Sod Cutters

Sod cutters are specialized tools that are designed to cleanly remove sections of grass or sod. It removes grass and a layer of soil beneath the root system to assist with transplanting, replacing or clearing turf for new landscaping features, such as sidewalks, gardens and patios. 

You can find both powered and manual sod cutters to do the job. Manual sod cutters can be sufficient for small areas. Powered sod cutters can not only cut larger areas, but it can make an otherwise labor-intensive job much easier and quicker to complete.  

Here are the basics for operating both standard and hydrostatic sod cutters, using Bobcat equipment as an example.   

Before operating power equipment of any kind:  

• Read the operation and maintenance manual 
• Wear safety glasses, hearing protection and appropriate footwear  
• Read and understand any safety warnings that are printed on the machine  
• Clear any debris from the jobsite and clear any objects that might be damaged by your sod cutter, or mark any obstacles that could damage your sod cutter  
• Pets and children should be a safe distance from the work area 

Adjust the depth stop to the desired cutting deck. Be sure that the blade is in the raised position. 

The blade should be flat for most operating conditions. When hard soil conditions push the blade out of the ground during operation, adjust the angle of the blade with the blade locking lever and control lever. 

To start the sod cutter’s engine: 

• Be sure the master clutch is disengaged 
• Open the fuel valve 
• Close the choke lever 
• Turn the ignition switch clockwise to the on position 
• Pull the pull cord to start the engine 
• When the engine starts, open the choke lever and let the engine warm up for about a minute 

To drive a standard sod cutter: 

• Hold down the operator presence control (OPC) and engage the master clutch 
• Disengage the blade shift pedal by moving it to the down position 
• Engage the traction shift pedal by moving it to the up position 
• Set the throttle control to the desired machine speed 
• Depress the OPC and push the master clutch forward to drive the machine forward 
• To stop, pull the master clutch backward to disengage 

To cut sod with a standard sod cutter: 

• Tilt the machine forward 
• Loosen the blade depth control locking lever 
• Lower the blade to depth with the blade control lever 
• Turn the depth control locking lever to lock the blade 
• Lower the machine until the blade is resting on the turf 
• Leave the caster wheel locked for straight cutting or unlocked for curved cutting 
• Engage the blade shift pedal and the traction shift pedal 
• Engage the OPC and adjust the throttle to the desired speed 
• Engage the master clutch to begin cutting 
• At the end of your pass, tilt the machine forward to raise the blade 
• Disengage the clutch control lever and OPC 
• Loosen the blade depth control and raise the blade with the depth control locking lever, then lock the blade in the raised position 

To stop a standard sod cutter engine: 

• Disengage the master clutch control 
• Release the OPC 
• After the blade and all moving parts have come to a complete stop, move the engine switch to the off position 
• Set the fuel shutoff valve to off before transporting the machine 

To drive a hydrostatic-drive sod cutter: 

• With the blade in the raised position and the bypass valve in the drive position, squeeze the traction control to propel the sod cutter forward (the more you squeeze the handle, the faster the machine will move) 
• When traveling in reverse, lock the caster wheel 
• Pushing the traction control lever will move the machine in reverse 

To cut sod with a hydrostatic-drive sod cutter: 

• Tilt the machine forward 
• Loosen the blade depth control locking lever 
• Lower the blade to depth with the blade control lever 
• Turn the depth control locking lever to lock the blade 
• Lower the machine until the blade is resting on the turf 
• Leave the caster wheel locked for straight cutting or unlocked for curved cutting 
• Push the blade clutch latch forward 
• Start the blade by squeezing the blade clutch lever 
• Engage the traction control and drop the machine into the turf as it starts to move forward 
• At the end of your pass, tilt the machine forward to raise the blade 
• Release the blade control and traction control levers 
• Loosen the blade depth control and raise the blade with the depth control locking lever, then lock the blade in the raised position 

To stop the hydrostatic sod-cutter engine: 

• Release the traction control and release the blade control 
• After the blade and all moving parts have come to a complete stop, move the engine switch to the off position 
• Set the fuel shutoff valve to off before transporting the machine 

You should avoid using a sod cutter on wet ground; however, a little moisture in the soil is OK. In fact, cutting sod that is too dry will not only cause crumbling, it could damage your sod cutter blade. 

Most sod cutters can cut at depths from 1-2.5 inches. Bobcat sod cutters can cut up to 2.5 inches below the surface. This depth removes the root system and enough soil to effectively transplant sod or prepare the exposed ground for new landscaping.