Dethatchers & Aerators For Sale

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Benefits Of Aerators & Dethatchers

Aerators and dethatchers are popular among homeowners, lawn care services, and grounds maintenance operations that oversee residential and commercial properties, golf courses, sporting fields, parks, and more. Whereas aerators help relieve issues related to thatch and soil compaction that essentially cut the soil off from needed oxygen, water, and nutrients, dethatchers tackle problems related to thatch, or the dead grass, roots, and other debris that collects and mattes between the soil and grass. If not treated, thatch also prevents air, water, and nutrients from reaching roots but can also promote the breeding and spreading of turf-damaging insects and diseases.

Aerator Traits

Available in self-propelled walk-behind and stand-on models as well as tow-behind models pulled by mowers, utility vehicles, or other vehicles, aerators essentially poke holes in the soil to enhance water, air, and nutrient penetration in order to feed the roots and promote new growth. While some aerators use tines and blades to create slices in the soil, other models using hollow tines to remove a “plug” of soil measuring anywhere from 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 centimeters). In addition to combatting soil compaction, aerating is also touted for helping breakdown thatch, bolstering heat and drought tolerance, establishing stronger and deeper roots, and improving the efficiency of fertilization and irrigation efforts. Features of various aerators can include zero-turn abilities for stand-on models, multiple tine options, adjustable rollers, turf tires, PTO (power takeoff) support, optional seeder attachments, and more.

Thatch Removal

Before aerating a lawn, many operations use a dethatcher to remove thatch buildup that can leave turf starved of air, water, and nutrients. Many experts advise using a dethatcher particularly if the existing thatch layer measures more than a half-inch (1.3 centimeters) deep. Dethatchers are available in walk-behind and tow-behind models and generally use spring tines or blades (slicer, flail, etc.) to cut through the thatch and bring it to the surface for removal. Billy Goat’s PR550H model, also referred to as a “power rake,” is an example of a self-propelled walk-behind model that incorporates heat-treated, tempered flail blades into a blade reel that removes thatch in 20-inch passes.

Top brands of new and used aerators and dethatchers for sale on NeedTurfEquipment.com include Billy Goat, Exmark, John Deere, Ryan, and Toro.