3 Point Plug Core Aerator

[JackMentink]

I am looking at getting a 3 point Plug style aerator for my montana 3644 tractor and noticed that there are quite a few 3 point units available. I have a large lawn 2.5 acres plus an additional 2 acres of pasture with clay soils

I was wondering if anybody has one and what there experiences are with the units. Do they make good cores and aerate your lawn properly? What brand unit and what size do you have?

I also noted there are variations in price from 3-4 hundred to $3000 plus.

I noticed Sever on Ebay for about 600-1000.

Does anyone have one of these?

 

[jgrreed]

I've been looking too, and have found the same as you. Some are $500, some are $4500. I cannot imagine how Woods/Frontier/etc justify $4500 for something that does not have several hydraulic cylinders, a gearbox, or doesn't make you lunch while you work!!!

The real cheapie's tend to be solid spikes, which actually compact your soil more that aerating it.

This one seemed to be the best value IMO:

KODIAK MFG., Inc.

Open the PDF document, they do show a 'plug' style in there. The disadvantage that I see on this one is that with the solid drum if you hit a rock with one side of the machine, it'll lift out almost the whole unit. The Woods, etc are on independent 'wheels' that will jump up independently, and turn at different rates. I think I was quoted ~$1100CDN on that one.

Hard to justify buying an aerator that you'll use twice a year for more $$$ than the mower you use 20 times a year!!!

-Jer.

 

[jgrreed]

Actually, the best value was a plugger made by Kioti, but I can't seem to find one. It had independent 'wheels' and looked pretty good. It was a little more that the Kodiak, but within reason. I've been told that Kioti has gotten out of making them?? Can anyone comment of this??

-Jer.

 

[amigauser]

This is the best deal I have seen on one that looks reasonably well made.

PRO-AIRE Core Aerator

 

[Happyman]

Check with your local tractor dealer. Mine actually will rent aerators, seeders, discs, etc. I take my trailer, pick it up, use it for a day and return the next. Much cheaper then buying when I only need it once or twice a year.

 

[myyaz33]

This is the best deal I have seen on one that looks reasonably well made.

PRO-AIRE Core Aerator

My vote goes to the Pro-Aire. They have a few models all of which are a good value when compared to the industry leaders.

 

[keyser soze]

Actually, the best value was a plugger made by Kioti, but I can't seem to find one. It had independent 'wheels' and looked pretty good. It was a little more that the Kodiak, but within reason. I've been told that Kioti has gotten out of making them?? Can anyone comment of this??

-Jer.

Kioti never made them. They were made by a company called Midwest Equipment (or something like that) and labeled Kioti for sale by Kioti dealers. However... Midwest Equipment is no longer making equipment. They have stopped production on all farm implements as far as I know. The company that owned them is apparently having financial difficulties.

 

[jgrreed]

Kioti never made them. They were made by a company called Midwest Equipment (or something like that) and labeled Kioti for sale by Kioti dealers. However... Midwest Equipment is no longer making equipment. They have stopped production on all farm implements as far as I know. The company that owned them is apparently having financial difficulties.

You're right, I did know that and I've forgotten.

Great handle, by the way!!!

-Jer.

 

[jgrreed]

This is the best deal I have seen on one that looks reasonably well made.

PRO-AIRE Core Aerator

Looks well built, but 60" max size though.....

-Jer.

 

[donn12]

I bought a turf vent from Gemplers. It is great and I would highly recommend it but the largest size looks to be 48"

TurfVent 48" Heavy-duty 3-point Hitch Aerator - GEMPLER'S

 

[myyaz33]

Looks well built, but 60" max size though.....

-Jer.

60" can cover a lot of ground. True not really made for a pasture, rather lawn care. Yeah Woods & others make a 72" but the wider width means more weight need to sink the tines in because the weight is distributed in less than ideal coring condition. As the OP only has 2.5 acres, I think 60" would make quick work of the job.

 

[thatguy]

I havent looked lately... BUT Sears and Lowes could special order a 3pt aerator - it was basically the pull behind with a 3pt hitch added.. It was around $300 to $400 dollars IIRC and would work OK for personal use, but probably wouldnt hold up to a lot of use..


Brian

 

[tdurham]

I bought a turf vent from Gemplers. It is great and I would highly recommend it but the largest size looks to be 48"

TurfVent 48" Heavy-duty 3-point Hitch Aerator - GEMPLER'S

I am looking at getting this Gempler unit. Are you still happy with yours? I see you got this about 3 years ago. Curious if it has held up well and if you are still happy with it.
Thanks, Tim D

 

[EGo_SmAsH]

I kept an eye on local CL for over a year before i found mine. It's a 48" Bannerman "multi-ject". I was looking for a 60" but this was for sale about an hour away for $300 and was used about once or twice, couldn't pass it up. I set 4 80 lb tractor weights on it and it will pull 3-4" cores no problem, takes about 6 hours to do my 6 acres of lawn (2 passes)

 

[DJ54]

I bought a Bush Hog brand PG720 about 10 years ago. It does a great job, and really helps in the pasture, and hay field. I used solid core cement blocks on it for weight, for good penetration.

I found mine by doing a lot of searching on the internet. I decided on the model I wanted, then scoured many pages of Google search, entering that model number. You'll get a lot more hits that way, then just searching dealer sites.

This one was a nos sitting around for a couple years at a smaller dealer, and just wanted it off his lot. At the time, when others were asking approx. $1200.00 for the same model, I got this one for $800.00 out the door.

To date, no broken spoons, or any other breakage, and that's running it over approx. 9 acres of pasture & hay ground per year.

 

[LHS Inc]

I have a 60" Frontier 3 pt core aerator. Bought it used from local JD dealer. They said the guy that traded it in never used it. It was too big for his properties. It had never touched the ground. It was like new. Its a CA 2060E model. E stands for Economy. It has 6 spoons instead of 8 like the standard models have. Still has the heavy duty frame just less spoons.

Since it was classified used I took it home and tried it out. I liked it and it did a good job. Never took it back. Got it for 1150 bucks as compared to 1800 for a new one.

You just don't see them very often for sale. Glad I found this one.

 

[psdx]

I just bought the same model yesterday CA2060E. It's been stored indoors, used very little and looks very nice - can't wait to try it.

I tried to get a price on the ballast boxes but the JD parts website says the part isn't available. Anyone know more about this?

 

[LHS Inc]

I just bought the same model yesterday CA2060E. It's been stored indoors, used very little and looks very nice - can't wait to try it.

I tried to get a price on the ballast boxes but the JD parts website says the part isn't available. Anyone know more about this?

You'll like it. Before I bought mine I tried it out and I thot there were enough cores taken out with the six spoons to get the job done.

The JD BB won't come up as a part on the website. Its considered equipment. The last time I was up to the JD dealer I got a price of around 225.00 I think.

 

[psdx]

$225 is really rich, and to think its not even green! Fo that kind of money I might just go with a few bags of sand and call it a day.

 

[jgrreed]

I got the ballast boxes thrown in when I got mine. I filled them with sand. They sucked.

Since then, I've formed myself 2 concrete blocks with rebar hooks on them, and that works pretty well. I think the 2 blocks add about 1000lbs.... Pulls nice cores now.

The biggest key I find, is waiting until the top few inches of soil are moist from a rain. That's when the real goose turds are produced.

-J.