I am considering a string trimmer dethatcher attachment for my 4000 sq ft lawn every couple of years and would like to get input on how well they work from those that have experience with them.

This is a Troy/MTD attachment that looks very similar to the Honda and Mantis design/construction with three rows of spring tines per side. This will be paired with my several year old split boom 32 cc Craftsman/MTD trimmer, which has pretty good power.

I don't expect this attachment to be as good as a pro walk-behind unit, but it should be able to do a decent job. The pro equipment is out my price range. My other option is a GreenWorks walk-behind electric, which doesn't look all that durable. The lawn services around here get about $300 for a dethatching, so I'd like to invest in a piece of equipment if possible.

 

Something like this?



Have never seen one in action, but I suspect the equilivant would be trying to cut your yard with a trimmer, would take forever and would probably not be very efficient.

If you really want something cheap and actually works,then I'd go with the dethatching mower blade.

I tried it once, it did work, but it also took out more good grass compared to one of the dethatching machines I rented.

 

Yes, that is the pic of the MTD attachment. I have to check out the dethatching mower blade, although I read the better dethatchers have a vertical motion. That is probably the reason for damage to the good grass with the rotary mower. Rental machines here are about $280 for the day with delivery and pickup.

 

Got a riding mower?
If so something like this would be a whole lot faster and not all that expencive.
Brinly-Hardy 40 in. Tow-Behind Dethatcher-DT-40BH - The Home Depot

 

Unfortunately I don't have a riding mower. Too bad, that's a great price for a tow behind dethatcher.

 

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I have a pair of those blades that I mount on a dual blade riding mower deck once a year to de-thatch a couple acres and pulverize all of the worm castings.

Just barely skimming the surface, I still burn through the sacrificial tines (all 4 of them) each year; but it does do a really good job, especially if you can overlap each pass.

 

Most grass types do not have thatch problems. Even if you do, a core aeration is a good solution.

Thatch is not an accumulation of cut grass blades, it is an overgrowth of stems and such, often indicative of too much quick-release nitrogen being applied to the grass.

 

You're right, I have read about the pros and cons of dethatching vs core aeration. In my case it looks like thatch is a problem though, it is well over an inch or more thick in some areas and the turf is spongy, yellow, thin, and has many weeds. I have a recurring brown patch fungus problem where I tried several bio and chemical treatments including Heritage G without success. The turf gets worse every year as grass it dies off and weeds take over.

I have always fertilized according to the label tried both slow release organic and chemical. Several years ago the lawn was in pretty good shape, but it has been in decline since.

 

Be careful when using the mower blade de-thatching blade if you set the height too low you will destroy more than you fix. Have a good one. Geo

 

Was somewhat crude but did remove the dead thatch!