Lawn mower power rake. Arnold Power Rake Review

Arnold Power Rake Review

The full review on the Arnold Power Rake is below. However, not everyone has had great results with this. So, if you’re looking for a quick and effective way to dethatch your yard, I recommend my latest review on the GreenWorks Lawn Dethatcher.

A Better Way to Rake Your Lawn

The Arnold power rake is a dethatcher blade specifically built for 21″ and 22″ push-behind, lawn mowers. The purpose of a power-rake, of course, is to ease the pain and burden on your back and hands associated with manually raking up your dead grass and thatch. A good power rake is a tool that can be rented from an equipment shop and costs hundreds of dollars to buy. A power rake or dethatcher blade is a very inexpensive part that you replace with your lawnmower blade in a matter of minutes. The Arnold power rake, unlike other dethatcher blades which use metal tines, has a number of rigid, orange plastic tines which are spread out across the length and width of the dethatcher blade. The plastic tines, according to user reviews, do not risk doing as much damage to the lawn as the traditional, metal-tine dethatcher blades. There are other dethatcher blade sizes made by Arnold, but the 21-22″ size is probably the most common and happened to be the one that fits both of my lawn mowers. As you can see by the photo, the Arnold power rake is quite a bit different than most dethatcher blades. I bought this blade because it got better ratings from users than the traditional thatcher blades.

Why Power Rake Your Lawn?

I can see a couple of good reasons for power-raking your lawn as opposed to doing the manual, back-breaking, old-fashioned, annual, Spring hand-raking. One, after the dead cold chill of winter, spring raking becomes necessary for removing the dead grass and debris from the grass and giving your lawn plenty of fresh air and room to breath and produce new, green grass. My north-facing front yard happens to face the brutal cold winters of Colorado. Not only is the climate hard on the grass, but the debris and salt from shoveling snow off the driveway gets left on the lawn. It is going to take more than hand-raking to clean up the harmful substances on the lawn, even if it means mowing at a very low setting. It becomes absolutely necessary for me to rake up the dead grass and remove the harmful chemicals and soot from the driveway as efficiently as possible. The second reason is that hand-raking is never as easy as it looks and usually turns into a seemingly endless job. Whenever I begin my spring lawn raking, I always tell myself, I will just concentrate on the dry spots and won’t bother to even rake the areas that are already green. Once I get started, I can never seem to stop. There seems to be an endless amount of thatch to remove and once I get done with the dry spots, I feel as though I’ve neglected the rest of the lawn that is green. So, I usually end up raking the entire lawn and it becomes very tiresome after a while. Getting started with a rake is easy, but finishing the job is not. The Arnold rake makes it possible to bypass the rake entirely. The job is as easy as mowing your lawn once or twice. The final reason, of course, is that a good, professional power rake will do a much better job than human, back-breaking, manual hand raking. So, the question then becomes, ‘can a simple replacement dethatcher blade do a better job than you can do with your old fashioned rake? I decided to look at power rake reviews and the one that looked the best was, Arnold.

How to use the Arnold Power Rake

Installing the power rake onto your lawnmower is a simple, 10 minute process with a socket tool. My Snapper Lawn mower had two bolts which had to be removed. The blade comes with an assortment of washers which I ignored because they didn’t appear to be necessary. The biggest complaint from users about power rake mower blades is that they tear up your lawn. One of the reasons I bought the Arnold power rake is for the softer, yet rigid tines which would seem to do less damage. The most important thing to realize with this product is that you need to be patient and take your time. The first thing I did was mow my lawn with the original blade to get the grass short and make power raking an easier process. I used my bag to collect the lawn clippings. I also used the bag throughout the dethatching process. Why force yourself to have to rake up all of the loose clippings and thatch afterwards? The bag did an excellent job collecting all of the thatch. One other thing that is important to realize is that the level of the grass in early spring is not even throughout. Power raking the yard requires experimenting with different settings to achieve a good raking of all the dead surfaces and debris. I actually ended up going over my lawn three and a half times. I started with a high setting, then switched to a medium setting than a low setting. Finally, I switched to an even lower setting, for the lowest, thinnest sections of grass.

Power Raking Performance of Arnold

First and foremost, I am pleased to say that the power rake did not once tear up my lawn so I could see sheer dirt underneath. I did have some sections of the lawn where grass was already missing and even on the lowest setting that I used, the power rake did a very gentle job removing thatch. The secret is to start with the higher settings and adjust as needed. I collected two very heavy bags of finely shaved grass. One thing that impressed me was how the power rake minced up the grass into very fine, dust like material which saved space and required much less bagging. After I had finished power raking with the low setting, I was satisfied that the job was finished without ever once being tempted to pick up my hand rake.

The picture to the right shows how my grass looked after the job was done. Unfortunately, I was not thoughtful enough to take a picture before I started the job. If nothing else, the photo proves that the Arnold power rake did not cause any undue harm to my lawn.

Dethatching blade vs power rake : Which way?

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We have been discussing lawn maintenance in our blog quite often (see all the posts we have done in the last few months here).

But there is one question that we are yet to address even though it seems to be bothering a significant number of our readers: dethatching blade vs power rake.

You see, you may, from time to time, want to remove thatch from your yard- remember that excessive thatch buildup can lead to poor lawn health because the accumulated thatch prevents essentials such as water, air, and fertilizer from reaching your grass roots.

That is where the dethatching blade vs power rake debated comes up- you can purchase/rent a power rake or get a specialized dethatching blade for your lawn mower (these can efficiently remove thatch too).

So, should you go for a dethatching blade or rent/buy a power rake?

Below we take a closer look at each of the two options including how each works and when you should use each.

Overview of Dethatching Blades

Dethatching Blades mostly resemble regular lawnmowing blades but have tines (plastic) or springs (metal) that hang down.

It is the tines/springs that whip the accumulated thatch out of your yard as you drive the mower over your grass.

Can a Dethatching Blade work?

In general, the specialized dethatching blades that are usually sold as a lawn-mower attachment are only moderately effective when it comes to removing the dead thatch layer from lawns.

In truth, if not set up correctly, the dethatching blade sometimes ends up cutting your grass rather than de-thatching the dead grass layer underneath.

Reason? Most of the blades don’t go deep enough.

Plus, some are not sturdy enough for the job and can break before you finish going over your back yard particularly for lawns with a massive layer of dead grass/thatch.

How to get the most out of dethatching blades

If you must use a blade to dethatch, try to follow the dethatching directions that come with the blade- each manufacturer will have easy-to-follow instructions to help you install it and do the job right.

That said, setting the lawn mower to its lowest setting helps the blade touch the ground (and get to the thatch).

On the other hand, you can set your mower a bit higher when dethatching the greener parts (those with just a moderate layer of thatch) – it tends to do a better job of removing thatch at this setting while leaving your live grass mostly unharmed.

When to use a dethatching blade

Despite the shortcomings, still there are instances that using a dethatching blade would make more sense.

This is primarily when you just have a minor thatch problem- you have very light thatch plaguing your yard.

Don’t forget that it is the less expensive option as well and it could be viable if the idea of buying an expensive tool that you’ll hardly be using doesn’t excite you (power rakes are costlier if you’re looking to buy).

What is the best dethatching blade?

Since our goal is to arm you with all the vital information – it is the only way you can make a decision you won’t regret later- here is what you should know about the available types of dethatching blades:

Now, there are two key varieties of dethatching blades;1) those with metal springs 2) Those with nylon trimmer-line attachment.

Type 1: Dethatching blade with metal spring attachment

These are the most popular option.

They do a great job when it comes to the removal of light thatch from smaller areas.

importantly, the spring tines (hanging down the blade) tend to be gentler on grass.

Furthermore, you can even put the thatch you dethatch with your spring tines attachment in rows for easier pick up.

Type 2: Dethatching blade with nylon trimmer-line attachment

Any blade with a nylon trimmer-line attachment usually destroys healthy grass and is best avoided.

Note that they use the lengths of their nylon trimmer line/cord as tough bristles when dethatching lawns, leading to possible damage.

Overview of a Power Rake

A power rake features many tines/blades – these are fixed and look pretty similar to the ones you find on garden machines such as roto-tillers.

The fitted knife-type blades slices through the dead debris and other organic material sitting underneath the surface as you push it over the yard (or tow it behind your tractor).

It’s worth mentioning that the tines/blades rotate as its wheels spin (the tine-controlling gear turns once the wheels start to spin) triggering the dethatching action.

Does a Power rake really work?

I won’t mince words here: of the two, a power rake is certainly the more suitable option for dense thatch removal (works amazingly well when thatch is really thick).

One of the best things about the machine is that you can adjust the blades to your desired height so as to cut and lift thatch without hurting your live grass/grass roots.

When to use a power rake

In a nutshell, the more ideal tool to remove humongous amounts of thatch from severely distressed lawns is the power rake.

Put another way, this is your go-to tool if your yard looks mostly yellow because of terrible thatch infestation.

The major downside is the cost- I already mentioned that these machines are mainly designed for commercial purposes so their are comparatively higher.

On top of that, power raking is a more aggressive thatch removal technique and it is likelier to hurt the grass.

For this reason, your grass may need more time to heal from the process compared to when you remove thatch using a dethatching blade.

Dethatching blade vs power rake – recap

On the whole, a power rake is the better tool to use to get rid of thatch and works wonderfully well even where the thatch is really thick.

On the other hand, you may opt for a dethatching blade and get decent results for light thatch problems on small properties.

Do Dethatching Lawn Mower Blades Work? (Quick Read)

Sometimes automation is not all it’s cracked up to be, and that’s certainly the case with dethatching lawn mowers – which according to experts do not seem to work.

Dethatching lawn mower blades are meant for smaller gardens, but are ineffective. So if you have under 1/2 inch of thatch it’s best to get a rake and do it by hand. For larger gardens with over half an inch of thatch you can use a power rake, which is a more robust machine.

Let’s consider what dethatching is, when and why you need to do it, and look at alternatives to dethatching lawn mowers.

What is Dethatching Do I Need To Do It?

Thatch is the layer of plant stems, both dead and alive, and organic debris that forms below the green grass tips and above the soil. Over time, too much thatch will kill grass shoots, resulting in a lawn with patchy, brown spots.

To determine your amount of thatch, use a sharpshooter shovel and dig into your lawn, down to the soil, then look at the cross section. Experts say that over 1/2 inch of thatch can be unhealthy for your lawn. If you have one inch or more of thatch, then you need to act.

Dethatching can help your lawn stay healthy. When thatch is too thick, your watering becomes ineffective – water can’t reach the roots. Pest insects and pathogens can set up a home in thatch. Excessive thatch weakens the lawn’s natural tolerance to disease and dry spells.

Lawns with heavy thatch are brown. Dethatching allows new grass shoots to grow into the dethatched gaps, giving you a lusher, greener lawn.

For southern lawns, experts recommend dethatching your lawn in the spring, every 1 or 2 years. Plan to dethatch your lawn just when the grass starts to green up. If you can’t dethatch in the spring, fall is the second-best time.

For northern lawns, dethatch in late summer or early fall. For expert advice on dethatching timing, call the Agricultural Extension office in your area.

For dethatching lawns, you can use a normal rake, a hand-held dethatcher rake, get a dethatching blade that fits on your lawn mower, use a dethatcher machine (or scarifier, vertical lawn mower or verticutter) or use a power rake.

Do Thatching Mower Blades Work? (What Are they?)

Exerts and homeowners alike say no, dethatching mower blades are not the best way to dethatch your lawn.

Dethatching mower blades are quite different from regular mowing blades. Regular mowing blades are mostly flat and slice through grass.

Dethatching mower blades, like the one in this video, have tines or spikes that stick out perpendicular to the blade and cut down into the thatch like a knife, slicing it up.

How To Dethatch a Lawn With a Mower Attachment

If you do still want to give it a go with a dethatcher despite the experts advice – then proceed with caution. Here are some steps to follow:

Firstly – stop watering your lawn. Wait until the lawn has dried completely and then mow your lawn to a low level. If your grass is long, use a grass catcher. Then, detach the grass cutting blade.

Read and follow the instructions carefully for the dethatch blade. Some instructions recommend that you take out the spark plug for safety.

Set the mower on a hard surface, like cement, and take a look at the tine clearance. Cell phone cameras are good for this or raise the grass catcher door. Raise or lower the mower wheels until the tine clearance is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. The height of the tine is key. Too low, and you will dig into dirt. Too high and the mowing will be ineffective.

Empty the grass catcher and put it back on. Pick a test brown patch. Mow over the test patch and see whether the tine is thinning the thatch. Check inside the catcher, if you have one. Do you have cut up thatch inside? Dirt?

If the tine is cutting down into the soil, then it needs to be raised a little. Make height adjustments using small test patches until the tine is thinning the thatch but not digging into the dirt.

Then, get your earbuds and eye protection on, and do the entire lawn. Cut thatch (and there will be lots of it) makes great compost. Be sure to water it a little more than normal grass clippings, as thatch is drier.

Should I Use a Power Rake Instead?

If you have thatch over 1/2 inch thick and a large lawn, use a power rake.

Power rakes are different from dethatchers, although there is some confusion about the definitions. Most experts agree that dethatchers are smaller machines, appropriate for small lawns. Dethatchers will work well if you have a small amount of thatch – up to 1/2 inch. Dethatchers may look like small lawn mowers, but the blade system is different.

Dethatcher tines don’t spin around a central point like dethatcher mower blades. On a dethatcher, rows of tines or blades rotate around a long cylinder, like a tiller. The dethatcher blades cut parallel to the direction the machine is going – no crop circles.

Power rakes are larger, and heavier, machines. They can remove much more thatch than dethatchers. Their blades can be flail types or solid knife types. Generally, power rakes are for thick thatch problems and large lawns.

Power rakes can be aggressive. Be sure to rake at times when your lawn can recover before stressful times of the year, like hot summers or freezing cold winters.

How To Dethatch a Lawn With a Power Rake

First, test a small area with the highest rake setting. Check the results – did it remove all the thatch? If not, lower the rake by one setting and test again.

When you are satisfied that the rake is on the best setting, run the rake in one direction over the entire lawn. Collect all the thatch and debris by hand with a rake or with a lawn mower with a bag attachment. If the thatch debris is dry, you can try to blow it into a pile or onto the street where you can sweep it up.

Once the debris is clear, run the rake in the opposite direction across the lawn. Then, clear the debris. Here’s a great video.

Thatch debris is great for your compost bin and there will be giant piles of it.

Final Thoughts

You asked a very clear question to find this article: ‘Do Dethatching Lawn Mower Blades Work?’ – and the answer according to most experts in a resounding ‘no’.

There are better ways to thin the thatch on your lawn, especially if you have a smaller garden with under half an inch of lawn thatch. In this instance, using a rake and some good old fashioned elbow grease is the best option.

And if your lawn is bigger – and has a deeper layer of thatch over half an inch think – then choosing a power rake is the more effective way of getting the optimum results.

Homeowner and property investor Larry Jones founded Take a Yard in 2020 to bring you the very best outdoor living content, based on his years of experience managing outside spaces. Read more

About UsHi, I’m homeowner and property investor Larry Jones. I founded Take a Yard to bring you the very best outdoor living content. Read

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What’s the difference between dethatching and power raking your lawn?

Should you dethatch your lawn or should you power rake it? Wait, there’s a difference?

Scroll the internet and you’ll see the words ‘power raking’ and ‘dethatching’ often used interchangeably. However, there’s a difference. And what you do (or ask your landscaper to do) will impact your lawn in different ways.

What’s dethatching?

Many homeowners and landscapers will say ‘dethatching’ when they really mean power raking. Dethatching uses a machine—a vertical mower—that’s also called a verticutter (pictured above). This machine has vertical blades in the front that turn and slice into the soil, pulling up what’s called ‘thatch’ and sometimes grass roots. These machines are great on lawns that have a very thick layer of thatch or need to be renovated.

Do not dethatch your lawn in the spring because it stresses the turf. It can go through a long recovery period and struggle to rebound as we enter drier months.

One way to avoid having to dethatch is by aerating every fall. Aerating pokes holes into the layer of thatch, helping to loosen it up.

So, what’s thatch?

Thatch is a intermixed layer of dead and living roots, leaves and stems that accumulate between actively growing grass and the soil underneath. Thatch isn’t bad if it’s not too thick. A thin layer of thatch can actually increase how resilient your lawn is too heavy foot traffic. But if the thatch layer is too thick—1/2 to 3/4 inches deep—it can restrict the flow of air, water, and nutrients to the roots.

Because of this restriction, a lot of thatch can cause your turf to dry out faster. As the layer of thatch absorbs (and thus restricts) the movement of water and nutrients to root systems, grass roots itself within the thatch in an attempt to survive. Overall, thatch is a poor medium for turf growth, and if it dries out it’s difficult to rewet. If thatch does stay wet, it can harbor insects or funguses.

What’s power raking?

Power raking is completely different than dethatching. Many homeowners are most familiar with the process already when they place a heavy rake or tines on the back or front of their mower. This does a good job of lifting up dead grass and debris, but it’s not going to slice up your turf’s thatch layer like a verticutter. Incorrectly stated in the video below (but the process and machinery is correct), power raking is fine to do in the spring, and I recommend raking or standing up areas of your lawn that have become matted over the winter. Matted turf can rot and die.

Be clear with your landscaper

Often homeowners will sign on for dethatching when they really mean power raking. Typically, landscapers will power rake with their ride-on mower. But it’s important to clarify because they’re really two dissimilar processes that affect the lawn differently. You don’t want to make the mistake of dethatching your lawn in the spring when it should have been power raked instead.

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When Should You Power Rake Your Lawn?

Lawns should be power raked if the thatch layer is thicker than about a half inch. Because it’s difficult to tell just by looking at the surface of the lawn, remove a small section (about 2-3 inches deep) with a shovel and look at the profile for thatch buildup between the soil and grass.

What is Thatch?

Thatch is a mat of dead grass, stems, and roots gathered just above the soil, and occurs from a lack of microbial activity in the soil. A thin layer of thatch (¼ inch or so) can be good for your lawn because it insulates the soil and holds moisture longer. However, too much thatch can prevent water from reaching the soil and cause grass to root in the thatch layer instead of rooting in the soil.

What is a Power Rake?

A power rake is a machine that uses blades similar to a roto-tiller to remove thatch and debris that can build up on a lawn. Power raking is gentler than dethatching since it only removes debris at the soil level (whereas dethatching also pulls and removes healthy root systems).

When is the Best Time of Year to Power Rake Your Lawn?

Most lawns should be power raked in the late winter or early spring, before the grass begins to green up. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass, should be power raked in the early fall. Power raking outside of these times can potentially damage your lawn by removing living turf during growing season.

Why Should You Power Rake Your Lawn?

Power raking is great for removing dead matter and aeration. Because only the thatch layer is targeted, waste is removed without damaging the healthy grass allowing faster recovery. Removing this thatch layer will enable your lawn to breath easier and root deeper.

When you’re ready to remove the thatch layer from your lawn, we have a power rake rental ready for you! And don’t forget to check out our rotary spreaders and verti-cutters to help with your seeding. Give us a call today at (316) 838-4211!