Sod Cutter?

[Diggin It]

I have an area that I plan to open up to plant some things next year. For some odd reason, it has better grass than my lawn areas around the house. This year, as a test, I moved a few pieces of it and they seem to have taken well. I used the Subsoiler to slice rows about 18" or so wide and a few feet long, then used the FEL bucket to slice and lift those few pieces. Since we all know that's not what an FEL is for, I don't want to do that in any quantity. Plus, it was hard to get it level and flush to the ground to make a clean cut, so I got a lot more dirt than I'd hoped.

Do they make any kind of tractor mounted sod cutter? Or are they fully separate machines?

Unless it was very low cost, this is something I might rent rather than buy since it would be for such limited use.

Or maybe some ideas for a home brew tool?

 

[herm0016]

we rented one at a local sunbelt for a project similar to what you describe. i dont think i have seen a tractor mounted device, besides what a sod farm may use.

 

[Diggin It]

Wonder if I could rig up a $40 sod cutter blade to my Carry All?

https://www.rrproducts.com/Sod-Blade-~-18-x-1~~4-x-2-Standard-product18376

 

[CADplans]

Wonder if I could rig up a $40 sod cutter blade to my Carry All?

Sod Blade - 18 x 1/4 x 2 Standard: R2 | R&R Products, Inc. - Commercial Golf and Turf Industry Replacement Parts and Accessories

Go back,, and read the AD again,,
"This sod blade is pre boxed in quantities of 8."

Hmmmmmmmm,, I would make that cutter before I spent $300+....

 

[CADplans]

I think the trick to a sod cutter is blade motion,, not just "push"

you need something like the motion of a sickle mower,, or vibration back and forth to cut the sod.
If you just push a cutter,, you will get a balled up mess,,,

 

[Diggin It]

Go back,, and read the AD again,,
"This sod blade is pre boxed in quantities of 8."

Hmmmmmmmm,, I would make that cutter before I spent $300+....

I read that and I was going to clarify it with the vendor if I thought I could make one work. Or wondered about how to make one, even before I went looking for them

I think the trick to a sod cutter is blade motion,, not just "push"

you need something like the motion of a sickle mower,, or vibration back and forth to cut the sod.
If you just push a cutter,, you will get a balled up mess,,,

They sell a manual 'kick/push' version with a couple of wooden handles, sort of like a wheelbarrow. My knees would never allow me to use that kind though.

I also saw one rigged up for a Ventrac that was push/pull only. And another that looked like somebody adapted one to a lawn roller unit.


..

 

[Gem99ultra]

Wonder if I could rig up a $40 sod cutter blade to my Carry All?

Sod Blade - 18 x 1/4 x 2 Standard: R2 | R&R Products, Inc. - Commercial Golf and Turf Industry Replacement Parts and Accessories

I'm not sure about the minimum being 8, although I do see that they're packaged 8/box. I put 1 in my cart and it did ring up for $35.15. Then I added 1 more, and it came up to $70.30. Might be worth a try...

 

[Bigkrank]

They rent for $95 a day or $300 a week around here.

 

[oosik]

When we developed our garden area ( 100 x 150 ) it was virgin meadow. Manually cutting, lifting & relocating that much sod was just too much.

I purchased and used the biggest Troy Bilt - 8hp - Horse to grind up the sod and combine it with the underlying soil.

The tall grass proved to be a real PITA. I was new to this adventure. Had I known - I would have waited until late summer/fall and first mowed, then burned the area.

However - I followed the galloping beast around the garden plot and after about three complete tillings - it was good to go.

I suggest - a 3-point tiller and simply incorporate the sod into the ground below it. Do whatever works best to kill the grass prior to tilling.

 

[Diggin It]

They rent for $95 a day or $300 a week around here.

Why would I rent something for $95/day or more if I can buy a blade for $50 or less to attach to a Carry All temporarily and have for future use?

I suggest - a 3-point tiller and simply incorporate the sod into the ground below it. Do whatever works best to kill the grass prior to tilling.

That's what I'll be doing for most of the area, but I'd like to be able to lift and transplant a few pieces to patch other areas near the house

.

 

[radios1]

Why would I rent something for $95/day or more if I can buy a blade for $50 or less to attach to a Carry All temporarily and have for future use?



That's what I'll be doing for most of the area, but I'd like to be able to lift and transplant a few pieces to patch other areas near the house

.

the sod cutter is a lot more than just 1 part, you also need the rest of the machine!.. THAT is why it's much cheaper to rent one, unless you would get some satisfaction out of buying or making the rest of the needed parts to make a sod cutter that will work!..

 

[Diggin It]

the sod cutter is a lot more than just 1 part, you also need the rest of the machine!..

The sod cutter is the blade linked above or a few similar ones I've found. The 'rest of the machine' is the power to push or pull the blade, which can even be your leg as shown in the manual version above. I'd like to find a way to use my tractor instead of my knees.



.

 

[MossRoad]

I read that and I was going to clarify it with the vendor if I thought I could make one work. Or wondered about how to make one, even before I went looking for them


They sell a manual 'kick/push' version with a couple of wooden handles, sort of like a wheelbarrow. My knees would never allow me to use that kind though.

I also saw one rigged up for a Ventrac that was push/pull only. And another that looked like somebody adapted one to a lawn roller unit.


..

I've used this type of sod cutter on several occasions. They work very well, but are very labor intensive. The blade does not vibrate or flex. It is fixed, facing straight forward. You kick it to advance it. You'll also notice it has a roller in front and a bar across it. That helps to maintain a consistent depth.

So if you do build one for you tractor, keep in mind you should probably have a roller or such to help you maintain your depth.

If it were me, and it was any area more than about 10'x20', I'd rent the power version locally and be done with it.

Also, sod around here is cheap. So investigate the cost of sod purchase VS cutting your own. It may be near the price of a power cutter rental and half the work!