Could This Be The Best Lawn Aerator Ever??

[SPYDERLK]

Wow! Ive been using my "baby" one and just as I had something to update the thread comes back up. I see from the angle of the rotor grease fitting that youre threadinjg them in now. Mine, pressed in, were all pointed straight outward on a radius. Off angle is better because straight out gives the grease head a fulcrum point on the aligned carriage bolt head and thus more possibility of inadvertent abuse to the fragile purchase of a pressed fitting.

,,,Two reasons for the update. First, I wanted to say that the Loctite fix using product #638 Retaining Compound is effective at securing a dislodged fitting. ... I regreased the aerator yesterday and the glued fitting did not move, even tho I had done the fix with rather haphazzard cleaning. - One of the other fittings did move tho and I did a more thorough prepped fix on it. Im satisfied that this is handled effectively with little effort.
-- The second issue is grease related as well; the lefthand pillowblock will not take grease into the bearing. The problem was evident since I used a manual gun this time. ... The righthand bearing takes grease easily and when full the grease appears at the seal wiper. The left requires great effort to move grease, and ~1 pump will bring grease out between the case of the bearing element and the pillow block. == Im assuming a misalignment between the supply and feeder holes. This should probably be checked out up front as the unit is assembled.

,,,I know that the bearing will last for a good while w/o grease in this application, but dust and occasional water will fail it prematurely without the grease flushing action. I will disassemble and fix it this winter, and also put a fitting in the center pivot/tie in brace to the 3PH. Get this thing right it should last a lifetime with just grease and core tines.
larry

 

[Beltman60]

if I had the money I would buy one
looks like a great piece of equipment when you look at what others want for almost twice as much

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Wow! Ive been using my "baby" one and just as I had something to update the thread comes back up. I see from the angle of the rotor grease fitting that youre threadinjg them in now. Mine, pressed in, were all pointed straight outward on a radius. Off angle is better because straight out gives the grease head a fulcrum point on the aligned carriage bolt head and thus more possibility of inadvertent abuse to the fragile purchase of a pressed fitting.

,,,Two reasons for the update. First, I wanted to say that the Loctite fix using product #638 Retaining Compound is effective at securing a dislodged fitting. ... I regreased the aerator yesterday and the glued fitting did not move, even tho I had done the fix with rather haphazzard cleaning. - One of the other fittings did move tho and I did a more thorough prepped fix on it. Im satisfied that this is handled effectively with little effort.
-- The second issue is grease related as well; the lefthand pillowblock will not take grease into the bearing. The problem was evident since I used a manual gun this time. ... The righthand bearing takes grease easily and when full the grease appears at the seal wiper. The left requires great effort to move grease, and ~1 pump will bring grease out between the case of the bearing element and the pillow block. == Im assuming a misalignment between the supply and feeder holes. This should probably be checked out up front as the unit is assembled.

,,,I know that the bearing will last for a good while w/o grease in this application, but dust and occasional water will fail it prematurely without the grease flushing action. I will disassemble and fix it this winter, and also put a fitting in the center pivot/tie in brace to the 3PH. Get this thing right it should last a lifetime with just grease and core tines.
larry

I'm glad the loctite held. If the bearing isn't taking grease, we'll be glad to send you another. Just give me a call. I'll tell the guys to keep an eye on those.
Travis

 

[94BULLITT]

Wow! Ive been using my "baby" one and just as I had something to update the thread comes back up. I see from the angle of the rotor grease fitting that youre threadinjg them in now. Mine, pressed in, were all pointed straight outward on a radius. Off angle is better because straight out gives the grease head a fulcrum point on the aligned carriage bolt head and thus more possibility of inadvertent abuse to the fragile purchase of a pressed fitting.

,,,Two reasons for the update. First, I wanted to say that the Loctite fix using product #638 Retaining Compound is effective at securing a dislodged fitting. ... I regreased the aerator yesterday and the glued fitting did not move, even tho I had done the fix with rather haphazzard cleaning. - One of the other fittings did move tho and I did a more thorough prepped fix on it. Im satisfied that this is handled effectively with little effort.
-- The second issue is grease related as well; the lefthand pillowblock will not take grease into the bearing. The problem was evident since I used a manual gun this time. ... The righthand bearing takes grease easily and when full the grease appears at the seal wiper. The left requires great effort to move grease, and ~1 pump will bring grease out between the case of the bearing element and the pillow block. == Im assuming a misalignment between the supply and feeder holes. This should probably be checked out up front as the unit is assembled.

,,,I know that the bearing will last for a good while w/o grease in this application, but dust and occasional water will fail it prematurely without the grease flushing action. I will disassemble and fix it this winter, and also put a fitting in the center pivot/tie in brace to the 3PH. Get this thing right it should last a lifetime with just grease and core tines.
larry

Could some loctite be blocking the fitting?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Could some loctite be blocking the fitting?

No. The grease goes thru the fitting and pillowblock and then escapes between the pillow and the outer race of the bearing. The outer race is supposed to have a small hole to be oriented near the fitting. Assuming the bearing race has the hole, it was just misoriented when installed in the pillow. The whole axle assembly must be removed to remove the assembled pillow block from it and correct the alignment. The actual correction is the easy part. Disassembly of something new to fix it is frustrating because many well assembled and painted exposed thread fastenings must be compromised in the process
larry

 

[Yupkwondo]

Are you willing to build an 84 inch version?

 

[bubbacuse77]

EA, any chance you will make a pull version with hydraulically operated wheels to lift the tines out of the ground? I don't like to run my big tractor across the lawn and think my X749 and a pull behind would be the ticket.

 

[94BULLITT]

EA, any chance you will make a pull version with hydraulically operated wheels to lift the tines out of the ground? I don't like to run my big tractor across the lawn and think my X749 and a pull behind would be the ticket.

I'd go with the 36" 3PH model on a X749.

 

[CalG]

Can a single tooth hold the entire weight of the attatchment without destruction?

We have lots of stone here in Vermont.

Our sports fields could use airation however.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Can a single tooth hold the entire weight of the attatchment without destruction?

We have lots of stone here in Vermont.

Our sports fields could use airation however.

I had some worry on that. They are tuf tho. When I hit a near surface rock at speed in my field it made my 3 footer hop twice. I envisioned a badly bent tine but no damage to be found. ... Probably 2 rocks. :confused3: I think the same tines are on the bigger ones too. The extra weight could bend em.
larry