Core Aerator

[jesseb3@att.net]

Folks,

I have recently started my search for a core aerator... I know that I should get one, but quite honestly, it's not nearly as fun as searching for a tiller or BB.

My goal is to first roll my lawn (looks nice, but the very rough ride while mowing tells a different story!), which will of course compact it. An aerator will serve to correct the compaction, and a drag harrow will break up, and somewhat redistribute, the plugs. My goal is to create a smoother, healthier lawn without chemicals, as I have free-range animals to worry about. The drag harrow will come in useful when repairing large areas, on my lawn as well as others.

Anyway, I didn't realize that a decent aerator could cost as much as $800-$1700, and that's for a 48" model! Anyone have experience with a good quality aerator that I should consider?

Please don't suggest that I rent one... that would be enough of a hassle to prevent me from actually getting around to working on my lawn! I'd rather buy enough topsoil to cover my whole property in 1" of new soil... at least I'd be using the FEL.

Thanks
Jesse

 

[Charlesaf3]

I've got the woods, and yeah its expensive. Get one its easy to add weight to - weight is key. The woods could be better on that front.

 

[ToadHill]

The plugs will disintagrate after a rain or two so dragging isn't necessary.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I've got the woods, and yeah its expensive. Get one its easy to add weight to - weight is key. The woods could be better on that front.

Charles, I just looked around a bit, and that model just redefined the top-end of expensive!

While you DO have a tool disorder, I'm hoping to have a signature with as many implements as yours someday.

 

[lawn_king]

I have a woods pl 60, its a tank! Im looking to move up to a 72" make me an offer for my pl 60?

 

[amigauser]

I have not purchased one yet but these seem to be priced well and appear to be good quality.

PRO-AIRE Core Aerator

 

[ChuckinNH]

I saw one of these at a dealer's, and it looked much better than the ones you see at Sears, etc., and was not as expensive as the more professional ones. I think it was $4-500 for the 48" version.

Husqvarna Outdoor Power Equipment - TA36

 

[ray66v]

The plugs will disintagrate after a rain or two so dragging isn't necessary.

Not with my clay soil. I do my lawn last thing in the fall because the plugs last for 6-8 weeks. My reel mower gets rid of them fairly well, if they are dry. But of course they dull the knifes, (trade one problem for another).

To save money, I bought a used 30" Lesco walk behind aerator, ($300), and made a tow bar for it. I can do about an acre an hour with it. And still use it as a walk behind in tight areas. Towing this with a light weight tractor, I can go on to the lawn when its soft and pull some really good plugs.

An aerator will help you to get a healthy lawn if compaction is one of you problems. Don't look for the aerator by its self to make a quick and dramatic difference though. Grass still needs nitrogen, lots of it, and regular watering.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I have not purchased one yet but these seem to be priced well and appear to be good quality.

PRO-AIRE Core Aerator

I had seen that one... I'll have to see what they ask for to get it shipped.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I saw one of these at a dealer's, and it looked much better than the ones you see at Sears, etc., and was not as expensive as the more professional ones. I think it was $4-500 for the 48" version.

Husqvarna Outdoor Power Equipment - TA36

I didn't find the Husqvarna on my search, thanks. The 48" model is priced at what I'd expected aerators to be priced at, but again, I hadn't looked previously. I'll have to see if I can find some user opinions on it.

The only thing I see that I don't like is the 3" depth - some go as far as 4.5", but it is a tradeoff for price I guess.

Jesse