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Garden owners know how important it is to care for their lawn. The grass needs to be mowed, fertilized and watered regularly, but this does not guarantee that the appearance of the site will remain attractive and well-groomed. Over time, fallen leaves, small debris, dry branches and other contaminants collect in the grass.
This not only spoils the appearance, but also complicates access to the root system of herbs for nutrients. As a result, "bald patches" appear, the grass turns yellow and dries up. If the grass is not properly cared for, the lawn will look unkempt, unkempt and wild after 3-4 years. To prevent this and return an attractive appearance to the coating, special devices are used - scarifiers.
Types of scarifiers
The lawn scarifier helps to clean the area of all kinds of debris: dry grass, branches, leaves, weeds and more. In addition, the device loosens the soil, pulls out excess felt and promotes the maximum penetration of oxygen and nutrients to the roots of the grass cover.
Lawn Scarifier
Scarification is performed with a special tool that bears two names at once: a scarifier or a verticutter. In some cases, they say about it - an aerator, but the scarifier has a slightly different specifics of work. There are three types of lawn scarifiers:
- Manual. These are the cheapest devices that do not require the consumption of electricity or gasoline - just spending money on the purchase. They work silently, are compact and lightweight. Perfect for small areas.
- Electrical. They are able to process an area of no more than 15 acres and have a small loosening depth. These are simple units that work quickly and quietly, but depend on the source of electricity.
- Gasoline. The most popular, but also expensive machines that can handle a large area. These are powerful tools, but it is advisable to buy them for those who have a lawn size of more than 15 acres. Otherwise, the acquisition will not pay off soon.
Lawn Scarifier - What Is It? A scarifier is a tool that pierces the soil to maximize the saturation of the plant with nutrients and oxygen. The main difference between scarifiers and aerators is that the first uses knives for work, and the second uses knitting needles. Roughly speaking, a rake is the simplest type of scarifier.
However, modern models have far surpassed this level - today many devices successfully combine both an aerator and a verticutter. As a rule, in such variations, two interchangeable shafts are successfully combined, one of which is with knives, the other with teeth or knitting needles.
Lawn aerator
Principle of operation and design features
To the question of what a scarifier is, the answer was considered. But it is important to understand the features and principle of operation of the device so that there are no problems with using the device in the future. In addition, it will help you choose the right model for the price and specifications. The process of using a scarifier is comparable to the process of combing grass and removing unnecessary objects, small debris and other contaminants from it. If the knives are deepened into the soil, the tool will loosen the soil. After that, the lawn will not look very neat, but a little later it will take on a perfect look.In addition, the device allows you to quickly cope with a number of problems:
- Ventilates the roots and saturates them with moisture and oxygen.
- Protects against pests and fungi.
- Makes the lawn neat and attractive.
- Improves the growth of new grass.
How to choose
To choose a garden apparatus that will cope with its task and will not fail at a crucial moment, it is important to pay attention to the following aspects of the device:
- Housing. It is desirable that it is made of a durable lightweight material, such as aluminum, which also does not rust. Heavier models are made of steel - they are heavy, but rust over time.
- Engine. Experts advise purchasing a gasoline scarifier, since it has a high performance and is able to handle large areas. In addition, such a device does not require third-party connection and power supplies.
- Cutters. Pay attention to elements made of solid steel. It is important that they do not jam when working, but perform their function clearly.
- Garbage container. Almost all models are equipped with this element, which collects moss, old grass, leaves and other debris on the lawn. However, if it is a small container, it should be emptied regularly. If there is no waste bin, you will have to remove the waste with a rake.
- Lever. On some models, the handle is fixed, which often causes inconvenience for people of different heights. It is much more practical to purchase a model in which the handle is adjusted according to the height of the owner or employee.
Specifications
Scarifier, what it is and how to use it, has already been discussed. Now it is important to analyze the technical indicators of the device. It should be remembered that they directly depend on the features of a particular model, but when choosing a unit for cleaning a lawn, it is necessary to pay special attention to technical factors:
- Power. In general, the standard capacity of the device is 1.3-2 kW. More powerful models usually run on gasoline, units with a capacity of 1.3-1.5 are more often electric.
- The weight. Varies within 15-55 kg, depending on the body material.
- The cutting mechanism is knives or cutters. Removable elements with a chipped mechanism are possible.
- Waste bin volume. Usually it is 20-50 liters.
- Processing width. The standard indicator is 30-40 cm.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other technique, the scarifier has its advantages and disadvantages. Many people do not even know how valuable a scarifier is for a lawn until they find out what it is and how it helps in the economy. Others do not immediately understand how to use the scarifier so as not to leave marks on the grass. In any case, regardless of whether a gasoline or electric scarifier is chosen, it is important to know about the advantages:
- Maneuverability. The device easily and quickly maneuvers over the lawn, removing excess debris and loosening the soil.
- Power. These are strong and durable units that are able to process large plots of land - from 15 acres, when it comes to gasoline scarifiers.
- Durability. Modern manufacturers produce powerful units that serve the owners for 3-7 years, depending on the handling and operating conditions.
Review of popular brands of scarifiers
Modern companies offer customers a variety of series of various models that are designed to facilitate human labor and remove debris from the lawn. The most popular manufacturers are:
- Champion. The Champion Scarifier is a rugged device that is standard in all respects. The domestic company, founded in 2005, offers inexpensive and simple scarifiers for people with different financial capabilities.
- Scarifier al ko. The Alco scarifier enjoys well-deserved recognition among consumers. This is a powerful, reliable and durable unit that serves its owners for at least 7-10 years. The scarifier of the Alco company is a real masterpiece of German quality. But the price is also appropriate.
- Makita. This is a Japanese company that supplies the market with inexpensive devices that are characterized by quality, lightness and maneuverability. The Makita scarifier is in stable demand among Russian buyers.
- Bosch. This company has long enjoyed well-deserved respect, as it produces inexpensive, but very high quality household and garden equipment. The Bosch scarifier is guaranteed to last for many years. This is the perfect balance between low price and high quality.
Scarifiers are irreplaceable helpers in the household, helping to improve and clean lawns. They should definitely be purchased by those who grow ornamental grass on the site.
