TURF DETHATCHING IMPLEMENTS; Three Point Hitch Mounted

[jeff9366]

I have moderate to heavy thatch buildup in my St. Augustine lawn, in North-Central Florida. (St. Augustine grass was bred from Florida native grasses.)

Soil under turf is perfectly drained, rock free, high pH, sandy-loam. It is hot and very humid during seven months of the year.


I am seeking advice on a Three Point Hitch implement to remove thatch. (Core aeration is my preference, at this moment in time.)

I am considering Everythingattachments.com core aerator. Two downsides: 1. $2000 cost, a lot of money relative to my yard size; however, the front runner. 2. I would want to store core aerator in my humidity controlled garage but I am out of space. I would need to sell my Wallenstein chipper to make room for ETA's core aerator. ( I have an ETA Landscape Rake with gauge wheels, which will consolidate the cores.)

Xtreme Duty Lawn Aerator With Hollow Coring Tines

Dirt Dog has a 60" core aerator for $2300 plus shipping.

Dirt Dog Model MPG-60, 60" Heavy Duty Lawn Plugger (Aerator)


Today, searching the T-B-N archive, I found limited information on Jrco aerators, whose Hooker Aerator looks interesting but does not mount on a Three Point Hitch.

Jrco Inc. - Hooker Aerator 60" Tow-behind


I have considered a Pine Straw Rake. Cheaper, can be stored outside, but probably a little rough for delicate, spreads-by-runners, St. Augustine turf.

Pine Needle Rakes | Pine Straw Rakes | Prepare Pine Needles For Baling with the Everything Attachments Pine Needle Rake 72" Length


I am willing to pay for quality.

Suggestions? Recommendations? Experiences?

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I have a pine straw rake that works great for pine straw and I have a home made roller wit 3/4 round cold roll steel for aeration. if you want pm me for better info

 

[Gittyup]

Aerator's don't remove thatch, Dethatchers do. Pine straw rakes work, as do other dethatchers. I have the CMP 50" unit: CMP 3-Point Dethatcher. Works great. And I have the Feldmann turfvent aerator. Both are perfect for 1-3 acres. First you dethatch, then vacuum, then aerator. Good time to lime/fertilize/spread is after aeration.

 

[jeff9366]

Aerator's don't remove thatch, Dethatchers do. Pine straw rakes work, as do other dethatchers. I have the CMP 50" unit: CMP 3-Point Dethatcher and I have the Feldmann [Three Point Hitch] turfvent aerator.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=413186

TurfVent Lawn Aerators by Feldmann | CoreCaster 3-Point Hitch Mounted CTV 52

Both venders interesting. The CMP-60" De-thatcher has two rows of tines, one in front of the other. Pine Straw Rakes have only one row of tines. Certainly cheap enough @ $269 including UPS shipping to Florida. I like that CMP is made in USA and that repair parts are available on CMP's web site.

Do you have both interchangeable turf fittings for Feldman? Is it worth having both? Is 200 pounds really enough weight? What is the price?

How do you vacuum?

No liming here. Sub-soil is loaded with soft lime-rock, which is quarried nearby for road base and crushed for ag use.

 

[jenkinsph]

Jeff,
The pine straw rake works well enough for your grass. EA has the best one I have seen so far as I like the replaceable tines. If any thing you might need to weave a couple of the twisted fence staves through the tines if it isn't stiff enough.

I need an aerator and like the EA model on your short list.

I vacuum with an MC 519 cart and blower on my Deere 749. I don't think I would pickup the cores as this is 90% dirt, better to run the pine straw rake over it again and bust them up.

 

[Gittyup]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=413186

TurfVent Lawn Aerators by Feldmann | CoreCaster 3-Point Hitch Mounted CTV 52

Both venders interesting. The CMP-60" De-thatcher has two rows of tines, one in front of the other. Pine Straw Rakes have only one row of tines. Certainly cheap enough @ $269 including UPS shipping to Florida.

Do you have both interchangeable turf fittings for Feldman? Is it worth having both? Is 200 pounds really enough weight? What is the price?

How do you vacuum?

No liming here. Sub-soil is loaded with soft lime-rock, which is quarried nearby for road base and crushed for ag use.

I'm pleased with the CMP. The corecaster is pricey (price posted on their site), but the 48" 3pt hitch version isn't. It's about $600. I use 5 40-lb JD weights on it. Cuts about a 3" plug in medium moist clay soil. If you have the money and room to navigate bigger implements, I'd consider going the way of EA straw rake and plug aerator. I'm in for about $900 for thatcher/plugger combined. Most of the bigger solutions will cost you about $2.5K-$5K for rake and plugger. I can't justify it for my two acres of lawn. The smaller implements are actually a better fit for my tight spaces and highly technical lawn.

My vacuum is an old sears fixed hitch dollie type, recently renovated with a new motor and placed on a carry-all. See this post for my home-made simple and cheap, near-zero grass stressing rig. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/319605-3pt-vacuum-rig.html?highlight=vacuum

 

[jeff9366]

Is there a manufacturer for a PTO powered dethatcher with tines?

Something like a light-weight PTO powered tiller, but with de-thatching spring tines?

I have Googled this search without satisfaction, but may not have right nomenclature for a match.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm pleased with the CMP.

If you have the money and room to navigate bigger implements, I'd consider going the way of EA straw rake and plug aerator. I can't justify it for my two acres of lawn. The smaller implements are actually a better fit for my tight spaces and highly technical lawn.

Do you think the two rows of tines on the CMP dethatcher offer improved performance over single row of tines on ETA Pine Straw Rake?

It seems the CMP might be a little gentler on St. Augustine runner lawn than a Pine Straw Rake.

Anything you do not like about the CMP dethatcher?



LATER ADDITIONS:

GITTYUP 3/17/2014
Re: CMP 3-PT Dethatcher
I used CMP Dethatcher on Sunday for the first time. Width is a perfect match for my 49" GT. Though ground still a little wet, it worked great. I used it to gather most of the twigs scattered about after the storm. Did pretty good considering it wasn't designed for that. The piles were not too much that closeness to the back of the tractor was not a problem. Rake empty itself pretty good when raised.

Pulled up thatch nicely. Some gathering in the tines, but came off when lifted. At times on uneven ground one side or other would not reach the ground. Combination of factors: ground unevenness, X739 3pt hitch doesn't drop to ground zero (~6" above ground level is as low as it will go). I think dethatching twice, at 90 degree angles to one another is the trick. I did not use any weight. Not sure it would really make a difference. Maybe in the fall when the ground might be harder and thatch fresher.

I only had time to go over lawn one time (one direction). I gathered 24 30-gallon containers of thatch (12 loads with my vacuum)! I have a huge pile that I meant to take photos of, but didn't get time and now it's snow covered (again ) That says two things: my yard really really needed it, and the CMP dethatcher was very effective. Yard looked so nice and clean before it snowed yet again.
Last edited by Gittyup; 03-17-2014 at 10:00 PM.


LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/291333-cmp-3pt-dethacther.html

 

[jenkinsph]

Jeff, you need to recognize that the long flexible tines on a pine straw rake are more gentle on the grass than a dethatcher by a long shot.

The double row of tines that are stiff will work a little better than the pine straw rake but the rake is handy for so many things,

 

[Thomabear]

Since you are willing to pay for quality here you go. With a simple change of cutters this machine will cut brush and finish cut or dethatch lawns.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nvTvdzh2TO0

 

[jeff9366]

The double row of tines that are stiff will work a little better than the pine straw rake but the rake is handy for so many things,

At the moment I am looking for a single-purpose, 3-Pt implement to pull-out/remove/reduce thatch over the long term.

I have an ETA Landscape Rake with gauge wheels for other tasks.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a copy of the ABOUT US on CMP's web site:

My name is Derek. I have a wife and 2 daughters and live in Becker MN. I am the owner of CMP Attachments LLC, which I currently operate out of my home. My goal has been to own and operate my own business serving customers with the highest quality products and am proud to say that all my products are made in the USA. I have always had a passion for equipment and building new things that stemmed from childhood. I have learned over the years how to be innovative and carry my ideas throughout the whole business process. I currently build all of my products out of my pole shed and my goal is to continue to expand my business locally and in turn create jobs in the USA. It is a high priority of mine to provide products that are 100% USA made which is becoming too rare these days. I have always loved challenges and meeting good hardworking people along the way, so this has been a very enjoyable journey so far. I started off making 3 point dethatchers out of my garage and it then lead into zero turn dethatchers and continues to lead into more new things such as aerators, power dirt buckets, ground leveling equipment, fertilizer spreaders and more that we hope to bring to the table in the years to come. I have put a lot of thought and effort into designing each piece and it is my mission to keep in mind that cost and reliability must not only exceed the competition but at a lower cost and all be USA built. I also strive to learn from the consumer, taking in feedback and making changes as necessary to help keep my products at the top in quality and reliability. I am very aware that my success so far could not have been achieved if it was not for the dealers that have given me a chance and the opportunity to serve them and the customers buying my product. This has paved a very nice road for me to follow so I hope to help you along my journey and save you money and time and keep us all thriving in this great country, The USA.

LINK:

CMP ATTACHMENTS - Products

 

[jeff9366]

Anyone used a frame mounted, 3-Pt Chain Harrow for detaching? Frame makes it maneuverable. Perhaps awkward to store?

I have purchased from ABI before; pricey implements but excellent quality.

3 Point Chain Harrows ::ABI Attachments::

ABI 3-Point Chain Harrow​

An economical method to lightly harrow gardens, food plots, pastures, paddocks, lawns, horse arenas and round pens, ball fields, driveways, trails, and more. Available with a three-point tractor lifting frame. The harrow mat itself is reversible and can be flipped for three levels of aggressiveness. Level one is most passive, with the tines facing upward. Level two allows the tines to face downward but also to release under pressure. Level three is the most aggressive, with the tines fully locked downward when pulled forward. The harrow mat is made of 1/2" inch thick chain, made from high-carbon heat-treated steel. Each mat is 4 feet long from front to back, and the tines themselves measure four inches long. The available 3-point lifting frames are rated for CAT 1 tractors up to 50 hp and the mat is suspended by adjustable chains to allow it to stay in contact with the ground while operating over undulating terrain. Backed by a 24-month limited warranty!

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Looked on line and found a site Wisesales that had all types of dethachers I understand your willingness to pay for quality but how often would you use this item on lawn for the cost of these units. they had a pull behind double row rake similar to pine straw rake but tines were shorter only 40 inches wide but at 140 dollars a lot less than units for commercial use. after dethaching could use mower with bagger to pick up debris a friend has a beautiful st Augustine lawn and once a year he gits a load of sand and lightly spreads over lawn this is just my two cents proably more than it's worth have a great day

 

[Gittyup]

Jeff, you need to recognize that the long flexible tines on a pine straw rake are more gentle on the grass than a dethatcher by a long shot.

The double row of tines that are stiff will work a little better than the pine straw rake but the rake is handy for so many things,

I have no experience with the pine straw rake. They sure look like a nice implement. I would say the only thing I don't like about the CMP is I wish it had a 3rd row of tines . With any 3pt solution, you can control the down press with the height adjust. This would be especially easy on flat ground. Some think it sets a bit too close to the rear wheels. I haven't found this to be an issue.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Here is a picture of my homemade thatch rake... It is 5' long on one of my universal tool bars..
It is set up to run on the 3 pt... Or I can turn it around and run the same set up on a front mount 3pt out ahead of my mower deck.
That is when I get the front 3pt mechanism built for my tractor...

It is built to dig a minimum of 3/4" deep... And at that depth it is VERY aggressive...
On my rock pile here a plug or core tool of any kind would be a total waste of time and fuel...

Good luck...
===

 

[jenkinsph]

I have no experience with the pine straw rake. They sure look like a nice implement. I would say the only thing I don't like about the CMP is I wish it had a 3rd row of tines . With any 3pt solution, you can control the down press with the height adjust. This would be especially easy on flat ground. Some think it sets a bit too close to the rear wheels. I haven't found this to be an issue.

Here are some pics of my psr in action. I have it set up for the IMatch now so that adds some extra weight. I use the crap out of this thing for raking needles as well as smoothing and covering seed. Would not want to be without one.

 

[jeff9366]

Since you are willing to pay for quality here you go. With a simple change of cutters this machine will cut brush and finish cut or dethatch lawns.

Nice.

However, I have a Land Pride Rotary Cutter so I think an ETA Core Aerator would better meet my requirements.

 

[Daver1963]

Here is a thread on a rake I made. I called it a landscape rake, but its more of a pine needle rake. I have used it to even out areas I wanted to plant some grass in.
There are also responses from other members showing what they have built.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/300969-good-landscape-rake-cheap-part.html

 

[Thomabear]

Nice.

However, I have a Land Pride Rotary Cutter so I think an ETA Core Aerator would better meet my requirements.

No doubt a Core Aerator will improve the overall health of your lawn (if its compacted) but it will not address thatch problems very quickly. It will take a very long time, maybe even years for the dirt from those plugs to promote decomposition of thatch. The best fix would be to remove it right away then upkeep it by aeration and adjusting mowing habits going forward. Have you considered renting a dethatcher to remove the bulk thatch then following up by using the core aerator, lower cutting height and/or mulching for prevention?