Frequently Asked Questions

Electric scarifiers have come a long way in recent years. For the typical home garden, they will be more than enough for your scarification and dethatch needs. We have performed a side by side comparison with the SAWMI electric scarifier against a commercial high powered petrol scarifier. An electric scarifier will get the same results and there are pros and cons for each. For domestic use the pros for electric far outweigh the cons. See our case study for further information on the comparisons.

At SAWMI we have opted for corded models only for now. By request, we can get a battery-operated model in.

For a rather small yard, this may be fine. Limiting factors currently are the battery run time and the power output of the motor. The cost of a battery is also a significant factor and batteries in testing have overheated when doing deep scarification. Make sure you know the power rating of any unit prior to deciding on one. The battery scarifiers are typically lower-powered and use voltage as a measure of power rather than the appropriate industry measure of watts or horsepower.

We promote corded models as they can be used all day and do multiple runs. The power output of our units wouldn't feasibly be able to run with a battery.

An electric scarifier won't replace a high-powered petrol scarifier however in side by side testing an electric scarifier has always been able to achieve the same result and the cons of petrol make electric a formidable winner for domestic use. Some feedback we have received has been as follows:-

• Fits in the boot of my car. Don't need a trailer or loading ramps.
• Compact, fits neatly in storage without taking up lots of room.
• It's easy to use and maneuver as it weighs around 11 kilograms vs around 50.
• Turns and odd-shaped garden sizes are easier to scarify due to the mobility of the unit.
• Negligible maintenance, ie no need to bother with engine service, oil change, fuel going off etc
• Quiet to operate
• Cost - Significantly cheaper than a petrol unit.

The main cons received relate to requiring a power cord and requiring a nearby power source. Electric units aren't as wide as their petrol counterparts so require a few extra runs to cover the whole lawn.

We have hire options available if that's your preference.

Essentially the reason to hire comes down to cost. The price of petrol scarifiers doesn't make them a viable option to own.

Of course, some people will always prefer petrol-driven equipment. The cost of hiring a petrol-driven scarifier starts around $75 for a few hours if you have a vehicle of size or towbar/trailer to transport the unit. Day hire can run anywhere from $110 to $200 depending on whether you require delivery or a trailer.

From a cost-effectiveness point of view, an electric unit will pay for itself after approximately two uses. Owning your own means you can groom/maintain your lawn every month or so also to ensure you have the best looking lawn in your neighbourhood.

If you wish to hire, we have the best rates in Adelaide. Visit our hire page to make a booking.

The 1300 Watt version literally flew off the shelf. We are now moving toward Australias first industry-leading 2.0 Horse Power electric scarifier.

We have worked with the offshore engineers to get the specifications and tweaks we wanted for Australian conditions and lawns. As a result, we have the most powerful unit available in Australia and in side by side testing with a petrol scarifier, we can confidently say it will hold its own and achieve the same result. The SAWMI 2.0 HP unit (Coming soon) as an introductory price will sell for less than other retailers. This unit will offer real bang for buck.

Don't just take our word for it, read our reviews on our Facebook Page, and enquire about our demonstrations.