Article: Respect the rake - and your back, too Respect the rake - and your back, too - when tackling autumn's leaves.(At Home)

YOU COULD BE called the lawn Luddites. You're the holdouts who shun leaf blowers and lawn vacuums, the hardy types who find satisfaction in the scrape of tines on grass.

You're the leaf rakers, and we salute you.

We'd also like to make your job a little easier and your backs less sore. Here are tips on the right equipment, the proper technique and some ideas about what to do with the fruits of your labor - the leaves:

What feels good

Let's start with the rake.

They come in a variety of sizes, but unlike a lawn-mower blade, wider isn't necessarily better, said Jim Maffei, senior product manager for tool maker Ames True Temper ...

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