Spring and fall, overseeding is the same process: remove thatch, cut the soil and lay down seed. Combination vertislicer/seeders have been around for a while, but eXmark’s Slicer Seeder can slice, seed and dethatch at the same time, completing all three steps in one pass. This saves time and eliminates the need for purpose-built machines for each job.
Verticutting and Dethatching
This unit uses a 20-inch reel lined with high carbon steel blades that serve two duties. The hardened blade surfaces cut through soil, leaving narrow trenches up to one inch deep. As these blades move out of the soil, the notches between them grab onto thatch, pulling it away from the turf. This effectively cleans off the surface and provides seeds with entry into the soil in one step. The blades can also be raised to pass over the soil so they can dethatch while leaving the turf intact.
Seeding
The Slicer Seeder has a large steel hopper that can carry up to 40 lbs. of seed. That’s enough to overseed a quarter of an acre with most seed blends. The mixer at the base of the hopper is linked to the hydrostatic drive. This regulates the drop rate so coverage is consistent no matter how fast or slow the device is moving.
Power
The Slicer Seeder is powered by a Subaru EX27, a 9 hp overhead cam engine built for the needs of commercial users. Its overhead cam design produces 35% less vibration than other engines in this segment, and it reduces the number of valvetrain components, greatly reducing starting effort. It also has a full pressure lubrication system with a built-in rotary oil pump, a feature rarely seen on engines this size. Subaru is so confident about this design that they offer the longest warranty in the industry. This engine powers a hydrostatic drive that has a top speed of 3.8 mph.
Control
The seed drop rate is set using a clearly marked gate adjustment lever at the front of the hopper. Not sure what drop rate you need? There’s a handy chart on the side of the seeder listing rates for different kinds of turf. A side-mounted lever adjusts the height of slicer shaft to get the right depth to plant the seeds. Once loaded, the operator can control the engagement of the blades and hopper as well as the throttle and drive speed using a set of levers on the handles.
Once the job is done, lever pulls on the back of the unit can engage the parking brake to keep the Slicer Seeder from rolling or disengage the drive system, letting the machine roll freely.
Transport
Outdoor equipment is only useful if you can get it where you need it. With a total width of 30 inches, this machine can roll through small gates so you can cover both front and back lawns. When it’s time to move between job sites, integrated lift handles make it easy to get this machine onto trailers. A folding handle reduces the slicer seeder’s footprint, and since it’s secured with metal loops, it’s easier to fold and unfold than a screw-secured handle.
Warranty
The Slicer Seeder is covered by eXmark for one year of residential or commercial use. Subaru guarantees the EX27 for 5 years of commercial use.
Looking for a Better Way to Seed?
Shank’s Lawn Equipment is a certified eXmark and Subaru Power dealer, so we don’t just sell these products, we can provide the parts, service, and support you need to keep your equipment working. If you think a Slicer Seeder is right for you or you need your equipment serviced, visit our shop, located at 4900 Molly Pitcher Highway in Chambersburg, PA. That’s one mile East of I-81 from Exit 10.
We also ship parts and accessories to the U.S. and Canada. If you need to repair your eXmark, visit our website, www.shankslawn.com.