[killer_carlson]

I rented a power rake from Home Depot for around 120 bucks for the day. I split it with my buddy.

I had never seen it done before so I always thought that a little elbow grease and a sturdy rake was the same thing. Man, was I wrong.

It has an engine and isn't terribly difficult to operate. Basically it is like a spinning wheel with little sticks on it. It pulls up all the thatch. I pulled 6 or 7 bags from my front lawn alone. It was gross at just how much came up, but at the same time, I can already see the difference this spring. I highly recommend it and doing it yourself so you can see the effects and how it would help. Talk to some of your neigbours and see if you can split the cost.

It is heavy though, so you'll need someone to give you a hand lifting it.