Revitilizer Questions

[Kenh]

For you guys that have used a revitlizer... I'm just looking for your thoughts on how you like it. Can it be used as a sliceing areator or is it strictly a de-thather. The ground in my yard is really hard. It has a high clay content, and I want somthing that will cut at least 2 or 3 inches deep. I'm not worried about lawn damage as I will be topdressing with compost, fertlizer and seed. I've been thinking about trying to find a unit to purchase, but just want some feedback on it's use. I know they seem to be a bit rare, so, I even thought about trying to build a "cheap" copy, which may be a bigger project than I want to tackle! Thanks in advance! Ken

[Simpleton7016]

Mine works great as a dethatcher. I have similar, high clay content soil, and it did not cut real clean groves when the soil was rock hard. However, I tried it after a rain and it worked great. I dont think it will cut much deeper than aq half inch though....maybe an inch, but certainly not 2 or 3. I will attach some pictures.

[RayS]

i think all they will go is about 1 1/4". I used mine to overseed my lawn. It is one of the attachments that i wouldn`t part with.

[Paul_B]

It's great to aerate and for over seeding. I always get a ton of thatch so it's great for that too. I don't use mine often, but when I do it's priceless!

[PhanDad]

I also agree with the opinions expressed above. Recommended depth is 1/2 inch for both dethatching and overseeding; for overseeding an addtional pass at a 45 degree angle to the first pass is recommended. Max depth might be 1 1/2 inches. Put mfg #1690079 in the Simplicity tech pub search web page for the operators manual.

[RBE17]

Can someone post a picture of what a revitalizer looks like? I've borrowed a friend's dethatcher that works, but only if I secure ~30-50 lbs of weight to it. Thanks, Steve.

[PhanDad]

See Kent's site: http://www.simpletractors.com/simplicity/new_in_1972/revitalizer.htm BTW, max depth per spec on the above page is 1 1/4 inch

[RayS]

here`s a picture of what it looks like. I guess i could have walked to the garage and took a picture.

[RBE17]

That is definitely different than what I've been using. No wonder the dethatcher doesn't work as well. I'll have to keep my eye out for a revitalizer. My lawn could certainly use it. Later, Steve.

[Kent]

One caution with using a revitalizer... they assume your lawn is smooth and flat, and not bumpy. Talk about scalping high spots, these things will create a Mohawk hairdo... ;) Seriously, if your lawn is bumpy or frost-heaved, you may want to go over it with a lawn roller before you run the revitalizer... Guess how I know this? :D

[Kenh]

Thanks for the thoughts guys! I downloaded the owners manual last night. The 1 1/4 deep is better than nothing. To help with the bumpy lawn, mow as short as possiable. The extra dirt kicked up by the revitlizer can be drug into the low spots on your lawn. If you leave the grass too long the extra dirt gets lost in the too tall grass and can't be moved to the low spots. This is the same technique used on golf greens and baseball infields. I've seen and used everything from a chunk of chain link fence, to a drag used to level the dirt on a baseball infield. The infield drag worked the best, (of course). A freind of mine used a drag made out of 2X4's that worked quite well. It had a front and rear "cutting edge" about 4 feet long. I think he might have put a bit of weight on it, but, I'm not sure as I never saw it in action. He was happy with the results it gave him. How is parts availablity? It looks easy enough to work on but I can see that the tines and shaft might be the first to wear out. Ken

[Simpleton7016]

I just restored one....they were a piece of cake to work on. I have a detailed thread back in April some time if you look in the archives. I think the most important thing is that the spring loaded tines can move freely back and forth over the hex shaft. I had to grind my shaft down to achieve the free movement. Otherwise, it was pretty slick. I will try to find the old thread and post the link.

[Simpleton7016]

Here is one link: http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62632&SearchTerms=revitalizer [url][/url]http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62632&SearchTerms=revitalizer [url]http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62632&SearchTerms=revitalizer[/url]

[Simpleton7016]

and here is another: http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62767&SearchTerms=revitalizer