Does a sod cutter level ground?
Considering this, can you use a sod cutter to remove dirt?
Sod cutters remove both grass and a thin layer of soil from the ground while simultaneously cutting the sod into strips, which you then roll up and remove.
Keeping this in view, how far down does a sod cutter cut?
Productive/ 18" width cutting blade makes 20 cutting strokes per second / 1,200 per minute. Yields cleaner, smoother results. 1-3/8" cutting stroke is up to 50% longer than competitive models. Adjusts to cut sod up to 2.5" deep.
Cut the sod into sections to make removal easier. You cold use herbicides to kill the existing grass before tilling the earth, but completely removing the turf eliminates the chance of new plants growing from tubers and seeds left behind. Till the garden bed to a depth of 8 to 12 inches to completely break up the soil.