Hire a Turf Cutter and Transform Your Garden in a Weekend

⏱ Read time: approximately 7 minutes

🌿 Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

⏱️ Time: 1 day (up to 8 hours, depending on garden size)

👷 Manpower: 1–2 people

📅 Best Time: April–June

Project TL;DR: Book your turf cutter hire from HSS DIY online 24/7 and select next day delivery so the machine arrives and you're ready to crack on; spend the first hour marking out, mowing short and clearing any obstacles; run the turf cutter across the whole area in one session - at up to 500 metres of turf per hour, even a decent-sized garden won't take long; spend the afternoon rolling, stacking and disposing of the stripped turf; and leave the cleared, raked soil ready for whatever comes next - new turf, decking, a path, raised beds, or a patio that's been a long time coming.

The Weekend Project You've Been Putting Off

There's a particular kind of garden problem that sits at the back of your mind for months. The lawn that's more moss than grass. The patch of tired turf where you've always meant to put a patio. The overgrown strip along the fence that's been waiting for raised beds since last spring. You know what needs doing. You just haven't quite got around to it.

The good news is that stripping turf, once considered one of those back-breaking, full-day ordeals, is now a job you can realistically complete in a single weekend, and often in just a few hours, when you hire the right equipment.

This guide covers everything: how a turf cutter works, what you'll need alongside it, a step-by-step method for stripping turf cleanly, and how to book your hire from HSS DIY with next day delivery.

What Is a Turf Cutter and How Does It Work?

A turf cutter is a self-propelled petrol machine that slices beneath the root layer of an established lawn, separating the turf from the soil below in a continuous strip. The machine drives itself forward while a horizontal blade cuts at a set depth, leaving the turf ready to be rolled up and removed.

The HSS DIY turf cutter cuts a 30cm (12 inch) wide strip of turf per pass, to an adjustable cutting depth of up to 40mm. That's wide enough to work efficiently across a standard domestic garden, and deep enough to get cleanly beneath the root system of most established lawns.

It's a genuinely satisfying machine to use. Once you've made your first pass and seen a clean strip of turf peel away from the soil, the rest of the job follows naturally. The self-propelled drive means you're guiding rather than pushing, and the results are far cleaner and faster than anything you'd achieve with a spade.

Need something a bit more compact? If you're working in a smaller, tighter garden or need to manoeuvre around obstacles, the compact turf cutter is also available to hire from HSS DIY and is ideal for more confined spaces.

For further background on best practice, see the Royal Horticultural Society guidance on lawn renovation and turf removal.

When Should You Hire a Turf Cutter?

A turf cutter is the right tool when you're removing an area of established turf and need a clean, level result. Common applications include:

• Laying new turf or seeding from scratch - stripping old, tired or weed-infested lawn and starting again gives you a clean base and far better results than trying to improve what's already there.
• Installing a patio, decking or path - most paving and decking projects require the existing turf to be completely removed before any base preparation can begin.
• Creating raised beds or a vegetable plot - converting a section of lawn to growing space means removing the turf and its root system properly, so weeds don't push through into your beds.
• Landscaping and re-grading - if you're reshaping your garden, changing levels, or installing drainage, stripping the turf first gives you a clean working surface.
• Pipe or cable laying - turf cutters are also used where services need to go under a lawn, allowing the turf to be lifted cleanly and relaid afterwards.

It's worth noting that a turf cutter is most effective on established lawn with a good root structure. Very new or thin grass may not strip as cleanly, and very dry or compacted ground can make cutting harder - watering the area lightly the day before can help.

What You'll Need Alongside Your Turf Cutter Hire

The turf cutter itself does the heavy lifting, but a few additional items will make the job cleaner, faster, and easier to finish properly. All of these are available from HSS DIY as part of your order.

Lawn mower or strimmer (if needed): Cut your lawn as short as possible before the turf cutter arrives, ideally to around 20–25mm. The cutter works on any length, but shorter grass means tidier strips and less mess to deal with. If your mower is up to it, this takes 20 minutes.

Wheelbarrow: Essential for moving rolled turf strips from the working area to your disposal point or skip. Two barrows and two people makes this notably faster.

Garden fork and spade: Useful for loosening and trimming around edges, tight corners, or areas the turf cutter can't reach — along walls, fence lines, and around trees.

Landscape rake: Once the turf is stripped, raking the exposed soil level and removing any remaining debris prepares the surface for whatever comes next.

Petrol can: Fuel is not supplied with hire equipment, as HSS DIY is restricted by law from selling petrol. Pick up petrol from your nearest petrol station before you start - or add a petrol storage can to your order at checkout.

Skip or green waste bags: You'll generate a significant volume of stripped turf. Order a skip, arrange a green waste collection, or check whether your local tip accepts turf (most do, as garden waste). If the turf is in good condition, some gardeners re-lay it elsewhere or offer it to neighbours - no reason to waste decent grass.

Buy the materials. Hire the tools. One order. All in one place.

Step-by-Step: How to Strip Turf with a Hired Turf Cutter

Step 1- Prepare the area Mow the lawn as short as possible. Mark out the area to be stripped with string lines or spray marker so you have clear boundaries to work to. Remove any large stones, garden furniture, or obstacles from the area.

Step 2-Set your cutting depth Adjust the blade depth toapproximately 30–40mm - just deep enough to cut beneath the root zone. Too shallow and the turf won't lift cleanly; too deep and you're removing more topsoil than necessary.

Step 3- Make your first pass Start from one end of the area and drive the turf cutter in a straight line to the other end. The machine is self-propelled, so your job is to guide it steadily and keep the line true. Work parallel to your longest dimension for efficiency.

Step 4-Roll and stack the turf Once a strip is cut, roll it up from one end like a carpet. Rolled strips are easier to handle, stack, and move to your disposal point. A second person doing the rolling while youoperate the cutter will speed the whole operation up considerably.

Step 5-Work across the full area in parallel passes Continue in parallel passes, working methodically across the whole area. The 30cm cut width meansyou'll need multiple passes for any garden of reasonable size - but at 500 metres of turf per hour, it won't take long.

Step 6- Handle edges and corners by hand Use a spade or half-moon edging iron for tight corners, narrow strips along walls and fences, and any areas the machine can't reach cleanly. This is the fiddly bit, but it takes a fraction of the time the main area does.

Step 7-Rake and prepare the exposed soil Once all the turf is removed, rake the surface level and remove any remaining root material, stones, or debris. Your soil is now ready for the next stage of the project- whether that's laying new turf, preparing a sub-base for paving, or improving and planting.

Hire vs Buy: What Makes More Sense?

For most DIYers, this one is straightforward, but here's the breakdown:

Hire from HSS DIY

• Cost: From £174
• Best for: One-off or occasional garden projects
• Storage: No storage required
• Maintenance: Included — HSS DIY maintains the fleet
• Availability: Order online 24/7, next day delivery

Buy Outright

• Cost: £500–£1,200+ for equivalent quality
• Best for: Landscaping contractors using it weekly
• Storage: Requires dry, secure storage
• Maintenance: Your responsibility
• Availability: Immediate once purchased

For a DIY homeowner stripping turf once a year (or once ever), hire is the clear winner. You get a well-maintained, professional-grade machine delivered to your door, with no storage headache and no maintenance costs.

If you've been wondering how much does it cost to hire a turf cutter, the short answer is: considerably less than you might expect, and a fraction of the cost of buying outright.

"5 stars. Absolutely great machine. I've always wanted to use one and it did exactly what it said on the tin!!! Very detailed start and operating sequence; which I grew to love and appreciate. Knowing I'm operating the machine properly. Fantastic result at the end!!"

Damali Irish, 28 March

⚠️ Health & Safety Considerations

A turf cutter is a self-propelled petrol machine with a fast-moving cutting blade. Used correctly it's straightforward and safe, but there are important precautions to follow:

• Check for underground services — Before running any cutting equipment through a garden, confirm there are no buried cables, pipes, or irrigation lines. Use a cable avoidance tool or contact your utility providers if you're unsure.
• Wear appropriate PPE — Steel-toecap boots, work gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection are all recommended. The turf cutter is classified as high vibration risk equipment — prolonged use without appropriate gloves increases the risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
• Keep bystanders clear — Children and pets should be kept well away from the working area at all times while the machine is running.
• Never put hands or feet near the cutting blade — Disengage the blade before making any adjustments, clearing blockages, or turning the machine.
• Fuel handling — Fill the petrol tank before you begin, in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources. Do not refuel while the engine is running or hot.
• Working on slopes — Use extra caution when operating a turf cutter on any gradient. Work across slopes rather than up and down where possible.

The Full Kit Summary

Hire or Buy

• Turf cutter (petrol, 30cm) - HIRE
• Petrol can - BUY
• Wheelbarrow - HIRE (2 recommended for large areas)
• Garden fork & spade - HIRE or BUY
• Landscape rake - BUY
• Safety gloves, goggles, ear defenders - BUY

Where Can I Hire a Turf Cutter?

If you're asking where can I hire a turf cutter near me, the answer is straightforward: HSS DIY offers nationwide coverage with two convenient options.

Next day delivery - order online before the cut-off time and the machine arrives at your door the following day. No need to arrange transport or collect from a depot.

Click & Collect - if you'd rather pick up in person, HSS DIY has a network of collection points across the UK. Check availability at your nearest location when you book.

Either way, you can browse the full turf cutter hire listing, check live availability, and complete your booking at hss.com.

Ready to get started?

Stripping turf is one of those jobs that looks like hard work until you've got the right equipment. With a hired turf cutter from HSS DIY, what might have taken a full weekend of digging becomes a morning's work - and the results are cleaner, more consistent, and far less exhausting.

Whether you're laying new turf, putting down a patio, creating a veg patch, or finally starting that landscaping project, browse the full lawn care hire range and add everything you need to one order at hss.com.

Get DIY Happy 🌱

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a turf cutter?

Turf cutter hire from HSS DIY starts from approximately £174 for a 2 day hire. You can order online 24/7 and select next day delivery. Prices may vary depending on hire duration and location -always check hss.com for current pricing.

Where can I hire a turf cutter near me?

You can hire a turf cutter from HSS DIY online at hss.com, with next day delivery available to most UK addresses. Click & Collect is also available from collection points across the UK.

How long does it take to strip turf with a turf cutter?

The HSS DIY turf cutter removes up to 500 metres of turf per hour, so even a decent-sized garden can be stripped in a couple of hours. Allow additional time for rolling, stacking, and disposing of the stripped turf.

Can I hire a turf cutter as a DIYer, or is it only for professionals?

Absolutely, turf cutters are designed for use by confident DIYers as well as landscaping professionals. HSS DIY provides full operating instructions with every hire, and the machine is straightforward to use once you've read the guidance.

What depth should I set the turf cutter blade?

For most domestic lawns, a cutting depth of 30–40mm is appropriate. This gets cleanly beneath the root layer without going unnecessarily deep. You can adjust the depth on the machine before you start.

What should I do with the stripped turf?

You have several options: arrange a skip or book a garden waste collection in advance, take the rolled turf to your local household waste recycling centre, or offer it to neighbours or community groups who may be able to use it.

Do I need to do anything to the soil after stripping the turf?

Yes, once the turf is stripped, rake the surface level and remove any remaining root material, stones, or debris. The area is then ready for whatever comes next: new turf, paving, raised beds, or further landscaping work.

Further Reading: Royal Horticultural Society — Lawn Renovation

Prices shown are indicative hire and buy rates as of April 2026 and subject to change. Always check hss.com for current pricing. HSS ProService Ltd.