Aerator

[Ron D.]

I've read several posts about aerators and wanted to share my recent experience and opinion. After reviewing the aerator threads, I would have liked to have bought a 3 point set-up. However, even the reasonable ones look to be over $600. I'm aerating only a few times a year on my 1.5 acs, so it was hard to justify the cost when you need so many other things (like a tiller, carry-all, etc), so I opted for the Agi Fab sold at TSC and Lowes. It came unassembled and it took about 1.5 hours to put it together. The quality is better than expected, all the parts were there and the assembly instruction were excellent. It carries a 2 yr limited warranty.

It is a 4 foot unit that can accomdate an additional 170 lbs of weight. We have several large dogs and the back yard was very compacted. I loaded it up with weight and knocked out the yard in about a day and a half. That included going over the same areas several times. I had to go very slow to ensure maximum penetration, but I'm very happy with the results. I used it the day after it rained, which helped penetration. I believe this unit will last several years and at this point I'm glad I didn't spend the additional dollars to get a higher end unit.

Later, I still hope to purchase a 3 point setup. It would be clearly more manuverable than a pull behind, but with a little extra work the pull behind worked well.

I hope this helps some of you that are going through the same analysis I went through. I would recommend this as something that will get you by for several years if you don't want to spend more money.

 

[phyxer]

Thanks for the heads up Ron! I have been wondering about this all winter/spring. Guess I'll be heading to my local TSC and saving some money for some other attachment!

Troy

 

[swines]

Depends upon the soil conditions as to what will work. I have an area that has a lot of clay and no core or spike aerator will work. I purchased an Aerway which weighs about 1300 pounds - and still have to add an additional 500 pounds to get 4-6 inch penetration.

 

[Ron D.]

Hey Phyxer, be sure and get the plug areator. I've read where the spike areator doesn't do near as good as job and actually compacts your lawn. The plug type leaves a lot of dirt plugs on your lawn but the first mowing takes care of it.

Swines, you got that right. I "over weighted" mine to get it to penetrate our back yard that was severly packed because of the dogs. The max I got was about 3 1/2 inches of penetration.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I bought the 40" agrifab at Sears, and had good luck with it on my 3 acres. With added weight I got good penetration though I didn't hurry. I'm more than pleased with the results, and have a little cash left over for something else.