How to Use a Sod Cutter

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Sure you can rely on a shovel to start a garden, but a sod cutter offers a more efficient means of removing grass while preserving the soil below. They’re particularly handy for removing parts of a lawn to install a garden or replacing an old tired lawn with fresh new sod. Using a horizontal blade that cuts just below the grass root to remove patches of sod, sod cutters come in a variety of types. There are manual flat spades that resemble a traditional shovel, plow sod removers that use your leg power to remove strips of sod, and motorized sod cutters for removing strips of sod from larger areas.

While these machines can make removing sections of lawn easier, understanding which type is best for your project as well as how to use each tool is key to getting the best results. We sought guidance from John Gualtiere, president of Hudson Landscape Contractors & Tree Care Specialists, for guidance. Here’s what you need to know about how to use a sod cutter.

Types of Sod Cutters

Sod cutters come in three different types: square-edge hand sod cutters, manual sod kickers, and motorized sod cutters. The best one for your project largely depends on the size of the area you’re clearing, your budget, and how much physical effort you’re willing to put into the job.

Sod cutter typeJob SizeEstimated costRecommended uses

Square-edge spade / hand sod cutter50 to 100 square feetBuy: $30 to $60Removing sod for gardens or hardscapingRepairing patchesEdging lawns around driveways and sidewalks

Manual kick sod cutter100 to 500 square feetRent: $15 to $50/dayProjects that require long straight strips: Landscaping along walkways Removing sod for garden beds

Motorized walk-behind sod cutter500+ square feetRent: $75 to $150/dayRemoving large areas of where you need to retain the sod

1. Square-Edge Spade

Photo: Amazon

A square-edge spade has a flat blade and looks similar to a shovel. You push the shovel into the sod using your foot, sliding the blade under the sod to separate it from the soil and remove it. It’s suitable for removing small patches of sod when creating garden beds or patching areas of lawn.

Our Recommendation: Fiskars 47-inch Spade Garden Shovel, Get at The Home Depot for $31.92 Fiskars’ flat blade shovel has a sharpened tip that cuts nicely into turf and its large ergonomic handle D-shaped is ideal for prying up sections of sod.

2. Manual Kick Plow

Photo: Tractor Supply

This sod cutter resembles a manual plow. It has two handles that extend to a head that has a roller and a cutting head. You kick a bar that connects the two handles to move it forward. As it moves across the lawn, the cutter separates the sod from the soil, creating strips of sod that you can roll up and remove. You can cover more ground with a kick plow than a square edge spade, but it still requires a significant amount of physical effort to use.

Our Recommendation: Maxim Sod Kicker-Sod Cutter, Get at Tractor Supply Co. for $359.99 With its sturdy steel tube frame and hardwood handles, the Maxim Sod Kicker is built to take a beating, which is exactly what you want out of a tool that you have to kick repeatedly.

3. Motorized Walk-Behind Sod Cutter

Photo: Classen

Unlike the other two types of cutters that require manual power, this walk-behind cutter uses a gas engine to power a horizontal blade that oscillates 1 to 2 inches deep under the grass to separate the sod from the soil, creating a continuous strip you can roll up. A walk-behind sod cutter can cover a lot of ground quickly and doesn’t require the same effort as manual sod cutters.

Our Recommendation: Classen Sod Cutter Rental, Rent at The Home Depot for $140/day This powerful machine cuts an 18-inch-wide path with ease, making it the ideal rental for large DIY sod removal projects.

How to Pick the Right Sod Cutter

When evaluating the types of sod cutter available to purchase or rent, consider the size of the project, budget, and what you’re physically capable of handling. “For a homeowner, I’d recommend a walk-behind gas-powered sod cutter that you can rent from Home Depot,” Gualtiere says. “You can get away with a manual sod cutter like the Maxim Sod Kicker if you’re working with a small area, but it will be more work.”

A square-edge spade is the most affordable sod removal tool, but it requires a lot of physical effort. It’s best reserved for small projects, like removing dead patches of grass, edging around driveways and walkways, or removing sod for a small garden.

Sod Cutter Safety Tips

Before you start using a sod cutter, gear up with some essential safety tips.

Wear good footwear. Sod cutters have blades that cut into the ground, making them inherently dangerous. Wear closed toed shoes, preferably work boots, to protect your feet.

Wear eye protection. Sod cutters can kick up dirt and stones, so wearing safety glasses while operating one of these machines is a must.

Call before you dig. Even though you’re only skimming off a few inches of soil with a sod cutter, you still need to identify where utility lines are running through your property and avoid them. Call 811 or submit an online request for utility and cable companies to come out and mark the location of their lines on your property.

Tools & Materials

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Sod cutter

Lawn mower

Tape measure

Rake

Garden hose

Safety glasses

Marking paint

Before You Begin

Measure and mark: Measure and mark the area you plan to de-sod using spray paint. The size of the area will help determine which type of cutter makes the most sense for the job.

Clear debris: Rocks and twigs are obstacles that can prevent the sod cutter from doing its job. Walk the area where you will remove sod and remove any branches, twigs, or rocks from the area. Mark any obstacles you can’t remove, such as tree roots, with spray paint, so you can avoid them.

Mow low: Unless you plan on reusing the sod, mow your lawn as short as possible just prior to using a cod cutter. This decreases the chance that the grass from clogging the sod cutter’s blade, prevents the machine from slipping in the grass, and makes rolls of sod easier to lift and carry.

Water the lawn: Damp soil makes it easier for the sod cutter to cut through the turf. Water the soil a day or two before the sod removal. “Don’t overwater as you don’t want it to be soupy,” Gualtiere advises.

How to Use a Motorized Sod Cutter

Photo: Christine Bird via Adobe Stock

The process for using a motorized sod cutter involves positioning it properly and allowing it to do most of the work. Here’s how to use this tool.

Step 1: Position the sod cutter at the edge of the area.

Push the sod cutter just outside the edge of the area you plan to cut such that you remove long straight strips of sod. Position the sod cutter so the blade is aligned with the starting edge of the area you’ve marked out for removal to avoid moving sod you want to preserve.

Step 2: Start the engine.

Find the fuel valve and switch it to the open position. Close the choke and turn the engine switch to the on position. Similar to walk-behind mowers, most motorized sod cutters have a safety bar or handle you’ll need to squeeze while starting the engine for it to start. Hold the handle or bar and pull the starter cord to start the engine. After the engine is running, move the choke to the run position.

Step 3: Set the blade depth.

Tilt the sod cutter forward, set the blade to a depth of 1 to 2 inches, then tilt the sod cutter back onto the blade. The goal is to set the blades deep enough that you cut under the grass roots while removing as little soil below the grass as possible.

Step 4: Cut a test strip.

Squeeze the throttle to engage the blade and start the drive wheels. Avoid the urge to push. Instead, allow the wheels to do the work. Listen to the engine and lower the throttle to slow the sod cutter down if you hear the engine begin to bog down. Stop after 2 or 3 feet and inspect the sod.

“If the sod rips or the blade only cuts off the grass blades, you are too shallow,” Gualtiere says. “If the machine is struggling or you can barely move the sod because it’s so heavy, you are probably too deep.”

Step 5: Cut the first row.

Continue to the end of the first row, allowing the machine’s wheels to drive the sod cutter forward. When you reach the end of the first row, raise the handle to cut off the strip of sod.

Step 6: Roll the sod.

Move the sod cutter out of the way and roll up the first strip of sod. You can compost the sod, dispose of it, or potentially recycle it. “If it’s healthy sod you can reuse it in another part of your yard,” Gualtiere says. “Move it quickly and keep it moist to give it the best chance of surviving.”

Step 7: Continue cutting strips.

Continue cutting each row, rolling and collecting each strip of sod until you’ve completed the sod removal. “Overlap each pass slightly, stop the blade completely before turning,” Gualtiere says.

How to Use a Manual Sod Cutter

Operating a manual sod cutter is very similar to using a spade or shovel.

Step 1: Cut around the area.

Push the spade about 3 inches into the sod, working around the perimeter of the entire area you’re removing. Move inside the area and use the sod cutter to create a grid of squares about 12 inches by 12 inches within the area.

Step 2: Remove the turf.

Push the spade into the turf at a 45-degree angle. Lower the handle of the tool until the blade is parallel to the ground and push it forward. The blade cuts under the turf just below the grass roots. Push it forward into the turf, pry up the square of turf, and then remove the next square.

How to Use a Manual Kick Sod Cutter

A manual kick sod cutter works similarly to a motorized cutter, but uses leg power instead of a gas engine to make the cut.

Step 1: Position the cutter.

Photo: Jenny Stanley for BobVila.com

Move the cutter into place so that you can remove the sod in long strips. Position the cutter so that the blade lines up for the edge of the area you’re planning to cut.

Step 2: Kick the cutter.

Grip the two handles firmly, then kick the cutter’s crossbar to move it forward. Keep kicking it until you reach the other end of the area that you’re clearing.

Step 3: Cut the strip.

Photo: Jenny Stanley for BobVila.com

Once you reach the end of the first row, raise the handlebars to cut off the strip of sod. Roll up the sod then position the sod cutter to cut the second row.

Sod Cutter Maintenance Tips

Taking care of your sod cutter with regular maintenance will prolong the life of the tool. Here are some key ways to care for your sod cutter.

Check fluid levels. If you’re renting a motorized sod cutter, check the fluid levels prior to getting started.

Clean the blade. Scrape away any soil or grass off the blade after use to prevent rust from forming on it while it’s in storage.

Sharpen the blade. a spade with a sharp edge cuts through sod much more easily than a dull one. Sharpen the blade using a grinder or file.

Treat the blades. Wipe the blade with a light coating of oil to protect it from rust while in storage.

Lubricate moving parts. For a manual kick sod cutter, lubricate any moving parts and check the wheels and bolts to make sure they’re properly tightened.

FAQ

Q. When should I use a mechanical sod cutter?

Use a sod cutter when you need to remove large sections of existing grass without significantly disturbing the soil beneath it. It’s ideal for starting new garden beds or large lawn renovations to replace weedy, diseased turf.

Q. Can you rent a sod cutter?

Yes, you can rent sod cutters from most equipment rental places. Large home improvement chains, such as The Home Depot, also offer sod cutter rentals.

Q. Are there other ways to remove grass?

Yes, a square edge spade can be used to remove small sections of sod. You can also rent or buy a kick plow sod cutter. You can also kill large sections of grass by covering it with plastic sheeting or cardboard. While you shouldn’t use herbicides on broad areas of grass, a highly contracted vinegar spray (20 percent vinegar) can kill large areas of grass.

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