Vertical Cutting done anymore?

[Wayne Offiler]

Came across a "Verti-cut" (made by West Point Products) at a consignment shop. Looks old. 3 1/2 hp B&S engine on it, but could not find numbers to get the date. Rugged machine, runs fine. Much like a dethatcher, but has spinning blades. They wanted only $75 for it, so I bought it. Not sure if it will be of any use to me. These things still used? What for?

[Dochere]

Yes, they are still used. They do a few different things, we use them to cut grass roots. By doing this, it helps stimulate new growth. We go over the lawn in one direction, then back over it in the opposite direction. (horizontal and vertical) Some also aid in dethatching.

[kutnkru]

Wayne heres a pretty informative thread on what you are asking about:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11533

I hope this can help answer some of your questions about this type of service and its benefits.

Kris

[TGCummings]

It sure answered some of mine!

Thanks, Kris. ;)

[osc]

Verticutting is mostly used for putting greens. Dethatching is probably a better choice for lawns.

I have verticut reels for a Toro Greensmaster 3100. We rarely use them.

[Ric]

I couldn't help but notice that everyone posting here about veri-cutting was from cool season turf country. Therefore I will add my .02

Veri-cutting is warm season turfs dethatching. Warm season turf grows by producing runners. when these runner grow to thick they must be thinned. Veri cutting could be done with a edger if you ran it ever 2" and set it to only touch the soil. The blades of a verticutter are just like an edger only they are on a long spindle and set every 2-3" apart depending on the turf. Also depending on the thickness of the turf is whether you cut in one or two directions. I have a 11hp Ryan Mataway vericutter that is self propelled. I use a Walker GHS to bag the thatch which can fill two pick ups from a 5-6/M yard.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Vertislice. verit cut, slit seed all in the same machine.

[kutnkru]

Originally posted by osc
... Dethatching is probably a better choice for lawns. ...IMHO I dont think that a flail type reel that beats the ground does better than a standard reel that slices thru the surface roots.

Jut my .02
Kris