Power rake vs aerator is a question that can be confusing for people who are only now embarking on their lawn care journey. The important thing to know is that you do not need to buy either of these tools because you can just rent them when needed.
While one is important to relieve the lawn of eventual soil compaction, the other is useful for getting rid of thatch. You get to read an in-depth comparison of the two machines in this guide, along with the cool characteristics of both machines.
| Features | Power Rake | Aerator |
| Purpose | To remove thatch and debris build up over the soil | To eliminate soil compaction, provide better drainage and airflow |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Price | Expensive but less than an aerator | Quite expensive, even renting is pretty pricey |
Contents
What Distinguishes A Power Rake From An Aerator?
The difference between a power rake and an aerator is that the power rake is a completely different machine as it removes thatch buildup from the top layers of the soil. Whereas aerators dig holes of various sizes and configurations deep in the soil to open up spaces within it.
To elaborate it further, you can consider the fact that power raking with this tool will remove the thatch that inevitably builds up in the soil as you grow grass. Thatch is a layer of organic debris comprising leaves, straws, mulch, etc. it forms a proper layer over the soil and needs to be removed for the well-being of the plants growing in the soil.
An aerator, in comparison, is used to remove plugs of soil or puncture holes in it so that the soil becomes loose and airy again. It helps alleviate soil compaction and improve drainage through the soil.
When you have a lawn that is not dethatched for several years, the layer of thatch builds up so thick that the grass turns yellow from lack of resources. In this case, using a good old dethatcher instead of a power rake, will be no help whatsoever, and you will have to resort to using a powered rake instead.
A storm that spreads a thick layer of debris over your lawn is another instance when this machine must be removed.
Understanding Power Rakes Better
A power rake is a machine that would remove thin thatch, but if you dig deep there would a risk to damage the lawn. However, when used correctly, it will help improve the grounds, and level them too. But you must store it well, so it doesn’t develop rust.
When you invest in this machine, you must know that it is better suited for use by professionals to help lawns that a very thick layer of thatch has destroyed. It is a very expensive piece of lawn equipment that costs a bunch just to rent.
An electronic power rake is a machine used to remove the surface layer of buildup thatch and other such debris in the lawn. It uses rotating blades to lift the debris and open-air spaces within the soil. The most commonly used type of this tool resembles a push-type lawn mower where you walk behind it while pushing it ahead.
– Removes Thin Thatch
Many people confuse this machine with a detaching feature because of their similar functions. However, they are different because a power rake is a lightweight tool for everyday use.
It can only remove up to half an inch thick layer of thatch from the ground and should be used at least two to three times per year. The power rake has the ability to help you clean the bottom part of your grass, and it would be useful if you get a bit more professional after several trials and errors.
– Risk of Damaging the Lawn
When using a rake, there is little need to go for a power-fueled rake because it is a heavy-duty machine that digs out debris deeper than half an inch. It is used mostly by professionals because it requires a certain skill level.
Because of how deep it digs into the soil, you can damage grass if you are not careful enough.
– It Helps Improve Lawn
When too much dead grass and debris build up on the surface of the lawn; the grass has difficulty breathing. The roots also need oxygen from the air to survive, and thatch blocks air from reaching the roots. Air and sunlight also have a harder time reaching the grass, making it yellow.
Raking is an essential element of lawn care and helps improve the soil’s overall condition, because it will help improve the grass and improve the quality of its growth. You will notice an immediate increase in new grass growth once all the choking debris is removed, because it would move and create proper establishment.
– You Can Level The Ground Well
You must first level the ground when planting new sod or grass on the lawn. A powered rake will also help you with that, along with the process to properly dethatch the grounds. It is not uncommon for minor bumps and valleys to appear in the lawn due to human use and moving machinery across it.
Unless it is properly leveled, the sod will not form intimate contact with the ground and will find it hard to take root. This is when you must try to aim and use manual rakes to flatten the ground, why not go for a powered one that can get a better job done in half the time
– May Get Rust Oxide
Although it is best to leave heavy-duty lawn equipment such as this one up to professionals, there is absolutely no harm in trying it out by yourself if you can handle it perfectly.
If you own such a rake, you better store it cool and dry to keep its blades from rusting, because it is prone to get rusted. The best thing that you can do is to buy a storage rack and then keeping it in the tool shed or the garage.
Be active about cleaning the blades of the rake right after you finish power raking, because if it develops rust, it will give you a challenging time to get the job done. Not only will the blades get cleaned pretty easily, but they will also stay in good condition for a long time. Check the depth adjustment lever before each use to prevent digging too deep into the soil.
Understanding Aerators Better
Aerators are machines that would add air to the soil, and they must be used in the fall or spring time. They have a number of variations and models, and they are able to get rid of the thatch however, they will result in a thicker lawn.
Lawn aerators are tools that get rid of soil compaction by puncturing holes. Many types of aerators are available, and they all provide different levels of aeration depending on the holes they dig and the level of aeration they provide.
– Use It In Fall or Spring
The best time to use your aerator is either early fall or early springtime, when the growth period of grass is just beginning.
As you know, warm-season grasses begin their growth spurt in spring, whereas cool-season grasses start doing so in late summer to early fall. Ensure the soil is neither drought-dry nor soaking wet but reasonably moist when aerating.
– A Number of Variations
Aerators for lawn maintenance can be divided into five categories depending on their size, mechanism of action, and level of aeration provided. Small-sized lawns do not need heavy-duty, agricultural-type aerators, although these are the best kinds.
There are the core aerators and these are the ones responsible to provide the most effective aeration by removing proper plugs from the soil as they drive over the lawn. After core aeration, the empty spaces left behind allow the soil to expand and provide space for the roots to grow, obtain nutrients, and breathe. The plugs dug by these aerators are deep, ranging from two to three inches into the soil.
Also, you can try to invest in plug aerators, as they are better suited for lawns in an average US home. They do not take out plugs of soil; instead, they use spikes to dig holes two to three inches deep into the soil. Hence, they may not be able to relieve 100 percent soil compaction but work fine by improving air and water channels significantly.
On the other hand, the spike aerators are the most commonly used because of their convenience and ease of use. They are also the least effective compared to core and plug aerators.
The holes created by a spike-type aerator are much narrower but still help to improve the condition when used regularly, and to make the manner easier you can buy a push-type aerator or spiked shoes and walk all over the lawn while wearing them.
Lastly, you can aim to go for the old-fashion one, and use a liquid aerator instead of a manual one. These are also known as soil softeners and act as soil amendments. Once it is applied according to the instructions given by the manufacturer, it will keep working actively in the soil for about two to three months.
– Able to Get Rid of Thatch
The aerator also provides the additional benefit of removing thatch from the ground as it loses the compaction within the soil. That is why people who take care to aerate their lawn at least twice a year rarely have to deal with thatch anymore.
Think of this in a positive way, because the thatch that has built up, is one that will prevent water and air from seeping into the ground, leading to poor grass quality.
Using an aerator will also decrease the necessity of using a powered rake, which is risky and can break up grass. Using an aerator for dethatching is much better than using a rake.
– Results in a Thicker Lawn
Aerating, which helps introduce water and air into the soil and allows the roots to expand and grow further. No wonder the grass always goes through a growth burst when the soil under it is aerated.
This factor becomes even more pertinent when growing cool-season grasses because they usually need to be over seeded late in the season before winter dormancy.
We always advise our gardeners to combine ove rseeding and aeration as this will create the perfect environment for the seeds to germinate and grow. The result will be filling up all the bare spots in the lawn and thicker grass in the spring after dormancy.
Conclusion
In short, a powered rake and an aerator are very different tools that serve different purposes. Power raking will come in handy if you remove the buildup debris and thatch from the soil’s surface, although it does need some trial and error until you become an expert.
On the other hand, any aerator is a much better tool in comparison because not only is it needed twice a year to maintain a healthy lawn. It can also do the rake job by removing thatch and possessing a lower risk of damaging the grass.
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