Ten top machines to remove moss and dead grasses and give the lawns a flying start

Lawns are not exactly looking their best at the moment with prolonged wet and cold weather leading to slow growth and huge amounts of moss and dead grass.

And grasses which at the current time are usually showing signs of vigorous growth are looking decidedly sick.

So this year more than ever lawns need special care and attention to help them look their best when the temperatures perk up.

The Allettt 14″ Aerator Quick Change Cartridge slots neatly into your Allett Kensington petrol lawnmower, adding value to your mower and carrying out the important task of aerating your lawn.

Costing only £129 it is very easily fitted and is delivered free the next working day.

 

The Agri-Fab 40″ Spring Tine Dethatcher has 20 sprung tines which tease out the surface mat of dead grasses and other debris which stop new growth from flourishing and allow fertilizers and natural nutrients from penetrating the roots.
It has a ballast tray on which you can place weights up to 70 lb for encouraging the tines to penetrate the lawns a little deeper.
Plus it has a handle to raise the tines when moving around the garden.
The device is 40 in wide and is compatible with all garden tractors and runs on large pneumatic tyres to minimise damage to the surface.
The manufacturer’s recommended price is £139, but we have it for sale for £119. It has a two-year maker’s warranty and is delivered free the next working day. If you want a machine that will save you labouring away with a tined rake then the Bosch ALR 900 Electric Lawn Rake

will fit the bill.
This neat little idea has a 900 Watt Powerdrive motor producing loads of power to get rid of thatching and moss.
It has 10 sprung tines and a working width of 32 cm and the rubbish that it teases out goes into a 50-litre collector at the back.
The machine has four working heights between 10 m above the surface and 5 mm below so it can be adjusted according to the thickness of the thatching.
It weighs just 9.4 kg and the handles fold down for convenient storage and transport.
It costs £169 and is delivered free the next working day. Plus it has a two-year guarantee from Bosch.
Now the Agri-Fab plug aerator. This simple little tow-behind machine is ideal for giving the lawn a fast start this Spring.

It will loosen compacted soils and let moisture and nutrients seep through to the roots.
It has 32 aeration knives which will remove a plug of soil to a depth of up to three inches and has a working width of 48 in.
Where necessary weights up to 175 lb can be placed on a metal tray to increase penetration where necessary.
The knives can be simply raised with a lever when crossing paths or drives. The device has wide profile tyres for smooth operation and so as not to damage the lawn.
It costs £259, and that’s £50 less than the maker’s recommended price. There is a two-year warranty from the manufacturer’s and delivery is free the next working day.

The Al-Ko Comfort 38E Combi-Care Electric Aerator / Scarifier is a clever machine from German engineering company Al-Ko and has two easily attached cassettes.
The aeration cassette provides a machine with a working width of 37 cm and has 14 steel blades which leave tiny cuts in the lawn to allow moisture and nutrients into the plants to promote healthy root growth.
Attach the scarifying cassette and you have a machine with 24 sprung hooks to ease out dead grasses and moss which will strangle growth. The debris goes into a 55-litre catcher.
The machine has a 1300 Watt motor designed for a long life and has five working heights.
And large rear wheels give it increased stability.
It costs £169, £20 below the RRP, has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and is delivered free the next working day.

Now here’s a two in one machine which will save both time and money on big projects.
The Agri-Fab 42″ Pro Aerator/Spreader will aerate the lawn and spread seeds or fertilizer.
It has a working width of 43″ and is ideal for larger lawns and is simply attached to any lawn tractor or ride on so that you can aerate the lawn and fertilize it all in one pass saving time and money.
Twelve revolving star-shaped spike wheels penetrate the surface while hopper is controlled by a lever to regulate the rate of spread.
The spike can be lifted when driving from one location to another. Both levers can be reached from the seat of the ride-on.
The wheels have sturdy rubber tyres to provide excellent grip and a hitch-pin means it can be used with all ride-ons or tractors.
It has a three-year manufacturer’s warranty and is delivered free within 7 days.
Cost: £439 instead of the RRP of £539

Now here’s a machine which is a MowDirect superstar a best seller and on special offer.
The Einhell BG-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier is far cheaper than any comparable machine on the market from a leading German engineering company.
It has 18 double sided blades which tease out moss and dead grasses to let the new growth flourish.
It is suitable for lawns up to 1000 sq metres and has a 118 cc engine. The machine moves itself along as the tines engage with the lawn and it has a 45-litre box for all the rubbish eased out.
There are six working heights depending on how severe you need to be on the lawn and a working width of 40 cm.
Large wheels make it easy to use and the handles fold down for easy storage and transport.
You can currently save £225 on the maker’s recommended price as is is just £274.95.
Delivery is free the next working day and there is a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee. See these reviews

Now here’s a similar machine from a German manufacturer.
The Al-Ko Comfort 38P Combi-Care Petrol Aerator / Scarifier has an aeration cassette for when the lawn needs a bit of vigorous treatment and a scarifier for when you can be more gently.
The scarifier has 24 sprung steel hooks to pull out dead grasses and moss and has a working width of 38 cm.
The aeration cassette has 24 steel blades to leave small slits in the lawn to let in nutrients and moisture.
The engine is a four stroke 53 cc model and the device has five depth settings and a 55-litre box to pick up the debris. Large rear wheels make it easier to control driving around the flower beds.
As a special offer this model has a free ten litre Jerry can.
It costs £349, has a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee and free next working day delivery.

Now for a machine which is often the choice of the professional.
The Efco AG50-H60 Professional Petrol Lawn Scarifier is a really high spec machine, solidly built and often sued to treat sports pitches.
Power comes from a 163 cc Honda engine with a forged steel crankshaft for durability and made to run more quietly and use less fuel. The engine decompresses automatically to make starting easier.
The working width is 50 cm and it has free-swinging steel blades for greater efficiency. The working depth is adjusted by a single lever.
The steel deck gives it added strength and the ball bearing mounted wheels mean they won’t stiffen with age.
It costs £999.00 compared with the maker’s recommended price of £1,139.00. Delivery is free.
And finally, a real hard working machine aimed at the professional gardener or keen amateur with a large lawn to maintain to the highest quality.

The Weibang WB456AH Professional Lawn Aerator has strong aeration blades which cut slits down to 70 mm to let nutrients and moisture down deep into the root system.
A Honda 163 cc GX160 gives bags of power with fuel consumption kept to a minimum.
It is fitted with a clutch system to disengage the blades while keeping the motor running and has a belt and chai gearing so that it will penetrate even the hardest of surfaces.
It costs  £1799. Delivery is free.
Lawns really need extra care this year and for a fuller idea of what equipment is available to help you achieve a perfect lawn this summer please see our special pages.

Updated May 2018