As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the following links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something, I'll receive a small commission. Agri-Fab 40-inch Tine Tow Dethatcher 45-0294: amzn.to/3JqJToX Agri-Fab Amazon Store: amzn.to/3LNJ3UK Agri-Fab Lawn Sweeper: amzn.to/37066x7 Agri-Fab Tow Plug Aerator: amzn.to/3DVS4sa
Glad it helped give you some foresight as to what’s involved…I like doing the same thing! Keep us posted how your assembly and first-use goes and thanks for watching and leaving your nice comment! 👍
Well Done! Nice and easy with attention to detail. I bought one pre assembled from Northern Tool, but will double check the tines to make sure that they are even front to back. Beautiful yard.
Congrats on getting your's and I hope you have good results! I need to get out there with mine this Spring to scratch up what maybe a few years worth of thatch...I've honestly neglected my yard for some more pressing tasks the past couple years so I need to re-engage and get the yard back in shape 😐Thanks for watching and leaving your very nice comment...you've got me motivated to get my yard back to "beautiful" 🫡
The video is a couple of years old now, things could have changed of course, but the tool is most certainly not manufactured in the USA. Packaged, maybe, but not manufactured. This is all over Alibaba and similar sites and they are most certainly not copies as the instructions are completely the same. I bought one last week here in Sweden and it is exactly the same as yours, except that mine screws down the srpings instead of bending tabs. And on the box it says Made in China. I have yet to use mine, it is raining way too much at the moment, so need to wait until it dries up again. But as far as I've seen you UA-camrs use it, it seems to be quite fun and useful. Great video, both interesting and fun to see it in action! ❤
First, thanks for watching and leaving your detailed comment and rather exciting to think of you watching my video in your wonderful country of Sweden!🇸🇪💪As an American, I'm sort of saddened to hear it may no longer be made here in the USA but I realize we're in a global economy and prosperity spread across more people of the globe is a collective positive. I actually like the sounds of the tines being attached with a screw rather than just a bendable metal tab. My tines haven't needed replacement but I can imagine those metal tabs would fail to metal fatigue given enough bending if replacement is needed so a screw sounds like a better approach. I hope you get a chance to use it soon and it meets or your needs. Keep us posted to let us know how it goes when you do. Again, thanks for watching and sharing details on the one you've purchased...very interesting to hear.
I'm glad it helped! If I get ambitious, I may weld reinforcing strips of steel on both sides to make it nice and sturdy...or, it'll break before then and I'll be buying an entirely new one 🤣Thanks for watching and taking time to leave your nice comment 👍
I just ordered one after borrowing my neighbors to try out. Had to replace one of his broken tines. They should use a screw to hold them in place so you don't keep bending tabs and have metal fatigue. I'm probably going to look and bolting a piece of 1 x 1 x 1/8 angle iron to handle to stiffen it up. probably screws should hold it firm enough. I used a hockey rink zamboni pattern to avoid getting the tight circle in the middle. You're first attempt looked like you got the results you wanted.
I agree with all your remarks and I like your idea to reinforce the lift handle as I still insist it’s flimsy/floppy otherwise it’s holding up even after loaning it out to my brother for use on his very uneven, gravely sparse grass “lawn” at his cabin. Keep us posted once you get yours and thanks for watching and commenting!
Your bugbear regarding the awkward handle may be resolved by using a wingnut and spring washer on the bottom of the handle where it attaches to the bracket. I've done it to mine but haven't had a chance to try out if it will stay in place while I'm dethatching yet. Weather is a bit too cold at the moment.
Thank you for passing along your idea! I'll give that a try as soon as we're back to Spring weather...I have plans to use mine to scarify a section of my lawn that has been neglected which I'd like to revitalize and reseed...I'm envisioning using this to "scratch" up the area repeatedly to try making a better topsoil area on which to reseed grass. Thanks for watching and sharing your suggestion! 💪
I bought the exact same model dethatcher today. Haven't assembled it yet. I'm 4:33 into your assembly video, and right of the bat, I hate those push down tabs that hold the tines. Whyvdidnt they use some sort of bolt system insteadvofvthose lame tabs? Seems like failure waiting to happen.
I definitely understand your impressions on those tine-tabs but they have held up and seem to hold after a number of years on mine. I hope you get your's together okay and have a good experience with your's. Keep us posted and thanks for watching! 👍
I just bought mine a couple of days ago. They didn’t drill the holes in the hitch bars for the two front L-brackets. That’s ok because the holes for those on the deck are too close to the tines, so I’ll have to do some drilling myself. Other than that it’s all together. And it took awhile to figure out the problem because the picture on the instructions aren’t detailed for the front brackets.
Bummer, I'm sorry to hear your's came improperly manufactured! 🫤 I encourage you to call them and describe what your ran into. I'd like to think they'll stand behind it and send you properly constructed and drilled replacement part(s). Also, give them your feedback on the unclear instructions as again, I'd like to think they'd want that type of feedback to improve the instructions. Keep us posted and good luck!
@@WorksIRL Thanks for the fast reply! I actually just wanted to share my experience and wasn’t looking for a response. I appreciate it anyway. No, I think I’ll just drill my own holes. But I probably will get ahold of their customer service to let them know; I’m sure mine is not just a one-off situation.
I have the same one but when I use it the thing bounces all over the place but it seems like yours stays out pulling thatch. I tried cinder blocks like their manual suggests but still bounces around. Any idea why yours stays consistently into ground?
I definitely would say it's the weight factor to help hold it down. I'm trying to recall off the top of my head but I think it has a weight limit of 60 pounds or so and that's why I used the "flatter" cement blocks as they're slightly lighter vs. full-sized cement blocks. Make sure the orientation of the tines are correct...I'm wondering if they were installed backwards if that might cause what you're experiencing. The tines are slightly bent forward at their tips which I think helps "dig them in a bit" moving forward. If those were backwards they might cause the dethatcher to "spring upward" more. Just a wild guess. I hope you can figure out why and please stop back to let us know what you discover as you look into this more. You might also reach out to Agri-Fab customer service and ask them if they have any ideas to resolve what you're running into. Good luck!
Good video. Suggestion. You could have removed 1 hook from the rubber straps and hooked them together. Oh if you bag from time to time when mowing you will not get so much build up. Please no disrespect. I think your video is really helpful to people. Good job
I really appreciate you watching and I'm ALWAYS open to hearing well-meaning tips and suggestions...I definitely live by the "never too old to keep learning" mantra and Lord knows I'm getting older by the second 👴🏻🤣Seriously, thank you for your tips and I'll see how those straps hook up together as you describe...makes sense what you're saying! I may give your idea a try on the bagging by installing the side-discharge blades and chute and using my Agri-Fab yard sweeper to pick up clippings since I don't have the bagger setup for my JD X300. Thanks again! ✌
Handle removal for storage Drill attachment bolt for handle sized to fit 'R' clip and washer Handle can quickly be removed? Yes its definitley an awkward storage item 👍
Enjoyed your video, thank you. I just bought one and assembled it yesterday. The wheels are plastic and could be better, the hitch is very flimsy, and the times are attached by bending over a metal tab. The tines look good and the design is good but should be built a bit better
I can't disagree on the overall construction is not "over-built" that's for sure. The raising/lowering handle is very flimsy in my opinion and should be stiffer/stronger. It has been holding up, though and I've loaned mine to family and neighbors who regrettably used two full-size cement cinder blocks which I think take it over the stated weight limit instead of taking my advice to use my two smaller, lighter cement block weights. Hope you get many years use out of your's! Thanks for watching and commenting!
No, not on this model/style. John Deere sells a “combo” dethatcher/aerator (hole/plug) pull-behind like this but it is pricey at $300-$400 I think…but it is two tools in one and saves garage space over having to store this and a 2nd pull-behind aerator, too. Let us know what you decide and good luck!
Why couldn't you just use a lawnmower with a bagger to pick up the thatched grass??? Seems like it would be easier than raking it???....Im looking into getting one of these either this fall or next spring.
I'm not one to give advice on lawn care as I still struggle to get it right. My personal approach has always been to mulch-mow rather than bag. Everything I've read says mulching provides the clippings back to the lawn where it breaks down helping enrich the soil for the lawn. Over time, it naturally needs to have some decomposing grass removed. I've found a bagger blade just doesn't have the necessarily lift to bring up those intertwined clippings deep around the base of the grass blades. This is almost a bit like aeration by slightly scoring the surface of the soil, too. These spring-loaded tines "scrape and fling" whatever they scour across. Overall, these tines just seem to help lift and remove all the nutrient-depleted dead grass clippings that would normally require hand-raking to scratch upwards. Let us know if you get one of these how you like it and your impression it has on your lawn. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Hello, I put new screened top soil down about 4 weeks ago. The soil has become too compacted to loosen it with a landscaping rake. I have the same Agri Fab tine dethatcher (still in box, not assembled). Do you think I could use the tine dethatcher to loosen the soil so I may prepare it for seeding? Thank you!
I think it would scratch it up enough. The number of passes you make and direction might need to be observed after you go over it once. Also, using it without additional weight (cement blocks) might be enough to scratch but not dig in too deeply might be worth trying…the tines might ride and scratch the surface rather than dig deep trenches in the topsoil. You’ll have to experiment and use your best judgement based on a few trial passes. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
You might check how you’re attaching the hitch to the rear of your zero-turn. I’m presuming it must be lower than on a lawn tractor so it’s tipping up the rear of the de-thatcher. Maybe you could rest the de-thatcher’s bottom hitch plate on the top of your zero-turn rear attachment bracket…maybe even add a spacer shoulder washer to the bottom to help keep the de-thatcher more level? Be sure you adjust those rear de-thatcher carriage bolts to lower the rear of the de-thatcher as much as possible, too. Hope you can figure out a solution. Keep us posted and good luck!
Good video, but you didn’t get some of the points that I hope you would have posted. For instance, bending the tabs are not easy. You really didn’t go step by step. You skipped some parts, especially where you have to put 2 screws, but they only display 1. It’s still a good video tho.
I really appreciate you watching and providing your honest feedback! I do wrestle sometimes with keeping it realistic vs having to keep it moving. We must be similar thinking where I like to see the whole thing good and bad but trying to keep “eyes” watching is sometimes a trade-off of having to chop the video up where analytics shows viewers dropping off. Also, sometimes I’m making the video long after I did it and have actually forgotten some of the details of troubles I had to figure out. Again, thanks for commenting and I’ll keep you in mind on newer videos when I’m trying to decide to keep or cut when assembling gets a bit long 👍.
I bought an Agri-fab sweeper here in the UK but I was and I continue to be sorely disappointed not just with the quality but the price and it's opperation! You can see in this video the poor quality of the construction! While it could be said that our grass in the UK is not suited to this sweeper but it is pretty much useless. The first mounting plate bolts keep shearing resulting in the brushes coming loose and being wrapped round the drive shaft. The plastic collection bag split the second time I used it and one wheel came off during use. The transport setting is useless and the height adjustment nut (which is plastic topped ) just spins on the bolt without tightening. All in all, don't buy one! I chose American made rather than a Chinese made out thinking of would be better quality...oh boy was I wrong!
I’m really sorry to hear your terrible experience with quality! 🥴. I’m wondering if they’ve changed quality standards/material/build specifications since I bought mine years ago? I hope you’ve reached out to them directly to see if they’ll stand behind it as that’s giving them such a bad name going forward. Keep us posted if you get any response from them and good luck 👍.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the following links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something, I'll receive a small commission.
Agri-Fab 40-inch Tine Tow Dethatcher 45-0294: amzn.to/3JqJToX
Agri-Fab Amazon Store: amzn.to/3LNJ3UK
Agri-Fab Lawn Sweeper: amzn.to/37066x7
Agri-Fab Tow Plug Aerator: amzn.to/3DVS4sa
Just as you said, a lawn sweeper is a must! Happy Dethatching everyone!
Wow, so to the point and great shots of actually using it including the onboard camera. Thank you!!
Thank you for watching and taking your valuable time to leave your nice comment...I truly appreciate you! 🙏
Thanks for making this video. Always like to watch a video before assembling things
Glad it helped give you some foresight as to what’s involved…I like doing the same thing! Keep us posted how your assembly and first-use goes and thanks for watching and leaving your nice comment! 👍
Well Done! Nice and easy with attention to detail. I bought one pre assembled from Northern Tool, but will double check the tines to make sure that they are even front to back. Beautiful yard.
Congrats on getting your's and I hope you have good results! I need to get out there with mine this Spring to scratch up what maybe a few years worth of thatch...I've honestly neglected my yard for some more pressing tasks the past couple years so I need to re-engage and get the yard back in shape 😐Thanks for watching and leaving your very nice comment...you've got me motivated to get my yard back to "beautiful" 🫡
The video is a couple of years old now, things could have changed of course, but the tool is most certainly not manufactured in the USA. Packaged, maybe, but not manufactured. This is all over Alibaba and similar sites and they are most certainly not copies as the instructions are completely the same.
I bought one last week here in Sweden and it is exactly the same as yours, except that mine screws down the srpings instead of bending tabs. And on the box it says Made in China. I have yet to use mine, it is raining way too much at the moment, so need to wait until it dries up again. But as far as I've seen you UA-camrs use it, it seems to be quite fun and useful.
Great video, both interesting and fun to see it in action! ❤
First, thanks for watching and leaving your detailed comment and rather exciting to think of you watching my video in your wonderful country of Sweden!🇸🇪💪As an American, I'm sort of saddened to hear it may no longer be made here in the USA but I realize we're in a global economy and prosperity spread across more people of the globe is a collective positive. I actually like the sounds of the tines being attached with a screw rather than just a bendable metal tab. My tines haven't needed replacement but I can imagine those metal tabs would fail to metal fatigue given enough bending if replacement is needed so a screw sounds like a better approach. I hope you get a chance to use it soon and it meets or your needs. Keep us posted to let us know how it goes when you do. Again, thanks for watching and sharing details on the one you've purchased...very interesting to hear.
Thank you so much for your videos. It was very helpful. And yes, I agree. They should make those dethatcher more sturdy. :)
I'm glad it helped! If I get ambitious, I may weld reinforcing strips of steel on both sides to make it nice and sturdy...or, it'll break before then and I'll be buying an entirely new one 🤣Thanks for watching and taking time to leave your nice comment 👍
I just ordered one after borrowing my neighbors to try out. Had to replace one of his broken tines. They should use a screw to hold them in place so you don't keep bending tabs and have metal fatigue.
I'm probably going to look and bolting a piece of 1 x 1 x 1/8 angle iron to handle to stiffen it up. probably screws should hold it firm enough.
I used a hockey rink zamboni pattern to avoid getting the tight circle in the middle.
You're first attempt looked like you got the results you wanted.
I agree with all your remarks and I like your idea to reinforce the lift handle as I still insist it’s flimsy/floppy otherwise it’s holding up even after loaning it out to my brother for use on his very uneven, gravely sparse grass “lawn” at his cabin. Keep us posted once you get yours and thanks for watching and commenting!
Your bugbear regarding the awkward handle may be resolved by using a wingnut and spring washer on the bottom of the handle where it attaches to the bracket. I've done it to mine but haven't had a chance to try out if it will stay in place while I'm dethatching yet. Weather is a bit too cold at the moment.
Thank you for passing along your idea! I'll give that a try as soon as we're back to Spring weather...I have plans to use mine to scarify a section of my lawn that has been neglected which I'd like to revitalize and reseed...I'm envisioning using this to "scratch" up the area repeatedly to try making a better topsoil area on which to reseed grass. Thanks for watching and sharing your suggestion! 💪
I bought the exact same model dethatcher today. Haven't assembled it yet. I'm 4:33 into your assembly video, and right of the bat, I hate those push down tabs that hold the tines. Whyvdidnt they use some sort of bolt system insteadvofvthose lame tabs? Seems like failure waiting to happen.
I definitely understand your impressions on those tine-tabs but they have held up and seem to hold after a number of years on mine. I hope you get your's together okay and have a good experience with your's. Keep us posted and thanks for watching! 👍
I just bought mine a couple of days ago. They didn’t drill the holes in the hitch bars for the two front L-brackets. That’s ok because the holes for those on the deck are too close to the tines, so I’ll have to do some drilling myself. Other than that it’s all together.
And it took awhile to figure out the problem because the picture on the instructions aren’t detailed for the front brackets.
Bummer, I'm sorry to hear your's came improperly manufactured! 🫤 I encourage you to call them and describe what your ran into. I'd like to think they'll stand behind it and send you properly constructed and drilled replacement part(s). Also, give them your feedback on the unclear instructions as again, I'd like to think they'd want that type of feedback to improve the instructions. Keep us posted and good luck!
@@WorksIRL Thanks for the fast reply! I actually just wanted to share my experience and wasn’t looking for a response. I appreciate it anyway.
No, I think I’ll just drill my own holes. But I probably will get ahold of their customer service to let them know; I’m sure mine is not just a one-off situation.
I have the same one but when I use it the thing bounces all over the place but it seems like yours stays out pulling thatch. I tried cinder blocks like their manual suggests but still bounces around. Any idea why yours stays consistently into ground?
I definitely would say it's the weight factor to help hold it down. I'm trying to recall off the top of my head but I think it has a weight limit of 60 pounds or so and that's why I used the "flatter" cement blocks as they're slightly lighter vs. full-sized cement blocks. Make sure the orientation of the tines are correct...I'm wondering if they were installed backwards if that might cause what you're experiencing. The tines are slightly bent forward at their tips which I think helps "dig them in a bit" moving forward. If those were backwards they might cause the dethatcher to "spring upward" more. Just a wild guess. I hope you can figure out why and please stop back to let us know what you discover as you look into this more. You might also reach out to Agri-Fab customer service and ask them if they have any ideas to resolve what you're running into. Good luck!
Good video. Suggestion. You could have removed 1 hook from the rubber straps and hooked them together. Oh if you bag from time to time when mowing you will not get so much build up. Please no disrespect. I think your video is really helpful to people. Good job
I really appreciate you watching and I'm ALWAYS open to hearing well-meaning tips and suggestions...I definitely live by the "never too old to keep learning" mantra and Lord knows I'm getting older by the second 👴🏻🤣Seriously, thank you for your tips and I'll see how those straps hook up together as you describe...makes sense what you're saying! I may give your idea a try on the bagging by installing the side-discharge blades and chute and using my Agri-Fab yard sweeper to pick up clippings since I don't have the bagger setup for my JD X300. Thanks again! ✌
Handle removal for storage Drill attachment bolt for handle sized to fit 'R' clip and washer Handle can quickly be removed? Yes its definitley an awkward storage item 👍
Great DIY retrofit idea! Thanks for sharing 👍
Enjoyed your video, thank you. I just bought one and assembled it yesterday. The wheels are plastic and could be better, the hitch is very flimsy, and the times are attached by bending over a metal tab. The tines look good and the design is good but should be built a bit better
I can't disagree on the overall construction is not "over-built" that's for sure. The raising/lowering handle is very flimsy in my opinion and should be stiffer/stronger. It has been holding up, though and I've loaned mine to family and neighbors who regrettably used two full-size cement cinder blocks which I think take it over the stated weight limit instead of taking my advice to use my two smaller, lighter cement block weights. Hope you get many years use out of your's! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Just wondering if you can put a plug attachment on this? My yard is a mess, I need to dethatcer and plug...any help would be appreciated
No, not on this model/style. John Deere sells a “combo” dethatcher/aerator (hole/plug) pull-behind like this but it is pricey at $300-$400 I think…but it is two tools in one and saves garage space over having to store this and a 2nd pull-behind aerator, too. Let us know what you decide and good luck!
Why couldn't you just use a lawnmower with a bagger to pick up the thatched grass??? Seems like it would be easier than raking it???....Im looking into getting one of these either this fall or next spring.
I'm not one to give advice on lawn care as I still struggle to get it right. My personal approach has always been to mulch-mow rather than bag. Everything I've read says mulching provides the clippings back to the lawn where it breaks down helping enrich the soil for the lawn. Over time, it naturally needs to have some decomposing grass removed. I've found a bagger blade just doesn't have the necessarily lift to bring up those intertwined clippings deep around the base of the grass blades. This is almost a bit like aeration by slightly scoring the surface of the soil, too. These spring-loaded tines "scrape and fling" whatever they scour across. Overall, these tines just seem to help lift and remove all the nutrient-depleted dead grass clippings that would normally require hand-raking to scratch upwards. Let us know if you get one of these how you like it and your impression it has on your lawn. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Hello, I put new screened top soil down about 4 weeks ago. The soil has become too compacted to loosen it with a landscaping rake. I have the same Agri Fab tine dethatcher (still in box, not assembled). Do you think I could use the tine dethatcher to loosen the soil so I may prepare it for seeding? Thank you!
I think it would scratch it up enough. The number of passes you make and direction might need to be observed after you go over it once. Also, using it without additional weight (cement blocks) might be enough to scratch but not dig in too deeply might be worth trying…the tines might ride and scratch the surface rather than dig deep trenches in the topsoil. You’ll have to experiment and use your best judgement based on a few trial passes. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Thank you! I will keep you posted
@Brian Mieczkowski good luck and look forward to hearing outcome!
When did you get your agri fab dethacther ?
Three years ago almost to the day...April 19, 2019. Do you own one or looking to get one?
Anyone have issues with the tines not touching the ground on a zero turn? That’s when it lowered far as it can go
You might check how you’re attaching the hitch to the rear of your zero-turn. I’m presuming it must be lower than on a lawn tractor so it’s tipping up the rear of the de-thatcher. Maybe you could rest the de-thatcher’s bottom hitch plate on the top of your zero-turn rear attachment bracket…maybe even add a spacer shoulder washer to the bottom to help keep the de-thatcher more level? Be sure you adjust those rear de-thatcher carriage bolts to lower the rear of the de-thatcher as much as possible, too. Hope you can figure out a solution. Keep us posted and good luck!
Also, I see you have a video of a Polaris…could you use that to pull the de-thatcher if it’s got a higher hitch point?
@@WorksIRL good point. I have a drop hitch for my Polaris which is much lower than my zero turn
Good video, but you didn’t get some of the points that I hope you would have posted. For instance, bending the tabs are not easy. You really didn’t go step by step. You skipped some parts, especially where you have to put 2 screws, but they only display 1. It’s still a good video tho.
I really appreciate you watching and providing your honest feedback! I do wrestle sometimes with keeping it realistic vs having to keep it moving. We must be similar thinking where I like to see the whole thing good and bad but trying to keep “eyes” watching is sometimes a trade-off of having to chop the video up where analytics shows viewers dropping off. Also, sometimes I’m making the video long after I did it and have actually forgotten some of the details of troubles I had to figure out. Again, thanks for commenting and I’ll keep you in mind on newer videos when I’m trying to decide to keep or cut when assembling gets a bit long 👍.
I bought an Agri-fab sweeper here in the UK but I was and I continue to be sorely disappointed not just with the quality but the price and it's opperation! You can see in this video the poor quality of the construction! While it could be said that our grass in the UK is not suited to this sweeper but it is pretty much useless. The first mounting plate bolts keep shearing resulting in the brushes coming loose and being wrapped round the drive shaft. The plastic collection bag split the second time I used it and one wheel came off during use. The transport setting is useless and the height adjustment nut (which is plastic topped ) just spins on the bolt without tightening. All in all, don't buy one! I chose American made rather than a Chinese made out thinking of would be better quality...oh boy was I wrong!
I’m really sorry to hear your terrible experience with quality! 🥴. I’m wondering if they’ve changed quality standards/material/build specifications since I bought mine years ago? I hope you’ve reached out to them directly to see if they’ll stand behind it as that’s giving them such a bad name going forward. Keep us posted if you get any response from them and good luck 👍.
They're all made in China now
When I purchased my agri-fab sweeper, I also purchased a dethatcher that you attach to the front of the sweeper, killing 2 birds with on stone
That’s a really smart way to go…great idea!!
That's great! How did you exactly attach the Dethatcher and sweeper together simultaneously?