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

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

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?

Do you think that my BX2350 would lift that unit high enough? It is a beast.

I'll have to look at the specs closer to see how much that weighs, and what my BX is rated for. What $ ballpark do you think a used PL should be in? Being one of the most expensive models out there, I'm not sure that you could entice me. It IS a really nice unit though - no doubts there!

 

[StrangeRanger]

Noob question here, but what makes one aerator better than another? I mean aside from sturdy construction what does one look for?
j

 

[amigauser]

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 just checked a couple of online dealers after seeing your post. If you can get one for $500 that is a deal, they list and normally sell for around $1000. I believe the Bluebird and Husky models are the same except for the paint color. They only do 3" cores to.

I still think for a 36" tow behind model this is a pretty nice unit for $650 as long as the shipping is not to high.
osCommerce or $450 for the 3pt version of same.

They also have a 30" rental/homeowner model for $300 + shipping.
osCommerce=

 

[c-and-a]

Here is a Leinbach on my 2350... I like it because it is water-filled so I can adjust the weight as well as not worry about additional weight blocks, etc...

60" - ran about $700...

Good luck

 

[amigauser]

Here is a Leinbach on my 2350... I like it because it is water-filled so I can adjust the weight as well as not worry about additional weight blocks, etc...

60" - ran about $700...

How do you replace damaged tines on the Leinbach? Are they screwed in or welded on?

 

[Charlesaf3]

The leinbach design looks like an interesting one, I'd love to see more shots of it. How much does it weigh when filled with water?

Aerators need a LOT of weight. I've got 360 pounds on my Woods 48, and its still not really enough in sandy soil. They make a water tank for it (should be standard to my mind) but I'm going to build wood boxes to hold granite cobbles.

A key thing is to get a PLUG or CORE aerator, not a tine one. The tines can actually increase compaction by accounts.

I'd say what makes a good one is

Durability
Weight
Plugs

Any aerator that gets all that should be good

 

[jeffinsgf]

Noob question here, but what makes one aerator better than another? I mean aside from sturdy construction what does one look for?
j

Within the circle of tractor owners, the first thing to look for in an aerator is 3 point hitch compatibility. Aerating requires you to lift the unit every time you turn around, otherwise you either tear up your yard or tear up your aerator (or likely both). The tow behind is an enormous pain in the rear, while a 3 point lets the hydraulics do the work at the end of each row. On better models (once you get past Agri-Fab, Sears, etc.) the 3 point mount is usually less expensive than a tow behind.

The next thing to look for is independent or semi-independent tine wheels. If the tines are all locked onto the same axle, when you make even the slightest turn, you'll start ripping up the turf badly. A solid axle will also act as a keel, preventing the tractor from steering properly.

Also make sure the tines are standard and easily replaced. Luckily, in three years aerating my yard 3 or 4 times a year, I haven't replaced any tines yet, but the day will come when some or all will have to be changed out.

The Pro-Aire linked in an earlier response would be my first choice today. I have a Turfco 42", which has been discontinued. It has the tine wheels paired up in twos. The Pro-Aire has fully independent wheels. I think my Turfco has a better set up for ballast, but again, it has been discontinued and 60" is the smallest Turfco currently offers.

I've looked at this quite a bit, both before and after I bought mine. The Pro-Aire seems to be the best deal going right now.

 

[c-and-a]

The cores on the Leinbach are welded on...so replacement would be more difficult. I aerate once in the spring and once in the fall - only about 1 acre, so I am not too concerned about replacement (at this point )

Tough to estimate the weight, but here is what I know, without any front weight - and the aerator filled to capacity, the front wheels come off the ground. I run the aerator with an empty FEL and with the aerator off the ground, I still bounce the front tires if I hit a bit of a bump...

I always aerate after a good rain and have not had a problem pulling deep plugs (min 2" - mostly 3"+) - ground speed with this unit is also important, think of it as a stabbing motion in the ground - with the drum spinning faster, the cores enter deeper...and the plugs get cleared better from the cores...

I can take more pics - what in particular are you interested in?

They also offer a 4' and a 6' version...

 

[blackmajicwoman]

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

I purchased one last year and add about 300#'s to the weight tray. Works well and seems to be good quality steel. Grease fittings are located on the axel and spoons are hardend steel. Also, doesn't weigh so much that it can only be moved by the 3PH...about 120# w/o any weight added. Not too bad a price compared to the Woods or other brand name 3PH attachements.

 

[hazmat]

...
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. ...
Jesse

I highly recommend against rolling the lawn. It will cause more problems (notably compaction) than it solves. Get some loam and fill in any really low spots as required.

On a recent (rare) golf outing, the cart bounced around a bit in the fairway...