This is a review of the Bosch ALR900 lawn rake. This is my own machine that I've used for three years so I know it well. It does an amazingly good job of picking up leaves and debris.
I hate to tell you this but that is not scarifying your lawn!! When properly done you should see lines just digging into soil by about 1cm to remove the deeper thatch and moss you obviously dont know how to use it properly because you should always mow your grass before scarifying yours is far too long. All your doing is raking(some) leafs up off the surface and that's all you are def not scarifying
Thank you Lyndon but the review is on how it picks up leaves, which it does well. It managed all but the leaves well pressed into the soil. I agree scarifying would leave lines in the soil and it does this when it's set lower. Leaves first then cut and scarify.
@@JohnTheHandymanUK why would you do an extra pass when you can just pick up the leaves with the lawn mower while mowing? I also see that there is a lot of green grass in your bag - you are ripping off your healthy grass. I don't think you are using this machine right.
@@egoucm Hi, the lawn mower wouldn't be able to pick up the very compressed leaves. Yes there is some grass picked up but I use the machine as per the instructions.
I got the AVR1100 verticutter - looks like basically the same idea but with the blades rather than the tines. Does a great job for scarifying or moss removal on a medium-sized lawn; and since it comes out maybe twice a year not worth spending a fortune on anything more fancy.
I should have mentioned that it packs down smaller. The grass box comes apart into two halves that you can store over the top of the machine and the handle folds down too, so it the side of the box.
Excellent - thanks for this. I was looking at a petrol one but at half the price this looks well made and it appears to do the job well even on a reasonably sized lawn.
@@JohnTheHandymanUK agreed. Is it important to only move it forwards as I have seen people pulling them backwards too a bit like hovering and that might put more of a strain on it or perhaps the are built so it does not matter? A friend burnt out the motor on a cheap on (no surprise there) but that may have been partly the reason.
@@AnthonyFrancisJones I agree it might be best not to pull it backwards like a vacuum cleaner, although I've done it on occasions. If I do then I momentarily lean the machine backwards to lift the tines off the grass.
Nice review. I'm looking at one of these for my lawn. I've recently moved into an Over 55's estate and the Association cuts the lawn on all the properties. But, they use ride-on mowers and leave the cuttings. Over the years this has built up so much, the lawn feels as though it's a carpet with three layers of Tredaire under it. I can't justify a more commercial scarifier, but I think this machine could gradually get it under control.
Thank you, John, I certainly did enjoy your review, and I hope to find some further reviews that you may have done since (see closing comment). I was about to chuck my ALR900 out, because the tines are worn out (like a fool, I didn't bother to avoid the stone paving stones that run across the front lawn, and so I am paying the price now). I have quickly and easily researched that you can replace the tines, and so the ALR 900 will roar again sometime soon. :@) I'm off to find a video of how to replace the tines....
Thank you for your kind words. I don't have a video on replacing the tines...maybe I should do one! I'm about to start making a piece of furniture for home and there will be a video of that eventually.
Hi, I bought the above machine also. Can you use it to cut the grass.? When I cut the grass it takes up the grass and I have lots of patches. I enjoyed the video thanks Jo
Hi Jo, not it won't cut the grass as it's a rake and scarifier only. If it's set too low it may well remove more that you would like! I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, thanks.
Hi Ciara, yes you are right, a scarifier cuts into the earth, with knife blades. Bosch call this machine a rake and scarifier and although it does a similar job, as the tines can cut into the grass, I suppose it's not strictly a scarifier. That's My understanding is you can use this every couple of months throughout the growing season whereas should only use a scarifier a couple of times a year.
Thank you for this video John. I've got the ALR 900 too and it's out of the box rearing to go. Looking forward to a lush lawn! Just wondering how many times a year would you recommend this is used? I was thinking twice a year - once in Spring and in Autumn. Also what setting did you use on the mower in the video?
Thank you Antonio, I think I use it just two or three times a year. Spring time to clear the leaves that have fallen over the winter and again perhaps quite soon in certain areas that have collected leaves over the summer. I'll probably use it again once all the leaves have fallen. That's not always easy as the grass is often wet and the leaves stick but I try and lift the leaves rather than leave too many until the spring. I think used a middle to high setting so as not to tear up too much grass! Start high you can always lower it. I'm no gardener though but I think I did alright as the grass has improved over the past months. Enjoy your machine. John.
Hi Khail, Some of the footage was shot on this camera, the wide shots for sure, but not all the shots. It was a bit of an experiment to see if this camera would be a decent cheap way of obtaining footage. Cheers.
