Mechanical raking beach cleaners utilize the optimal beach cleaning method for operating in dense, wet sand.

With traditional sifting machines, wet sand tends to have difficulty breaking apart into granules small enough to fall through the sifting screen. As a result, the sand often bridges over the holes in the screen and falls into the hopper with the other debris. Consequently, the beach cleaner must then travel slowly to allow time for the bridged sand to break apart and fall through the screen.

Instead, mechanical rakes separate the debris from sand with its tines before being placed on the conveyor belt. As an especially effective mechanical raking beach cleaner, the SURF RAKE, with its patented S-Belt, then vibrates the debris on its journey up to the hopper, which causes any residual sand to fall through the tiny holes on the belt.

In this way, these beach cleaners can thoroughly clean in wet sand quickly without removing sand from the beach.