Dethatcher...Round 2

[BigBoyToys]

After building this 6' Dethatcher last fall, it was too aggressive for the yard lawn. Works great for the field and such, so I decided to build a toned-down version to use with the zero-turn.

Here's the HD one I built first with the removable 3 pt hitch setup using a standard 2" receiver...


First thing was to fine the proper tines to use. I located these for a good price... Lawn Tractor Dethatcher Attachment Spring Tine | Part Number 46761
| Sears PartsDirect

I decided to make it 60" which is a good size to pull behind the Bad Boy mower. I spaced the tines properly and mounted the first one, and then realized that it wasn't sitting at 90* to the angle stock when sitting flat. So I ended up taking 2" pieces of angle and "flattened" them slightly on my press to increase the angle from 90* to around 110*. I welded them to the bars where the cross-member supports will be welded.





Once the 4 cross-members were welded, I then welded two 2" x 3/16" plates between the center cross-members to attached the square tubing to for the main mount to the mower.



I decided to use a piece of angle to insert into the tube to make the mounting bracket/pin assembly. This way if i wanted to use this lighter duty dethatcher with the universal 3 pt hitch mount, all I have to do is insert the tubing it into the 2" receiver.



Universal 3 pt mount for the HD Dethatcher.







Next was to fab up some guide wheels. I picked up a couple tires at Tractor Supply that looked like they would be the right size.
I used some 1" flat bar and bent a "U" and welded some 5/8" round bar to them. I cut a 45* angle in the bar to have the wheels "follow behind" to track properly. This is the same approach I used when I built my York Rake. I used PVC spacers to adjust the height. I went tall just in case I wanted to lift it high enough to have the tines off the ground to transport it. The press is a Harbor Freight 20 Ton Press with an air jack. I fabed a bending press years ago when doing some fabrication work on the Jeep. When bending the second angle in the bracket, I had to offset it to clear the press arm. I had to use another piece of steel to balance out the pressure keeping the press bending arm level.







I used some square tubing to attach the guide wheels to. They are bolted in place to the outer most cross-members.



Now with it complete, it was time to put it to the test...



WORKED LIKE A CHAMP!!!



Really happy with how it came out and it only took around 5 to 6 hours to fabricate.

 

[shaeff]

Well done, it looks like it works great! What do you do with all the thatch that's pulled up? Just leave it there or mow over it to mulch it further?

I've been thinking of getting dethatching blades for my flail mower, I have heavy thatch in areas and it stunts the vegetation growth. I don't care about a nice "lawn" but I do prefer it to be green. Looking at this, it has much fewer moving parts and will be much easier than setting up my flail then taking the straight knives back off the flail once I'm done. I also have a great little Economy Power King to pull something like this with, lightweight but powerful so I won't sink if the yard is wet or damp.

Thanks for posting!

 

[BigBoyToys]

What do you do with all the thatch that's pulled up? Just leave it there or mow over it to mulch it further?

It's really best to pull it up and dispose of it. I use a sweeper. Don't have a picture of it, but here's a link to it...50" Ohio Steel Lawn Sweeper

Does a great job and is quick! In the past I'd mow and collect it in a jumbo aluminum catcher from Accelerator Industries, Accelerator Industries Jumbo Catcher, but it was a lot more work and made a lot of dust. I had a cheap 48" dethatcher that required weight and took forever to pull all the thatch up. That's why I decided to build my own. I went with 3 rows of tines where the cheap one only had 2. My wife couldn't believe how quick it went with the new one, and no additional weight needed.

I went to a mulching system last year on the ZT which is a lot faster than catching the clippings. With the dethatcher and sweeper, I'll just dethatch a couple times during the summer and one final time in the fall. I have a plug aerator for the tractor which I use in the spring after dethatching and again in the fall.

Here's a picture of the dethatcher without any weights on it...

 

[shaeff]

It's really best to pull it up and dispose of it. I use a sweeper. Don't have a picture of it, but here's a link to it...50" Ohio Steel Lawn Sweeper

Does a great job and is quick! In the past I'd mow and collect it in a jumbo aluminum catcher from Accelerator Industries, Accelerator Industries Jumbo Catcher, but it was a lot more work and made a lot of dust. I had a cheap 48" dethatcher that required weight and took forever to pull all the thatch up. That's why I decided to build my own. I went with 3 rows of tines where the cheap one only had 2. My wife couldn't believe how quick it went with the new one, and no additional weight needed.

I went to a mulching system last year on the ZT which is a lot faster than catching the clippings. With the dethatcher and sweeper, I'll just dethatch a couple times during the summer and one final time in the fall. I have a plug aerator for the tractor which I use in the spring after dethatching and again in the fall.

Here's a picture of the dethatcher without any weights on it...

Gotcha, I'd have to figure out something to do for sure once I got the thatch out. I'd rather not rake 4.5 acres by hand! If I just did the yard, probably 3ish acres.

I'd love a plug aerator. Eventually, if I EVER get some free time, I'll build one.