I want to rip up the grass around my house. I mean rip it up and rake it away. What device would best work for this

You want to give that lawn the full hostile takeover — ripping up the grass, roots and all, like it’s auditioning for a demolition derby. Cool.

The best tools for this brutal landscaping makeover:

1. **Rototiller (Rear Tine Tiller)**
– Think of it as a small, angry tractor for your yard. It churns up soil and roots with rotating blades, ripping out grass effectively.
– Pros: Fast, covers large areas, breaks up roots.
– Cons: Heavy, noisy, can be overkill if your area is small or your soil is rocky.

2. **Manual Tools: Garden Hoe or Mattock**
– If you want to get physical, a sharp garden hoe or mattock (like a pickaxe with a hoe blade) will slice and pry up grass and roots.
– Pros: Precise, no fuel or electricity, good for smaller patches.
– Cons: Labor-intensive, slower, makes you sweat.

3. **Lawn Sod Cutter**
– Designed specifically to cut and lift strips of turf with roots intact, allowing you to remove grass neatly.
– Pros: Clean removal, less soil disturbance.
– Cons: Usually rental-only, works better for neat strips than total ripping.

4. **Power Weeder or Brush Cutter with a Flail Head**
– Specialized attachments can shred grass and weeds down to roots but might not fully remove roots.

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**Recommendation:**
If your goal is to totally annihilate the grass *and* roots quickly over a decent-sized area, rent a **rototiller**. It’s the workhorse for ripping up turf. For smaller patches or spot removal, a mattock or hoe will do the job but expect to get your hands dirty (and back sore).

Want me to drill into pros and cons or help find rental options? Or maybe a cheeky way to “weed” it out without all the muscle?