turfvent aerators

redhawk · Sep 3, 2002

hi all, does anyone have hands on experience with turfvent brand aerators. if so i would appreciate your opinions.

bubenberg · Sep 4, 2002

Sorry, don't know this brand, but looking at the three aerators, the first two are make belief aerators, which actually add to the compactation. the core aerator looks substantial and would be my choice.

good luck

redhawk · Sep 5, 2002

thanks for your help.
kevin

tdenny · Sep 6, 2002

redhawk,

I think I read a thread a while back on First Choice aerators. Do a search on that and I think you'll find some really good information. Other wise I think you could send a private message to TresCrows and ask him - I believe he has one and recommends it highly. His is the core version I think.

jima1 · Sep 15, 2002

Redhawk, thanks for pointing out TurfVent.

I agree with the others, the little one is laughable and First Choice would be superior, but it's more than I need. My situation requires no more than a durable version of the Agrifab/Lowes stuff, i.e. pull-behind, 40-48", <$500.

Turfvent Series Two sounds like it has the right features, but might be too light to pull a decent plug. Sure would be nice to hear from someone who has used it.

Some specs/prices at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wikco.com/Turfvent.html>Wikco</A>

Jim

hazmat · Sep 15, 2002

Jim,

I just priced a 60" 3point first choice. $575 + $88 shipping to Mass from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sweettractors.com>sweettractors</A>

It is my opinion that it is well worth the extra $200.

Will · Sep 15, 2002

Do you have an opportunity to rent a fairly heavyweight aerator before buying? I'd bet that if you have the sort of soil that really needs aerating, then you'll have to add a bunch of weight, even to the heavy duty models, to pull decent cores out. My experience with a lightweight (though well made) Millcreek unit was that you couldn't put enough weight on it to get the job done.I've got the First Choice 60" model. It is well made, heavy duty, and priced right too.

jima1 · Sep 16, 2002

Will,

Best I could find on name brand rental last spring was $125/day, wasn't worth it...but I borrowed an Agrifab from a friend. It didn't break, thankfully, although the lever had to be tied in position /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif, and I was able to load it up enough to pull out 2-3" cores from the clay, right after some rain had softened things up. It rained some more after the overseeding and I could see the benefit of the aerating. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

That experience led me to believe a sturdy version for $200 less than FC could be a reasonable compromise, if one could be found, considering that $$ are tight this year. (again, I'm not disagreeing with you and Hazmat, if the $$ were no obstacle this would be a no-brainer).

Thanks for your comments.

Jim

NYTrainer · Sep 16, 2002

Hazmat,
Looked at the site (Sweetractors) but could only find Ferguson aerators for more $$? Which heading did you find it under? Thanks.
David

NY_Yankees_Fan · Sep 16, 2002

What size would you suggest for a BX 2200, 48" or 60"? If you find something in the $400 range let us know. The sweet tractor price may be the way to go. Got my FC tiller from him, no problems, would buy from him again.

Thanks

Tom

BigDave · Sep 16, 2002

Hazmat,

Let us know how it works. I know they are popular, but I have heavy clay and rock, and was wondering if that type of aerator would be up for the job. I've been thinking about renting a harley rake, but the builder's yard guy used one, and I wasn't impressed with the job he did. I would say my lawn is 3/4 of the grown in and don't want to start over. Are the teeth/diggers replaceable?

redhawk · Sep 16, 2002

http://wilco.com/turfvent.html

hazmat · Sep 17, 2002

I emailed sweettractors for a quote. Got an answer back with in an hour.

Bigdave, I haven't bought it yet. Still trying to convince the wife/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif So I don't have anyfeedback on how it works. However, everything I read on lawn care says aerate every fall especially if you have clay soil. Now is also the best time to reseed if your lawn needs it. Plenty of resources on the web. My favorite <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hort.cornell.edu/gardening/lawn/> Cornell Ext Lawn Page </A>

As for a recommendation on the BX. I chose 60" because my MMM is 60" and I wanted to be able to aerate as close as I can mow. The rear tires on my TC18 are 50" Therefore 48" would be somewhat limiting.

It is my understanding that the aerators don't require alot of HP to pull, but when you add weight, you might be beyond what the BX can lift. My TC has 1200 lb of three point capacity @ 24".

The spoons are replaceable. Here is a link to the aerator on the first choice web page <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/aerators/Series_20_Aerator_Specs.htm> CLick Here </A>

Here is Trescrows' post regarding his 48" model <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=150016&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>CLick here </A>

redhawk · Sep 17, 2002

does anyone have a price on the landpride 60" aerator? i see that it weighs in at 435lbs. the 60" first choice is 349lbs.

hazmat · Sep 17, 2002

List price is $1,825

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/equipment/contracts/tractor_attach/14f.pdf> MN state contracts (PDF)</A>

redhawk · Sep 18, 2002

OUCH!!!

tdurham · Feb 6, 2012

redhawk said:
http://wilco.com/turfvent.html

Redhawk,
I have just sold my Ryan power aerator and looking to get a pull behind :thumbsup: . I really like the looks of the Turfvent (found it on Gemplers dot com) . The link above does not work. Just trying to find out from some guys here if this is in fact a really good quality unit. The 48" wide one runs about $575.

Any feedback will be appreciated,

TD

donn12 · Feb 7, 2012

I have the turfvent from gemplers and it is great. I dont think there is anything close to it for the money. I put two plastic recycling boxes on the back and fill them with large stones from the side of my driveway. It does a great job.

tdurham · Feb 7, 2012

donn12 said:
I have the turfvent from gemplers and it is great. I dont think there is anything close to it for the money. I put two plastic recycling boxes on the back and fill them with large stones from the side of my driveway. It does a great job.

Thanks for the reply! I have a JD X485 but I don't have a 3ph. I am trying to see what one would cost for me to install it. Would you feel as good about the tow behind as the 3ph model? Obviously with a 3ph you can raise and lower the unit as needed. Thanks again for replying.
TD