Spring is a good time to carry out some renovation work on your lawns. After a long, cold, wet winter the lawn will need some attention to remove moss and debris that has accumulated during the winter months. 

The best way to do this is to scarify the lawn using a powered scarifier. Many companies are now offering a whole range of lawn scarifiers for sale both in traditional fuel and battery powered formats. 

Through attending a recent Makita demo day in Wellesbourne, near Stratford upon Avon, I had the opportunity see their latest XGT ®UV001G lawn scarifier in action.

 
The XGT System is described by Makita as the next generation of technology, engineered to achieve the optimum power required for heavier load applications without sacrificing run time.

This 40V max, 380mm, 50L model is a cordless scarifier powered by 40Vmax XGT® Li-Ion battery (two in parallel or one). It has been developed for thatching and vertical cutting, both of which are essential operations to keep a lawn in a good condition. This scarifier provides a working width of 380mm and a working depth of 12mm and has a decent collection box. I was impressed with its performance when I saw it on show and duly asked Makita if there was any chance for me to trial one.

 
Three weeks later, the scarifier arrived in a large, well-sealed, protected box. It was easy to assemble with four screw wheels to tighten the handlebars into its operating position. You also have the choice of using a spring tine reel or steel blade reel. Again, these tine cassettes were easy to change over by using a 10mm spanner. 

 
The scarifier has two battery ports so that you have plenty of running time available using both 40 V batteries. 

As for setting the height, that was achieved using the simple rotating wheel that allows you to select different operating heights and it has a 50 L collecting box. 

 
I, and a professional greenkeeper friend of mine, had the opportunity to put the scarifier through it paces on three different lawns. We adjusted the height, pressed the start button and away we went. The machine was quiet compared to petrol driven machines and responsive. Depending on how much thatch was in the lawn, the collection box would soon fill up. It collected the arisings very well and did not leave any behind.  It is certainly a powerful machine and easily rakes the debris from the lawn.

We tried both the steel blade and spring tine cassettes and felt both equally did a fine job of removing debris from the lawn. I was also impressed with the running time of the two batteries, in that we were able to scarify a 150m2 lawn in four directions without the need to recharge the batteries. 

 
Battery recharging times were quick using the manufacturer’s XGT 40V Double Twin-Port  Battery Charger. This was able to recharge both batteries within 30 mins. 

The machine’s dimensions are 1020 – 1240 x W.680 x H.915 – 1155mm and foldable size  L.550 x W.680 x H.640mm, with weight being 16.5kg, make it a easy machine to transport and move through narrow garden gates. 

All in all, an impressive, quiet light, manoeuvrable machine that does what it has been designed to do. And at 16.5KG it is easy to lift and transport in a car boot. 

 Features and Benefits

• Low vibration
• Easy and fast height adjustment
• Brushless motor
• Thatching is for removing deposited lawn clippings
• Vertical cutting is for cutting through old roots for healthy lawns

Specifications

• Battery Voltage: 40v
• Battery Type: XGT Li-Ion
• No Load Speed: 3200 min-1
• Width of Mowing Deck: 38cm
• Rear Wheel Diameter: 18cm
• Front Wheel Diameter: 18cm
• Working Depth: -12 - +5mm
• Collecting Box Capacity: 50L
• Product Dimensions: L.1020 – 1240 x W.680 x H.915 – 1155mm
• Foldable Dimensions: L.550 x W.680 x H.640mm
• Product Net Weight: 16.5kg

Conclusions 

A great machine to use. A small, compact, powerful product that is simple in design and simple to use.  Collection box was easy to empty. I’d say it was significantly quieter and had less vibration than petrol driven, heavier-duty scarifiers.

This scarifier is well worth the investment if you want to ensure you have a healthy lawn. It sits well with all the other gardening tools Makita have on offer.