Bosch ALR 900 Review – Electric Lawn Raker, UniversalRake

Bosch ALR 900 Review
Bosch ALR 900
Performance/Cut Quality
94
Features
96
Durability
96
Value
96
Warranty/Support
94
What I Like
Manufacturered by a well-known brand that we can trust.
Powerful 900 Watt Motor.
Large 50 Litre Collection Box.
Handles Fold for Easy Storage.
2 Year Warranty.
What I Don't Like
Only 4 height settings.
95
My Overall Rating

Bosch ALR 900 Review

Summary

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900W

The Bosch ALR 900 is one of the best selling lawn rakes in the UK right now, but does it live up to the Bosch reputation for quality and functionality? Well, find out in my review below!

After the hottest summer for many years in the UK we are now at that time of year where the lawn mower gets put away and out comes the lawn rake.

Below you will learn about all the great (and not so great) features of the Bosch ALR 900 lawn rake. This raker is built in the UK. Why dose this matter? well, customer service, warranty, quality and the availability of spare parts are second to none.

When looking at a product of this type, it’s good to compare it to something that claims to be a similar product. I decided to compare it to the Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400 Electric Lawnrake to understand what makes either of these electric rakes stand out in terms of performance, build quality and value for money. Both the Bosch and Flymo rakes are of a similar price and size (32cm and 34cm rake width), both use a cylinder rake, however, the Bosch has slightly more power at 900 W compared to 750 W of the Flymo.

By the end of this review you’ll know exactly which one to choose for your garden.

The purpose of a lawn rake is to free your lawn from moss, weeds, thatch and leaves, and I can honestly say that once you have used an electric lawn rake you will wonder how you ever managed without one.

Early indications are that the Bosch ALR 900 is indeed packed with features found in more higher end lawn rakes and certainly has the ability to remove moss, weeds, thatch and leaves from your lawn at a very fast rate, we will look into why later in this review.

Below I’ll be detailing all the features and functions of the Bosch ALR 900, both good and not so good and then comparing to the Flymo so you understand exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Main Features:

    • Rating: 9.5/10
    • 900 Watt Motor
    • Rake Width: 32 cm
    • Weight: 9.4 kg
    • Number of Raking Height: 4 (+10/+5/0/-5 mm)
    • Grass box capacity: 50 L
    • 10 Double Steel Tines

To give you a visual representation of the Bosch ALR 900 please watch the video below:

 

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Power System

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900W

The Bosch ALR 900 Lawn Raker comes with a powerful 900W high-torque ‘Powerdrive’ motor.

The PowerDrive system uses an innovative gear set that work together to provide extra torque when needed. When the lawn is longer or there is thicker moss or thatch the Bosch automatically increases torque to deal with this. With other lawn rakes you can hear the motor slowing and struggling to deal with the tough lawn or patch and you find yourself having to raise the lawn rake to allow the motor to return to max speed. The ‘Powerdrive’ motor is a great feature that is not found on some other lawn rakes in this price range.

Also, the power system is completely electric so it produces zero emissions and is one of the more quiet lawn rakes. Which is quieter? well there’s not much between them but I would say the Bosch  is slightly quieter than the Flymo.

The great thing about a lawn rake is, they take the back breaking work out of scarifying your lawn by hand and getting it looking great in autumn and spring. No more sweat, back ache and blisters, nice!


Model Comparison

Best Quality/Build
Bosch Home and Garden 060088A071 Electric Lawn Raker UniversalRake 900...
Best Performance
Bosch Home and Garden Electric Verticutter UniversalVerticut 1100...
Best Value
Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400 Electric Lawnrake, 750 W, Cutting Width 34...
Product
Bosch Home and Garden 060088A071 Electric Lawn Raker UniversalRake 900...
Bosch Home and Garden Electric Verticutter UniversalVerticut 1100...
Flymo Compact 3400 Electric Lawnrake
Raking width
32 cm
32 cm
34 cm
Raking heights
4
4
6
Motor power
900 W
1100 W
750 W
Collector volume
50 L
50 L
34 L
Weight
9.4 kg
10 kg
10 kg
Drum system
10 double steel tines
14 rotating BOR steel blades
21 left tines and 21 right tines
Price
£188.00
£194.95
Price not available
Prime Benefits
-
-
-
Best Quality/Build
Bosch Home and Garden 060088A071 Electric Lawn Raker UniversalRake 900...
Product
Bosch Home and Garden 060088A071 Electric Lawn Raker UniversalRake 900...
Raking width
32 cm
Raking heights
4
Motor power
900 W
Collector volume
50 L
Weight
9.4 kg
Drum system
10 double steel tines
Price
£188.00
Prime Benefits
-
More Information
Full Review
Best Performance
Bosch Home and Garden Electric Verticutter UniversalVerticut 1100...
Product
Bosch Home and Garden Electric Verticutter UniversalVerticut 1100...
Raking width
32 cm
Raking heights
4
Motor power
1100 W
Collector volume
50 L
Weight
10 kg
Drum system
14 rotating BOR steel blades
Price
£194.95
Prime Benefits
-
More Information
Full Review
Best Value
Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400 Electric Lawnrake, 750 W, Cutting Width 34...
Product
Flymo Compact 3400 Electric Lawnrake
Raking width
34 cm
Raking heights
6
Motor power
750 W
Collector volume
34 L
Weight
10 kg
Drum system
21 left tines and 21 right tines
Price
Price not available
Prime Benefits
-
More Information
Full Review

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Drum system

Bosch ALR 900 DrumThe Bosch ALR 900 is equipped with one 32cm drum with 10 double-wound metal tines that gives them two very effective benefits…

  1. Steel tines generally wear less quickly than plastic tines which results in you needing to replace the tines less often than a rake that uses plastic.
  2. ‘Jet Collect’ system – This is innovative from Bosch, the drum has profiled air inlets that helps to not only make the collection of thatch, moss or leaves more effective but also the addition air flow pressure helps to compact the debris into the drum preventing clogging and increasing the amount collected.

This again does put it slightly ahead of the Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400. Features found on some lawn rakes don’t make the job easier but are “nice to haves”. The Jet Collect system is clearly a feature that makes a real difference to the job in hand, the collection box capacity is increased and the ability to collect the debris is improved – Great job Bosch!

As with all lawn rakes the metal tines can be replaced by any competent DIY’er. This is one area where the Flymo performs better than the Bosch. The replacement of the tines on the Flymo Lawnrake Compact is very easy and well designed and are significantly cheaper than that of the Bosch. A set of replacement tines for the Bosch will cost around £20 but only £8 for the Flymo.

Replacement tines can be purchased easily for both the Bosch and Flymo from Amazon or good gardening store.

Bosch Tines For ALR 900 Lawn Raker (Pack of 10)


Height Adjustment

In order to combat the changing season and to continually improve the look of your lawn, you can adjust the height at which the Bosch ALR 900 rakes at. This is done using the lever located at the front sides of the mower.

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900W

It lets you choose to rake from anywhere between +10/+5/0/-5 mm with 4 separate raking heights. Just make sure you don’t set it at the shortest setting from the start when the lawn has significant growth, instead start at a much higher setting and gradually work your way down. This will help prevent scalping of your lawn.

Normally I would complain that levers mounted on the front wheels of a lawn rake are always more difficult to adjust than those mounted more centrally, however the design of the height adjustment lever on the Bosch seems to work very well. Bosch have managed to mount the lever out of the way in the front but still allow for the height to be adjusted easily, very nice!

Now, I feel that compared to the Flymo, the height adjustment on the Bosch is slightly inferior. The Flymo has 6 height adjustments (compared to only 4 on the Bosch) and there is a single height adjustment lever on the back wheels of the Flymo. This may sound trivial but something that’s worth a mention.


Raking Diameter

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900WThe raking diameter of this lawn rake may seem a little on the small side with only a 32cm capability, that is 2cm smaller than its rival the Flymo. Now, compared to it’s other counterparts with widths of up to 43cm, this might be a potential disadvantage; however, it could also be beneficial if it’s to be used in a smaller areas and lawns with more narrow strips.

When you need a lawn rake that’s light in weight and going to get in the smaller areas of your lawn, this may well be the best option. Yes, it will take longer to rake the entire area, but if it fits, and hey there’s no rush then the Bosch ALR 900 could be the electric lawn rake of choice. Remember this rake has a large 50 litre collection box so less stops to empty helps to get the job done quicker.

 


Collection box capacity

 

Bosch ALR 900 Grass BoxThe Bosch ALR 900 has a very impressive 50 litre grass box, now this may not sound large, but when compared the Flymo at just  34 litres you will see this is large for a lawn rake of this size.

The collection box on the Bosch attaches to the rear of the rake (like a lawn mower), this is the reason Bosch can achieve such a large collection box. The Flymo’s collection box is more integral to the rake, reducing the capacity. The advantage for the Flymo is smaller overall dimensions and the disadvantage is the relatively small collection storage.

Both rakes really are comparable when it comes to collection efficiency. Both collect the raked debris very well and its hard to see if one is better than the other. Also, they both compact the debris very well and you’ll be surprised just how much can be squashed into the collection box before the need to empty.

The ‘Jet Collect’ system on the Bosch does seem to, perhaps, just make it the slight winner when it comes to collection of wet leaves on the lawn for example. The flow of air produced by this system seems to help prevent clogging of the collection box inlet and slightly improves compaction.

The grass box on the Bosch ALR 900 does seem to be a little flimsy which is surprising for Bosch, having said that it does not seem to affect the performance in any way. I believe the collection box feels a little flimsy as it comes in two parts. Bosch have done this to reduce the storage space required for the collection box as it can be split into two sides when not in use.

There is no level indicator or vision window on the Bosch ALR 900 so it can be little difficult to know when the collection box is full. The Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400 does have a collection box window, this is a nice touch – well done Flymo.

Now, overall does the above make the Bosch better than the Flymo? Yes, not only the Flymo but almost all the lawn rakes we have tested. The Bosch ALR 900 will not disappoint when it comes to collection and emptying of the collected debris.


Practicalities

Now here’s the thing! Is the Bosch ALR 900 a practical lawn rake?  We know it performs extremely well getting the job done, but what about practicalities?

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900W

The light weight (9.4kg), small size and fold away handles make this lawn rake excellent for smaller lawns or lawns with smaller strips of grass. The 32 cm width seems to be just right when you need to navigate lawns with flower beds or narrow strips, however, if I had a very large open lawn I would consider a lawn rake with a larger width.

The compact size really will make lawn care much easier and really makes the entire experience much less dependent on you struggling with a heavy over sized lawn rake. Is it smaller and lighter than the Flymo? well, smaller yes, but roughly the same weight. The integrated collection box does make the Flymo smaller for storage but the comprise is the smaller collection box and the need to empty more often. Bosch have tried to compensate for the larger box by making the collection box dismantle into two pieces for smaller storage.

Does this make it more practical than it’s closest  competition? well, yes I think it does for people with smaller lawns and limited space for storage with the ability to get the job done without emptying the collection box as often. There is also a very handy and well positioned central handle that makes carrying the almost 10 kg  rake to the garage or shed very easy.

The Bosch ALR 900 also comes with a 2 year manufactures guarantee.


Safety Features

Most lawn rakes will only provide the dual button lever method of starting the device. This is to prevent the rake being started accidentally or by children. There is no additional safety feature such a removable safety keys as found on some lawn mowers.

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Bosch ALR 900 User Manual

You can download the Bosch ALR 900 user manual guide here

 


What’s Included in the box?

  • Lawnraker
  • Collection box
  • Instruction manual

Downsides

  1. This lawn rake can be a little tricky to assemble first time. It is only the handles that need assembling and once done all is good.
  2. Only 4 height settings. This is a shame as most of the Bosch’s competitors have at least 6 height settings.
  3. The handles once assembled can seem a little flimsy and insecure. Bosch have gone someway to resolving this by providing longer bolts to connect the handles.
  4. Single lever start stop handle. The Flymo has dual left right start stop handles.

Now the above may sound trivial and are common to most lawn rakes but should be taken into consideration anyway. They are part of the package and it’s better being aware of them before a purchase than after.


Conclusion

Bosch ALR 900 Review - Electric Lawn Raker, 900W

Overall this is an excellent electric lawn rake, due to it’s light weight, portability, good build quality and array of features.

I really struggled to find any major downsides to this rake, it even comes with a 2 year warranty if you register the rake with Bosch.

The extra features like the Bosch Powerdrive and the ‘Jet Collect’ system are not just nice to have features but features that improve the performance of the lawn rake and make that job that little bit easier, besides you want features that will help achieve a lovely looking lawn with least amount of work and effort.

The Bosch ALR Electric Lawn Raker is very proficient at raking varying lengths and thickness for such a small and compact raker, the only sight disadvantage is you only have 4 different height settings. It’s worth mentioning that by raking on a higher setting to start and trying to avoiding very long or wet grass this should avoid not putting too much strain on the motor.

With this lawn rake you’re getting features normally found in high priced rakes, this is not the cheapest but is a very reasonable priced for what you are getting.

But do I think it’s better than its closest competitors?

Yes I do!

At this price range this really gives great value for money and you would be very hard pressed to find an electric lawn rake that performs this well, and has such a good build quality for this price.

Overall I think this is a fantastic lawn rake and I encourage everyone who wants to take care of their lawn and wants to make light work of scarifying your lawn to purchase one. In fact I think it’s the best lawn rake at this level you can get right now!


Should You Buy This Model?

Well there are a few factors to consider first, whether or not you purchase this model really depends on your garden and situation.

To give you some guidance on which type of customer would suit this model best, below I’ve got a list of the categories they would fall under:

  • Their garden is less than 1500 m² in size
  • Like the convenience of having a rake that can be used for moss, thatch, weeds and leaves.
  • Their garden is split up into different areas, with smaller strips of lawn.
  • Storage is limited

Of course this is open to interpretation so if you don’t fall under every single one then don’t worry I’m sure you’ll still love this product. It has loads of great features that I’m sure you make use of even if you’re not its perfect customer.


Where should I purchase this model?

The Bosch ALR 900 lawn rake can be purchased from Amazon. Amazon have very competitive prices and fast delivery. If you are an Amazon prime member delivery is free and next day.

Click the link below to get the current price and see more reviews.

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Save £24.00
Bosch Home and Garden 060088A071 Electric Lawn Raker UniversalRake 900...
  • Ideal for raking and leaf collection with 4 height settings of +10mm to -5mm
  • Effective moss and thatch removal thanks to the carbon steel spring tines
  • Less frequent emptying due to the large 50 litre collection box
  • Compact storage enabled by twin-fold handles and stackable collection box
  • Scope of supply: UniversalRake 900, carton packaging

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Want to know the difference between the Bosch AVR 1100 and the ALR 900 Click Here


Additional Specifications
Working Area up to 1500 m²
Raking width 32 cm
Raking heights 4
Raking height max +10 mm
Raking height min -5 mm
Raking height adjustment Front sides
Collector volume 50 l
Motor power 900 W
Vision Window No
Vision Window No
Right or left start switch Right
Foldable handles Yes
Weight 9.4 kg
Drum system 10 double steel tines
Part Number 060088A070
EAN code 3165140512916
Product Dimensions 49 x 39 x 60 cm
Height when Folded 40 cm

Click here for more information and tips for scarifying your lawn.

Lawnmower Product Expert, Reviewer and Author at EasyLawnMowing.co.uk | 01284 615144 | info@easylawnmowing.co.uk | Website | + posts

As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.

Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.

With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.

7 thoughts on “Bosch ALR 900 Review – Electric Lawn Raker, UniversalRake”

    1. Hi Alan,

      Thanks for your message. Yes the Bosch ALR 900 does indeed have spring tines. They are double tines and there is a protruding arched metal loop that is used to secure the tine to the machine.

      They are easy to remove, and will need to be done one by one. They cannot be removed as a whole cassette as with some other makes and models. This allows you to replace the odd individual broken tine.

      Should you want to purchase this lawn rake, for convenience I have included a link below (affiliate link where I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you) –

      https://amzn.to/2PX8tnW

      Hope this helps
      Mark

  1. Thank you for your review. How do you replace the tines on the 900. I have had a MacAllister and was annoyed that you couldn’t replace the tines. I would like to be certain of before buying!
    Thank you

    1. Damp conditions yes, but no in wet conditions. The Bosch AVR 1100 Verti Cutter does perform better in damp/heavy conditions due to the additional power and the use of steel blades as opposed to tines in the ALR 900.

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