Core Aerator:pick one

[Propertymaint]

Slippy, as stated above, the 3 pt hitch aerators only go straight - any real turning will tear up the turf your trying to beautify. They do make hydraulic lift tow behinds but they are more suited for commercial use because of the price. I spent quite a few years working golf courses areating in the spring and fall and have used both. I have a used 3 pt Turf Products Co. (TPC i.e. Toro) I bought from a local golf course. It is almost 84" in width. I use it commercially to aerate soccer fields behind my TC40D. Its a nice unit but heavy!!! I figure it is close to 1600 Lbs. The key is for the ground to be moist enough for the aerator to take a 2-3" plug but not wet enough to make a mess. I usually follow up with a fert and overseed and then drag mat the whole area. Whichever way you decide to go make sure you get a unit with replaceable tines and clean the plugs out of the tines with a hammer and old screwdriver after each use. The tines won't clear themselves if they have dried out loam in them, then all you will be doing is make a mess. Depending on weather you are using this residentially in your yard or commercially is going to drive the price for something you are only going to use 2 times a season. I would go look at a few different brands and do some first hand comparisons. Best of luck.

 

[bigpete]

Slippy: I have owned a Turfco TM42 for almost 3 years. The spoon wheels are in pairs and can turn at independent speeds in very slight turns, but you need to lift for turnarounds. I aerate 12-15 acres of turf in my neighborhood every year with it. Here's a pic of it behind my 4110. I love every feature of the rig--repalceable tines, adjustable weight by liquid fill, greasable bronze bearings--all pro stuff. The frame is 2" square tubing. You get used to lifting and turning and with a tractor with quick hydraulics you get a good rhythm going. This unit takes big, deep cores in one of the tightest patterns in this price range. Good luck

 

[ducati996]

As for turning restrictions its really not a big deal. You will most likely damage you lawn from your front wheels first before you tear it with the aerator. Gradual turns are not a problem, really sharp turns can be from two different means.

Not to start a bash fest but I looked at Woods and I dont see where the extra $1,000 is based on similar designs from MidWest and others. I think a great price range would be $700 and under for residental use (3-4 times a year)...
Someone mentioned the TurfCo at that price - that looks to be the nicest so far (but with a increase of cost)...Grab it for that low price!!

 

[oliver28472]

I bought a Smith pull type 48". My brother says it worked good for him. I haven't used it yet. It does have the independent tines on it. I have seen pluggers with tines mounted on a drum with 3ph. This would make a mess if you tried to turn sharp but has the advantage of not having to get off and pull a lever to raise each side like mine has. Mine has a 6 block capacity or 150 pounds.

 

[alaskanjdeere]

Bigpete Do the water jugs have a manufacture name on them? I bought the Tm62 this spring but they no longer come with the jugs. Aerator works great but would like to have the jugs for extra weight. Thanks

 

[bigpete]

AlaskanJD: The cans are stamped 'Chilton Handy-can." They are approximately the same size as a military Jerry can. This is as close as I can find on-line: Plastic Water Can

 

[alaskanjdeere]

Thanks Again
I'll see if I can find them . Shawn

 

[cp1969]

Water tanks vs. concrete blocks:

Concrete weighs about 150 lb/cubic foot

Water weighs about 62 lb/cubic foot.

A 4x8x16 block weighs about 33 lb and costs ~$1.00

If space is limited, you're better off with concrete. But as I said earlier, and I want to emphasize this again, more weight is a poor substitute for moist ground. Most of the time, more weight will not accomplish what you want and can result in bent/broken spoons.

 

[WVBartMan]

Gentlemen: Having owned several core aerators I have found what I consider the best on the market. I purchased a John Deere Aercore 2000 last year and it is by far the best unit I have owned.

One of the keys to a successful turf growth environment is the proper nutrients such as fertilizer, water and oxygen penetrating and being absorbed into the soil. Due to compaction/consolidation of the soil from mowing equipment and others, the soils ability to absorb can become extremely limited. If fertilizer is broadcasted over a field where no aeration has taken place in the last 6 months, over 90% of the dissolved fertilizer is not captured in the soil but carried off with the rainwater to the nearest creek or storm drain. The proper aerated soil can absorb the fertilizer necessary for the growth of dense turf.

The compacted/consolidated soil also poses two additional problems, with the ground being so hard from compaction/consolidation, it is impossible for growth of new grasses, while a majority of weeds can reproduce in hard compacted soils and become established to the point of dominating over the grass for concentration competition. If the weeds go unchecked, it is only a matter of time before the weeds control the majority of your turf.

The second problem compacted/consolidated soil poses is the lack of moisture absorbed into the deep layers of the soil. The proper aerated soil allows moisture to be absorbed into the soil during the wet seasons. The aerated soil raises the moisture content of the soil and helps to sustain turf life during drought conditions. Standing water on a field after a rain is usually a sign of compacted soil.


The problem with wheel type aerators is two fold, the first is in order to gain compaction relief, native soil requires a 2 inch by 2 inch hole pattern thus it requires 4 to 6 passes on a wheel type core aerator. The second problem with wheel type aerators is proper depth (4-inches). I have owned several type of wheel aerators even the best made (Aerway) only to find everytime I had to make 6 passes in order to relieve compaction, I ended up recompacting due to the tractor and only getting 2 to 2.5 inch deep holes.

If you want to get the true benefit from aeration, do it right, find someone with a PTO powered aerator or make 4 to 6 passes with your wheel aerators with as much weight as possible, right after a rain.

I hope this helps.

 

[cp1969]

Toro makes a good PTO-driven aerator, too, but it is off the scale as to what I can afford, given the limited use it will get. I would imagine the John Deere falls into that price range as well.