All You Need to Know About Rotavating Your Garden

There's so much that rotavators can do in your garden to keep them healthy throughout the year.

Whether you're a rotavating professional or you're discovering it for the first time, a rotavator can be used by all.

We've put together this guide about all you need to know about rotavating your garden so you can learn about what the gardening tool can do.

Happy reading!

What is a rotavator?

A rotavator is small but mighty piece of garden machinery, designed with powerful blades to break up soil quickly and easily.

They can be used in various outdoor locations such as gardens, allotments, large fields & farm land to prepare the soil for different projects.

What can I use a rotavator for?

You can use a rotavator for a number of outdoor domestic & commercial landscaping projects like -

• Laying turf for a new lawn
• Planting seeds, bulbs, veggies & crops
• Improving drainage to prevent waterlogging
• Levelling ground
• Removes debris and weeds

Things to do before you start rotavating

Before you get going with the rotavator, you'll need to do a few tasks.

De-weed 

Remove any weeds a few days prior to rotavating. Doing this prevents any weeds getting stuck in the machine & can stop them growing again once the soil has been worked on.

Clear debris

As you're pulling out any weeds, clear away any debris like rocks, branches & other materials. You should also cut any long grass.

Preparing the ground

check the soil is suitable to be dug. The ground shouldn't be too wet or too dry before rotavating.

How to use a rotavator

1. Place the rotavator on flat ground in the area you plan on working on & check fuel and oil levels.
   
2. Next, swing the front transport wheel forward, securing it to clear the ground.
   
3. Now it's time to adjust the machine to your requirements. Set the rear depth bar to your desired depth. The lower the bar is, the deeper the rotavator will dig. The rotavator is able to dig up to 210 mm.
   
4. Adjust the handle to a comfy height that suits you. Loosen the lock bar, adjust and re-tighten, making sure it's secure.
   
5. Now it's time to start the engine. Check your model has a manual gear that will need changing. If it does, make sure it is in N - for neutral - before turning on the machine. When you're ready to start rotavating, move the gear into gear 1.
   
6. Turn on the switch, open the fuel tap then set the choke. Fully closed if starting from cold, half closed if the engine is warmed up.
   
7. Set the throttle to fast, pull on the choke quickly a few times to start the engine.
   
8. Let the engine warm up for a few minutes before opening the choke & reset the throttle to allow the engine to idle.
   
9. Start by working on a strip. Once you start rotavating, use the handles to get the front wheel off the ground. The blades at the back will begin cutting into the earth. Hold the machine back until it begins to dig in the soil. The rotator will initially run over the surface but once it's cut into the surface, it'll progress at it own rate.
   
   Please note - it's important that when you're using the rotavator, you remain BEHIND it at ALL times.
   
10. When you get the end of the strip, release the clutch & put the machine in neutral. Turn the machine round to repeat the process on the next strip. Repeat the process until the your chosen area has been dug over.

Instructional Video

Rather see how it's done? Check out our video below to see our rotavator in action.

Hire a rotavator from HSS DIY today

Are rotavators really worth hiring? If your goal is to prep & improve your soil, then yes!

Rotavators may be small in size but they are powerful pieces of equipment.

They come with a number of benefits like tackling deeply compacted soil, working on large areas quickly, prevents soil from waterlogging & more.

Easy to use and manoeuvre, you'll be able to sort out your garden, allotment, farmland for whatever outdoor project you're doing.

Hire a rotavator from HSS DIY today & send your pics/videos of your garden transformation to our socials! We'd love to see them!

FAQs

Can I buy petrol when hiring a rotavator? - No you can't buy petrol from HSS DIY when hiring a rotavator. We do, however, have petrol cans to buy that can be used at your local petrol station.

Do I need to wear any PPE when using the rotavator? - We highly advise that you wear PPE when using the rotavator in order to keep you safe when using the tool.

Before you start working, make sure you wear gloves, eye protection, ear defenders & safety footwear, which can all be bought online at HSS DIY.

When is the best time to rotavate my garden? - Spring and autumn are the best times to rotavate your garden as the soil will have a good moisture level. You can use a rotavator in summer but you'll need to make sure you check the condition of the soil first.

You should avoid rotavating on soil that's too wet or too dry. If it's wet you may get clumping. If the soil is too dry, you might find it hard to break down.