If you’re wondering how to use a sod lifter, and what exactly is it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to help you learn all the nitty-gritty important details when it comes to using a sod lifter. You can also check out our full detailed explanation on how to use a sod lifter here.
What is a Sod Lifter?
A sod lifter is a tool for removing sod grass strips from a lawn. As it cuts, the cutting blade is parallel to the ground and 2 to 3 inches below the grassroots. As the sod lifter detaches the piece of sod, the handle is pushed up and down and side to side. The blade of the sod lifter is kicked into uncut dirt with the heel of a work boot. After that, the cut sod is wrapped up and removed. Cuts with a straight-edge shovel are used to delineate strips 12 to 18 inches broad and up to 4 feet long.
Mark a 12- to 18-inch-wide, 2- to 4-foot-long patch of sod.
Stakes should be driven into each corner of the sod strip.
To outline the sod strip, tie a string to one of the stakes and run it around the other stakes.
Using the straight-edge spade, cut 2 to 3 inches straight down just beneath the string. Step down on the top of the blade with hard-heeled boots and cut all the way around the strip.
Put on a pair of gloves to prevent blisters on your hands and place the sod lifter beneath the sod at one end of the strip. Cut the sod from the ground by pushing the blade into the dirt. With your hands and arms, move it from side to side, then kick the backside of it with the heel of your boot.
Stakes should be driven into each corner of the sod strip.
Put on a pair of gloves to prevent blisters on your hands and place the sod lifter beneath the sod at one end of the strip.
As the sod begins to detach from the earth, roll it like a carpet. Continue to cut, pull, and roll the strip until it is completely free.
To make cutting and removing the sod easier, wet the lawn first.
How to Use a Manual Sod Lifter
You must first remove the current sod, whether you are creating a new garden bed or restoring an old grass. Digging out sod with a shovel by hand can be a time-consuming process. You’d then be left with hundreds of sod chunks to dispose of. Rather than doing it the hard way, remove your sod with a manual sod cutter. This tool helps you lift your sod and roll it up for easy transport and disposal.
A day or two before you plan to remove the sod, water your grass. It should be watered until the soil is moist several inches down. Push a screwdriver into the ground to test the dirt. The soil is adequately moist if it goes in easily.
You must first remove the current sod, whether you are creating a new garden bed or restoring an old grass.
Place the manual sod cutter at the start of the area you want to remove sod from.
To push the blade into the soil, kick the cross-bar that runs between the two handles while simultaneously pulling down on the handles.
To begin removing the sod, push or kick the sod cutter forward. To maintain the blade in the ground, apply consistent pressure to the handles. Continue until you’ve reached the end of the area where the sod should be removed.
Pull the blade out of the earth by lifting the handles. Roll up the sod and dispose of it, or place it in a damaged part of your lawn.
Repeat the previous procedures to remove another portion of sod by moving the sod cutter to the next spot where you want to strip sod.
Best Sod Lifters
The day before you cut the sod, prepare the grass. Reduce the weight and volume of the sod by mowing the lawn. Wear gardening gloves and work boots, then position the sod cutter at one end of the area to be cut. Set the blade to cut the root layer 1 to 2 inches deep, or to skim the soil surface to remove inch-thick thatch. To shove the horizontal blade into the earth, press down on the handles. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest sod lifters available:
Sod Lifter by Bully Tools
Bully Tools 92390 12-Gauge Sod Lifter with Fiberglass Handle and Poly D-Grip
- 100% Made in the USA
- Commercial grade
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Extra thick 12 gauge steel blade
- High strength fiberglass handle
The blade of the Bully Tools Sod Lifter is made of 12 gauge steel and may be sharpened with a file or grinder. The triple-walled fiberglass is light and easy to handle while being resistant to fracture.The Dgrips have been updated to be more comfortable and long-lasting. You won’t find a stronger grip than this one, which is made with a proprietary no-break Polypropylene co-polymer. Watch it break a cement block in our video!
SOD-LI Truper 30038
Truper 30038 Tru Pro Forged Sod Lifter, 9-Inch X 5-Inch Head, 32-Inch Ash Handle
- 32-inch professional grade premium north american white ash handle
- White ash handles give optimum ratio of resistance and flexibility
- Makes easy work of sod removal
- For landscape pro's or homeowner/residential use
Truper 30038, SOD-LI, Tru Pro Forged Sod Lifter, 9-Inch by 4-Inch Head, Ash Handle, 32-Inch Truper 30038, SOD-LI, Tru Pro Forged Sod Lifter, 9-Inch by 4-Inch Head, Ash Handle, 32-Inch Truper 30038, SOD-LI, Tru Pro Forged So Handle is 32 inches long and made of Premium North American White Ash. Handles made of white ash provide the best balance of resistance and flexibility. Sod removal is a breeze with this tool. For usage by landscape professionals or by homeowners and residents. For professional use, choose Tru Pro.-inchThe Contractors Choice-inch.
Truper has been making hand tools for more than 40 years and is the largest Mexican company in its area. To ensure the highest quality and value of its goods, as well as the demanding service needs of the company’s global clients, Truper relies on the most advanced modern and efficient technology. Tru Pro is a high-end series that adheres to the specifications of contractor-grade tools.
The unit is also aimed at customers who want to upgrade to higher-end tools. At the top of the market, this is the best value. Tru-Pro products come with the heaviest gauge heads, tab sockets or steel collars, and a variety of white ashwood handles for the best balance of resistance and flexibility. All Tru-pro tools come with a lifetime warranty.
How to Use a Turf Lifter
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a turf lifter.
Step 1
Before you start cutting your turf, make sure it’s been clipped short and free of any foreign things that could harm the turf cutter, such as stones or rubble. This can be accomplished by renting a 2 stroke petrol brush cutters or lawnmowers.
After that, you must verify the depth of your grass using a simple garden fork to ensure that it is at least 25mm deep. If it isn’t, you won’t be able to use our lawn cutter machine; instead, please contact us and we’ll try to come up with a solution.
Step 2: Get the Turf Cutter Going
Follow these simple instructions to start the machine:
- Turn on the engine by pressing the ‘ON’ button on the ignition switch.
- Next, turn the fuel tap on the carburetor of the engine to the ‘ON’ position. Set the choke lever on the carburetor to the ‘ON’ position if the engine is cold or hasn’t been used recently.
- Slowly pull the engine’s recoil handle until it engages, then pull vigorously until the engine starts with a solid grasp on the machine.
- Return the cable to its starting position after the engine is running slowly; DO NOT LET IT SNAPBACK.
- If you haven’t used it yet, you can return the chock lever to its ‘OFF’ position after a few seconds.
Step 3
Now it’s time to mow your lawn; simply follow our simple instructions:
To begin, place the turf cutter in the direction you want to begin cutting. After that, you’ll need to decide on your cutting depth. This must be set between 25mm and 40mm using the height adjustment knob. Before lifting the drive lever on the handlebar, be sure the gear lever is in the ‘O’ position. This will activate the turf cutter’s blade drive.
Lower the blade into the ground by lowering the lifting lever. Then, from the ‘O’ position, slide the hear lever to the ‘I’ position. As you move the machine around, it will gradually chop your turf.
Raise the lifting lever to lift the blade out of the ground at the end of the strip. After that, reposition the turf cutter for the next strip and repeat the steps above until you’ve cut all of the turf you want.
Step 4
Remove any old grass using the petrol turf cutter, making sure to remove any large stones and weeds, and then level the soil by flattening humps and filling hollows. To leave a fine finish, fork over the site and rake level.
Walking over the soil, putting your weight on your heels, then raking it again can firm it up. Sprinkle granular fertiliser on top of the soil, lightly rake it in, and water thoroughly.
To avoid any harm, lay your initial row along a straight edge, gradually unfolding the turf. Place each piece close to the last, pressing down hard with the back of the rake to achieve good contact with the soil.
Place the second row of turf on top of the first, making sure the pieces are packed tightly together. Using a brickwork pattern, lay each row until the entire area is covered.
Trim the edges of the turf with a straight-edged board and an edge cutting tool so it extends beyond the region of your lawn. When you’re done, saturate the turf with numerous doses of water from a watering can.
Best Turf Lifter
Here are some of the best turf lifters out there:
Fisker Edger
Fiskars 38.5 Inch Long-handle Steel Edger
- IDEAL GARDEN EDGER: Long-handled steel edger with a steel pole and steel blade; Ideal for cutting through tough soil and breaking up ground without bending or stooping
- MAXIMUM POWER AND PRECISION: Large step provides secure platform for maximum digging power; Sharpened blade slices cleanly through dense turf; Long handle eliminates soreness from kneeling and bending
Free shipping
With an innovative instrument that is more effective than traditional edgers and easier to use than power edgers, edging will be a breeze. The Fisker edger’s extended reach design eliminates the need to kneel or bend down to reach the borders of gardens and walks, as with standard edgers. You won’t be concerned with the noise, fumes, or refueling difficulties that come with power edgers because there is no gasoline. A sharp-edged steel blade cuts smoothly through dense turf, a spacious foot platform makes it easy to maximize cutting force, and a dual-handle design ensures comfort and control.
Prohoe Cultivator
Kwik Edge Tool - Garden Edger Weeder - Soil Cultivator - Hoe Long Handle Grass Flower Backyard Gardening Tool
- Garden Edger Weeder
- Reliability and durability
- Great Gift Idea.
- Satisfaction Ensured.
- Reliability and durability
The KWIK EDGE transforms yard maintenance into gardening in a single fluid motion, leaving flower beds looking professionally maintained. The Kwik Edge tool rotates and conditions the soil while it combines extra amendments, making each usage easier than the previous.
Flower Bed Maintenance at its Finest To keep grass from intruding on the flower bed, use this tool. Cutting invading grassroots and cultivating and grooming the soil into the bed is done with the vertical and horizontal blades. The Kwik Edge tool is intended to discourage grass from creeping into the flower bed border, not to construct one.
Want a visual explanation? Watch this video from Garden Tools & Instruments
