Is this rake suitable for scarifying a 16m2 area of lawn?

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by Calum, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. Calum

    Calum Gardener

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  2. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    Look around before you buy. I got my grass rake for £4. Its not great, but fine for the occasional use it gets. As for scarifying a lawn with it, I doubt that will do it. Its designed more for getting loose leaves and grass clippings up. I think you need something a bit more brutal for scarifying.

    This isn't for the front lawn that you posted up on another thread though is it? That lawn doesn't look at all bad to me, and I'd be worried that if you're not careful, you might end up accidentally uprooting perfectly good grass.
     
  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I've been know to use something similar.
    Although growing grass is not something I'm interested in :biggrin:

    A spring tine rake is usual, and , I think best done in spring and autumn.
     
  4. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I have one of those types of rakes - (definitely not from Homebase) and never had any problems with the locking clip or any other part of the rake. Ours must be at least 15 years old by now. It's fine for scarifying.

    I suppose it depends on how much moss etc you want to rake out. It's less springy than a standard spring tine rake as it has the more solid strengthening cross bar near the end. This lets you put more pressure on it but that may let you overdo it. The narrower you make it the more strength it gives it.

    It's brilliant for raking narrow areas or between plants.
     
  5. alex-adam

    alex-adam Super Gardener

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    I prefer a conventional type of lawn rake for scarifying, if cost is a consideration, try your local Boot-Sale, you can generally pick up a good tool for a couple of pounds.

    a-a
     
  6. Kris Lord

    Kris Lord Lawn Care Expert

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    Spring-tine rakes are pretty bad at scarifying lawns to be honest. You'd be better off just hiring a machine for a couple of hours in the autumn, and do the job properly.
     
  7. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Kris, how was the job done "properly" before the machines were invented.:snork:
     
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    • Calum

      Calum Gardener

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      Don't you think for a 4m x 2m patch that would be a bit excessive?
       
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      • Kris Lord

        Kris Lord Lawn Care Expert

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        The difference between mechanical scarification and trying to do it with a rake is literally night and day.
        You can scrape and scrape with a springbok rake until the cows come home. Then just one whizz over with a machine afterwards will still pull out loads of thatch that raking missed.
        The key is that it actually cuts down into the soil and you can't do that manually. You just rip the grass to bits.
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          For a 4M x 2M patch that might be a matter if hiring it 10 mins.:biggrin:
           
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