Lawn Tools

[TractorTeen]

I am looking at a Befco Greenrite Overseeder-Aerator & Seeder-Cultivator. I am also looking at the Woods Super Turf Renovator. I am looking for something to really improve my lawn. I was wondering if they work good. What do they cost? Are they worth the money? I might be looking at the Woods Core Aerator if the price is outrageous on the super turf renovator.

Thanks,
David

 

[Junkman]

Have you considered lime and fertilizer?????? Made a great improvement in mine, but it took 2 years to get it that way..

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

We rented a Befco Greenrite to touch up some of the thin spots at work. The results were so-so. We cannot tell where it went, even after several months of wet weather. However, we are beginning to think that the soil quality is poor.

 

[drcollie]

I rented a Befco Seeder last year and they DO work. They're very fast (I did 2 acres in 45 minutes) but you do have to run two passes at 90 degrees from one another or else your grass comes in like you're planting corn!

I don't think they're worth the money though, unless you do this for a living. This year, I rented a power walk-behind rake and did my yard with that, then used my First Choice Core Aereator (high quality unit, much less cost than many others) and then shot the seed out with a hand-pushed rotary spreader. The grass came in just as good - if not better - and my rental costs were reduced to just one-quarter the price of renting the Befco unit.

The real trick with overseeding is that you MUST have the seed come into contact with bare dirt, and you MUST have peatmoss or straw over the top of the new seed to shade it from the sun. Direct sunlight kills the young seeds (which many do not know). It's the heat that makes the germination, and the frequent watering, not sunlight. So most the work is in the soil prep and the cover after you drop the seed.

Unfortunately, I've become something of an exprert in lawn turf renovation....<hate it>

-DUane C

 

[TractorTeen]

After reading the posts I have concluded that I need to invest in a Core Aerator. My question now would be who makes a good Core Aerator? What size should I get? What should I look to spend? Any tips I should know about buying a Core Aerator?

Thanks,
David

 

[drcollie]

I have a First Choice unit that I bought from BYRD TRACTOR in Manassas, VA. I'm very pleased with it as it's strong, well-made, the tines are tough enough to roll over rocks without bending and it's easy to grease the spindles. I think it was priced about $ 600 last year +/-.

http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/default.htm

Get the solid concrete blocks to go atop it at Lowes (I use eight total and strap them on with bungees).

Real easy to use, but you can't turn with them engaged or it really rips your grass up. Straight line runs only.

-Duane C.