Sun Joe: Transforming Lawn Restoration

What began as a solution for one frustrated homeowner has grown into a specialized equipment line that’s helping millions reclaim their lawns from choking thatch and compacted soil

When Necessity Sparked Creation

In 2008, a former golf course superintendent struggled to find affordable dethatching equipment for his family’s yard. Rental machines were expensive and excessively powerful for residential use, while manual rakes were ineffective against years of buildup. This gap between commercial equipment and household tools led him to adapt electric motor technology from other industries into the first prototype of what would become the Sun Joe dethatcher

Working from a converted garage in Pennsylvania, the initial five-person team manufactured just 200 units in their first production run. These early adopters provided crucial feedback that led to wider tine spacing, adjustable height settings, and the addition of collection systems. By 2014, Sun Joe dethatchers were being sold in lawn care centers nationwide, fundamentally changing how homeowners approach seasonal turf maintenance with tools specifically scaled for residential properties


Bringing Professional Turf Science Home

We translate advanced lawn care principles developed on golf courses and sports fields into practical equipment for everyday yard maintenance. Our team includes turf management specialists who understand how thatch affects soil biology and grass root development, guiding our design choices to address the underlying causes of lawn deterioration

From Maintenance to Management

Our product development roadmap focuses on creating complete lawn restoration systems that address the full cycle of turf health rather than isolated tools for single tasks. By integrating dethatching with proper aeration, seeding, and targeted nutrition, we aim to help homeowners create self-sustaining lawns that require fewer chemical inputs and less water while remaining resilient against disease, pests, and climatic stress

Our Guiding Principles

  • Accessible Expertise
  • Regional Adaptation
  • Practical Durability
  • Measurable Results
  • Owner Empowerment
  • Sustainable Lawns

Our Wider Impact

The shift toward electric dethatchers represents more than convenience it addresses significant environmental concerns. Traditional gas-powered equipment produces up to 54 times more hydrocarbon emissions than average cars, contributing disproportionately to air quality issues in residential areas. Our electric alternatives eliminate these localized emissions while reducing the estimated 17 million gallons of fuel spilled during lawn equipment refueling annually

We’ve also pioneered a tine recycling program where worn components are collected, melted down, and reformed rather than discarded. This closed-loop manufacturing approach has diverted over 75,000 pounds of steel from landfills while reducing the carbon footprint of new production. Through partnerships with university extension offices, we support community lawn renovation projects in public spaces where improved turf quality enhances recreational opportunities in underserved neighborhoods.