Whats the purpose for buying the best lawn roller for the money? It is obvious that lawns are something Americans are proud to have. Having a big, beautiful lawn full of healthy grass is one of the most important parts of being a homeowner, and to maintain such a lawn, you need some tools to do it.
Everyone knows about the importance of mowing, edging, and fertilizing your grass. One tool that’s often forgotten is the lawn roller, also known as a grass leveler.
Having one might be more important than you think. A lawn roller is a tool that can mean the difference between an average lawn and the best yard in the neighborhood. This guide will help you find the best lawn roller at a reasonable price and explain how lawn rollers work.
Quick Look: What Makes A Top Lawn Roller
Are You Looking For A Lawn Mower?
A lawn roller is one of the most overlooked tools for lawn care. These sometimes obscure devices are usually attached to a riding lawnmower or tractor and drag behind as you drive around your lawn. If your having problems with weeds see my full review on the top weed killers.
What Does A Lawn Roller Do?
Lawn rollers flatten the top 1 to 2 inches of grass and soil. This has both benefits and potential drawbacks. First, it levels out lawns after the wintertime wreaks havoc with frost heaves that can move dirt. It also flattens down mole tunnels, earthworm tunnels, and any other disturbance.
What Does A Lawn Roller Do?
If you are seeding your lawn, a roller has the benefit of pressing grass seed into the soil to help it germinate faster. This can make the difference between a beautiful lawn or a patch of dirt in areas that are difficult to grow grass.
You need to fill your lawn roll, which is basically a hollowed metal drum that holds water and sand to create enough pressure to promote grass growth and soil compaction. Depending on the size, lawn rollers can be filled up with a lot of water or sand, and can be made as heavy as you need them to be.
Can You Make A DIY Lawn Roller?
Thrifty homeowners often take the time to make their own lawn rollers. Homeowners often make their own lawn rollers using plywood and quick-drying concrete. It’s a tedious process. But a DIY lawn roller is an option to some.
Are You Looking For A Lawn Mower?
Lawn rollers are used professionally on golf courses, baseball fields, and cricket pitches. You dont necessarily want a lawn that is like a putting green or an infield, do you? Unless you have an ornamental lawn, its unlikely you need a large sized roller filled all the way up. Rollers of that nature will compact the soil and grass completely, which isnt usually desirable for a residential yard.
Even though smaller lawn rollers are more beneficial to those with large yards, they can still be very useful. They can be used to assist growing new grass, and they can also be useful by creating aesthetically pleasing lines in the grass. These are how major league baseball parks get their amazing lines and designs in grass.
If you have a small yard, or one that is naturally hilly and changes elevations often, a lawn roller may not be for you. However, if youre looking to maintain your yard, flatten it out in places, aid the regrowth of some grass, or get those cool lawn lines for yourself, a lawn roller will be a fantastic purchase.
Different Sizes Of Lawn Rollers
As we mentioned above, the largest lawn rollers out there might not be necessary for most residential homeowners. If youve ever been golfing, you know how compact a putting green isnot exactly what you want for your yard, is it? The width of a consumer lawn roller can reach up to 152 cm or even more. You won’t need one as large unless you have a large yard. For residential use, lawn rollers should be between 24-91 cm and 24-91 cm.
Steel Lawn Rollers Or Poly Lawn Rollers
Usually you can purchase a steel lawn roller or polyethylene also known as a poly lawn roller. Both the steel lawn rollers and the poly lawn rollers work very similarly, however both types of rollers have several key differences. Steel rollers are much more sturdy and are going to be better for a wide variety of tasksseeding, flattening, designs, and more. The downside of steel rollers are that they are much heavier and thus harder to move around, and they also will rust if not properly cared for.
Poly rollers are more likely to be useful for most residential owners. Poly lawn rollers can be lighter and last longer with minimal maintenance. They are well-equipped to handle medium to large residential yards as well as the tasks most homeowners would need from a lawn roller aerator.
A steel lawn roller is a better option if you need a lawn roller that can handle large lawns. But to be honest, for most, a poly lawn roller is likely the better option.
Water Or Sand?
You need to add something to your lawn roller to help it gain the weight it needs. It is almost always water, or sand. Water is cheaper and easier to put in your roller, but it cannot be left inside the roller between uses. You will need to refill your lawn roller every time you use it and then empty it after you’re done. Failure to empty the water can cause damage to your lawn roller.
Sand is more expensive and much more tedious to add to your roller, but it has the added benefit of being a permanent additionyou never have to empty it. This is convenient, but keep in mind that your lawn roller will remain really heavy forever, which makes moving it around more difficult.
When Is It Best To Use A Lawn Mower?
A lawn roller works best when the soil and grass are damp but not wet. The roller should be used right after a brief rain shower or after you have used your sprinkler. The roller will not work if the soil is too dry. If the soil is too wet, it can seal your lawn, preventing air circulation in the roots, which can ultimately kill the grass.
Lawn rollers can be used for a variety of tasks. They can be used before or after seeding, to flatten the ground and then subsequently push those seeds into the soil. It can also be very beneficial to use your lawn roller after soddingit will help the roots take hold in their new soil.
It can be used before you mow your lawn to ensure a neat, even cut. Then, you can use it after you mow to create a smooth, manicured look. A lawn roller is also an option after winter, since yards can become bumpy from winter neglect.
Lawn Roller Comparisons
Ohio Steel 60T Pro Steel 61cm X 152cm
We figured we would start with the big gunsthis lawn roller from Ohio Steel. Ohio Steel Lawn Rollers have some of the largest lawn rollers on the market. They are great for large lawns. This size is not necessary for most residential customers. It has an 522 kg capacity, which will flatten even the toughest grass. Without water, it still weighs a hefty 102 kg. The Ohio Steel Lawn Roller comes with a tethered drainage plug that helps you keep track of this vital piece of lawn equipment. If the water does not stay in, your lawn roller will become useless.
We love the Ohio Steel Lawn Rollers
- Durable steel frame will last for years
- Ideal for large yards and fields
- It holds 77 Liters of water or sand
- Towing brackets with heavy duty construction that will ensure your lawn roller stays in place.
Obviously, a 152 cm steel lawn roller isnt the solution for every yard. The Ohio Steel 60T is a great choice if you are looking for a large lawn roller.
Agri-Fab 45-0268 Poly Tow Only Lawn Roller
This tow-only poly lawn roller from Agri-Fab is perfect for people who have a high quality riding lawn mower or tractor. You can fill it with up to 181 kilograms of sand and water. Because of the rollers poly shell, the roller will resist minor bumps, cracks, and other types of damage. Additionally, the welded seams are certified to prevent leaks and ensure a smooth roll. It is 91 cm wide lawn roller and has an 46 cm diameter.
What we like about the Agri-Fab Poly Lawn Roller:
- Limited one year warranty ensures your product is working as designed
- Hold 181 kg of water or sand
- Easy drain plug
- Shipping weight of only 20 kg
The Agri-Fab tow-only lawn roller is great for anyone who can tow it. This lawn roller can flatten frost heaves and mole hills. It is also the perfect way to make seeding your lawn with grass seeds as efficient as possible.
Agri-Fab 45-0267 Poly Lawn Roller
We put another Agri-Fab Lawn poly roller on our list, but this one is either a push or tow lawn roller. The 45-0267 differs from its tow-only relative in several key ways. First off, it costs less.. Its also not as wideit has a depth of only 61 cm instead of 36. The biggest difference is the fact that you can push or pull this product.
What we like about the Agri-Fab 45-0267 Poly Lawn Roller:
- Small, compact design perfect for residential yards
- Can be both towed and pushed
- Disposable drain plug and removable hitch
- Rust resistant
The poly lawn roller is ideal for homeowners with medium-sized yards. The smaller width makes it easier to fit around obstacles in your lawn, and with the capability to be towed or pushed, its got the versatility to tackle any job.
Brinly PRC-24BH Poly Lawn Roller
The Brinly PRC-24BH Lawn Roller is both a push as well as a tow-behind lawn roller, and features a 46 cm by 61 cm frame. Its main selling point is its ability to maneuver around tight corners, trees, and flower beds. For that reason, we like this lawn roller for residential consumers that want to save a little money. The PRC-24BH Lawn Roller can be a great choice for a low-end lawn roller.
We love the Brinly PRC-24BH Lawn Roller
- Can be pulled or pushed.
- 127 Liters capacity
- An outer coating that is rust and dent resistant
- Rounded roller caps will protect your lawn when making sharp turns
This lawn roller is ideal for smaller projects such as mole hills or frost heave. This lawn roller may not work well if you have a large yard that you are seeding or if you use it often to make striped patterns.
Bon 84-203 Steel Lawn Roller
This Bon 84-203 Steel Lawn Roller combines the features of a smaller lawn roller like versatility, easy movement, and taking tight corners with the durable nature of a steel lawn roller. This product is much more likely to be dented and it is also heavier. Its got a 61 cm length and an 46 cm diameter, and its ergonomic U-shaped handle will make pushing it a breeze.
What we like about the Bon 84-203 Steel Lawn Roller:
- Very high quality steel will last for years
- Ideal for landscapers
- An ergonomic handle will reduce frustration from prolonged use
- Welding of heavy duty to stop parts from breaking
The steel lawn roller will cost you slightly more than the other products we have on this list. We believe that this is a worthwhile extra cost for serious consumers. The Bon 84-203 offers a more professional product, and its all-steel construction is of a quality that will speak for itself.
FAQs
Does A Lawn Roller Really Work?
As long as you are looking for flatten grass or soil, yes. It is mostly used to repair uneven ground, like holes made from gophers and dead debris from old leaves and grass. However, this tool can suffocate the soil if used incorrectly, which can cause lawn damage. But overall, theyre safe.
How Do Lawn Rollers Work?
A lawn roller is meant to flatten and compact the grass and soil on a lawn.
The roller should be filled with sand or water before its used to increase its weight.
What Is The Best Time To Use A Lawn Roller?
It is best to roll your grass as soon as it begins growing, around spring. Because the grass is emerging from dormancy, and the roots are active, lawn rolling can stimulate germination.
What Is The Ideal Weight For A Lawn Roller?
Lawn mowers can be as heavy as 91 kg, while others can be more than 272 kg. Generally, 136 kg is the ideal weight. It is heavy enough to flatten grass and soil, but it is manageable for most people.
Are Steel Rollers Better Than Poly Rollers?
Its hard to say outright which one is better. However, it is safe to say that the steel rollers last longer simply because of what theyre made of. They are more durable than poly rollers and can withstand heavy usage. However, there is a downside to it being made of steel. It is more likely to rust or corrode over time. Polyethylene does not rust.
Why Would You Want To Buy The Best Lawn Mower On The Market?
A lawn roller can make the difference between a great lawn and a boring one. The lawn roller is an oft-overlooked tool that can be used for a surprising number of projects around your yard, from striping to seeding to simply leveling out some grass, and no lawn-fanatics collection is complete without one.
All five lawn rollers in this guide are fantastic, out of the steel lawn rollers and the poly lawn rollers we found that the Agri-Fab 45-0267 Poly Lawn Roller was perhaps the most impressive of all, especially for a residential owner. This lawn roller is affordable and has outstanding durability and effectiveness. It’s the best choice for anyone looking to maintain a beautiful yard.
