the only time I will have to do it is in the dark. This is good because nobody else is around but its a bit harder to see and plan. If your doing it on footpaths I would say do it at night.

I’ve used a telescopic fan rake in the past!

this looks pretty coolhttp://www.pinkbike.com/news/Trail-Boss-Packable-Trail-Tool-2012.html

I use an old rake head with a short handle fastened with a bolt and wing nut. It does mean you have to lean a bit to use it but the head fits in my pack and the handle can be bungeed to the frame.

there are a lot of leaves that slow down the flow.

Leaves slow you down? 🙄 Do you work for network rail?

Why not leave things alone?

bruneep they are deep leaves and there are also a lot of pine needles, I just want to get down to the grippy soil.

Cotic I had not thought of that good idea.

I have found this and it looks just the ticket, however I can only see it in America.

i use a stiff yard brush at herts

Actually tell a lie I just found this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darlac-Telescopic-Expanding-Rake/dp/B003N6ZZUS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329986530&sr=8-3

bruneep – 

Leaves slow you down?  Do you work for network rail?
I do though 🙁

The ones using thick wire will bend as soon as you hit a root or something solid. Cotic853 ‘shorty’ idea is sound but a mcleod head is more useful if you can get hold of one.

I_Ache – those rakes you picture above are in all the shops around me.
B&Q, Focus, independents, etc. About £5 iirc.
I have one, but it struggles with the length of the wires – they just bounce and deflect off everything.
That’s just trying to rake rough grass. I’ve no idea how useful it would be for trails.

Hmm didn’t think of them bouncing around, just that they would be easier to carry. Might go for a shortie system, looks like my bag might start to get a little heavy.