Sod cutters and tillers are two different tools that create very different lawns. Tillers chop up the grass into chunks, while sod cutter strips it away easily without disturbing the soil underneath as much.
Sod Cutter vs Tiller
| Feature | Sod Cutter | Tiller |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Cuts grass and roots | Tills and breaks up soil and roots |
| Grass Removal | Removes grass in strips | Mixes grass with soil |
| Efficiency | Fast and efficient | Slower and may require multiple passes |
| Depth of Removal | Shallow – up to 2.5 inches | Deep – up to 8 inches or more |
| Soil Disturbance | Minimal | Significant |
| Equipment Weight | Heavy – typically over 300 pounds | Lighter – typically under 200 pounds |
| Rental Availability | Widely available | Widely available |
| Cost | Higher – typically $50-$100 per day | Lower – typically $25-$50 per day |
Sod cutting is also a good idea if you have weed seeds in your yard because they won’t be so easy to grow back after being churned by an old-fashioned tiller. The only downside of using a sod cutter is that there’s no way to get rid of all those leftover pieces unless you use them for something else like composting or animal feedings!
Check: best rotary tiller for tractor 2023
If you want to kill grass and stop weed growth, you will have to remove grass manually from the entire lawn. Whether you use sod cutters or garden tillers.
Tiller and Cutter for Cutting Grass
A tiller is tilling the soil, but a sod cutter is cutting grass. However, tilling/cutting grass can be accomplished with either one.
The tiller isn’t as effective at actually removing the sod and dirt that had grown up under the grass from your nice clean new yard (you didn’t put any in when you laid down that lovely concrete stepping stones!) — however, it could remove some of it. However, if you want to loosen and remove all of this material for use elsewhere – like on your garden or compost heap – then a tiller will do a great job for you. You’ll enjoy using your tiller because they’re usually self-propelled (some have pedals too), so there’s no heavy pushing or pulling involved when tilling/cutting under the sod.
CHECK: Best electric tiller for clay soil
On the other hand, you really need a sod cutter if you have grass growing in your newly dug-up garden spot (if it’s small). You’ll be very happy with the results of a clean garden area that is tilled free of those grass and weed roots. Just remember to give yourself plenty of time before planting – at least three weeks so all that tiller-tore-up soil can settle back in place. This will save you from bringing home any new surprises from your local nursery or hardware store!
So, which tiller do I like better? That depends upon what project I’m working on.
Sod Cutter
A sod cutter is used to remove grass and a thin layer of soil from the ground. When using this type of tool, make sure that you wear safety gear such as goggles, gloves, and protective clothing. Once a new lawn has been laid over an existing one or when laying turf on slopes, use a Sod Cutter sometimes referred to also as “Turfing Knife“.
A sod cutter is a handheld gardening tool used to slice through thick layers of soil or sod so grass can be easily lifted up. It releases the roots from underneath the ground while also cutting them off with its blade edge. This allows for easier removal by reducing any resistance that the cut roots may provide for lifting the turf or mowing later on.
Make sure you choose one that is a good fit for your height, build, and strength as you will need to apply some pressure using it. You can purchase them from most garden supply stores in a variety of materials with blade edges that are either blunt or sharp. If the job is too tough for you, consider renting one; many community centers have garden tool libraries where you can do so at a minimal cost.
A sod cutter should have a solid and sturdy handle to avoid slippage when cutting through vegetation. The length of the handle also allows for more leverage which reduces fatigue on your arm muscles when applying a downward force to slice through thick layers of sod or soil. Choose one that has ergonomic features such as angled handles making reaching easier especially if you’re short.
Dead grass is really a problem here in the new lawn if you bought planting beds and some of the sod is old. To replace it with new sod, you will have to remove the old sod with your weed control method. You can also hire manual labor, and power equipment (Rear tine model tiller or cutter) for your lawn care. And make sure to start work in growing seasons, in a few weeks, it should grow vertically.
Remove a lawn by digging it up
Even using electric equipment, getting down a lawn is tough work. You risk exposing weed seeds that had been trapped deep in the soil and allowing it to germinate. Even with the tenacious perennial grass-like Bermuda you’ll need to kill the plant before you remove it. Killing grass fully could involve the use of herbicides. If you leave mulch behind if you compost, you keep organic matter but you add additional time and energy. If you remove sod you’re removing organic matter that you must replace. But you want to see immediate results. Roll them up to use elsewhere or simply turn the sod upside down and keep composting.
Use a sod cutter to kill pests’ seed, weed roots and get rid of them from high or low spots.
Tiller and cutter for cutting grass completely
The tiller is not very effective at removing the pile of soil and dirt that has grown up under your clean new garden. If you want to clean out any soil in your garden or compost pile with a tiller then it should do the job for you. On the other hand, you absolutely need a sod cutter if you have grass growing in your newly dug-out place (it’s small) you’ll be happy with the results of a mulch removal device. But remember that before planting time is very precious – as it’ll take three weeks until all the correlated soil settles to the ground.
FAQs
How to Kill weed seeds to stop weed growth?
There is a very interesting thing about weed seeds. Most of them are viable for up to 10 years! So, if you have a lawn with grass that has been there for at least this time period without change, the weed seeds from that old lawn will still be in the soil and can grow into weeds. Even a new lawn seeded a year ago still has weed seeds in the soil, but they are dormant.
So, how do you kill weed seeds from grass? You need to keep on mowing your lawn until all of those old dormant weed seeds are dead. The way to tell that this has happened is by no more new weeds growing.
NOTE: If you have a lot of old weed seeds in your soil, it will take many months or even years before your lawn is completely free of weeds! But if you recognize this with old bad grass, then you will have to put in the effort to develop a new lawn!
Remove weed seed from sod with tiller. Turn your lawn into a thick, green carpet quickly and grow healthy grass that is lush all summer. Tillers come in a variety of types and prices, all durable with different features.
To remove certain weed seeds from lawns, it is important to till the soil lightly before seeding or sodding lawns. Rototillers are best for this task, but other types of tillers will do the job as well. Keep in mind that some weed seeds can remain dormant for as long as five years, so any tilling you do will not guarantee 100% success.
Can you use a tiller to remove sod?
Tilling is a great way remove it. Although there are many ways to remove sod, such as plucking it up, cutting it with a spade, or using chemicals to remove the sod, tilling is probably the most efficient and quickest method.
Note that you will need a rototiller for this job. You can rent a small one of these from a local rental place if you don’t own one yourself.
How difficult is it to use a sod cutter?
A motorized sod cutter is the best machine for removing large areas of grass. However, it can be difficult to use and control because its powerful shaking makes movement in tight spaces very challenging–it’s not likely you’ll want this on your own lawn! A good option if renting one isn’t available would be contracting with an experienced landscaping company that does these types work regularly; they typically have rates around $50 per hour which shouldn’t exceed what someone charges hourly sitting at home doing nothing but watching TV all day (that doesn’t sound fun!).
Bottom Line:
If you really want to cut grass clean and clear, the SOD CUTTER would be the best choice.
Edmund B. Pittman is a renowned author and gardening expert with a deep passion for all things related to gardening and tillers. He has spent many years cultivating his skills and knowledge, and his expertise is widely recognized in the gardening community.
Mr. Pittman’s love for gardening started at a young age, and he has been dedicated to this hobby ever since. He has spent countless hours researching, experimenting, and perfecting his techniques, and his garden is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
Leave a Reply