Best Pull Behind Dethatchers in 2023 (Comparison Tool & Buyer's Guide)

To ensure that your lawn is in a proper state, one thing you ought to do is to keep them free of excess thatch constantly. Thatch is a layer of living and dead plant matter such as grass leaves, shoots, stems, and roots that are often accumulated at the base of your lawn. Little amounts of thatch may not be bad, as they can help to control and regulate soil temperature, and water evaporation, while also reducing soil compaction in your lawn. However, the accumulation of more thatch layers can prove to be unhealthy.

Excess thatch (any layer that is up to ½ inch) tends to prevent fertilizer, air, water, and every important nutrient from reaching the roots of your lawn. This can gradually inhibit health and growth, resulting in brown, patchy, and pale spots scattered all over your lawn area. At this point, it may be extremely difficult and expensive to restore your lawn's fresh and healthy look. Hence, a habit of detaching from time to time to keep it healthy may prove just apt.

With the ideal dethatcher, you can easily keep your lawn healthy and free from excess thatches. However, the question of the best tools to use may be yet another challenge you'd face, especially if you are new to detaching your lawn for yourself. To address this, this article aims at exposing you to some of the best tow-behind dethatchers you can find anywhere.

Brinly DT-40BH Pull-Behind Dethatcher

If your primary concern is to get rid of excessive thatch from your lawn, leaving a healthy amount behind, the Brinly DT-40BH Tow-Behind Dethatcher seems to have been built specifically for that purpose. Although it isn't exactly perfect for large lawns, it has been proven to be just ideal for medium-sized and small lawns.

With its 20 elastic springtimes, the Brinly DT-40BH Tow-Behind Dethatcher can be relied upon to softly comb through the thatch on your lawns, collecting them without causing any damage to the grasses. The unit comes with two options for your detaching processes: the first is the light detaching mode, which is suitable for softly mowing your lawn. However, the aggressive mode is ideal for a thorough and detailed detaching process.

One of the attractive highlights of this unit is its heavy-duty build. This equips it with the ability to withstand an additional weight of 70 lb when required for thorough operations. Its all-steel design also reduces the chances of breakage. Also, the fact that you can control transport wheels from where you are seated on the driver's seat is another very attractive feature.

Unlike several other units, another reason why the Brinly DT-40BH Tow-Behind Dethatcher may be just ideal for you is the fact that it is easy to assemble. It also comes with a pictorial manual with a step-by-step guide on how to assemble it. This makes it a very easy choice for several first-time dethatcher buyers.

Agri-Fab 45-0294 40-Inches

This tow-behind dethatcher easily ranks among the best you can find anywhere, for its durability and effectiveness. Despite the fact that it is built to do a thorough job by sweeping through your lawns in search of excess thatches, it is able to do this with a considerable amount of gentleness. This means it is less likely to be harsh on your lawn.

The Agri-Fab 45-0294 40-Inches features 20 flexible heat-treated spring tines that are built to be extremely durable and rustproof. The fact that its loaded tines are replaceable means you have no cause to worry at times you think they need to be changed. Also, it features semi-pneumatic wheels that are built strongly to cruise through any terrain.

This dethatcher is able to withstand a weight of 70 lb. When loaded to capacity, it is able to deliver more thorough and intensive operations.

Brinly Tow-Behind Dethatcher DT-48BH

If you are in search of an effective dethatcher for your large lawn, this unit might just be the perfect one for you. It comes equipped with two rows of 12 flexible and independent steel lines. These steel lines are designed to sweep through your lawns to fish out unwanted thatches simply. The removed thatches are thrown to places where they can be mulched or mowed (this depends on your choice).

To guarantee proper long-term care for your lawns, the Brinly Tow-Behind dethatcher DT-48BH comes with an all-steel construction that is just durable. Hence, there very slim chances of breakage. Also, to ensure perfect safety and functionality, the dethatcher has a safety rod included, preventing the contact of the tine with mower blades. It is simply built to last. Its rugged nature makes it a perfect fit for most tractor brands.

In case you lose any of its parts, it is relatively easy to get a replacement. Specific parts can be ordered from the makers' website or by reaching them through their toll-free lines. Another feature that may attract you to this unit is the relative ease with which you can assemble it. Its pictorial assembly manual, as well as a couple of the product's assembly YouTube videos, are sufficient materials that you have a trouble-free time assembling it. It also shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to assemble.

Agri-Fab 45-0295 48-Inches Tow-Behind Lawn Dethatcher

This unit ranks among the best for a number of key reasons. Its 24-spring heat-treated steel lines make it the perfect dethatcher to provide reliable and long-term care for your lawn. To enable it to carry out thorough and comprehensive operations on your lawn, its 48-inch tray is able to withstand a weight of up to 70 lb. This is just apt for a much deeper and more thorough dethatching process.

This dethatcher also comes equipped with semi-pneumatic tires, making it easy to glide comfortably through every terrain. Its cantilever transport handle also comes in handy, as it helps for easy lowering and raising of the tines. Its reputation as one of the simplest dethatchers to operate is one of the reasons for its very huge fan base.

Agri-Fab 45-0457 SmartLINK Dethatcher

This unit comes with several catchy features that may just be what you require for the easy and effective maintenance of your lawn. Amongst all, its three years limited consumer warranty is one reason why you may also consider going for it. Durability is also a foremost feature here: its 20 heat-treated tines are rustproof and durable enough to ensure that your lawn is well cared for and for a long period of time.

This Agri-Fab 45-0457 SmartLINK Dethatcher is built for use with the Smartlink Master Platform. Hence, it can be ready for use within just a few seconds and with no tools required! If you care about a space-saving dethatcher, the unit is just what you are looking for. Also, it is scratch-resistant coating just keeps it looking new for a long time. You may consider getting it if you are particular about an aesthetically appealing unit.

Yard Tuff's DT-48T Tine Dethatcher

The Yard Tuff's DT-48T Tine Dethatcher is one of the most efficient and reliable units you can find anywhere. It is simply designed to suit your small and medium-sized lawns effectively. It comes with 24 heat-treated tines which are effective and durable. Basically, these tines are built to last for a very long time. It also comes with 7-inches poly wheels, which allow for easy and smooth navigation.

This unit comes equipped with a pin-style hitch attachment, availing you the liberty to attach it to any relevant motor such as a lawn tractor, utility tractor, or any other type of tractor brand. Also, the fact that it can be assembled easily and in just a few minutes is another reason why you may consider opting for it.

Yard Commander 40-Inches Tow-Behind Tine Dethatcher

This unit comes with 20 heat-treated 3/16 inches spring tines that are designed for long lifts to ensure that your lawn is effectively maintained and for a long period of time. Just as expected of one the best dethatchers you can find anywhere; this unit is extremely durable.

Its rust-resistant coating is one of the reasons why you can be confident you are spending your money on a unit that is built to last. The Yard Commander 40-Inches Tow-Behind Tine Dethatcher also works with virtually all types of lawn tractors and/or ATVs (All-terrain vehicles). Its capacity to withstand a weight of up to 70 lb. helps to ensure that your lawns are effectively catered for and that thatches are effectively fished-out.

Craftsman 40 Inches Tow Lawn Dethatcher

This is easily one of the highest-ranking tow lawn dethatchers that are designed to meet your needs effectively. One of the most distinctive features of this unit is its Universal Hitch. This makes it just able to fit perfectly to any lawn tractor irrespective of the brand. Its 20 heat-treated tines are not only effective with the dethatching of your lawns but they are also built to last for a very long time.

It comes with a relatively high and comfortable cantilever transport handle, which makes it just easy to raise and lower. Its 70 lb. capacity weight tray also helps to ensure a deeper and more effective soil penetration. Its semi-pneumatic tires are also not left out of the range of attractive features it comes with. These tires equip it with the ability to glide through any terrain without any hitch. Also, even though it requires some assembly after purchase, you have no cause to worry, as it is relatively easy to assemble.

Precision TT500 40-Inch Dethatcher

Just as its name seems to suggest, this unit offers you some level of precision. It comes with nine heat-treated tines that are just effective enough to penetrate your lawns to extract excess thatches. Its 40-inch wide steel body makes it ideal for your small or middle-sized lawn. Its 15 gauge steel body, in conjunction with its 15 gauge steel tray, sees to it that it is able to withstand a collection capacity of 100 lb. This ensures even deeper and much more effective soil penetration compared to several other dethatchers.

This unit also comes with a number of attractive features such as its single lever control and engagement feature, which make it very easy and comfortable to use. This makes it easy for you to follow your pre-planned patterns effectively. Its semi-pneumatic tires also see to it that you are able to glide your way through any kind of terrain. The unit has also attracted several positive reviews for its rare cost-effectiveness.

Precision Products 42-Inch Dethatcher DT42GY

If you specifically require a dethatcher that is able to withstand a higher capacity to afford your range of alternatives to choose from, then you may choose to opt for this unit. It comes with an unparalleled capacity to withstand up to 150 lb. With this, you can either choose to delve deeper into the soil (with greater weight) to get rid of all thatches or to just scrape off excess thatches on the surface of your lawn (with a lighter weight). Its 42-inch size makes it possible for you to scrape to cover a few more inches more than several other dethatchers.

This unit also comes with a few other attractive features, such as its cantilever handle. This makes it just perfect for the purpose of lifting and lowering the tines from where you are sited, on the driver's seat. Its universal trailer also makes it possible for it to be easily attached to just any lawn tractor or ATV.

Welcome to our best lawn dethatcher comparison 2023. This buying guide we prepared for you provides detailed side-by-side comparisons, reviews, and consumer reports.

Please refer to the comparison table with filter options we put together for you in order to have a quick look at individual models and their defining features.

What types of dethatchers are there?

We've listed all available dethatcher types on their respective pages. Please click on the titles to read more about each model.

Thatch Rake

If you're the owner of a small garden, you're probably better off owning a thatch rake. They're small, easy to store, cheap, and don't require any maintenance at all. The only problem is that it's manual, which means it is your muscle that powers them, not an electric or a gas motor!

Since they do not consume any gasoline or electricity to run, it is environmentally friendly, silent, and at the same time, improves your physical fitness, that's a nice side-effect to have. Besides, manual thatch rakes are much cheaper than electric or gas models.

If, however, you own a relatively larger yard, continue reading because you'll get weary of manual rakes very quickly.

Electric lawn dethatcher

If you have a larger yard, at least a couple hundred yards, and you don't want to spend your entire weekend pulling around a rake when you could enjoy your time doing something else, consider an electric lawn dethatcher.

These machines are powered by electricity, and they are more suitable for medium and big gardens of all types.

The only problem that comes with these dethatchers is; you're basically limited to the length of the cordon, which you might have to purchase separately.

Also, you must constantly be watching the power cord to avoid running over it. Or else, the teeth under the dethatcher will damage or cut the cord entirely and interrupt your work due to voltage drop.

Tip: Scarifiers and dethatchers have much less weight compared to lawn mowers. If you want the blades to penetrate deeper into the ground, you can place extra weight on top of the machine, which will provide the extra pressure needed to go deeper.

Gas dethatchers

When you own a larger lawn around 400 to 3000 yards and own some sort of a tractor, you should skip gas dethatchers and consider a tow behind dethatcher. If you don't own a tractor but still have a big yard, explore further this category.

Unlike electric dethatchers, gas models do not depend on any sort of power socket being present, and you don't have a power cord you need to pay attention to at all times.

These gasoline-powered dethatchers have more weight to it than electric-powered models and thus are able to penetrate deeper into the ground.

Thanks to their weight, they work much better on harder soil and perform effortlessly. The only downside is they are harder to handle than their electric counterparts.

In Conclusion

Now, it is important to consider what type of dethatcher suits your lawn most. The consideration of your lawn's size, the level of thatches you have in your lawn, its depth, etc. are some of the very relevant points to consider before making a choice. With the reviews available to you in this article, you shouldn't have a hard time finding the exact dethatcher that suits you most. Nevertheless, what is important is that you get a product that can simply ensure that your lawn is constantly kept free from excess thatch.