Aerators

[TresCrows]

Here is a picture of my new First Choice aerator. This is the 48 inch model and it is a beaut. Extremely heavy duty, grease zerks everywhere! Even the paint is custom matched Kubota orange. The workmanship is quite a bit above the KK level (not knocking KK), a very clean looking unit. It weighs nearly 300 lbs and has provisions to add weight and has it's own built in stands. I got the 48 inch rather than the 60 because of manuverability concerns and my desire to be able to use it behind the BX also as well as my 2410. I am very impressed thus far, a quality piece of equipment. I had purchased a 48 inch Agrifab from Lowes but after putting it together decided it was a toy worthy of only the lightest duty and unlikely to to do my tough clay much good and even less likely to survive more than a couple of uses--so I took it back. This First Choice 3-point aerator will likely outlast me. J

 

[b249]

Thats a nice looking areator!! With a few concrete blocks you should be able to poke a bunch of holes in your clay!

What was the price and weight difference between the 48 and the 60?

b249

 

[rf33]

Nice looking aerator there TresCrows, I would bet that with a little extra weight, that would probably punch holes in a blacktop road too. I bet your lawn is smiling just thinking of getting aerated with that thing/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[TonyC]

That's just what I've been looking for. Do you mind me asking how much it was?

 

[TresCrows]

This thing really is nice, works great! It has BRONZE bearings on each end of each spool! It is diffucult to see in the pic but notice that the top link holes is reinforced. None of it is thin sheet metal--it is all heavy plate.
I do not know how much the 60 inch weighs but it has more surface area so I doubt penetration would be any better--just more coverage and of course less manuverability, a balance each will have to weigh.
I have been looking for aerators and this is by far the best I have come across. Yes, it cost a lot more than the agrifab but the Agri fab tines bent over first use and it had nylon bearings, no grease zerks, weighed about 100 lbs, thin sheet metal, bolt together, only one spool support, no 3-point and would not have lasted more than a few uses. This First Choice unit will last forever! A huge improvement over the Agri fab and much nicer than anything I have seen at twice the price. Hey, they even custom paint the things on order to match your tractor--lovely orange or that funny green color some folks prefer. J

 

[Will]

I wish I had known about this a month ago! I was going to buy one from Carver, but I couldn't find a picture or any information about it. The salesman described it as a drum type aerator which it isn't.But the frustrating thing is I bought a Millcreek 54-E core aerator for about the same price ($700 with shipping). It is a 3pt hitch model, but weighs much less (about 125-150 lbs I think). I can add mass, but I'll have to beef up the way the 3-pt hitch is attached first. It doesn't have grease zerks anywhere, and to add insult to injury, it only comes in green.

 

[TresCrows]

I am not bragging about the thing, just informing you guys. It is much better than the Millcreek unit. I loaded it up with two 70 lb sand bags and it did a great job. I cannot emphasize enough how well built and heavy this thing is. I bet the 60 inch unit is fantastic for wide open spaces. The spoons pull nice little plugs even in my hard clay. I think this thing if used regularly will help my lawn out quite a bit and even help me on hard spots in the "back four" . I am really pleased with it, so many things you get do not live up to expectation and after the Agrifab fiasco my expectations were very low, this thing is nice. Well, pricing should be less than the 700 dollars mentioned. Mine was shipped on a "trial" use basis but I expect your dealer should cost it out plus a fair profit very reasonable for this quality level unit. J

 

[rf33]

Even if you were bragging about that thing, brag away TresCrows, it is great to hear about someone who is happy with a product instead of the usual problems/complaints you generally hear. Glad to hear that it is working well for you. How long are the tines on that thing? I was wondering how deep that thing penetrates the soil.

 

[Buck]

TresCrows,

I had purchased a 48 inch Agrifab from Lowes

I purchased the same thing. The arm going to my hitch is now bent at 30 degrees.

Smart move.

Buck

 

[MReeter]

TresCrows,One thing you want to keep in mind,don't get too carried away plugging the lawn with the Summer Months not to far off.

The Aerator is by far the best tool you can put on a Lawn,but if you expose the roots in hot weather,it's not good.Fall is the most ideal time of year to core.