Before You Start – Timing, Safety & Prep

Best Time in Mackay

• Renovate when the lawn is actively growing – warmer months are best
• Avoid the coldest part of winter when growth slows down
• Pick a run of a few dry days if you can

Safety & PPE

• Enclosed shoes or steel-cap boots
• Eye and hearing protection
• Gloves
• Dust mask in very dry or dusty conditions

Always follow the safety labels on each machine and product. If you’re unsure, ask us at pickup and we’ll walk you through it.

Site Preparation

• Pick up hoses, toys and loose debris
• Flag sprinkler heads and shallow irrigation if you know where they are
• Give the lawn a normal mow a few days before you start

Step 1 – Pre-Renovation Protection & Wetting

1–2 weeks before the physical work, treat the lawn so weeds and grubs don’t steal all the benefits.

Wetting Agent, Pre-Emergent & Insect Control

A proven combo (based on LawnHub’s ultimate renovation method) is:

• LawnHub WET – liquid wetting agent
• Barricade or Spartan – pre-emergent herbicide for seasonal grassy weeds
• Acelepryn 100ml or Acelepryn GR – grub and lawn pest control

Follow the label rates carefully for your lawn size and grass type. Many people tank-mix WET + Barricade/Spartan + Acelepryn in one application, then water in with around 10 mm.

Optional – Pre-Reno Fertiliser “Push”

To get the lawn growing strongly before you scalp and stress it, you can apply a granular fertiliser 1–2 weeks before renovation, such as:

• Trojan – slow-release granular fertiliser (great all-rounder)
• Premature or Mini Pill – alternative granular options depending on your lawn goals

Getting growth moving before the renovation helps you achieve a much faster recovery afterwards.

Step 2 – Scalp & Dethatch with the Weibang Dethatcher

Dethatching removes the built-up brown layer so water, air and nutrients can get back into the soil surface.

What the Dethatcher Does

The Weibang dethatcher strips out old stolons, dead material and spongy thatch so you’re left with a leaner, more responsive lawn that can thicken up again with fresh growth.

Basic Operation with the Weibang Dethatcher

• Start on level ground with the engine OFF while you set the depth
• Use a light to moderate setting for Buffalo and Couch in Mackay
• Start the engine, engage the blades and walk at a steady, controlled pace
• Work in straight lines, overlapping slightly for full coverage
• Avoid tight turns or sudden direction changes while blades are engaged

How Aggressive Should You Go?

• Quick refresh: one light pass in the worst areas only
• Full renovation: a moderate setting, often in two directions (north–south, then east–west)

It’s normal to see a lot of thatch come out – that’s exactly what the machine is supposed to do. This is where the trailer and garden bags earn their keep.

Step 3 – Core Aeration with the Weibang Aerator

Core aeration relieves compaction and lets water, oxygen and nutrients reach the root zone.

Key Points for the Weibang Aerator

• The aerator is factory set – no depth adjustment is needed
• It can core up to 80 mm deep depending on soil moisture and hardness
• For deeper cores, water the lawn the day before to soften the soil

Operating Steps

• Start on flat ground with the engine running and tines disengaged
• Walk to your starting point, then engage the tines when you’re ready to begin
• Walk at a steady pace, overlapping passes slightly for full coverage
• Avoid very steep slopes or soft, boggy patches

What to Do with the Cores

After aeration, you’ll see cylindrical soil plugs (“cores”) all over the lawn. That’s a good sign the machine is working properly.

• Leave them to naturally break down over time
• Rake them up into piles for a cleaner look
• Run over them with a mower & catcher to quickly collect and tidy – this is the easiest option for most people

Step 4 – Levelling & Topdressing

Once the thatch is out and the cores are done, you can level and smooth the surface.

Fill Low Spots & Smooth the Surface

• Use washed sand or a suitable topdressing mix in hollows and uneven areas
• Spread a thin layer over the lawn – you still want leaf tips showing
• Use the levelling rake & roller to drag material and smooth everything out

If you have a lot of material to move, an optional Kanga mini loader can save a heap of time.

Step 5 – Wetting Agent & Watering Schedule

Moisture management is critical in Mackay’s conditions, especially after a renovation.

Preferred Wetting Agent Method

Our preferred method is a liquid wetting agent spray (like LawnHub WET) applied evenly over the lawn and then watered in with around 10 mm.

If you already have a granular wetting agent such as BBW on hand, you can use that instead – just follow the label instructions for your lawn size.

Watering After Renovation (General Guide)

• Days 1–7: keep the surface lightly moist – short, frequent waterings if hot/windy
• Weeks 2–3: move towards deeper, less frequent watering to encourage roots down
• After recovery: 1–2 deep waterings per week depending on weather and soil

Adjust watering based on rainfall and how quickly your soil dries out – the goal is deep, healthy roots, not constant soggy ground.

Step 6 – Recovery & Post-Reno Feeding

Once the lawn has been scalped, dethatched, cored and levelled, the next job is to feed and nurse it back to lush green.

Granular Fertiliser at the End of the Reno

On the day of your renovation, after you have scalped, scarified/dethatched, cored and topdressed:

• Apply Trojan as the last step before watering with at least 10 mm
• Alternatively, use Premature or Mini Pill if they better suit your program

Liquid Recovery Boost

Once you start to see new green shoots across the lawn (often 1–2 weeks depending on weather), apply:

• Roots N Shoots as a foliar spray to drive root and shoot recovery
• Optionally follow later with Threeway – liquid fertiliser designed to promote healthy, even post-renovation growth
Money Shot for extra colour pop once the lawn has fully recovered. eg: before party or special event!

Optional Weed, Pest & Post-Recovery Feeding

Use these products only after the lawn has recovered from renovation and is actively growing again.

Broadleaf Weeds

• For most common broadleaf weeds, apply NSFW strictly according to the label.

Nutgrass & Mullumbimby Couch

• For Nutgrass or Mullumbimby Couch, use Halo-Force 750WG at the correct rate for your lawn area.
• Add a spray indicator like Tru-Blue so you can see exactly where you’ve sprayed.

Post-Recovery Feeding (Choose One)

Once the lawn is showing new green growth and has settled after renovation, you can apply one of the following liquid fertilisers:

• Threeway – liquid fertiliser designed to promote healthy, even post-renovation growth

Use Threeway only after initial recovery. Avoid spraying in the heat of the day and always follow label rates.

Clean Up, Trailer & Tie-Down Safety

Clean Up with Trailer & Garden Bags

• Use rakes to pull thatch into windrows after dethatching
• Bag the thatch or load it straight into the lawn care trailer
• After core aeration, decide whether to leave, rake or mow-and-catch the cores
• Check the surface – you should mainly see green runners and soil, not a thick brown mat

Loading & Tie-Down Safety

• Load heavier equipment (dethatcher and aerator) towards the axle of the trailer
• Use proper ramps and keep the machine straight when loading/unloading
• Use ratchet straps over the main frame, not moving parts or handles
• Check straps again after driving a short distance

Not sure how to secure it? Ask us at pickup – we’re happy to help you strap everything down properly.

Before You Return the Equipment

• Brush or hose off heavy soil and debris from the dethatcher and aerator
• Check for any damage or issues and let us know at drop-off
• Turn fuel taps OFF for transport
• Secure everything properly on the trailer or in your vehicle
• REFUEL hired machines with unleaded fuel ONLY (unless marked otherwise)

Looking after the gear helps us keep hire prices sharp for everyone in Mackay.

Frequently Asked Questions