Leaf rakes are specifically designed for gathering leaves and other very lightweight debris.
Gathering leaves
Leaf rakes are designed to gather fallen leaves from gardens and pathways. With their wide heads, you can sweep and move lots of leaves at a time. With a scooping leaf rake, you can also lift piles of leaves, making them easy to dispose of. For gathering leaves around plants or in small spaces, there are leaf rakes with particularly narrow heads, often called shrub rakes.
Gathering grass clippings
Leaf rakes can be used to gather grass clippings because they are also lightweight. Leaf rakes with closely spaced tines will be most effective at this as there is less space for small pieces to slip through them.
Spreading topsoil, grass seeds or fertiliser
Leaf rakes with strong plastic tines can be used to spread thin layers of topsoil, grass seeds, or fertiliser over lawns. If the leaf rake has weaker tines they can easily be damaged if moved over uneven surfaces.