The invention discloses a method for improving hardened deteriorated grassland and a special elastic claw type loosener, belonging to the technical field of grassland ecological management and restoration. The technical proposal comprises the steps of: carrying out root-cutting on the grasslands to be improved, and simultaneously loosening the soil layer below the surface of earth along one side or double sides of a cutting seam to form a loosened zone under the surface of earth and form a false-true coexisted soil environment. The special elastic claw type loosener comprises a frame, a power transmission system arranged on the frame, a transmission shaft connected with the power transmission system and a ground-breaking root-cutting knife arranged on the transmission shaft; moreover, a shovel post is arranged below the ground-breaking root-cutting knife and the lower part of the shovel post is provided with a break shovel. The method for improving hardened deteriorated grassland and the special elastic claw type loosener proposes detailed practical proposals on the aspects of the loosening method, technique, implementing steps and mechanical operation and the like of the deteriorated grassland, not only can be suitable for the ecological management and restoration of the natural deteriorated grasslands, but also can be beneficial for prolonging the service life of an artificial grassland; therefore, the improving hardened deteriorated grassland and the special elastic claw type loosener have broad application prospects.