Ryan Tracaire Aerator

Turbys_1700 · Jul 7, 2017

I've been wanting a core aerator for some time now. Found one on Craigslist and made a lengthy drive and picked it up today. I'm going to have to replace a couple tines but overall she's in good shape.

MF283 · Jul 7, 2017

That's a beast there.

Turbys_1700 · Jul 8, 2017

I had to drive further than I wanted to but these things just don't come up for sale used at any price. The gentleman that owned it deals in older used equipment and priced it at a very reasonably. Took the whole day to go get it. I think it tips the scales at around 1050# and parts are still available. Look forward to punching up the yard.

gsganzer · Jul 8, 2017

That's a good find! You're correct about them being scarce to find used. I found a Bush Hog MPG720 last year that I bought.

I know you said your weighs about #1050. Are you able to add more weight if needed?

Turbys_1700 · Jul 8, 2017

Not that I am aware of. The gentleman actually had a Woods 5 foot plugger similar to yours for a little less. If it would have been a 6 footer I may have bought it instead. I am thrilled with the Ryan.

M’MoJo · Mar 16, 2020

I got mine today!!

DJ54 · Mar 16, 2020

You're going to love it. I bought my Bush Hog brand nearly 20 years ago. A small country dealer had had it for 2 years, and couldn't move it. With Ohio's inventory tax, he needed to get it off his inventory, and sold it to me, a few dollars above his cost, which compared to others I'd looked at, amounted to a large savings..!!

I use mine on the pasture and hay field where the ground gets compacted from the horses, and making first cutting hay, which is normally after the spring rains, and dirt is still a bit damp. It's normally mid April before I can get in the field, to do a proper job. I can still see perforations when I make that first cutting hay,and I have to believe it helps get fertilizer down to the root zone easier, when I apply it after that first cutting hay. I could see the benefit of using it the first year. It has paid for itself a few times over.

Just remember to pick it up when making turns on the end..!! That is one item that was in the instruction manual I got with it. Last I checked, those spoons are $8 a pop, for mine.

M’MoJo · Mar 16, 2020

DJ54 said:
You're going to love it. I bought my Bush Hog brand nearly 20 years ago. A small country dealer had had it for 2 years, and couldn't move it. With Ohio's inventory tax, he needed to get it off his inventory, and sold it to me, a few dollars above his cost, which compared to others I'd looked at, amounted to a large savings..!!

I use mine on the pasture and hay field where the ground gets compacted from the horses, and making first cutting hay, which is normally after the spring rains, and dirt is still a bit damp. It's normally mid April before I can get in the field, to do a proper job. I can still see perforations when I make that first cutting hay,and I have to believe it helps get fertilizer down to the root zone easier, when I apply it after that first cutting hay. I could see the benefit of using it the first year. It has paid for itself a few times over.

Just remember to pick it up when making turns on the end..!! That is one item that was in the instruction manual I got with it. Last I checked, those spoons are $8 a pop, for mine.

View attachment 645723

DJ! Thank you so much for that!! We are in the exact situation you described. About 30 acres compacted by horses and 10 acres of hayfield. We are amongst a soil called Houston Black. There is a lot of clayey silt or silt. I was hoping to open it up to drainage and oxygen. There is also a property perimeter horse path away from the arena that the girls want to be softer. Before I arrived they would spread barely composted (not friggin compost) manure on the path to soften up. It works a little. I’m thinking the aerator will allow the compost to be way more effective. I would love to test broadcast some coarse grained sand or pecan shell after aeration.

DJ54 · Mar 17, 2020

You'll want the soil damp, but not wet, or you'll not get the penetration you're looking for. My 6 footer with ballast you see on it weights in the neighborhood of 1,000 lbs, and will take plugs out about 3" deep, when soil conditions are right. You'll probably Have to do some trial and error, according to soil moisture, to get the results you may want. Speed pulling it never seemed to be a factor on how deep it will cut the 2"-3" deep plugs. I have used it on my Ford 2000 with 3 spd aux. transmission, and have traveled at approx. 5-6 mph, and had the same basic results, as with the ole' IH 240 pictured, going maybe 3-1/2 mph. The Ford 2000's fuel consumption is twice what the 240 uses over the same amount of ground, and the ole' back won't take much of those bumps at 5-6 mph anymore either, so I go with the 240 now.

I don't know if Gypsum is available in your area, but you may want to check it out. I've read both pro's & Con's, on using it. If you have a County Extension Agent, you may want to contact them, and see what they have to say about it. It may have to be worked into the soil to work properly. I don't know if just some getting into the divots, or washing in after a rain, or just a topical application will be beneficial or not. One of the Con's, is that it can cause certain nutrients to leach away. I'm assuming your Houston Black has a high organic content. Again, if you have a County Extension Agent, that person would be your best bet for info, for the locale.

I did a quick look, and see Texas A&M has what looks to be a very diversified Extension Service, much like Ohio State has here in Ohio. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension I didn't look into their site, but OSU has hundreds, if not thousands of what they call "fact sheets" with lots of info, that answered a lot of questions for me, when re-doing my hay field. Getting soil samples for possibly needed nutrients are near the top of the list, which we always did anyway. And your local Extension Agent should be more than happy to go over you with it, and make suggestions to help solve your problems. It's your tax money providing those services, might as well take advantage of it..!!

M’MoJo · Mar 22, 2020

DJ54 said:
You'll want the soil damp, but not wet, or you'll not get the penetration you're looking for. My 6 footer with ballast you see on it weights in the neighborhood of 1,000 lbs, and will take plugs out about 3" deep, when soil conditions are right. You'll probably Have to do some trial and error, according to soil moisture, to get the results you may want. Speed pulling it never seemed to be a factor on how deep it will cut the 2"-3" deep plugs. I have used it on my Ford 2000 with 3 spd aux. transmission, and have traveled at approx. 5-6 mph, and had the same basic results, as with the ole' IH 240 pictured, going maybe 3-1/2 mph. The Ford 2000's fuel consumption is twice what the 240 uses over the same amount of ground, and the ole' back won't take much of those bumps at 5-6 mph anymore either, so I go with the 240 now.

I don't know if Gypsum is available in your area, but you may want to check it out. I've read both pro's & Con's, on using it. If you have a County Extension Agent, you may want to contact them, and see what they have to say about it. It may have to be worked into the soil to work properly. I don't know if just some getting into the divots, or washing in after a rain, or just a topical application will be beneficial or not. One of the Con's, is that it can cause certain nutrients to leach away. I'm assuming your Houston Black has a high organic content. Again, if you have a County Extension Agent, that person would be your best bet for info, for the locale.

I did a quick look, and see Texas A&M has what looks to be a very diversified Extension Service, much like Ohio State has here in Ohio. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension I didn't look into their site, but OSU has hundreds, if not thousands of what they call "fact sheets" with lots of info, that answered a lot of questions for me, when re-doing my hay field. Getting soil samples for possibly needed nutrients are near the top of the list, which we always did anyway. And your local Extension Agent should be more than happy to go over you with it, and make suggestions to help solve your problems. It's your tax money providing those services, might as well take advantage of it..!!

Man thank you so much again. Especially for keeping it slow and fuel consumption. And for reminding me of Texas A & M. They are great resource. **** I think they even helped out with some Paw Paw tree data. I know they have been resource in getting to the Johnson grass out..