So, you’re thinking about buying a lawn scarifier? Great idea! The models above are what I consider to be the best lawn scarifiers on the UK market.
Scarifying your lawn will protect the grass and help keep it looking smart all year round.
The condition of your lawn will dictate what type of lawn scarifier you need.
Below I have assembled some helpful information to help you make an informed purchase.
What does a Lawn Scarifier Actually Do?
Firstly, it may help you to know that a ‘dethatcher’ and a ‘scarifier’ are the same thing.
Scarifying is the process of removing debris (moss and thatch, leaves, grass cuttings) from the lawn by catching it in bladed teeth.
The other function of a lawn scarifier is to aerate the soil. It does this by piercing down into the lawn’s surface.
But why is that important? Well, the more oxygen in the soil, the healthier your grass will be! In addition, the best lawn scarifiers also help keep weeds at bay. They really are exceptionally useful little machines!
Understanding ‘Working Depth’
Ideally, you want a lawn scarifier with a selection of working depths.
Scarifying (removing the dead moss and thatch) isn’t a deep action – it only needs to be deep enough to yank out the thatch.
When you have a choice of working depths, you can start on the highest, going down through the settings until you find which is best for collecting the debris. It is much better to go slow, rather than choose too deep a setting to start with and puncture your lawn.
If your scarifier has depth options like “-5 mm” this means it can be used as a lawn aerator as well. Deeper teeth aerate the lawn by pricking holes in it. This is good as it allows rain and oxygen to replenish the grass, so look for adjustable heights.
Look Out for Their Teeth!
When it comes to finding the best lawn scarifier, the more teeth the better! The teeth do exactly what you’d expect – pierce down into the lawn aerating it and collecting debris.
Bear in mind that lots of long teeth will make a mess of your current lawn – but this is temporary. The grass will grow back quickly and it’ll look so much better for the rain and oxygen.
Look for lawn scarifiers with good-quality metal teeth. Stainless steel or tempered steel teeth will last longer than plastic ones, for example.
You can buy replacement teeth for some lawn scarifiers. If you’re splashing out on a pricey model, it’s worth checking if you can buy spares before you commit to the purchase. Also, check how much replacements cost – some brands are more expensive than others.
Choosing the Best Cutting Width
The larger the cutting width, the less time it’ll take to scarify your lawn. Simple.
Most people are looking to get these types of jobs done quickly, so the idea of a wider machine to cut down time is appealing.
Out of the lawn scarifiers I tested, the AL-KO Comfort 38E has the widest lawn raker width at 38 cm.
One thing to bear in mind, however, is that a wider width tends to mean a bigger machine. Which also generally results in a heavier machine. You’ll just need to weigh up the pros and cons of width vs. weight and see which model best fits your needs.
Finding a comfortable lawn scarifier
Scarifiers do require a bit of user effort. They need to be manhandled around corners and can feel a bit lively sometimes too. See here for advice on how to use a lawn scarifier.
Therefore, one thing to make sure of is that you are in control. Make your life easier by choosing one that suits your height. A height-adjustable handlebar is worth its weight in gold.
Ergonomic, non-slip handles are also a blessing, unless you have the grip of a boa constrictor!
Finally, that brings us back around to the topic of weight. Be realistic about what sort of weight you can handle. You may find it’s better to get a slightly smaller, lighter option that you won’t tire of using rather than a hefty, powerful model which is exhausting to manoeuvre.
Petrol Scarifer vs. Electric Scarifier
There are pros and cons to both petrol scarifiers and electric scarifiers
- Petrol lawn scarifiers are powerful, versatile and great for large lawns. They are ideal to use in areas with lots of weeds because they aerate effectively and are heavy duty. An electric scarifier may just “bounce off” in dense, heavily weeded spots. Whereas a petrol scarifier will grind it out and finish the job. However, petrol scarifiers are heavy, emit fumes, and can be time-consuming to start. They are noisy, so you may want to wear ear defenders, and will require maintenance such as filter and spark-plg changes.
- Electric lawn scarifiers are quiet, lightweight and cost effective. They are great to use on small to medium lawns. Electric scarfiers do a great job of hauling the moss and thatch from your grass with minimal effort on your part. They won’t need re-filling like a petrol scarifier either. However, they’re not always as powerful as petrol scarifiers and you may find yourself restricted by the cord length.
Manual Lawn Scarifiers
A manual lawn scarifier is quiet, easy to store and doesn’t require any maintenance other than scrapping the rust off.
They’re great for tackling jobs on a small lawn and often work surprisingly well.
A simple lawn raker and a push-along aerator could also do a similar job to a manual lawn scarifier. You could even buy some aerating shoes that spike the grass as you walk around.
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