If you’re in the market for an electric dethatcher and scarifier for the home lawn, then the Sun Joe AJ801E is the best you can get for little money. While not as versatile as the battery-powered Greenworks 2-in-1 dethatcher, it still rips up moss and works its way through thatch with no problem.
Like the Greenworks, it has five height settings which are set easily by a lever. As always, it’s recommended to start on the higher settings and lower the trim as you go to avoid ruining your lawn. Again, maneuvering it is easy and pretty straightforward, as it weighs only 27 pounds.
Well, for a cheap scarifier, it’s pretty good!
Sun Joe AJ801E Key Features
- Path width: 13 inches
- Power: 12 amp
- Power Type: Electric
- Item Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 12.5 inches
- Material: Steel
- Item Weight: 27 Pounds
Light and Powerful
The Sun Joe AJ801E comes in a nice package, and assembling it is straightforward. You just need a few minutes to put it together, then afterward you just need to tighten a few screws, four knobs, and bolts. Once you sort the cable and extension cord, everything is ready to go. The machine is self-propelled, meaning it dies all the work, all you have to do is walk it.
It comes with a safety button for user protection alongside an instant start feature that turns on the machine with a simple press of the button. For an economy machine, I think this is one of the best features to be included here.
For starters, the Sun Joe AJ801E looks small and appears a little flimsy, especially when unboxing it. However, that might not be the case after using it. Like any lawn care machine, it does a nice job removing debris in one or two passes, without breaking down.
The machine is very lightweight as it is made of plastic, but it’s heavy grade plastic so you don’t have to worry about it cracking. It comes with foldable handles that allow for compact storage, in addition to the small design, meaning you don’t need a lot of storage space.
Efficient and Easy to Use
- [POWERFUL]: 12-amp motor rakes a 12.6" wide path to get your job done faster
- [ADJUSTABLE DECK]: Tailor raking depth with 5-position depth control
- [SCARIFIED]: Use the Scarified function to cut grass roots for thicker growth, healthier...
Dethatching involves removing unwanted materials from your lawn to allow for nutrients, water, and other stimulants to penetrate the soil. As such, with a small dual-function detacher and scarifier you can maintain your lawn effortlessly. It comes with two blades, one for dethatching and one for scarifying, you can pair it later with a GreenWorks 25022 lawn mower to achieve the perfect level.
As a 2-in-1 lawn care machine, the Sun Joe AJ801E stands out as great overall value as compared to standalone scarifiers or dethatchers. All you need to do is replace the dethatcher blade with that of the scarifier cartridge by removing the two bolts and scarifying as the new function, making reseeding a targeted area easier and fasters.
That said, the machine comes with a collection bag, but it’s too small for my liking. It can collect minimal thatch and debris, meaning that if you have a slightly big lawn, you’ll need to empty the bag one pass.
Another drawback must be cord management. It constantly gets in your way, which is a little annoying to deal with. However, that comes down to the user and not the manufacturer. To avoid that, simply start closer to the cord outlet and work your way outwards to avoid the electrical cord around you.
Otherwise, with the functions and benefits it offers, the Sun Joe AJ801E is of immense value for your lawn care needs. It will save you lots of money and effort, especially if you’ve been renting a gas-powered machine or paying landscapers for supplemental treatment.
Verdict
Overall, the Sun Joe AJ801E is an incredible tool that offers decent performance for most domestic gardens. Due to how light it is, it makes it easy to maneuver and store. With the adjustable levels for the scarifier and dethatching function plus the added safety features, the Sun Joe AJ801E is an excellent choice for garden lovers who want to do more with their lawn.
Last update on 2024-06-28 at 00:31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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