Core aerator spoons

[fredhargis]

I just bought a used core aerator. It's a Bush Hog MPG 600, and I've replaced about 15 of the spoons because they were actually broke (I noticed this when I bought the aerator). This isn't a big deal, I found aftermarket replacements for $4 each (versus the BH price of about $28!) and they are fairly easy to install. But they way they break is always the same. The shank splits right were the spoon is bolted to the carrier, the split runs lengthwise right were the bolt holes are (I may tru to get some pics later). Anyway, I've noticed another 15 or so of the spoons are showing stress cracks just like this, I'm sure they'll break after another use or two and I'll replace them. But my question is how common is this? Do you guys with aerators see this type of breakage? I had ordered 25 spares, but I'm guessing I need to order another 25 (or more). This aerator is supposed to be about 4 years old, so I'm not too upset about any of this, just curious.

 

[gwdixon]

How about posting a photo or two with close-ups. There may be a way to weld up the broken ones or strengthen the existing ones so they can stand up better.

Breaking may also be a factor depending on the ground it is used on. Dry, hard, rocky ground is hard on spoons.

View attachment 324550 View attachment 324551

 

[jeffinsgf]

What you're describing is logical, since the spoons are folded, and the center of the fold would have the greatest stress. I haven't seen that in mine, but I only use it on my own lawn, and usually just once or twice a year. I try to do it just a couple days after an extended period of rain in the spring.

If the unit was used commercially, and you're going to use it just for your own yard, I'd be prepared to replace a few, maybe the whole thing, but after that, I doubt you'll see much in the way of replacement for breakage...some of mine are showing some wear, but not breaking.

 

[fredhargis]

Here's a few pics, a close up and one of a handful of them. This aerator wasn't used commercially but the Doctor I bought it from probably did about 10-12 acres a year. I'll be using it on 4 acres twice/year. Like I said, I'm not overly concerned about them breaking, but our ground does resemble concrete when it's dry. I'll just have to choose when to use it carefully. They're cheap enough that it's hardly worth trying to re engineer.

 

[AgriStoreUSA]

Hey Fred - thanks for posting. We shipped these spoons to you last week and I'm glad you got them on and working. You're the first customer to say anything about them breaking; I think the other folks here might be on to something about the hardness of your ground. They are 100% heat-treated boron steel.

If you continue to have issues with them after the ground has softened up from rain, please let me know.

The spoons that aren't breaking - how are they holding up with normal wear?

-Arec

 

[fredhargis]

You misunderstand (or I wasn't very clear), I haven't used it with your spoons yet. The broken ones I've replaced were the OEM Bush hog parts. I've just replaced those this week with your spoons, and won't be using the aerator until this fall.

 

[gwdixon]

Here's a few pics, a close up and one of a handful of them. This aerator wasn't used commercially but the Doctor I bought it from probably did about 10-12 acres a year. I'll be using it on 4 acres twice/year. Like I said, I'm not overly concerned about them breaking, but our ground does resemble concrete when it's dry. I'll just have to choose when to use it carefully. They're cheap enough that it's hardly worth trying to re engineer.
View attachment 324562 View attachment 324563

Heck, yah. You could weld those back together in a jiffy. Since they all seem to break the same way the weld can be left built up (depending on the mount) and actually be stronger. But if you don't weld or don't have a neighbor that welds and owes you a favor then buying new might make sense.

That kind of breakage looks to be from excessive torque and/or bending. The two-bolt style tends to make the spoons rigid and burying them in hard ground will cause them to have to dig themselves out on rotation rather than swiveling to ease out of the soil.

Moist and/or soft ground would add a lot of time to the life of those spoons. As you stated, it would be wise to carefully choose when to use the implement. It rains plenty often in Ohio so there should be several windows of opportunity.

Hopefully, you are not located in one of those glacial plains that is mostly bedrock located shallow under the topsoil.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

We've had some issues in the past with aerator tines breaking. Ted recently found a high quality tine from a US manufacturer.
The tines are made from hardened steel that has been galvanized which ensures that these tines will last longer than painted or powder coated tines.
Our new tines only have one hole that is in the same location as the top hole on the painted tines.
Here's a pic:

Ted talks about them in our Xtreme Duty Aerator video:

 

[AgriStoreUSA]

You misunderstand (or I wasn't very clear), I haven't used it with your spoons yet. The broken ones I've replaced were the OEM Bush hog parts. I've just replaced those this week with your spoons, and won't be using the aerator until this fall.

Yeah, there was a bit of confusion on my part. I thought when you said ~15 spoons were cracked you were referring to the spoons we shipped. In that case, I hope you have better luck with our spoons.

-Arec