What is this tool?

Carol K · Jun 29, 2008

We went to a citywide flea market at the Tripp fairgrounds yesterday, and everything was free. Yes... free.

We picked up this tool because it looks useful and heavy duty. But what is it? It's too heavy for a rake. and the blades have an edge on them.

What exactly is this tool used for? Is it vintage?

Chuck V · Jun 29, 2008

Hi Carol...It's a cultivator rake on one side (with the straight tines), and a lawn dethatcher on the side with the bent tines.

To dethatch, you work it back and forth in the grass carefully. The angle is adjustable for your physical height, and to regulate the degree of desired "grip" on the thatch, so as not to pull up the grass along with the thatch.

Chuck

Carol K · Jun 29, 2008

Hi Chuck, thanks! What exactly is the purpose of dethatch? To thin out????

geodawn · Jun 29, 2008

Good info Chuck! I was going to say back scratcher.

sectshun8 · Jun 29, 2008

Looks like a human powered roto-tiller, haha. That thing must suck to use

Chuck V · Jun 29, 2008

Carol K said:
Hi Chuck, thanks! What exactly is the purpose of dethatch? To thin out????

Good explanation here, Carol...scroll down halfway:

http://www.greatlandscapingideas.com/lawnaeration.html

Chuck V · Jun 29, 2008

sectshun8 said:
Looks like a human powered roto-tiller, haha. That thing must suck to use

It actually works pretty well, assuming you don't have a big lawn and enjoy activities conducive to meditation...like house painting....Also a handy thing to put away for the day when gas is up to $15.00 a gallon!

Chuck

grinsebring · Jun 29, 2008

Oy

sectshun8 said:
Looks like a human powered roto-tiller, haha. That thing must suck to use

Any gardning tool without a motor or a tractor connected to it sucks to use......That's why it was free. The handle appears to be in good shape.
Gil

dglfi · Jun 29, 2008

geodawn said:
Good info Chuck! I was going to say back scratcher.

It's a good thing I was not drinking when I read that.

Carol K · Jun 29, 2008

The link has great information, but it sounds like something someone could do when they have too much time on their hands.

I think our lawn is mostly weeds! :lol:

FelixtheCat · Jun 29, 2008

I think it belonged to Freddy Krueger!

Rudy · Jun 29, 2008

Lawn dethatcher it is. Every time I've used one I've managed to hurt myself.

SkiWhiz · Jun 29, 2008

Whatever it is, it is homemade I believe. It looks like someone made it on a shovel or a farm fork handle. Steve.

Carol K · Jun 29, 2008

The handle is sturdy and very long, taller than me, and I'm 5' 7"

I guess I could post what it says on the handle. Give a few minutes.

Added: It says

UNION FORK AND HOE CO. with a logo and APLR 903329

The other side has a green label that says Green Thumb deluxe

The tines are long on one side (about 3 inches) and short on the other(about 1 1/2 inches), and both sides are curved and sharpened.

It is exactly as tall as me, 5'7"

It's pretty heavy, not something I would normally use for a rake.

Carol K · Jun 30, 2008

Well, I believe a "dethatcher" is exactly what it is. I tried it out this morning and it works perfectly.

We will probably use it more as a cultivator though. It should get the weeds out of the garden real easy.

Thanks all!

Tinky1878 · Jun 30, 2008

Carol K said:
We went to a citywide flea market at the Tripp fairgrounds yesterday, and everything was free. Yes... free.

We picked up this tool because it looks useful and heavy duty. But what is it? It's too heavy for a rake. and the blades have an edge on them.

What exactly is this tool used for? Is it vintage?

It is vintage! It is probably late 60's early 70's. Great find!

Voriax · Jun 30, 2008

Heh, seems they are still making them: http://www.uniontools.com/product.asp?Cid=2&Cat=10&Brand=&Query=&Page=4

top left.

Voriax

Carol K · Jun 30, 2008

Thanks Voriax!

I can't believe I lived my whole life and never heard of dethatching a lawn. :roll:

What is this tool?

Carol K

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