Least used attachment

[MikeOConnor]

My least (not leased) used attachment is the tree shear. I had this great idea that I'd be able to speed up the task of clear jillions of little brushy trees out of our wooded areas. Here's a link to Marcie's journal that shows the kind of stuff that we're (constantly) removing -- scroll down past the first couple pictures;

Prairie Haven - Articles - Weekly Journal - Journal for October 18, 2006

I do that with the chain saw today, and use the PT/grapple-bucket to forward the slash. I thought the tree shear might speed things up.

I used the tree shear once. It's way wimpy -- about the biggest thing it can cut can be mowed with the brush mower.

 

[BobRip]

I understand that the plug aerator is very good. How much worse is the spiked aerator?

1. Almost as good
2. OK, you just need to aerate more often
3. You're wasting your time, cut off the spikes and use it as a lawn roller or a water carrier.

Today I cut the spikes off of my aerator. This was a little drastic, but I rarely used it and wanted to get a plug aeratore. There were still some stumps of the spike left. I went out and rolled the muddy area of one of my nieghbors driveway shoulders. This area was too soft to use the box scrapper on. With the aerator (now the roller) I was able to flatten it pretty well with the weight of the water in it. I then pushed down on the roller and lifted the front wheels off of the ground. This also helped to compact the soil. I still intend to use the box scaper on this when it dries out, but this might not be till spring.

 

[BobRip]

Anybody got any suggestions for a good core aerator?

 

[DHS]

Bob,

This is a modification of a pull type core aerator I purchased from a tractor supply store. I believe it was Runnings. I removed the original hitch from the core aerator. I trimmed and installed, upside down, the trailer hitch from my Nissan Maxima. I drilled a few new holes added a couple of spacers to install the hitch to the core aerator. I use a 1 1/4 square pipe to connect the core aerator hitch to my PT hitch plate. I modified it a couple years ago but just recently took pictures.

The core aerator works well in float. You must drive straight with the core aerator in float. The assembly does not like to turn while aeratoring.

Dale

 

[BobRip]

Bob,

This is a modification of a pull type core aerator I purchased from a tractor supply store. I believe it was Runnings. I removed the original hitch from the core aerator. I trimmed and installed, upside down, the trailer hitch from my Nissan Maxima. I drilled a few new holes added a couple of spacers to install the hitch to the core aerator. I use a 1 1/4 square pipe to connect the core aerator hitch to my PT hitch plate. I modified it a couple years ago but just recently took pictures.

The core aerator works well in float. You must drive straight with the core aerator in float. The assembly does not like to turn while aeratoring.

Dale

Looks good. Thanks for the pictures. This would be a good choice for me. Is the unit holding up well? I want to get a good quality unit. There seems to be a large range of quality in the units from various companies.

 

[DHS]

Bob,

It is not a heavy-duty unit. But, it works better with the PT than pulling it behind because I lift it while turning. The coring knives are replaceable. It works well for my two-acre lawn.

Dale

 

[BobRip]

Bob,

It is not a heavy-duty unit. But, it works better with the PT than pulling it behind because I lift it while turning. The coring knives are replaceable. It works well for my two-acre lawn.

Dale

Looks good enough for my purposes (1/2 acre lawn). Being able to pick it up makes it last longer.

 

[BobRip]

Bob,

It is not a heavy-duty unit. But, it works better with the PT than pulling it behind because I lift it while turning. The coring knives are replaceable. It works well for my two-acre lawn.

Dale

Dale, is this unit still working OK for you. I would like to modify mine, but want to make sure this does not abuse the unit.

 

[MossRoad]

Dale, is this unit still working OK for you. I would like to modify mine, but want to make sure this does not abuse the unit.

I have a very similar unit from AgrFab. I think it will attempt to skid when you turn the unit. With the articulation of the PT, if the knives are in the soil and you are standing still, if you crank the steering wheel, something is going to give immediately. It will either be the soil or the unit. I see big gouges in your soil future or bent aerator parts, or both.

 

[BobRip]

I have a very similar unit from AgrFab. I think it will attempt to skid when you turn the unit. With the articulation of the PT, if the knives are in the soil and you are standing still, if you crank the steering wheel, something is going to give immediately. It will either be the soil or the unit. I see big gouges in your soil future or bent aerator parts, or both.

Dale put his on the front of the PT and lifts at turns. My concern is having the aerator carry the weight of the arms.