Spring is one of the best times to get back out in the yard and start working on your lawn. One project that can have a big impact on how your grass looks and grows is dethatching and scarifying using a unit like the Sun Joe Dethatcher and Scarifier.
A thick thatch layer can block water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil. Dethatching and scarifying help clear out that dead material, open up the lawn surface, and give roots more room to grow. That can help your grass thicken up and recover faster during the growing season.
In this guide, I’ll walk through how to use the Sun Joe dethatcher and scarifier step by step, including unboxing, assembly, changing attachments, setup, and what to expect when you use both the raking and scarifying attachments on a real lawn.
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What Does Dethatching and Scarifying Do?
Dethatching removes dead grass and debris that build up near the base of the lawn. That layer can get thick over time and make it harder for moisture, oxygen, and fertilizer to move down into the soil.
Scarifying goes a step further. It cuts into the surface a little more aggressively, which helps loosen matted material and open the lawn up for projects like overseeding or leveling.
Both can be useful, but they do slightly different jobs.
Why Use the Sun Joe Dethatcher and Scarifier?
The Sun Joe dethatcher and scarifier is a popular tool for homeowners because it gives you two functions in one machine. You can switch between the dethatching attachment and the scarifier attachment depending on the condition of your lawn and the type of project you’re doing.
After using older versions of this machine for years, I finally bought one for myself. This was not sent to me. I paid for it with my own money, so this unboxing, assembly, how-to guide and review is based on real use in my own yard.
What Comes in the 15in 13A Electric Sunjoe Dethatcher/Scarifier Box?
As a part of the unboxing of the unit, you’ll find:
- The main Sunjoe dethatching unit
- The upper and lower handle pieces
- The collection bag
- Extra knobs, screws, and bolts
- The instruction manual
- The attachment that is not pre-installed
The newer model comes with the scarifier attachment already installed. The dethatching attachment is packed separately in the box.
How to Assemble the 15-inch, 13A Electric Sun Joe Dethatcher and Scarifier
Assembly is pretty simple on this 15in Sunjoe dethatcher, especially if you follow the manual along with the parts in front of you.
1. Attach the lower handle bars
Start with the angled lower bars. One side has a square hole and the other has a circular hole. The square hole should be at the top, and the circular hole should go at the bottom.
Remove the knob from the machine, line the bar up with the bolt, and tighten it back down. Repeat on the other side.
You can also choose your handle height at this step. The machine has three height positions for the handle, so you can set it where it feels most comfortable.
2. Attach the straight middle bars
Next, connect the straight bars to the lower bars. The narrower side should face outward. Line up the square holes, insert the bolts from the inside, and tighten them with the knobs.
3. Attach the top handle
The top handle is the section with the safety bar and start controls. Line that up with the middle bars and use the last bolts and knobs to secure it.
4. Secure the cord clips
The machine includes cable clips to help keep the cord attached to the handle. One of them can be a little hard to open, but once both clips are on, the cord will stay much more organized while you work.
5. Attach the thatch collection bag if you want to test it
The bag installs like a mower bag. It slides into the slots at the back of the machine.
You can use it if you want, but I’ll be honest here: the bag is still not one of my favorite parts of this tool.
How to Change the Rake/Blade Attachments
The Sun Joe uses two different attachments:
- Raking attachment for dethatching
- Scarifier Blade attachment for more aggressive lawn cleanup and surface slicing
To swap attachments, loosen the two bolts on the bottom with a 3/16 Allen wrench. Then pull out the installed attachment, keep track of the hex bolt and hardware pieces, and slide the other attachment into place. Tighten everything back down before using the machine.
The dethatching attachment uses thinner tines. The scarifier attachment uses thicker metal blades.
How to Prepare Your Lawn Before Dethatching with the Sunjoe
Before using the Sun Joe, it helps to prep the lawn first.
Mow the lawn low
I like to scalp the lawn before dethatching, especially in spring. Cutting the grass down helps expose the dead material and allows the machine to reach the thatch layer more easily.
Spring is a good time for this because the lawn is just coming out of dormancy anyway.
Mark sprinkler heads and drains
Mark anything in the lawn that could get damaged, such as sprinkler heads, pop-up drains, or other hidden fixtures.
This is especially important before using the scarifier attachment, since it digs in more aggressively than the dethatching attachment.
How to Use the Sun Joe Dethatcher
Once the machine is assembled and your lawn is prepped, it’s time to start dethatching.
Use the raking attachment
Make sure the thinner raking attachment is installed for dethatching.
Set the height correctly
The height adjustment knob has settings at 10, 5, 0, -5, and -10.
For dethatching, the recommended range is 0 to 10. I usually go with 0, which is the lowest setting recommended for the dethatching attachment.
Connect the extension cord
Plug in an extension cord that is rated for outdoor use and long enough for your yard. Secure it using the built-in cord holder so it does not come unplugged while you work.
Start on the side closest to your power source
Start where your extension cord is plugged in and work away from it. That makes cord management much easier and keeps you from dragging the cord across the area you just finished.
Turn the machine on
To start it, hold the safety button and pull the handle bar in at the same time. The machine will stay on until you let go of the handle.
Make two passes in different directions
For the best coverage, go one direction on the first pass and then go perpendicular on the second pass.
That pattern helps pull material from more angles and gives you a more even result across the lawn.
Is the Sunjoe Bag Worth Using?
I tested the collection bag, and it filled up quickly. After just one pass there and back, it was already around three-quarters full.
The see-through design is a nice touch because you can see how full it is, but it still leaves quite a bit of thatch behind on the lawn. If you still have to rake or blow debris into piles afterward, the bag does not save much time.
For that reason, I took it off and finished the job without it.
How to Clean Up the Thatch
After your first pass, clean up the debris before doing more work.
You can use:
- A rake for larger piles
- A leaf blower to move lighter debris
- A mower with the deck raised to make pickup easier
In my yard, I often use the mower for quick cleanup when there is not a huge amount of material sitting on the surface.
How to Use the Sun Joe Scarifier
After testing the dethatching attachment, I swapped in the scarifier attachment to show the difference.
Lower the height setting
For scarifying, the recommended range is 0 to -10. I usually go all the way down to -10 when I want the most aggressive result.
Expect more material to come up
The scarifier attachment pulled up much more thatch than the dethatching attachment in my lawn. It also left visible grooves in the surface, which can be useful when you want to open up the lawn for seed, topdressing, or leveling work.
Use it for bigger lawn projects
The scarifier attachment is especially useful for:
- Spring or Fall Overseeding
- Lawn leveling
- Opening compacted surface material
- Pulling up matted dead grass
- Light surface aeration benefits
If your lawn has a lot of matting or buildup, the scarifier usually gives more dramatic results.
Dethatcher vs. Scarifier: Which One Worked Better?
In my yard, the Sunjoe scarifier attachment clearly pulled up more material than the dethatching attachment.
The raking attachment still worked, but the scarifier was more aggressive and gave a more noticeable cleanup. That has been my experience with older Sun Joe models too.
That said, the right attachment depends on your lawn and your goal.
Use the Sunjoe dethatching attachment when:
- You want a lighter cleanup
- Your lawn only has mild buildup
- You do not want to dig in too aggressively
Use the Sunjoe scarifier attachment when:
- Your lawn has a thick mat of dead material
- You are prepping for overseeding
- You want stronger surface opening
- You want a more aggressive result
My Review of the Sunjoe Dethatcher and Scarifier
After using this newer version, a few things stood out right away.
What I liked
The new model feels a little more powerful than the older versions I’ve used. It moves faster, feels sturdier, and the dethatching attachment seems improved over past models.
The scarifier attachment is still my favorite part of the machine. That is the setting I see myself using most often because it does such a good job pulling material up and opening the lawn surface.
For the price, it is a very useful tool to have around if you do your own yard work.
What I did not like
The machine still has a somewhat plastic feel to it. It works well, but it does not feel like a commercial-grade machine.
The bag is also still not a major selling point for me. It is a little better than older versions, but I still do not think it is the most practical way to collect debris.
Is the Sun Joe Dethatcher and Scarifier Worth It?
At around $120 to $130, I do think the Sun Joe dethatcher and scarifier is worth buying if you care about lawn maintenance and want a tool you will use more than once a year.
This machine can help with:
- Seasonal dethatching
- Scarifying before overseeding
- Cleaning up matted grass
- Opening the lawn surface before other projects
- General spring and fall lawn maintenance
For a homeowner who wants better lawn results without spending a lot on equipment, it is a solid option.
Where Do I Purchase the Sunjoe Dethatcher and Other Tools for the Project?
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Learn How to Use the Sun Joe Dethatcher!
The Sun Joe dethatcher and scarifier is an easy tool to assemble, simple to use, and useful for a wide range of lawn projects. If your grass has a heavy thatch layer or you are planning to overseed, level, or freshen up the yard in spring or fall, this tool can help you get the lawn ready.
The dethatching attachment works well for lighter cleanup, but the scarifier attachment is where this machine really stands out.
If you want to keep your lawn healthier, cleaner, and better prepared for growth, dethatching and scarifying are worth adding to your yearly routine.