A sod cutter is a landscapers best friend. If you have ever tried to remove established sod with a shovel, then you know all too well how much work it takes. When you are creating a new landscape bed in your lawn, chances are that you will need to remove some sod. If you are working on a large area, a skid loader might work best. You can remove quite a bit of sod quickly with the right piece of equipment. If you are working on an area where a skid loader is not practical, then you may opt for a sod cutter. If you are a professional landscaper, you should have a sod cutter in your tool selection. If you are a home owner, you can find a sod cutter at most rental stores.
How a sod cutter works.
Most walk behind sod cutters are about the size of a garden tiller. Sod cutting machines usually cut strips of grass that are about 12″ to 18″ wide. There is a metal-cutting blade under the machine that moves side to side when the machine is engaged. This blade slices through soil and sod. The cut sod is laid back on top of the soil so that you can remove it. You can cut long or short strips depending on the area. Sod and soil weigh more than you think, so you might want to consider cutting the strips into smaller sections. The sod cutter will do the work, all you have to do is direct it.
Ryan Turf- Ryan makes a great jr sod cutting unit. This unit is capable of cutting sod 12″ to 18″ wide and up to 2.5″ deep. This unit runs like a champ and makes light work of a big job.
Classen- Classen makes a great sod cutter also. Their unit is similar in design to the Ryan unit. Classen makes a reliable machine that is worthy of any landscape project. Classen machines also come with a two-year warranty.