LawnMaster GV1314 Scarifier and Lawn Dethatcher 15-Inch 12.5AMP, Orange

I got this to try on my yard. Assembly wasn't terribly tricky, the book isn't well written but the only thing I screwed up was the cord plastic holder in the center requiring I redo the work. Look at the image of the assembled item it will save you some time.I got it setup, they mention the settings transport-1-2-3. The transport is for moving it. 1 is the initial new zone. As parts wear down the book says you will move to 2 and then 3. So I tried a few clicks past transport, got a little thatch. Then moved it a few spots. More thatch. I have a lot of small grade changes so it was a trial and error. On a .2 acre front yard, I ended up with 5 full paper lawn bags full of thatch.The booklet also says to use a heavy gage extension cord. Not your cheap flimsy 10-20 dollar special. Use the cheap cords and you cause higher current in the motor which overheats and causes it to fail. What I did was work about a 30ft section. Then rake up the area to allow the machine a break. Then I moved on. Never gave up, no tripping of breakers. It did the job.Initially I used the bag but I found it was getting full so quick it was just futile. I just let it create piles which I raked.Cleanup I took the garden hose to it, I was careful around the motor vents. It was really dirty from the job. I did find it odd and I'll have to watch next time, there are some grill vents in the front, I'm not sure if that's cosmetic or air for the motor area but with the grass debris it was filled up and could be an issue. Something I'll watch for next time.The rotation of the tines are forward so even though its not powered, it pulls along and it was not hard to manage. The biggest challenge is power cable and just moving it around.Assembly was quick, just a screwdriver and basic using your hands to put together.The dethatch or scarifier both were included. I wanted to use the dethatch so I had to swap it out. The scarifier was installed when shipped. The 1/2 square drive was not well lubricated so when you loosen the side of the bearing, it should slide off, I had to use some effort to free it up to swap out. I put some silicone lube on it so hopefully that will not be a problem again. The plastic lock down for the other side time will tell if the turn knob gets brittle. I suspect that in time I may need to find a replacement bolt. For the amount of times it probably will get used I expect it to last and see nothing that makes me regret the purchase.I think some of the negative reviews are not reading the book, going too aggressive on the lawn or wrong extension cord causing the motor damage.Make sure you have the right extension cord or you will ruin the machine, here is a guide, best to be safe and go with the 12gauge wireAmperage, Gauge & Cord LengthCord Length Device Amperage Rating Minimum Wire Gauge100 Feet 1 – 10 Amps 16 Gauge (Light Duty)100 Feet 11 – 13 Amps 14 Gauge (Medium Duty)100 Feet 14 – 15 Amps 12 Gauge (Heavy Duty)100 Feet 16 – 20 Amps 10 Gauge (Extra Heavy Duty)

Update. The cylinder which does the work kept popping out of the connection; eventually it would not stay in. I've only used this 3 times on a small yard and owned less than 11 months. Contacted seller and after a couple of emails they said they'll send new one. I thought good customer service. After a few days, I checked Fedex tracking they provided which showed package delivered to an address 1000 miles away. After more emails, they stated package was delivered (they were referring to 1st box I purchased last year), now more email. Eventually the package showed up at my home, but, no new tracking number nor updated email was received. I sent them email stating I got the box.‐‐---‐---------1.Assembly, the holes on one of the handle bar was misaligned; had to re-drill the hole in order to assemble.2. Instructions are not clear. Can be figured out, but could be much better.3. The cord holder broken before I made my first path.4. Plastic is light weight and not very strong. A little difficult to push across a rough yard, even at full height, seems flimsy.5. Before finishing yard the screw that holds the handle to the rest of the unit came out. Had to make a trip to hardware store before I could finish yard.6. It works as advertised. Quality control is lacking...Update. Customer service reached out to me and was able to resolve my issues. Thank you!

So far I thatched my rear lawn after cutting it to the lowest setting with my mower. Took the new LawnMaster (of which I had high hopes) and started with 1 and 2 setting (highest setting with the thatching blade). Worked great for half the back lawn (average size backyard) then the belt drive decided to throw the belt and the motor would just spin. Ok, Im a mechanical guy. 12 screws later, motor in my hand, replace the belt and back together. Back in business! 1hr later, motor seized up and I though wow, maybe I am working this thing to hard so I take it apart again to find that the belt threw itself and wedged between the wheel and guard plate not allowing the motor to turn. Ok, Im a mechanical guy I tell myself. pull it apart, place the belt back on the motor and get everything back in place. A ha! Back in business. 30 minutes into working and woooop! Another belt gets thrown! Now Im thinking the belt has been compromised and it did look a little frayed in a few spots so I head to my local power equipment lawn dealer. NOPE! We don't carry that belt and don't see any matches (NAPA, 3 OTHER AUTO PARTS STORES, LOWES AND Home Depot) NOPE! Your thinking this guy must be really patient. Yes, yes I am. So I come home, get to LawnMasters web site and email the parts people to see if they have a belt. Still waiting patiently. Depending on what happens I may change this to a 1 star rating. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT! Just officially changed my review to a 1 star. After two weeks of waiting for "Lawnmaster Customer Service" to email me back with a way to purchase a new belt I am still waiting with no response from them. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT!

Very easy to use. But the plastic cover for the bag cracked. I'm thinking maybe a rock from my walk way got on the lawn. Anyway work Very good 👍🏾