Are you dealing with a bumpy lawn? If yes, then I can feel the pain that you are going through. A bumpy lawn is what no lawn owner would love to see. It devastates the look of your beautiful lawn, reduces plant growth, and above all, you cannot enjoy it with your loved ones.
So, what will you do if you have a bumpy lawn? Well, most of us will opt to use a lawn roller, and to me, this is the best possible option that you’ve got. For a bumpy and irregular yard, there is no better option than running a lawn roller. However, what kind of lawn roller you are going to use, and how will you use it?
There are a lot of people who haven’t used a lawn roller before. So, if you are one of them, I am here to assist you. If you want a plain and green lawn, follow this article to the end.
Types of Heavy-duty Lawn Rollers
If we talk about categories, we have two types of lawn rollers available in the market. One is manual, and the other is mechanical. Let’s jump in and know more about both of these lawn rollers.
Manual Lawn Rollers
A manual lawn roller is generally used for small gardens and backyards. It is small in size and offers easy maneuverability. A manual lawn roller can be moved like a grass cutter or a lawn aerator. So, if you need a lawn roller for your lawn, get a manual one.
Mechanical Lawn Rollers
As the name itself clarifies, a mechanical lawn roller is used for big fields and is towed by a tractor. A mechanical lawn roller works the same as a manual roller, but it differs in size and weight.
When you should use a lawn roller?
There are various reasons and occasions to use a lawn roller. However, below I will list some of the most important reasons that we use a lawn roller.
After seeding
It is good to use a lawn roller after seeding a new lawn. It helps to push the seeds into the soil to boost quick and healthy plant growth
During Spring Season
Spring is the best season to use a lawn roller. It is the time when the grass comes out of dormancy, and the roots are active. Rolling during spring will stimulate germination like never before.
After Sodding
Once you have installed sod on your lawn, it will help if you run a lightweight lawn roller. It will help to level the lawn.
After winter season
During the rough winter season, the cold air sinks down and freezes water present in the soil, eventually making ice crystals that push grass above. So, if you live in northern regions with a rough winter season, do not forget to use a lawn roller to help your lawn stay green and healthy here’s how to avoid damaging a dormant lawn in the winter.
Filling material: What you should fill your lawn roller with?
A lawn roller is a hollow cylinder that needs to be filled to put weight in it. So, what should you use as fill to make a heavy roller is a big question. The answer to this question is detailed below.
Sand
One of the best things to fill a lawn roller with is sand. It is easy to get, fill, and remove. So, in my opinion, the best option for filling a lawn roller is sand.
Water
If you need a great yet cheap solution to fill your lawn roller, then try filling it with water. Like sand, water doesn’t cost much, and it is easy to fill and remove.
Pebbles
Pebbles can also be a good solution to make a heavy roller. Though most people avoid using pebbles as they make noise while rolling, if you have no options left, try using pebbles to fill a lawn roller.
Top picks: The Best Lawn Rollers Available
If you are looking to get the best heavy-duty lawn roller, this is the best place to land. Now, I’ll introduce you to some of the best lawn rollers available in the market. Follow the list below and have your hands on one of the best heavy-duty lawn rollers.
1. Agri-Fab Tow Behind 18 in. x 36 in. Poly Lawn Roller
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“This roller works perfectly for my lawn. It maneuvers around my shrubs, trees, raised bed, and a shed. My previous steel roller would cut into the lawn when turning.
Ed Tarboosh
I have a deal for you if you want a tow-behind lawn roller. Let me introduce you to the Agri-Fab Tow behind 18 in. x 36 in. Poly Lawn Roller. This is one of the best heavy-duty lawn rollers out there.
Although the assembly instructions weren’t given, they provided the YouTube link to assemble this product. I found it easy to assemble, and it took me about 10 minutes.
I filled it with water (since the fill hole does not fit the end of your hose, I added a long brass sprayer to keep the hose inside the drum). Putting back the plug, you just need to rotate the little metal handle clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen it.
Whether discussing durability, maneuverability, or the rolling method, this roller stands second to none. This roller weighed 45 lbs, and when filled with water, it weighed around 400 lbs.
The best thing about this roller for me was its poly construction. I also liked how the construction was rust and corrosion-free. Due to the removable fill plug, I could empty the roller in no time. Another thing that I loved about this roller was the scraper bar. This bar helped me in preventing soil clumps from staying on the roller. I also tried this roller on wet soil, which was completely smooth.
Lastly, this roller was easy to tow behind my lawn tractor and was able to make my bumpy lawn as smooth as butter. So, if you are dealing with a bumpy lawn, getting this roller will help you out.
I want to point out that the water had to be removed after every use of this roller. This won’t be a huge issue for many of you, but it bothered me.
2. Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 in. x 52 in. Steel Lawn Roller
I have something special for those who love to have a steel roller for their lawn but don’t want to spend much on it. The Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 in. x 52 in. Steel Lawn Roller is what every lawn owner dreams of. It works best on bumpy gardens, helps to stimulate germination, and helps your garden stay healthy without costing much.
This roller weighs 94 lbs and is made of a pure steel cylinder. When I filled this cylinder with water, the weight was around 920 lbs. The thing I loved the most about this roller was that I could connect it easily with all of my lawn tractors.
Additionally, I was able to make easy and smooth turns using the roller’s rounded edge design. I hate removing water from rollers; however, I did not have any problems with this one. The tethered expansion drain plug released the water in no time.
Moreover, the drum was 48 inches long, 52 inches wide, and had a diameter of 24 inches with a rolling width of 48 inches. Because of its size, it could be used both in small and large yards.
Additionally, this lawn roller came powder-coated, which I am sure will aid in its durability. Lastly, you would love to know that the roller came up with a two-year limited warranty which speaks loudly of its reliability.
The huge size of this object somehow bothered me. This roller is huge, and I hope the manufacturer will have it in small sizes in the future.
3. Agri-Fab Tow Behind 24 in. x 48 in. Steel Lawn Roller
You might need a heavy-duty lawn roller if you have a huge yard to look after. Now, if you ever search the market for getting a good tow behind a lawn roller, you will find 90% of products by Agri-Fab.
One of their best heavy-duty lawn rollers is the Agri-Fab Tow behind Steel Lawn Roller. In the steel roller category, there is no match for this amazing roller.
The maneuverability was amazing. The weight was ideal with unmatched comparison. When I filled it with water to its full capacity, the roller weighed around 910 lbs, which was heavy enough to make any bumpy garden super plain.
Something that made this roller super impressive was its scraper bar and heavy-duty hitch tubes made this roller super impressive. And because of this, I had a very easy hand operating this one. Therefore I could proudly claim this is one of the best rollers out there. The embossed roller drain was a cherry on top that offered easy filling and draining.
One of the best features of this lawn roller was its durability. No matter how roughly I used it, the roller didn’t even get a scratch, and I am sure it will last me a lifetime. Also, to satisfy the demand of its customers, the roller came with a three-year limited warranty.
So, if you were searching for an amazingly durable lawn roller, your search ends here. However, one thing that bothered me with this lawn roller was that it was too heavy to move alone. But I don’t think many would think of this as a problem. If you want something easier to handle, look at the Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 x 36 in. Steel Lawn Roller.
4. Agri-Fab 24 in. x 60 in. Steel Lawn Roller
⭐⭐⭐½
“This is very helpful on gravel and to even out rougher terrain for our roadways. We use this at our RV park and it is a very good substitute for otherwise extremely expensive equipment. This allows us to fix the roads without having to have a service call. Not difficult to use, and very sturdy.”
Rachel Weghorst
We all love to have a heavy-duty lawn roller, but only a few get their hands on a good one. So, keeping your demands in mind, I have come up with the Agri-Fab 24 in. x 60 in. Steel Lawn Roller.
Whether you discuss durability, work efficiency, or design, this product will not fail to attract you. This amazingly built lawn roller came up with a 24-inch. diameter x 60-inch. width.
Along with all this, when I filled to its limit, the roller was 1120 lbs heavy. And with this kind of weight, I don’t think you will have to worry about bumpy or irregular lawns anymore.
This lawn roller was ideal for sub-compact tractors and sodding, newly sown seed, and depression caused by the rough winter season. The roller included heavy-duty hitch tubes and a scraper bar for a smooth run. Because of this reason, I had a fairly easy hand at this one.
The welded seam steel construction offers incredible durability. Lastly, the roller comes up with three three-year limited warranty that shouts loud of its firmness. Therefore, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty lawn roller that lasts long, this might be the best option for you.
I am not happy with the quality of the hitch here. And I would prefer the Agri-Fab Tow Behind 18 in. x 36 in. Poly Lawn Roller over this roller every time for rock-solid durability and performance.
5. Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 in. x 36 in. Steel Lawn Roller
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
“This is a good lawn roller made of good old-fashioned steel, not polyester. It rolls very nice and seems round with no flat spots. I have to go across a cement driveway to get to another part of my lawn and as long I go slow it rolls very nice. Easy fill with water and easy empty when done (for winter).”
Bill the Retired Guy
The Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24-in. x 36-in. Steel Lawn Roller can be the best choice if you want a steel lawn roller. It worked perfectly for both small and large yards.
I liked how it ran all the time smoothly and was compatible with all lawn tractors, and the best part is that it flattened my lawn in a single run.
Also, when filled to its full capacity, the roller weighed around 600 lbs. The roller was 36 in. long, 40 in. wide, had a diameter of 24 in., and a rolling width of 36 in.
The lawn roller came up with rounded edges for easy maneuverability. I like how this roll had this black powder-coated for enhanced durability and firmness. What I loved the most about this lawn roller: was its three years of limited warranty. If you need a solution to your bumpy and irregular yard, bet on this roller. It will help you make your lawn fresh, green, and healthy.
How Did I Test The Products?
To test all the lawn rollers here, first, I wanted to have my lawn ready for the process. Because my lawn is huge, I divided it into five sections to test each of the lawn rollers on this list.
Now at some places, I tried to have wet soil to check whether the rollers were heavy enough to work on them or not. In the other parts, I tried to sow some seeds, while some areas were roughly bumpy and uneven, and I wanted to smooth them out.
Next, I started by filling the rollers with water. I first had to check how heavy the roller was with and without being filled. I also ensured that if the rollers were easier to move by yourself or would require the help of two.
Next, I tested whether the rollers were smoothly running or not. I tried every surface and checked how easy the reach roller was on various surfaces. After doing so, I also checked if these rollers were easier to maneuver or not.
Lastly, I ensured the handles of each roller were comfortable enough to grasp. Because I am not fond of having my hands sore from gardening, I wanted a comfortable grip on the rollers here.
So, I tried running them for hours to see whether they would make my hands tired or not. Also, I had these rollers stay in the possible harsh weather conditions to see if they could resist it.
Buying guide: An Ultimate Guide to Lawn Rollers
If it’s your first time getting a lawn roller or your previous experience with a lawn roller was not good, then what you need the most is a buying guide. Therefore, for your ease, I have come up with a compact yet informative buying guide that will help you get the best lawn roller.
Filling Volume: A must-check thing
The volume of a lawn roller is one of the most decisive things. This is what decides the capabilities of your roller. So, always get a roller that offers an impressive filling capacity. Anything between 30 to 50 liters or 30 to 60 kg will make a good lawn roller. So, while getting a lawn roller, check the amount of water or sand it can accommodate.
Material of the roller
The thing that matters the most while getting a lawn roller is its material. The material of the lawn roller decides how good the roller is going to be and how long it will last. Now, if you want to know the best material for a lawn roller, then I will recommend anything made from either steel or Poly (polyethylene). These are two of the best materials for any lawn roller. You may also get a lawn roller made up of concrete, but it will be hard to move.
Size of the roller
This is what you will choose depending on the size of the yard you own. If you have a big lawn, I suggest you get a lawn roller having dimensions of 24 x 52 or 24×60. These are the sizes we mostly use for big lawns. However, if you need a lawn roller for a small garden, then it will help if you bet on a lawn roller with dimensions of 18×36 or 24×36. It will offer you easy maneuverability.
Maneuverability
If you are getting a mechanical or a tow-behind lawn roller, then maneuverability is not going to be an issue for you. However, if you are getting a manual lawn roller, make sure that it is easy to move. If the maneuverability of the roller is compromised, you will regret getting it.
The durability of the roller
Last but not least, you must check the durability of the lawn roller. For this, it will help if you bet on a lawn roller that is made up of either steel or poly. Any lawn roller made with these two materials will surely last long for you.
Final verdict
To conclude, it will be fine to call this article a compact and informative guide to getting the best heavy-duty lawn roller. The article has explained in detail everything you need to know about a lawn roller. Hopefully, you have decided which one of the law rollers to go for; if not yet, let me share my personal favorites with you:
- Budget Pick: Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 in. x 52 in. Steel Lawn Roller
- Best Pick: Agri-Fab Tow Behind 18 in. x 36 in. Poly Lawn Roller
- Beginner Friendly Pick: Ohio Steel Tow-Behind 24 in. x 36 in. Steel Lawn Roller
From rolling season to buying guide, the article offered a complete package to know well about lawn rollers. Best of luck!
When she is not busy writing or working on her latest gardening project, Duaa can be found watering her houseplants, experimenting with DIY balcony and urban gardening creations, or cookingin the kitchen with ingredients she has grown in her own garden.
With her passion for nature and her wealth of knowledge and experience, Duaa is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with the world of gardening.
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