Best electric dethatcher

Greenworks Electric Dethatcher

When you’re stuck at home on a beautiful weekend or a nice night, it’s the perfect time to start trimming your lawn and working on dethatching. Proper lawn maintenance can transform your yard.

Dethatchers work on the stems and roots, or excessive thatch, that sit between your grass and the soil.

The best electric dethatcher is the Greenworks 14-inch 10-amp corded dethatcher, model 27022. Not only is this Greenworks dethatcher fast and efficient, but it’s also corded so that you never have to worry about running out of fuel.

Greekworks 14-inch 10-amp Corded Dethatcher Review


Greenworks Electric Dethatcher

A healthy lawn starts with proper maintenance. Thatch can impact oxygen flow to soil, which will have a negative effect on your lawn’s appearance. Thatch can also cause moss to grow or reduce moisture levels.

The Greenworks Dethatcher helps breathe life into your grass, removing a lot of the natural debris that attracts insects and diseased organisms.

A general rule of thumb is to work on dethatching when you have a layer of thatch that is a half-inch or more.

Most gardening professionals recommend testing a small area of your yard first before deciding to dethatch the entire yard if it’s not needed.

Greenworks makes this initial step easy with a corded model that is powerful and affordable. A top dethatching machine for sale, the 27022 includes key features that make yard maintenance a breeze.

Features and Specifications

  • 14-inch path for faster yard maintenance
  • 10-amp motor for additional power
  • Three tine depth adjustments
  • Stainless steel tines
  • Foldable to allow for easy storage
  • 150-foot power cord
  • 18-tines for faster thatch removal
  • 92-pound weight

Reliable and powerful, the 27022’s corded operation allows for maximum power output over a span of 150-feet. You should be able to confidently work on a quarter- to a half-acre lot without needing to run extension cords, but this will depend on your lot’s dimensions, too.

Since there’s no fuel needed, you don’t have to worry about power drops as long as an electrical outlet is within reach. You also just push a button to start up the machine. There are no concerns that after a long winter you’ll struggle to start your dethatcher.

You never have to worry about:

  • Batteries
  • Charging
  • Fuel

Greenworks has designed this model to have zero carbon footprint.

When you first start to maintain your lawn, you’ll be surprised by how much thatch is left behind. I recommend that you bring several large garbage bags for the clean-up – usually 3 to 5 bags for an average yard.

The first run through the yard will result in a space that actually looks thinned out, but this is a much-needed thinning for the soil underneath.

Subsequent sessions should result in much less thatch, usually just a bag or two, depending on how long you wait between sessions.

Built for Longevity

Greenworks Electric Dethatcher Review

Built-to-last, the 18 stainless steel tines will resist rust and potential damage from roots and debris. You need reliable performance, and that’s what Greenworks provides.

When using it, you’ll also notice operation is smooth with much less noise production.

Constant and dependable, the electric motor helps keep noise production low while offering consistent power time and time again.

Greenworks is so confident that this machine is well-built that they provide a four-year warranty. If the unit breaks or there is a defect, you can call the company to have the unit repaired or replaced.

I do want to mention that you’ll want to:

  • Inspect the two wing nuts attached to the rubber flap
  • Tighten these two nuts well

Greenworks makes a quality dethatcher, but a common issue is this slight rattle that is caused by the flap’s fasteners. Some users will go as far as removing the flap, but it is there as a safety mechanism. Debris will be propelled out of the unit, and the flap acts as a guard to stop the debris or thatch from hitting you.

Without the flap, you’ll have thatch flying into the yard and at you in some cases.

For most homeowners, the rattle isn’t much of a concern and is easily ignored.

Tips When Operating

The Greenworks dethatcher is not self-propelled, but the unit’s motor does provide a gentle nudge forward, which will help you move the unit forward. A lot of users tend to pull back when they’re using this machine.

Don’t pull back.

Only go forward and you’ll have much better results when clearing your yard.

A few first-hand tips that can help make operating the Greenworks dethatcher a little easier are:

  • Remove rocks and branches that can cause damage to the tines or cause unnecessary wear.
  • Choose an extension cord with a proper gauge, and be sure to use only quality extensions when using more than one cord.
  • Cut your grass prior to usage and remove all clippings for best results.
  • Don’t apply fertilizer prior to using the machine.
  • Pay attention to the tines after usage.
  • Adjust the depth for added versatility.

Tines will last quite some time before they need to be replaced, but the longevity of the tines will depend on how much space you’ll be dethatching. Greenworks makes it fast and easy to replace the tines.

You’ll need to follow the instructions, but it’s a simple six-step process to remove the tines and put new tines back in place.

And when replacing the tines, you’ll have a better overall understanding of how this unit works internally.

Greenworks does include additional tines.

When you’re done using the machine, the handle folds down for easy storage. If you’re like me and have a garage full of lawn equipment, the folding handles are a nice added perk and save a lot of space.

You can also fold the handles down for easy transport in your car or truck.

Pros

  • Push-button start
  • Ease of use
  • 14-inch working area
  • In-depth instruction
  • Additional tines included
  • Four-year warranty

Cons

  • No bag for collecting thatch
  • Rattling

Vibration is very common with a dethatcher or even a lawn mower. These machines are powerful, and the power will lead to vibrations, which can cause dethatcher to rattle slightly. Be sure to tighten the bolts and nuts to reduce the rattle.

Check the tines and bolts periodically, and occasionally clean the machine as needed.

If you store the unit properly and care for it, you’ll be able to use your Greenworks dethatcher for years without any issue. There’s also a four-year warranty that backs your investment and ensures that if something does go wrong with your unit, it will be fixed.

A full set of additional tines are even included, reducing your cost of future maintenance.

Overall, the Greenworks dethatcher is fast, affordable and will leave you with a lawn that looks professionally landscaped at a fraction of the cost of hiring a landscaper.