Turfvent/Wikco Aerators
- Thread starter GaryS
- Start date
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MarkV
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 5,636
- Location
- Cedartown, Ga and N. Ga mountains
- Tractor
- 1998 Kubota B21, 2005 Kubota L39
Gary aerators are sure a difficult thing to shop for. I have also wanted a better one than I have yet find when I look they seem to jump from inexpensive $200-300 ones to well over 1k. I never have figured out why. For the twice a year I run one for 4 or 5 hours over 1.5 acres of yard I just will not spend 1k to 2k.
The one you linked looks to be better made than the one I have although it is the same design. It looks to have a better axle with bearings and grease fittings as well as heavier gauge steel. Mine is a Brinley sold a Home Depot and several other box type stores. It also seems to be sold under some other names. To be honest I did not have high hopes for it’s longevity. Surprisingly it does a decent job of pulling 2-3” plugs in my red clay IF I wait for a high moisture content in the soil. This morning I took advantage of the damp soil Fay left us with so it has completed it’s third year of use.
I just throw this out as food for thought. The Turfvent looks to be a better built unit than the one I am using and will most likely last longer. It does not look like it will pull deeper plugs. I could also buy 3 of the ones I have, at the price I paid, for the price of the one you are looking at.
MarkV
The one you linked looks to be better made than the one I have although it is the same design. It looks to have a better axle with bearings and grease fittings as well as heavier gauge steel. Mine is a Brinley sold a Home Depot and several other box type stores. It also seems to be sold under some other names. To be honest I did not have high hopes for it’s longevity. Surprisingly it does a decent job of pulling 2-3” plugs in my red clay IF I wait for a high moisture content in the soil. This morning I took advantage of the damp soil Fay left us with so it has completed it’s third year of use.
I just throw this out as food for thought. The Turfvent looks to be a better built unit than the one I am using and will most likely last longer. It does not look like it will pull deeper plugs. I could also buy 3 of the ones I have, at the price I paid, for the price of the one you are looking at.
MarkV
thatguy
Elite Member
The aerator you linked to seems to be what my dealer rents out and he wanted between $500 and $600 for a used model.. They are much better built than the ones MarkV and I have (from home depot/lowes), but as MarkV mentioned our do work well..
I was borrowing a friends big box store aerator for the past 4 years or so and with about 100# added to it, and enough moisture in the ground it does a good job.. I typically use it 2 to 3 times a year and could never justify spending more money for a higher dollar unit for no more than I use it.
If was doing aerating for a living I certainly would upgrade to a better built unit..
Brian
I was borrowing a friends big box store aerator for the past 4 years or so and with about 100# added to it, and enough moisture in the ground it does a good job.. I typically use it 2 to 3 times a year and could never justify spending more money for a higher dollar unit for no more than I use it.
If was doing aerating for a living I certainly would upgrade to a better built unit..
Brian
OP
GaryS
Gold Member
Thanks guys. I was going to rent a walk-behind model at home depot but that was going to be $150-200. I had seen other posts from folks buying ones for ~$500 but when I priced them at my local shop, they quoted me the $2800 for the landpride.
I think I'll order one of these and report back after I use it.
I think I'll order one of these and report back after I use it.
wedge40
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,196
Correct me after you get it. But I thought I read that the Turfvent had ball bearings on the tines. Mine, and I'm sure most of the box store ones have a nylon "bearing". I would be happy with mine other than I had three or four of the nylon bearings broke right out of the box. I paid about $200 for it and if I could have doubled the money and gotten sealed ball bearings I would have jumped at it.
Wedge
Wedge
OP
GaryS
Gold Member
How do I tell? I got the aerator and built it. Here are a few pictures.
Attachments
donn12
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2008
- Messages
- 611
- Location
- Great Falls Virginia
- Tractor
- B2920 TLB turfs and loaded ags
Have you mounted it yet? I just got the same one. I don't know if I should use the cat 1 or cat 0 holes. Let me know if there are any tricks to the install. I am going to use mine Sunday.
OP
GaryS
Gold Member
I did try to use it last weekend. There is one small design detail that has be a bit ticked off. See here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/129963-top-link-question.html
I took my time building the thing. The directions were not so clear. I built a section, figured out what I did wrong, tore it apart, and then built it again.
I hope to use mine this weekend too.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/129963-top-link-question.html
I took my time building the thing. The directions were not so clear. I built a section, figured out what I did wrong, tore it apart, and then built it again.
I hope to use mine this weekend too.
OP
GaryS
Gold Member
I finally got a chance to use this last weekend. I had to wait for both rain to soften the ground and a free weekend. This aerator did a good job even on my heavy clay. I plan on using it spring & fall to hopefully soften the ground.
If anyone is in the market, they should consider this brand. While not perfect, it did a great job for the price.
If anyone is in the market, they should consider this brand. While not perfect, it did a great job for the price.
oliver28472
Veteran Member
I bought a Smith 48" tow behind. Construction is identical to yours and paid a little over $600 a couple years ago. Loaded it with concrete blocks and it does a pretty good job as long as you don't go too fast. Takes all day to do 1.5 acres if you do it right. Probably would be hard to "over do" . I've noticed that the grass seed seems to germinate a lot better in the holes. You can tell in the spring where each hole was.
