Best Dethatching Blade

Thatch constitutes a layer of both the living and dead grass. Through the process of dethatching, you will either enhance or destroy your lawn for some time. For this reason, timing is very important to maintain the lush, green and healthy cosmetic look.

Thatch forms a protective covering over soil and in the process blocks the sun’s active rays from sucking out moisture in the soil. It also helps retain the relevant soil temperature needed for the roots to thrive and gives support and nourishment to the grass.

Thatch is highly beneficial to lawns and grass gardens, but too much of it will suck the life out of your grass. Ideally, lawns need a thin layer of thatch that will protect them from wind and too much heat from the sun but also allow nutrients and water to successfully penetrate to the soil and progressively to the roots. The best time to dethatch your lawn is when the thatch has reached a thickness of about ½ an inch and during early spring.

Additionally, lawn owners must ensure that dethatching is carried out when the grass is actively growing so that the damage caused during the process can be corrected before the dormant period sets in.

Individuals who are having a hard time getting the right measurements for their thatch can keep a close eye on their grass. If it exhibits poor grass color and looks thin and weak then it’s time for the thatch to be removed. This article highlights some of the best dethatching blades that can be used to manage lawns.

Comparison Table: Best Dethatching Blade

Blade Type	Blade Size	Usability	Price
Powercare Universal Dethatching Blade	16”	Can be used with the cub cadet lawn tractors with the 42 in. decks. Can be used with the standard push mowers.	Check Price Here
Arnold Dethatching Blade	21”	Attaches to the 21 and 22” walk-behind mowers.	Check Price Here
Oregon 690-618-0 Universal	18”	Best for use with the Honda mower	Check Price Here
Arnold 490-100-0111 Dethatching Blade	16”	Poulan, Murray, Huskee, Lawn boy mowers, Bolens, and Craftsman mowers.	Check Price Here
Oregon Dethatching blade	20”	Best for use with the clamshell Dethatcher bagger lawn mower. Can be used with the craftsman mower.	Check Price Here
Maxpower 330100 Universal Power Rake/Dethatcher Mower Blade	16”	Best for use with John Deere G110 series.	Check Price Here
New Stens 370-019 Power Rake Dethatcher Blade	21/4” width	Compatible with most mowers.	Check Price Here

PowerCare Universal Dethatching Blade

The universal dethatching blade just like its name is quite versatile making it fit for most of the standard push mowers. However, homeowners must be keen not to use them on mowers like the Honda harmony models, the Toro recycler that comes with the atomic blades and the lawn boy BBC models. The blade comes incorporated with the necessary installation hardware which includes the bolts, washers and adapters.

During use, the universal dethatching blade will remove dead grass and in the process enable the necessary nutrients and fertilizer to be transported to the soil. The above process will then allow new seeds to develop roots and grow.

Pros

• Sports the best construction.
• The blade is versatile can be used on different mowers.
• Comes equipped with all the necessary installation hardware.
• Replacement springs are readily available in the markets.

Cons

• Problems with fitting in the mower.

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 Arnold Dethatching Blade

Arnold’s dethatching blade has raised the competition bar a little too high given that it can do more than just dethatch grass. The multipurpose blade can be used to scalp, mulch, bag rake, dethatch and cut grass.

Given the above, Arnold’s dethatching blade, will quickly improve your lawn’s ability to absorb fertilizer and water. Also, in as much as it will remain effective over some period after purchase, users must ensure that it gets inspected by a professional and is sharpened and replaced after every season.

Pros                                                                                                                     

• Multipurpose dethatching blade thus good for the various lawn maintenance activities.
• Fairly priced and available in most stores worldwide.
• Comes equipped with all the relevant hardware.
• Best used by the 21 and 22-inch walk-behind mowers.

Cons

• Requires a lot of effort to get the job done.

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Oregon 690-618-0 Universal 18″

The Oregon universal dethatching blade features a single hole which makes it very easy to install specifically on the Honda mower. Using this blade is a breeze and will even make the whole mowing process seem effortless. A good number of users have praised the mower for doing a great job when dealing with moss. The blade is durable and comes with all the installation devices intact. Lawn owners must however be sure to use the right setting to get the best service and to preserve their mowers.

Pros

• The Oregon 690-618 dethatching blade attaches easily.
• Integrates well with the Honda mower.
• The different adapter washers enable it to fit different mowers.
• The mower is fast and easy to use.

 

Cons

• The spacer washer wears away fast.
• For optimum performance height adjustments are a must.

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Arnold 490-100-0111 16-Inch Dethatching Replacement Blade

Arnold 490-100-0111 series dethatching blade will remove the loose and dead grass, giving way for the penetration of moisture and fertilizer. The dethatching blade is quite versatile and can also be used to mulch leaves. Functionality for the dethatching blade has been enhanced thanks to the metal dethatching springs that easily convert the rotary mower into a 16” dethatching blade.

Pros

• The Arnold 490-100-0111 is easy to install and use.
• The dethatching blade can be used to mulch leaves.
• The blade is compatible with most of the major brands.
• It will help trim grass if the grass is taller than the blade.

Cons

• Has problems fitting with lawn boy.
• On some occasions the blade tears up the grass.

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Oregon 690-521-0 Dethatcher

The 690-521-0 is a replacement dethatching blade that is specially designed to get rid of moss. Upon purchase the package is inclusive of the Oregon 89-801detatching spring and the Oregon 02-035 adapter kit. The blade is light in weight at 2.11 pounds and is made of durable steel material.

Lawn owners can make good use of the Oregon dethatcher during springtime when they are expecting new growth. Mowing will begin from a low setting and care taken not to scalp it. To achieve a fine uniform cut, landscapers should ensure they don’t stop the mower without lifting the blades.

Remember that when using the Oregon 690-521-0 model, finding the right setting is important as it will enable the lawn to be dethatched perfectly and with minimal effort. As a rule of thumb, the landscaper should always check for the correct setting. This is because it is normally exceptionally lower than what most users expect.

Pros

• Installation of the Oregon 690-521-0 blade is easy.
• The incorporated washers prevent bending during tightening.
• Best for getting rid of the old weed sod from grass.
• The steel is well built and thick.

Cons

• The fit is not universal.
• The metal blade is not exactly robust because it breaks.

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Maxpower 330100 16″ Universal Power Rake/Dethatcher Mower Blade

The one advantage of using the Maxpower 330100 mower is that it comes with bushings which make it easy for it to fit most of the mowers in the market. The different types of grass found in the different types of lawns can also work against the mowers. Users must therefore ensure the blade is suitable for use with the grass in their lawns.

In addition, lawn owners using the blade for the first time need not worry about the installation process because it is quite simple.

Ideally, before using the dethatching blade you should cut your grass down to the lowest setting that your mower can achieve and then get rid of the clippings using the grass catcher. Be sure that the process is done while the grass is dry and then proceed to attach the spring to the dethatching blade. Remember to always remove your regular cutting blade from your lawnmower.

Pros

• The dethatching blade is easy to use if you can follow the instructions.
• Retails at a fair price.
• Will get rid of up to 90% of moss and thatch.
• The dethatching blade works pretty fast.
  

Cons

• The dethatching blade is not exactly universal.
• The grass must be cut low before running the dethatcher.

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New Stens 370-019 Power Rake De-Thatcher Blade

The New Stens are among the best dethatching blades that will comb your lawn and remove the dead and loose grass. The blades work to encourage new growth in the lawns and you can therefore expect the new seed to root and grow. The living grass also gets the opportunity to grow but this time more vigorously. The blade can be used with different types of mowers and is therefore a good investment for professional landscapers.

Pros

• Offers value for money and works well.
• The easiest to use grass dethatching blade.
• No need for so many passes when dethatching.
• The blade works effortlessly.

Cons

• Does not fit the electric lawn mower.
• If not used properly will rip up all the grass on your lawn.

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Tips for choosing the best lawn dethatcher

Usability- Lawn dethatchers are configured for use by different types of lawnmowers, so before carrying one home, be sure to find out if it can fit your mower. Some are made specifically for use with the gas mowers, others with electric mowers, and a good number are universal thus can fit a variety of mowers.

Installation – dethatching blade installation is among the do-it-yourself procedures, and in which case it should not involve a steep learning curve. The correct settings must be achieved during installation so that you don’t end up ripping up your turf.

Build – most of the dethatching blades are made of a durable steel material that ensures the blade gives the lawn owner a longer service.  And which by extension means that they can be used on the various types of turf without compromising their structural integrity.

Care tips for Dethatching blades

For most of the dethatching blades, maintenance enables them to function at their optimum best. Blade sharpening, correct installation, and replacement of the worn-out blades ensures that lawn owners achieve a clean cut that translates to a healthy lawn.

Conclusion

Before dethatching takes place, most lawn owners are required to resize their grass, in which case, they would opt for a blade that will both trim and dethatch grass. The blades discussed above will penetrate the soil surface and get rid of the dead leaves, grass and weed growth.

So, for the perfect finish, lawn owners must first understand the type of lawns that they own and settle with a blade that will match the depth of the thatch and the size of their lawns.

FAQ’s

1. How often do I need to dethatch my lawn?

Most lawns are dethatched once a year, ideally, however, lawns should be dethatched once the grass achieves ½ an inch thickness. The cools season grass can be dethatched in fall while the warm season grass when spring sets in.

2. Can my lawn be destroyed if dethatched?

Dethatching helps soil retain its moisture content, and ensures that fertilizer and water penetrate the soil to reach the roots. The process can, however, cause a lot of damage to the lawn grass, and the reason why it is always done when the grass is growing. The above process ensures grass recovery before the incoming dormant period.