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A Hunker report describes reusing scrap chain-link fencing as a drag harrow to spread topsoil or sand and smooth minor lawn irregularities. The improvised tool can be towed behind a riding mower or ATV, but it is not a fix for major grade problems, and any added weights need to be secured.
Hunker has outlined a low-cost way to reuse scrap chain-link fencing as a drag harrow for smoothing minor bumps in a lawn, spreading topsoil or sand, and breaking up soil cores after aeration. The guide says the improvised mat can be pulled behind a riding mower or ATV, but it is intended for relatively small surface irregularities rather than major grading work.
The basic tool is a section of chain-link fencing, ideally about five feet long, attached at the front to a board or metal bar that helps keep it flat. A chain, rope, or ratchet strap connects both sides of the front edge to the vehicle’s tow hitch. Hunker says a chain-link gate can work especially well because its end panels help hold the mesh flat and make it easier to tow.
For the harrow to work the surface, the guide recommends adding weight, such as landscaping timbers, old tires, or cinder blocks. It warns that the weight must be fastened securely, because bumps can cause loose items to come off. The dragged mesh is described as better at spreading material than scraping soil, so the method is presented for distributing a light layer of topsoil or sand and smoothing the area through repeated passes.
Hunker says scrap fencing may be available from local fencing companies, while retail options cost more. Its cited examples include chain-link gates priced at about $55.98 to $76.98, a roughly 10-foot roll of mesh for around $60, and a commercial Yard Tuff harrow listed at $136.99. Those are prices reported in the source and may change; the article does not provide a date for them.
A Lower-Cost Option for Minor Bumps
Reusing fencing can reduce the cost of a basic lawn-smoothing tool, especially for homeowners who already have access to a scrap panel and a towing vehicle. It also gives discarded fencing another use. For lawns with minor surface unevenness, dragging the mesh across added soil may help spread material over a broader area than applying it by hand alone.
The method has limits. Hunker describes chain-link as a way to distribute material and break up soil cores, not as a substitute for correcting substantial drainage, slope, or settlement problems. Results will depend on the lawn’s condition, the material applied, and how evenly the harrow is pulled. A DIY tool’s low cost does not establish that it will produce a particular result.
chain link fence mesh for lawn leveling
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How the Fence Becomes a Harrow
Drag harrows are used to smooth ground by pulling a surface-working implement across it. The Hunker report adapts that idea for small-scale yard work: chain-link mesh moves over the ground, while its uneven wire pattern helps distribute loose material. The source contrasts this simple arrangement with more aggressive farm harrows, which can require heavier equipment and greater towing power.
The guide describes two lawn uses. After core aeration, repeated passes can break up the soil plugs, followed by fertilizing and waiting for further treatment. Alternatively, a homeowner can add sand or topsoil and drag the mesh over it to spread the material. Hunker also mentions gravel driveways as a possible use, but the central guidance concerns minor lawn leveling.
For someone without usable scrap, the report compares the DIY approach with purchased equipment. Its listed commercial options range from a small ATV drag harrow to a heavier chain harrow. The cited prices are examples from the source, not current price checks or independent product recommendations.
“Chain-link is ideal because the variations in the wire height work the ground as the fencing moves across it.”
— Hunker report
yard drag harrow for lawn smoothing
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Limits and Safety Details to Check
The report does not provide tested performance data, a recommended towing speed, a precise weight range, or instructions for selecting a safe load for a particular mower or ATV. It also does not say how much topsoil or sand to apply, or how many passes are needed. The stated retail prices may no longer be current.
Before towing a homemade harrow, users should check the vehicle manufacturer’s towing guidance, use a proper hitch, and confirm that the fencing and added weight are securely attached. The source does not give detailed safety procedures or assess whether this method is appropriate for steep, waterlogged, or severely uneven ground. Such conditions may call for a different approach or professional advice.
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Check the Yard Before Towing
The next step for homeowners considering the method is to inspect the area and decide whether the problem is limited to small surface bumps. They can then look for suitable scrap fencing, prepare a flat leading edge, secure the towing connection and weight, and test the harrow at a cautious pace on a small section. Any added soil or sand should be spread in light, even amounts rather than treated as a remedy for major grading issues.
Hunker’s report does not announce a product launch or a formal trial; it offers a practical DIY option. Its usefulness for a particular yard will depend on the ground, equipment, materials, and safe setup.
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Key Questions
Can chain-link fencing smooth every uneven lawn?
No. Hunker presents it for minor grade inconsistencies and spreading loose material. The report does not recommend it as a solution for major slopes, drainage issues, or substantial ground settlement.
What kind of fence piece works best?
The report suggests a scrap section around five feet long and says a chain-link gate can be useful because its end panels help keep the mesh flat. It cautions that other types, particularly welded wire, may not withstand repeated dragging as well.
Does the harrow need extra weight?
The guide recommends adding weight so the fencing works into the surface, with examples including timbers, tires, or cinder blocks. It also stresses that the weight must be firmly secured before towing.
How much does a DIY chain-link drag cost?
It may cost little if suitable scrap is available. Hunker’s report lists retail examples from about $55.98 for a small gate to roughly $60 for a 10-foot roll, but those prices are undated in the supplied material and may have changed.
Source: rss
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