If you are passionate about gardening or have a lawn at home, you might have heard the term “sod cutter”. And if you have moved into a new home with a lawn and plan to make use of it, you need to know about sod and sod cutter.
Introduction to Sod Cutter
A sod cutter machine removes grass strips from a lawn while leaving roots and soil in place. It’s common practice to clear grass or weeds from a landscape area quickly.
It is used to make sod strips that assist in transplant in new regions in which the roots will re-establish. Sod cutters frequently have a metal roller at the bottom of the machine that allows for maneuverability”.
Here, I’ve covered everything you need to know about sod cutters, including how to use a sod cutter and the different types of cutters. I hope this information on sod cutters is helpful. So let us get started.
How to use a sod cutter?
You’ll need a pointy spade or a sod cutter for this process of sod removal. Water the land for a couple of days before you start digging out the sod from the bottom. Using a herbicide, remove weeds and unwanted vegetation, then erect a tarp around the area where you want to get rid of the sod.
1. Choose the Correct Sod Cutter
You can cut sod with a square shovel or a manual sod cutter. However, a motorized sod cutter makes the work easier and faster. If you cannot buy a sod cutter, you can rent one hourly from any hardware store. Using a gasoline-powered sod cutter is a cost-effective way to complete your home improvement project.
2. Mow before narrowing the Sod
When the grass has been mowed to a manageable height, it is easier to chop sod. The sod cutter will be easier to use if you’ve cut sod strips, and the sod itself will be lighter and easier to move. Before cutting, mow your lawn to a height of two inches (6.5 cm) with sod for better results.
3. Organize Water Grass for Sod Cutting
Water the yard area where you plan to remove sod 24 to 48 hours ahead of time. It forms an easy cutting surface and maintains the soil moisture. At the same time, it also prevents the blade from slipping due to dry soil. Having moist soil is very important for sod cutting.
4. Remove the sod from the land
It is recommended to use a marking flag and grass-safe chalk while removing a section of the sod from the garden to mark off the section you want to clear. You can avoid removing an excessive amount of or insufficient amount of land by clearly laying out the land.
5. Make a pattern for cutting the sod
It’s crucial to survey the land of sod removal and design your sod-cutting pattern before you start removing sod. Sod cutter cuts the sod in straight lines, so you might have to take a few turns. Cut the sod in rectangular sections to narrow down the sod strips. You need to spend some time planning, to make the job easier and faster.
6. Adhere to the Sod Cutter Safety Rules
Make sure you wear a closed-toe shoe that helps to protect your eyes and ears from injury. Maintain constant awareness of the blade’s position when using a gas-powered walk-behind sod cutter. Keep an eye on the location of the blade at all times. You need to stay at least 9 meters away from the sod cutter when you are using it.
7. Cut a small section of sod for testing
Before removing the blade from the turf, test cut a 3-foot section of sod once you’ve started using your sod cutter. Take a look at the first chunk of the sod. Confirm that the sod has been cut cleanly and 34–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) of dirt in the sod. A test cut like this allows you to fine-tune the settings on your sod cutter early on.
8. Adjust the height of the blade
Specific instructions to adjust the size of the blade can be found in your sod cutter’s manual. The most recommended blade sod cutter cuts the grass in a way it is surrounded by 34-1 inch of the soil. Chop the sod deep for proper drainage flow. Make sure that the new sod is 1 inch below the concrete driveway or sidewalk.
If you are using sod to remove a minimum of 34 inches of topsoil, then you also need to remove the grassroots to prevent the grass from reporting. You need to know that, cutting the sod too short will result in uneven ground, a poor drainage system, and other problems.
9. Sod cutter for removing grass easily
To get rid of the sod in long, straight strips, use your sod cutter. Take out the sod cutter blade from the soil. Once you have reached the top of the strip, turn, and get started with the next cut according to the instructions given in the manual. To make sod removal easier, chop it into straight strips.
10. Remove or replant sod by cutting or rolling it
When moving or removing sod, you can either roll it into circular bales or cut it into 3–4 foot (1 meter) sections with a sod knife for transport. The best way to remove sod without a machine is to create small sections of the grass.
Three types of sod cutters
A square-edged sod cutter is the most common and basic sod cutter available in the market. It’s similar to a standard shovel but with a shorter handle and a squared edge on the top rather than a rounded edge.
Manually edging your grass is common, but you’ll also use it to remove little parts of sod one at a time. It requires more workforce, but it’s fine if you only need to remove small sections and are willing to put in some time to finish the job.
There are many different types of sod cutters available, such as “Classen sod cutters,” kick sod cutters, and Motorized sod cutters, if you want to chop your field. You should use it according to your needs and convenience.
To utilize this type of cutter as an edge, follow these steps:
- Drive the sting cutter straight down into the sod where your grass’s sting contacts the pavement with your boot.
- Continue chopping away at the undesired sod along the sting.
- Scoop the parts of sod you want to get rid of with the cutter type of shovel and remove them as needed.
To get rid of flat sod, follow these steps:
- Decide to add small portions and draw a line around the entire amount of sod you want to remove.
- Wedge the cutter into the sod at an angle with your boot.
- As you narrow through the grassroots, you’ll hear a slicing sound.
- Using the cutter, cut out little bits of sod and lift them away.
- Continue in this manner until all of the sod has been removed.
Classen sod cutter
Classen sod cutters give you the exact cut you want. Whether it is relocating, repositioning sod, expanding a flower bed, or creating a replacement planting area. a Classen sod cutter helps to complete the work quickly and easily. Classen sod cutters are now easier to use than ever before, with up to 42% less vibration!
Need for a Classen sod cutter
Classen sod cutter is the most basic sod cutter in the market that helps to remove sod by saving hours of hard work. No matter what are the conditions of the soil, the Classen sod cutter comes with many cutting blades and blade angles that offer the cut you need.
Classen sod cutters deliver a more precise cut, whether you’re cutting sod on curves or in a straight line. With a Classen Sod Cutter, you can improve the quality of your lawn while saving money on labor.
Kick sod cutter
A kick sod cutter has a crossbar At ground level, you’ll find a roller and a flat blade, and you’ll alter the blade’s length to at least one that works well with your job. As you narrow, you use the cutter by kicking the crossbar to move it along. It is mainly used to get rid of long and narrow sod strips.
To use this type of cutter, follow these steps:
- Draw a circle around the place where you want to remove the sod.
- Kick the cutter together with your boot, starting at the outermost fringe of that area, to form the primary dig the sod.
- Kick and cut your way up the row until you reach the top.
- Raise the cutter’s handles to separate the top of the strip from the rest of the grass, and then roll up the whole sod strip to remove it from the ground.
Motorized Sod Cutters
If you want to remove a large area of sod, then you need to use a motorized sod cutter. Are you wondering why? The motorized sod cutter comes with an engine that helps to remove sod from the garden easily.
The only drawback is that you need to maintain it and this machine comes with an investment. Choose the right and the best-motorized sod cutter that caters to your needs for better results. These sod cutters either come with a petrol engine or electric start engines.
You need to read the manual before you get started. In general here are some of the things you might face:
- Make a map of the area where you want the sod to be removed, and remove any rocks you find.
- Check the oil level in the machine to ensure it complies with the manufacturer’s specifications, and add extra if necessary. Also, as needed, add gas.
- Set the gearshift to neutral, raise the blade, and move the cutter to the sting you wish to start with.
- Reduce the blade’s height & start the engine.
- Return to first gear and pull back on the throttle slowly.
- Push the cutter ahead a few feet, and then transfer it to neutral to examine the depth of the cut. As needed, adjust the blade’s length.
- Return the cutter to first gear and continue to cut sod.
- Raise the cutter handles at the top of each row to lower the blade and divide your strip from the rest of the grass.
- When you finish each row, roll up the strips to make it easier to see where you’ve already cut.
- Place your cutter at the start of the next row, move to the first gear, and cut the next strip.
- Repeat as needed until the sod has been removed from the entire area. When you’re done, put the cutter in neutral and turn it off.
Conclusion:-
Replace the old sod with the new sod within 24 hours of removing the sod. A nursery in your neighborhood can provide you with new sods. The cost of sod depends on the type of sod cutter you choose. You will save money on labor if you put the sod yourself. The job, though, can be very time-consuming. We recommend hiring expert sod-cutters rather than doing it yourself because you will only be performing landscaping once a year at most.
Read Also: Homeowner’s Guide to the Attic Flooring System
Frequently Asked Questions About Sod Cutter
How deep should you get a sod cutter?
It is recommended to cut sod deeply enough that 3/4- 1 inch (2-2.5 cm) of dirt can be removed along with the grass. Cutting sod at this depth helps to create level grounds for other projects.
Should I water before using a sod cutter?
Yes. It is important to water the soil before cutting. It gives the blade of the sod cutter some traction. In dry soil, the blades usually slip and the sod cutter’s wheels can skid, making it difficult to control the sod cutter machine.
Should I rent or buy a sod cutter?
As mentioned earlier, renting a sod cutter is way better than buying a sod cutter. Obviously, you would not want to invest a lot of money in buying a sod cutter for one hour of work. Many hardware stores offer sod cutters for rent on an hourly basis.
Can I use a sod cutter to remove dirt?
Yes, a sod cutter can effectively help you loosen up the soil and remove the dirt if any.