The 8 Best Tow Dethatchers

This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in October of 2018. If your yard is looking brown and haggard, it might be due to an accumulation of dead grass, leaves, and other debris that's choking off the soil. These tow dethatchers can break up your dirt and remove the top layer of detritus, allowing air, water, and sunshine to reach your lawn. They're easily pulled behind riding mowers and ATVs, making them ideal for maintaining large, spread-out areas. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Brinly DT-40BH

The transport wheels on the Brinly DT-40BH (about $94) can navigate sidewalks and driveways with ease, making it a smart choice for anyone with a lawn that's broken up by concrete. You can engage or raise it from your tractor's seat, saving you a little bit of hassle.

Tines come preassembled
Spikes flex independently
Handle won't interfere with weights

2. Agri-Fab 45-0294

The twenty tines on the Agri-Fab 45-0294 (around $66) are spring loaded and heat treated, ensuring they'll be able to tear through your soil with ease for years to come. If any do happen to snap, though, they're replaceable, so you can swap them out fairly simply.

Tray holds up to 70 pounds
Doesn't clog in dry dirt
Assembly is simple

3. Precision Products DT42GY

The Precision Products DT42GY (about $200) boasts a sturdy steel construction, so don't worry if you accidentally take a turn too sharply and clip a fence post. The teeth can sink two inches into the soil, taking off just about everything dead that's resting on the ground.

Universal trailer attachment
Reinforced tow bar
Breaks up fertilizer well

4. Yard Commander

If you've let your grass get out of control, the Yard Commander (about $149) has 7" semi-pneumatic tires that can roll through even the thickest of tangles. The 3/16" steel tines are sturdy enough to handle any sticks or dead vegetation that it snags along the way.

Rust-resistant finish
Works well in matted thatch
Good at gathering clippings

5. Strongway DT-48TSW

The Strongway DT-48TSW (appx. $120) has a pin-style hitch that's easy to hook up to your vehicle, eliminating at least a little bit of hassle involved in cleaning up your backyard. Its ample 48-inch width reduces the number of passes you'll need to make to finish the job.

Easy-to-reach adjustment handle
24 durable steel tines
Limited weight capacity

6. John Deere Thatcherator

Made by one of the most trusted names in agricultural equipment, the John Deere Thatcherator (appx. $284) sports both the brand's distinctive green color and reliable construction. The teeth are wired in, reducing the likelihood that they'll snap if they hit a rock.

Offset wheels minimize its width
Leaves even ground behind
Extremely expensive

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7. Yard Tuff DT-48T

There are two rows of independent tines on the Yard Tuff DT-48T (around $130), ensuring that you don't miss any spots on each pass. With 24 teeth in total, you should be able to tear up every inch of your lawn without spending an entire afternoon doing so.

Durable heat-treated spikes
Large lawnmower-style wheels
Difficult to keep level

8. Precision Products TT500

With only 9 tines, the Precision Products TT500 (around $85) is best-suited for smaller lawns, as It would take forever on larger yards, especially since you'd have to stop frequently to pull out all the accumulated grass and leaves that get caught in the spikes.

Lots of room for cinder blocks
Poorly-written instructions
Not terribly durable

Last updated by Quincy Miller

After getting his bachelor’s from the University of Texas, Quincy Miller moved out to Los Angeles, where he soon found work as a copywriter and researcher, specializing in health and wellness topics for a major online media brand. Quincy is also knowledgeable about home improvement, as he’s had extensive experience with everything from insulation to power tools to emergency room trips, sometimes in that order. Sharing a home with three dogs and a couple of cats has forced Quincy to learn as much as he can about pet supplies, animal nutrition and, most importantly, the best ways to tackle the mountains of fur that accumulate in every corner of your home.

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