A lawn roller is an invaluable tool if you’re someone who cares about having a flat lawn that looks beautiful and inviting. You know what I’m talking about — the type of flawless lawn that you might see in the movies. There are three main uses for a lawn roller, and they are as follows :
If you’re someone who takes great pride in keeping your grass looking well manicured and lush then a lawn roller (or yard roller) is an excellent tool (and necessary) to have around the house.
If you have a small yard then a push lawn mower is all you need but for large yards you’ll be better off using a tow lawn roller, which connects to an ATV or garden tractor, such as the Husqvarna YTA24V48 (48″). In this article we’ll be featuring both push and tow lawn rollers.
Lawn Roller | When to Use?
The best time to use your lawn roller is when the ground is damp but not soaked. The ground is far more flexible when it’s damp and much more likely to flatten out your lawn properly. On the other hand, using a lawn roller when the ground is soaked will increase the likelihood of soil compaction, which reduces the flow of air and water throughout your soil.
Moderation is important when it comes to using your lawn roller. Don’t overdo it. Use it only when needed.
Use Your Lawn Roller BEFORE and AFTER rolling out your sod
Before Seeding:
Clear out the seeding area first and make sure it’s free of twigs, stones and other debris. Make sure that you rake out any remaining dead grass. Once the area is clear, use your lawn roller to flatten out the soil.
After Seeding:
After your seeds have been scattered and sown, use your lawn roller to go over the area again. This will push the seeds deeper into the soil and increase the probability of the roots growing into the soil.
After Sodding:
After you’ve laid down your sod, use your lawn roller to ensure your sod’s roots grow into the soil and also to eliminate air pockets. Once your grass starts to take root you should use a lightweight lawn roller on the sod to help the roots grow deeper into the soil.
Before Mowing your Lawn:
Rolling your lawn before mowing will ensure an accurate and evenly cut lawn.
Regular Lawn Maintenance:
By using your lawn roller on a regular basis it will create that smooth manicured look of a green carpet.
After Winter:
Fluctuating winter temperatures and bitter cold can often cause frost heaving, which essentially makes your lawn bumpy. A lawn roller will smooth and flatten the damage done by winter.
Mole Hills and Other Animal-made Bumps
First get rid of the mole — a mole trap will accomplish this task for you. Consider using one of the many mole repellent’s available on Amazon for a more humane way to tackle the problem.
Before you use your yard roller, flush the mole hill soil back down the hole with your garden hose. After all, that’s where the soil belongs. Now you can use your yard roller to even out the surface. Too many people make the mistake of just trying to flatten out mole hills without dispersing the soil first, which doesn’t really work too well.
If you do it right, the grass will start growing again and you’ll restore your lawn back to its former glory.
Lawn Roller | Sand or Water?
You have the option of filling up your lawn roller with either water or sand. The question is: Which one should you use?
Well, filling it with water is faster and cheaper but you’ll have to empty it from your yard roller between uses. If you don’t, your poly (polyethylene) yard roller will warp and get damaged, making it useless. Thankfully, water is easy to drain so it’s not too tedious.
Many homeowners don’t realize that storing a lawn roller with water will ruin it so I’m going to stress this point. Please, do not leave water in your poly lawn roller overnight.
Steel Lawn Roller vs Poly — Which Type to Buy?
If you want more flexibility and the scope of your projects are diverse then you’d likely benefit from buying a steel yard roller like the Ohio Steel (TS-2452LR) Lawn Roller from Ohio Steel Industries. Ohio Steel has been in business since 1958 and their products are made in the USA.
The disadvantage of a steel lawn roller is that it’s likely to rust over time and when it’s empty it’s much heavier but don’t let that stop you. After all, they are designed to roll. The 24″ x 60″ Agri-Fab steel roller (model : 45-0549) in the photo below, weighs 137 lbs. — without water. Yes, steel makes everything dramatically heavier, which is actually an advantage when it comes to lawn rollers. The extra weight will ensure a perfectly flat and smooth surface in less time when compared to a poly model. Nothing is perfect. Every lawn roller has their own list of advantages and disadvantages. You have to weigh the pros and cons.
Industrial Grade Towable Lawn Roller : Agri-Fab 45-0549
For the majority of homeowners a poly yard roller is the best option, but if you have a large property, or a farm and your property requires significant flattening then a steel lawn roller is a better choice for you.
Tip: To increase your water draining speed simply stick a vinyl tube through the drain hole and place the end into the air pocket inside of your lawn roller.
The other option is to fill your yard roller with sand, more specifically DRY SAND. Yes, make sure it’s dry! Sand is heavier and also more permanent since there’s more work involved when removing the sand so you’re more committed to the weight of the sand once you put it in. Don’t completely fill your poly yard roller with sand; instead, fill it 1/2 way.
Also, it will be more work transporting your lawn roller once it’s filled with sand, whereas with water, you can easily drain it and move it around with minimal effort. Don’t expect to throw your sand-filled lawn roller in the back of your pick-up truck. It’s not going to happen. But, with water, you can easily empty it then transport it elsewhere.
The advantage of sand is that you can leave it in your grass roller all-year round. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what works best for you.
A brand with a rich history, starting with a man named “Little John Brinly.”
Something to think about —
Many people recommend using anti-freeze in your steel lawn roller as a way to prevent rust but I would not follow that advice for one simple reason. What happens if your lawn roller starts leaking — now you have a massive amount of toxic water leaching into the environment, poisoning everything. This would be a bio-hazard and could end up killing small animals, like your dog or your neighbors dog. Either way, it’s a bad idea. Don’t do it.
Another advantage of water over filling with sand is the fact that you can easily remove water, and quickly. If you fill it with sand your stuck with it. Having the ability to control the weight is a big advantage over sand.
The Right Garden Tractor for Towing
If you’re going to buy a towable lawn roller make sure you have a capable garden tractor, like the Husqvarna YTH24V48. Check your manual and make sure the towing capacity is equal to or greater than the weight of your yard roller.
Be careful when using a grass roller on inclines or hills. These are heavy tools that can cause injury if you lose control of it. Be particularly cautious on hills with your garden tractor. Don’t take sharp turns. Don’t try to tow your grass roller when the grass is drenched. It’s easy to lose traction and the last thing you want is to lose control going uphill or downhill. Use common sense.
Never roll up or down a slope with your tractor! Use caution and roll across slopes (never straight up or down). The minimum horsepower required to tow a grass roller is 12 hp.
Tip: For maximum effectiveness, make sure the ground is wet when using your lawn roller. Rolling after a light rain is perfect, or if you have a small yard, you can water it down with your hose or sprinkler just before. Don’t roll your lawn if your grass is drenched. If there are puddles then it’s too wet to use your lawn roller.
Soil condition is a vital component to good leveling. My advice is simple: Your soil should be moist, but not wet or muddy.
Now, let’s take a look at our list of —
Best Lawn Rollers for homeowners…
Brinly PRC-24BH | Best Push or Tow Lawn Roller
Brinly PRC-24BH | Best Push or Tow Lawn Roller
Features :
- Easy-Turn Plug: Innovative drum plug design, making filling and emptying your roller quicker and easier than ever
- Push/Pull Combination: Convenient push or tow-behind design provides versatility for rolling tight areas or larger open spaces. Perfect tool for erasing lawn damage from moles and frost, or packing down loose dirt, seed, or sod.
- 28 Gallon Capacity: Sturdy roller holds up to 28 gallons (270 lbs.) of water or sand and is both light enough to push through the yard and rugged enough to withstand towing behind a tractor.
- Well-made: Sturdy poly roller drum won’t dent or rust, and resists weather damage for use season after season. Measures 24″ in width.
- Fast Filling: Includes fill opening with extra-large diameter to expedite filling and emptying of the drum. Can be easily filled with a garden hose.
- Easy to Store : When you’re finished rolling your lawn, simply drain and hang this compact roller in your garage or shed to occupy minimal space. Empty roller is lightweight for easy transport.
- Avoid Lawn Damage: The rounded drum ends help avoid damage to your lawn during turns, while the metal scraper bar above the drum keeps the roller free from debris while rolling.
The Brinly PRC-24BH is designed for versatility. You can either push it or tow it with your lawn tractor. It’s well-suited for getting rid of lawn damage caused by those annoying moles and frost heaves. Perfect for packing down loose dirt, imbedding sown seeds or flattening sod.
When filled with either water or sand it weighs 270 lbs, but its shipping weight is only about 37 lbs. It’s easy to move around when empty but it rolls smoothly when filled, making it easy to push across your lawn. Also, it’s designed to be durable enough to withstand towing. The Brinly PRC-24BH gives you the best of both worlds.
Made from a heavy-duty polyethylene drum that won’t dent or rust. You’ll appreciate the extra-large diameter opening when it comes time to fill or empty your yard roller — especially emptying, which is a slower process.
Every Brinly roller is designed with rounded ends to protect your lawn when turning. It’s light enough to hang in your garage or shed once the yard roller is empty. It looks heavy but that’s just an illusion. The polyethylene construction gives you strength and mobility.
Brinly has been in business since 1839 and all of their products are made in the USA. So, if you care about how you spend your money and you’re American then Brinly is a great company to support — and most importantly, they make excellent lawn and garden products for homeowners, like the Brinly BS36BH Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader.
Features Overview — Brinly PRC-24BH
The only complaint I have with this model is the drain/fill plug is not very forgiving so you have to be precise when screwing it in. You also need to use a wrench to remove the drain plug. I recommend that you use a high-quality grease on the threads to make it easier to screw the plug in and remove it. If you don’t already have grease in your tool box then I recommend something like Super Lube 21030 or Lucas Oil 10533 lithium grease.
The Agri-Fab lawn rollers in this article have a much better drain/fill plug than the Brinly drain plug. I know it seems like a small detail but on a tool with so few parts it’s unfortunate that Brinly couldn’t find a better solution. You can see the comparison between the two plugs in the next section. Either way, the Brinly PRC-24BH is an excellent yard roller overall.
Documents:
- View or download the MANUAL for the Brinly PRC-24BH.
- View or download the PARTS LIST for the Brinly PRC-24BH.
Learn more or buy from Amazon.
Fast Facts :
- 18 x 24″ wide.
- Shipping weight: 40 lbs (18 kg).
- Combination push or tow lawn roller.
- Made from polyethylene which won’t rust or dent.
- Holds up to 270 lbs (28 gallons) filled with sand or water.
- Removable handle allows for easy pushing.
- The rounded drum ends ensure a smooth tractor turn without damaging lawns.
- Extra large fill opening speeds up filling and emptying.
- The scraper bar above drum keeps roller free from debris as you roll.
- Steel frame. Will fit most garden tractors.
- Includes hitch pin.
VIDEO | A Closer Look at Brinly Lawn Rollers
Specs:
- Capacity : 28 gallons (106 L)
- Weight w/ Water : 270 lbs (122 kg)
- Fill Hole Diameter : 1.625″ (41 mm)
- Thread Size : 1.5″ (38 mm) NPT
- Dimensions (D x L) : 18″ x 24″ (457 x 610 mm)
- Rounded Ends : Yes
Agri-Fab 45-0267 | Best Push or Tow Lawn Roller
Features :
- ROLLER WIDTH: 24″ width
- CAPACITY: 250 lb. Capacity when filled with water
- STORAGE: Lightweight when empty, for easy transport and storage
- ASSEMBLY: Some assembly required
- OPERATION: Drain/fill plug empties easily and fills with a regular garden hose
- HITCH: universal hitch attaches quickly and easily to any brand of tractor when not being used as a push lawn roller. Rotating hitch for push or pull operation.
- Dimensions: 30″W x 50″ D x 18″ H
- No tools needed to remove the fill-plug.
- Frame made from steel.
- Drum made from polyethylene, which won’t rust.
- Scraper bar to keep drum clean.
- Removable fill plug, empties easily. Compatible with a standard garden hose.
- Lawn roller is well-suited for: lawns, gardens, ball fields or general part maintenance.
OVERVIEW —
The Agri-Fab 45-0267 yard roller has a maximum capacity of 250 pounds. The 18″x24″ drum is made from polyethylene and the frame is steel. It’s quite lightweight at only 30 lbs, allowing you to easily move or store when it’s empty.
It’s quite easy to switch between pushing or towing with a fast removable hitch and it has an excellent drain/fill plug, which means that it has large threads that can be easily removed and tightened by hand. The Brinly PRC-24BH requires a little more patience as it requires a wrench. All the Agri-Fab grass rollers are tool-less — no tools are required to remove the fill-plug.
Agri-Fab is another well-know brand that manufactures a wide variety of lawn and garden products, but more specifically tractor attachments, such as the Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper.
Overall the Agri-Fab 45-0267 is well-made, lightweight and effective at flattening your lawn for a variety of applications. Yard rollers are quite simple tools so excuse my brevity. The most important thing is to pick a lawn roller within your budget and the appropriate weight for your needs.
This model is for light applications, such as using it on newly laid down sod or for using after reseeding. It’s too light to use for flattening mole hills.
Agri-Fab 45-0267 Documents:
- View or download the MANUAL for the Agri-Fab 45-0267.
- View or download the PARTS LIST for the Agri-Fab 45-0267.
Specs:
- Model Number: 45-0267
- Weight: 40 lbs.
- Assembled Product Size: 50″ x 30″ x 18″
- Carton Size: (LxWxH): 31.5″ x 20″ x 18.8″
Brinly PRT-48SBH | Lawn Roller
Features:
- 54 gallon capacity. Best for packing down newly sewn seed or sod.
- Lightweight when empty. Can be hung on the wall for easy storage.
- Smooth rounded drum ends protect your lawn on turns.
- Extra large diameter drain/fill opening makes it easier to fill & empty.
- Integrated scraper bar above drum keeps roller free clumps of dirt.
OVERVIEW —
The Brinly PRT-48SBH is a wide grass roller at 48 inches, with an 18″ drum diameter. If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time then this is a great product. It has a 485 lb capacity which is a great weight that won’t overload your tractor and also not so heavy that it will cause you to lose traction when going over inclines.
This model is not too light and not too heavy; it’s somewhere in-between. A solid well-balanced yard roller.
Documents:
- View or download the MANUAL & PARTS LIST for the Brinly PRT-48SBH.
Specs:
- Capacity : 54 gallons (204.4 L)
- Weight w/ Water : 485 lbs (220 kg)
- Fill Hole Diameter : 1.625″ (41 mm)
- Thread Size : 1.5″ (38 mm) NPT
- Dimensions (D x L) : 18″ x 48″ (457 x 1219 mm)
- Rounded Ends : Yes
- Shipping Weight : 62 lbs (28 kg)
Agri-Fab 45-0268 | Lawn Roller
The Agri-Fab 45-0268 is 36″ wide and 18″ in diameter. When filled up it weighs 400 lbs. It has all of the same features as the Agri-Fab 45-0267, except that it’s wider. That’s it. Nothing new to say about this Agri-Fab model.
I wish I could say that it had power steering or it’s a fully-automated yard roller but sadly this particular tool hasn’t changed much over the years — and they’ve been around for a long time. People were using yard rollers during the Victorian era and who knows how long they were in use before then. I can’t find any historical data as to when they were first invented.
But they were beautiful…
Documents:
- View or download the MANUAL for the Agri-Fab 45-0268.
- View or download the PARTS LIST for the Agri-Fab 45-0268.
Learn more or buy from Amazon.
Features:
- 400 lb. capacity. 18″ diameter, 36″ wide.
- Center baffle stops the poly from flexing.
- Roller drain/fill plug empties easily and fills with a regular garden hose.
- Weighs 45 lbs without water.
- Includes removable drain plug and poly scraper bar.
- Durable polyethylene drum with powder-baked paint resists dents, rust and weather damage.
- It comes with a one-inch diameter brass fill-plug; fast and easy to remove.
Specs:
- Model Number: 45-0268
- Tow Hitch: Standard Pin Type: 1/2″ hole.
- Weight with water: Up to 360 lbs filled with water (or sand).
- Bearings: 3/4″ ID (Replaceable).
Brinly PRT-36BH | Yard Roller
Features :
- Easy-Turn Plug: Brinly Rollers now feature a new drum plug design, making filling and emptying your roller quicker and easier than ever
- For Big Yards : 36″ Rolling width and 690 lb. capacity is perfect for larger yards or bigger greenspaces – covering more ground for quicker results. Perfect tool for erasing lawn damage from moles and frost, or packing down loose dirt, seed, or sod.
- 76 gallon capacity: The heaviest and most powerful in the Brinly line, this roller holds up to 76 gallons (690 lbs.) of water or sand. It is both rugged enough to withstand towing behind a tractor and light enough to easily move and store when empty.
- Well-Made : Sturdy poly roller drum won’t dent or rust, and resists weather damage for use season after season. Measures 36″ In width.
- Faster filling: includes fill opening with extra-large diameter to expedite filling and emptying of the drum. Can be easily filled with a garden hose.
- Easy to Store: when you’re finished rolling your lawn, simply drain and hang this compact roller in your garage or shed to occupy minimal space. Empty roller is lightweight for easy transport.
OVERVIEW —
If your lawn suffers from frost heaving or mole hills then you’ll need a heavy-duty grass roller and the Brinly PRT-36BH is the perfect weight for those challenging tasks. This is also the heaviest yard roller that Brinly offers. For the majority of homeowners this will be able to satisfy all of your flattening needs.
If you have mole hills to flatten and even out then this grass roller will handle it beautifully. The extra weight will go a long way to achieving the best result, even if your lawn is relatively dry — although, I always recommend a damp lawn when using a yard roller.
With a width of 36” and a large 24” diameter, the PRT-36BH’s polyethylene drum can hold up to 690 lbs. of either sand or water (76 gallons).
Tip: Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.
This is a heavy yard roller so please verify that your garden tractor is capable of towing the full weight of Brinly PRT-36BH, which is 690 pounds. I’m assuming you already own a tractor if you’re currently looking for a towable yard roller. Please check your manual before towing.
Learn more or buy from Amazon.
Documents:
- View or download the MANUAL for the Brinly PRT-36BH.
- View or download the PARTS for the Brinly PRT-36BH.
Specs:
- Capacity : 76 gallons (287.7 L)
- Weight with Water : 690 lbs (313 kg)
- Fill Hole Diameter : 1.625″ (41 mm)
- Thread Size : 1.5″ (38 mm) NPT
- Dimensions (D x L) : 24″ x 36″ (610 x 914 mm)
- Rounded Ends : Yes
- Shipping Weight : 64 lbs (29 kg)
Agri-Fab 45-0269 | Grass Roller : Made in the USA!
This exceptional model is available at Tractor Supply. A great choice!
Features:
- Poly construction for rustproof durability.
- Scraper bar prevents clumps of soil from sticking to the drum.
- 18″ diameter x 48″ wide.
- 58 lbs when empty, making it easy to move and store.
- Removable fill plug, empties easily.
- No tool required to remove the fill-plug.
- 550 lb drum capacity when full.
OVERVIEW —
The Agri-Fab 45-0269 towable yard roller is made with a rust-resistant poly roller that’s also engineered with a reinforced center baffle to prevent flexing on rough ground. It also has rounded edges so your lawn won’t be gouged when making sharp turns.
One of the strengths of this grass roller, and all the Agri-Fab rollers on this list, is the practical one-inch diameter brass fill-plug which can be quickly fitted and removed without using tools. I wish Brinly used a similar mechanism.
As with all Agri-Fab lawn rollers, this model comes with a universal hitch-pin, so it’s compatible with all makes of lawn tractors.
View or download the PARTS for the Agri-Fab 45-0269.
Learn more or buy from Amazon.
Specs:
- Model Number: 45-0269
- Weight: 58 lbs.
- Assembled Product Size: 50″ x 54″ x 18″
- Carton Size : L 54″ x W 20″ x H 20″
Brinly PRT-36SBH | Yard Roller
Features:
- 42-gallon polyethylene roller. Won’t rust or dent.
- Easy to store, empty and fill.
- Comes with a hitch pin.
- Scraper bar.
- Rounded ends.
OVERVIEW —
The Brinly PRT-36SBH is the final yard roller on my list. The only variation between this Brinly roller and the other yard rollers on this list is the size and weight capacity. This has an 18″ diameter with a 36″ width and when filled up with water it weighs 390 lbs. It’s a good quality Brinly roller that’s suitable for medium-to-large yards.
Perfect for rolling over new sod, pushing seeds into the soil when reseeding or pushing down loose topsoil. Perfect for lower horsepower lawn tractors.
If you need PARTS for your PRT-36SBH order directly from Brinly.
Documents for the Brinly PRT-36SBH.
- View or download the MANUAL for the Brinly PRT-36SBH.
- View or download the PARTS LIST for the Brinly PRT-36SBH.
Learn more or buy from Amazon.
Specs:
- Capacity : 42 gallons (159 L)
- Weight : with Water 390 lbs (177 kg)
- Fill Hole Diameter : 1.625″ (41 mm)
- Thread Size : 1.5″ (38 mm) NPT
- Dimensions : D 18″ x L 36″ (457 x 914 mm)
- Rounded Ends : Yes
- Shipping Weight : 53 lbs (24 kg)
Tips for using a garden tractor:
First, read the owner’s manual for your specific tractor and check the towing capacity.
- Do not allow children to operate the vehicle. Do not allow adults to operate without proper instruction or without having read the Owner’s Manual.
- Do not carry passengers. Keep children and pets a safe distance away.
- Always wear proper footwear. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing, especially near moving parts.
- Stay focused on your towing equipment and grass roller in relation to the area you’re flattening.
- Watch for holes and other obstacles as you tow.
- Do not drive close to creeks, ditches, roads, pets, people or public highways.
- Watch out for traffic when crossing or if you’re towing near a road.
- When towing your yard roller, don’t allow anyone near the vehicle when you’re in motion.
- Keep the vehicle and attachment in good operating condition and keep safety devices in place.
- Make sure your tractor is operating properly and it’s safe to drive.
- If you strike a foreign object, stop your tractor and inspect the damage. Only resume towing if it’s safe to do so.
