What is a Power Rake &
Why Would You Need One?
Power rakes, also called dethatchers,
are similar to gas-powered lawn mowers, but have several vertical tines
or blades that dig into the ground to remove thatch. Thatch is accumulated
organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings and roots that collect
on top of the dirt beneath the grass. If this layer gets too thick (more
than ½ inch), then it cuts off the roots from water, fertilizer, air
and other nutrients they need. A small amount of thatch can be removed
manually with a dethatching rake. However when the thatch is ½-1 inch
or more, a power rake is needed to remove the larger build-up.
How to Dethatch With a Lawn
Power Rake?
Arrange to rent a power rake
at a local rental center. Plan ahead because demand increases on weekends
and during the best times to dethatch (early spring and late fall).
Prep your lawn before you pick up the machine. Pick up any obstructions
such as rocks, toys or pine cones. Mow the grass shorter than you normally
do to make it easier to dethatch.
When you rent a power rake
dethatcher, have them show you how to set the blades the correct width
apart and to the correct depth for your type of grass. Ask any other
questions you have about how to use the machine. You will probably need
help loading and unloading, since dethatchers are often twice as heavy
as a gas-powered lawn mower.
Before you begin, add extra
oil to the engine if the level is too low. The fuel tank will also need
to be filled. Check the machine to make sure there is nothing that is
caught anywhere or seems out of place. Take the lawn power rake to where
you want to start. Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes from anything
that may come up while raking. You may want to consider protective earphones
if the machine is particularly noisy or you will be at it a long time.
Then set the choke on the engine and pull on the starter to get the
engine going. To enable the engine to run as it should, close the choke
and wait a couple minutes before you begin.
Begin moving the power rake
over the lawn. If the tines dig in too much, adjust them to be shallower.
Going in too deep makes it harder for the thatch to be removed and is
not good for the turf. You may have to make other adjustments since
lawns and thatch are both typically uneven. Do the whole lawn going
in one direction first than again in another direction second. You can
either go long first then short as if you were making plus signs or
diagonal one-way and then on the other diagonal to make X’s.
Once you have finished, you
can use a manual dethatching rake to do any small spots, corners or
edges that need extra work. Then rake up all the debris and thatch left
on the lawn and bag it for disposal or compost it. This is a good time
to reseed and/or fertilize. Water well after you are done, especially
if you overseed. Continue to water frequently if there is not a lot
of rain to make sure the seeds stay moist as they germinate and sprout.
Right after dethatching with power rakes, the lawn may look pretty sparse
and ugly, but it should be looking good again in about 3 weeks when
it will be ready to be mowed.
If You Are Going to Buy a Power
Rake
Since power lawn rakes cost
around $1000-$2000, consider purchasing one used. Look for a quality
manufacturer like a Bluebird power rake or Arnold Universal power rake
that is in good condition. You might see if you can specifically request
one of these brands when you rent to try it out.