Nationwide Coverage 
Specialist Advice 
Innovative Solutions 
Professional Support Are you considering a Turf Cutter?
What is a Turf Cutter?
A turf cutter or sod cutter is a self-propelled machine that uses a subsurface blade to cut turf into strips of grass with soil and roots so it can be removed or transplanted.
Types of Turf Cutter
There are many different types of turf cutter depending upon the task required, budget and personal preference. Blades on pedestrian turf cutters can vary from 12 to 24 inches wide and can work at a depth of up to 60mm.
At the entry level end most are driven by two front wheels, mid-range machines are driven by a dimpled roller and high end top specification turf cutters can be driven by tracks such as the Eliet Turfaway 600.
Why use a Turf Cutter?
Turf cutters are mainly used to remove an unwanted turf surface from an area or to cut and move a more desirable surface to another area.
When to use one
This can be done any time of year but be mindful of extreme conditions such as frozen, parched or flooded ground as this will impact upon the process in a detrimental way. Ideally you would want to be conducting this process in the spring or autumn when the ground is softer and the grass has some growth in it.
Choose the right Turf Cutter
Most turf cutters can work in the in the spring and summer as they are driven by wheels.
If the weather or ground are more challenging, then a mid-range turf cutter with dimple driven roller will be needed. The traction provided by the dimple roller helps enable the mid-range turf cutter to have a wider blade at 18 and work deeper than the entry level machines helping to negate some of the issues the operator may have when using entry level machines.
The mid-range machines get the job done quicker, are more robust and increase the window of use more than the entry level machines.
The highest end turf cutters with track,s like the Eliet Turfaway 600, have the best traction and so are able to have wider, more productive blades (24) and are able to work deeper than other machines. This significantly increases productivity and enables use of the machine in nearly every type of ground condition and weather. The tracks also more importantly provide better traction on slopes and in more saturated areas.
How to use a Turf Cutter
-
Make sure the area is safe to use the turf cutter. No obstacles and the ground conditions suit the machine chosen. - Set the machine at the desired depth. If you are removing surface for clearance then 15mm is 20mm is fine. If you are transplanting the area then try and transplant as much as the machine and the ground can take. Try and aim for 30-60mm. 30mm for turf and 60mm for heather transplanting for example.
- There are sometimes some helpful options such as a splitter blade that can halve the working width with another blade. This makes the turf easier to lift as its half the weight.
- Use the machine on a more discreet area first. This helps the operator to get used to the machine and to test the depth, ground and conditions are ok to go head.
- To be more efficient use the machine in strips if you can. Finally, if you need to do a clean-up lap at the end then also do this to give a clean finish.
- Remove or transplant the turf.
Conclusion
Turf cutters are a fantastic way to clear or transplant a turf surface, but choosing the right turf cutter at the right time year, under favourable conditions must be considered before carrying out the work.
There are a wide variety of turf cutters out in the market but some will do the job quicker, deeper, and with less Hand Arm Vibrations in tougher groundcare conditions, widening the time you can use it. These higher end machines are worth it when you take in all the considerations.
Read more on the PSD Blog: Top 10 Tips for Overseeding Turf
> View the Eliet Turfaway 600 Product Page
Talk to your local dealer |
| Have you found this article useful?
If you would like to keep up to date with our growing resource of groundcare related information please subscribe to our Bi-Monthly Newsletter |
