OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Lawn Care & Maintenance Anyone use dethatching blade for mower ?

Hi all,

Sometime in the future I have tackle to poor lawn. One thing I was going to do is look into getting a detaching machine, but this morning I found out you can get a dethatching blade for your lawnmower and possibly even make one for an old blade and thick trimmer line. Has anyone use a dethatch blade either store bought or diy ? Is it effective and is there one you guys recommend ?


Thanks in advance,

Regards,

I have converted a victa sprinter into my dedicated dethatcher. Most useful application I have found for a sprinter.

made it myself - just drill 4 holes in total. the outer holes are 10mm in from each end of the blade, the inner holes about 30mm inwards from those. drill about 10mm back from cutting edge.

loop a 80-100mm length of 5mm trimmer line (like for the big DR walk behind string trimmers) through the holes and ensure the ends have the same depth. I find a pair of 'tines' last about 200-400sqm.

It is quite effective but can be pretty abrasive if you go slow. Keep a good walking pace. It is probably beneficial to scalp it first as my sprinter will stall if I try to mow low and fast at the same time of course.

Hi Widget and Tyler.I modified a victa the same as Tyler but used some high tensile bolts instead of the line.Seemed to work ok.I have a dedicated scarifier so use that most of the time.

[quote=Tyler]I have converted a victa sprinter into my dedicated dethatcher. Most useful application I have found for a sprinter.

made it myself - just drill 4 holes in total. the outer holes are 10mm in from each end of the blade, the inner holes about 30mm inwards from those. drill about 10mm back from cutting edge.

loop a 80-100mm length of 5mm trimmer line (like for the big DR walk behind string trimmers) through the holes and ensure the ends have the same depth. I find a pair of 'tines' last about 200-400sqm.
[/quote]

Oh nice, might have to give that a shot, thanks for the suggestion :). Regarding the holes, what size hole do you drill? 5mm, same size as cord, or a little smaller so the cord is more tight fitting?

I came across this one which seems similar to what you did with yours. https://youtu.be/nhR0OsVeZ18

[quote=sb30inch]Hi Widget and Tyler.I modified a victa the same as Tyler but used some high tensile bolts instead of the line.Seemed to work ok.I have a dedicated scarifier so use that most of the time.[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion sb30inch :). I saw a video similar to what you did https://youtu.be/8-4MsJDzkgY. One thing I'm not sure about though is, if you're using a bar-blade with bolts, if you were to hit something hard or catch a thick root, what are the chances of the force being transferred either into the bar-blade (bending it) or into the crankshaft ?

Thanks for the suggestions, I might have a look for a spare blade and go from there :).

I drilled just over, maybe a 5mm and a little work with a file. Either way, the square profile trimmer line I use can be put in by hand, maybe pliers needed to pull it through a little bit.

Expect the bolt method to be even rougher on the turf, but it would work pretty well

Bolts are around 5 mm.Can rip the rubbish out.Any grass with rhizomes and stolons can have all the stolons removed and re grow from rhizomes.Have a look at "You tube" for "Field top maker"or turf shaver "Win Suttle".Looks harsh but comes back with fresh growth.Fertilizer and water,top dress.Don't try it with Buffalo

SB, thats why I didn't go with the bolts - front lawn is 90% buffalo.

But the back is predominantly couch. The trimmer line will rip the crap out, and knock the stolons around a bit, but doesn't physically rip them out like the bolts.