Thatch Removal Implement

[MikeD]

Is anyone using a three point mounted rake that is good for thatch removal? When I had a smaller Ariens garden tractor I used a Agrifab dethatcher that worked very well for removal of thatch. I have yet to see anything similar for a CUT. The agrifab pulled behing the Ariens and did a good job of raking at the surface of the grass. I would like to find something similar for my B2910. The Agrifab dethatcher had spring like fingers which pullled and released as it was dragged over the lawn. It was just like taking a good metal leaf rake to the grass. Does anyone know of a similar implement for a CUT?

 

[sweettractors]

When I built my house, I seeded the new yard and the first couple yard mowings, I had a lot of grass clippings--I used this wheel rake in the picture to rake clippings into a windrow where I could manage them--I suppose a Landscape rake would almost work for your application?--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977*

 

[RickNC]

Mike,

I use a 5-foot pine straw rake that I bought from Leinbach Manufacturing in Winston-Salem, NC. Perhaps you can find something similar that is produced closer to you.

I rake my pastures and yard with it. It has spring tooth tines about 3 - 4 inches apart. You can lengthen or shorten the top link to make the tines as aggresive as you like.

Good Luck.

 

[Mike_S]

Wonder if anyone can provide a graphic of a pine straw rake or a link to a Web site where one is pictured--am unfamiliar with that implement and I need a way to dethatch several acres.

 

[MLB]

If it really has bad thatch (over 1/2") then if you pulled up enough to actually DO anything, you'd need semi-trailers to haul it away. More reasonable is to core aerate the bejeezus out of it. Punching holes in it and then idealy, topdressing or at least ferting into the holes will get oxygen, water and nutrients down to the root zone of the turf. It will start to decompose quickly given this regimine.

 

[DocHeb]

They sell Pine Straw Rakes at Agriquip.

 

[sweettractors]

The owner of Agriquip contacted us about a year ago, asking us to carry his line. We really like the products and quality was good.They have a lot of speciality items for the CUT.We thought the pricing was way too high for our customers, so we passed on that opportunity--Just my 2 cents worth----Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Wildlife Habitat Tools*

 

[MReeter]

Mike,I have a friend of mine that had a simple de-thatcher made.It has a 3-point hitch similar to a carry-all,it has a piece of alluminum channel that is 6' wide,on the bottom of the channel is where two or three rows of tines are attached,these are tines off of a pick-up reel on a combine header.

The tines are staggered so the spacings are about 2"-3" apart.I have used this tool behind our BX and it works very well,will pull up a lot of grass.

 

[Docsknotinn]

It seems like a small chain harrow with adjustable tines would do the trick, and cost less. Dave

 

[MikeD]

It sounds like your friend had made what I have in mind. It is the action of the tines that my grass needs. I guesss I will try some local welders and see if I can get one made up. To bad Midwest or some other manufacturer doesnt meet this need. Thanks for the advice.