Abstract: A rake apparatus for use with a bar screen in a fluid channel that catches debris whereby the rake apparatus enters the channel with reciprocal movement to remove debris caught on the screen bars. The novel raking apparatus has the ability to encounter an obstruction in the bottom of the channel and remove all or part of the obstruction during each cycle of operation without damage to the raking structure. This is accomplished by forming the raking apparatus of an upper section, a midsection and a lower rake section wherein the midsection is rotatably attached to the upper section and weighted to provide a force on the midsection and its attached rake section in the direction of the bar screen. The rake section is pivotally attached to the midsection to allow the rake section to pivot backwards with respect to the midsection if it strikes an obstruction while allowing the midsection to continue its forward motion thereby protecting the apparatus from damage.