core aerator

[professor]

Have any of you had experience with a pull type core aerator. I will be pulling it with a JD 280 and a Yanmar 1401. What brand do you recommend?

 

[Ron D.]

I bought an inexpensive tow core areator this spring and used it on 1.5 acs with good success. It is an Agri-fab, I think the same one TSC sells; however, I got mine at Lowes ($219). It took me about 1 hr for assembly, and the quailty was better than I expected. I have a lot of clay in the soil and it was extremely compacted. Around the house, I watered the lawn to help loosen the soil for better penetration. The unit says you can put 170 lbs of weight in the tray, which you definitely need. I did areas away from the house after a rain.

Be sure to get a "core" areator instead of the spike kind, in that the spike kind does not help soil compaction like the core aerator.

This unit does not have anything that can greased, but for the price it's a decent aerator. My next step up will be something like a Woods 3 point.

I have noticed a BIG difference in the health of my lawn after areating.

 

[bontai_Joe]

If the budget will allow it, this is a really well built coring aerator that I'd recommend. I have no connection to the company, but they sell these to the rental guys so I'm sure that they will take a LOT of abuse:

Rental/Residential Core Aerator

 

[LostInTheWoods]

I have what is probably the exact same core aerator from Lowes that Ron D. uses. It works great on about 2 acres I keep aerated. I bought 4 flat concrete blocks at Lowes for weight, and they fit on top perfectly.

Its relatively cheap and effective on our KY clay. I typically wait until after a rain when the ground still holds just enough moisture for good penetration, but is not too sloppy.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I bought my tow behind version at Sears, and it worked great on my three acres last spring. I'll do it again soon if just to keep my neighbor wondering what I do it for.

 

[oliver28472]

I bought a 48" Smith 2-3 years ago, new for about $600. The azle has grease fittings on it and has a place for concrete blocks. Has a handle on each side to raise and lower.

 

[KB9UDE]

I have a AgriFab 48" core areator. It works great with 4 concrete blocks for extra weight.

 

[thatguy]

I will also recommend the agri-fabs.. I got mine a Lowes and for my residential use it has done a great job.. I wait until just after a rain and i can get 1 to 2" plugs.. I add 5 kitty litter containers filled with gravel as extra weight.. I typically aerate a couple times a year so it does not see a lot of action

As mentioned for 2x (and up) the money you can get a much better built aerator but so far I cant complain with what Im using.. Before I got mine I borrowed a similar unit from a friend (it came from sears) and it did excellent as well for about 4 yrs untilhe needed it back

brian

 

[Baucom]

I bought a core aerator from Northern Tool. It's a Northern Industrial brand 48" and looks just like the ones at Lowes. Mine was on sale for $119 when I bought it. I believe it's usually about $150. I use it to aearate my 1 ac. yard 3-4 times per year and it does a fine job.

 

[sawdust_maker]

Have any of you had experience with a pull type core aerator. I will be pulling it with a JD 280 and a Yanmar 1401. What brand do you recommend?

I bought a Sears model at the end of the season, so they gave me a big discount for the floor model.

It has worked nicely. An occasional pebble gets stuck in a core, and I must dig it out. Hit a tree root and you will get the corresponding core full of wood. Definitely use weight. I have 6 heavy pavers that I put on top. And do it only when the lawn is soft. If I can't pull out plugs at least 1.5 - 2 inches long, I'll wait to aerate when the lawn is softer. With our soil, this usually means I must do it a day or so after a decent rain.

When I do aerate in the fall, I'll usually pick one area to improve afterwards. I'll take the contents of my compost pile (a large one) and spread it over an area that I've aerated the heck out of. I'll go for 1/2 inch coverage of the compost over the existing lawn. Next spring I'll add some seed to help fill in.

John