Which Aerator?

[Nuru]

Well before I purchase, I wanted to get the opinions on which one to purchase:

I am considering the following Core Aerators:

Frontier:
CA2072 - $2856
CA2072E - $2256 (Retail), $1800 - Local price

CA2060 - $2,556.00

CA2060E - $2586


60" 3-point tractor Core Plug Aerator 60" Plug depth 4" - The Smart Farmer, LLC. - $999 + $200 shipping

http://www.thesmartfarmer.com/suppl...e-Plug-Aerator-72-Plug-depth-4__plg-l-72.aspx $11999 + $200 shipping

72" Tractor 3 Point Hitch Core Aerator Plugger PLG-L - $1314

which would you prefer and why?

Thanks!

 

[JerryG]

Sweet Equipment Used Equipment for Sale Pg. 3
has a a few nice used models. Even with freight, you would still have a nice price. Ken Sweet has been a TBN member for years.

 

[Kays Supply]

Where are you located, in general? I purchased my core aerator from James Equipment in Sikeston MO. It was much cheaper than any you listed. It is 60" and has replacable tines. It is crude looking, but has grease fittings and does a great job.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If I had to purchase an aerator tomorrow morning, It would probably be a Kioti branded unit...
Saw one in person and it was a nicely built piece and the price was right (1k out the door for a 6 footer)...

 

[Nuru]

Thanks and I am located in the Mid -Atlantic area.

Actually I totally forgot about SWEET

My larger question is basically the difference in the style. One version has non-replaceable teeth/spoons, and the other has replaceable ones. anyone have a preference?

 

[Nuru]

If I had to purchase an aerator tomorrow morning, It would probably be a Kioti branded unit...
Saw one in person and it was a nicely built piece and the price was right (1k out the door for a 6 footer)...

Hello Dave, I am also looking for those but I have heard that the firm that built them for Kioti has stopped manufacturing them?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

My larger question is basically the difference in the style. One version has non-replaceable teeth/spoons, and the other has replaceable ones. anyone have a preference?

I wouldnt buy a solid "drum type"....if/when you turn with a solid type it it will tear up the ground to heck because of the "speed differential" between the inside of the turn and outside of the turn...
In theory the sold type is fine if you dont turn...but how often can you drive perfectly straight?

Hello Dave, I am also looking for those but I have heard that the firm that built them for Kioti has stopped manufacturing them?

Gotcha, I must admit that I last "looked into" the kioti unit over a year and a half ago... Let us know what you find out...

 

[JeffinNE]

There is a nice looking Woods PL72 listed on machinefinder.com located in Illinois for $1900.

This unit would be better than the Frontier CA2072 and CA2072E, but almost identical to the Frontier CA1072. The Frontier 10 series is the best of thier aerators. I think your dealer is a priced high for the 20 series Frontiers.

You may also want to shop for a Landpride CA2572 or CA2560--both very similar to the Frontier 10 series and Woods PL72/PL60.

Most of these 72 inch units have the same number (96) spoons as the 60 inch units, just spread out over a wider area. You get more plugs per square foot with the 60 inch units.

 

[Nuru]

There is a nice looking Woods PL72 listed on machinefinder.com located in Illinois for $1900.

This unit would be better than the Frontier CA2072 and CA2072E, but almost identical to the Frontier CA1072. The Frontier 10 series is the best of thier aerators. I think your dealer is a priced high for the 20 series Frontiers.

You may also want to shop for a Landpride CA2572 or CA2560--both very similar to the Frontier 10 series and Woods PL72/PL60.

Most of these 72 inch units have the same number (96) spoons as the 60 inch units, just spread out over a wider area. You get more plugs per square foot with the 60 inch units.

Thanks JeffinNE; Most of the cost numbers were from Deere's website except for the one local price I was quoted.

I was wondering besides the welding required to fix the spoons, what else would be an issue

When you say better do you mean just more rugged or is there something else?

OBTW; On the Frontier models the CA2072 has 8 spoon and the CA2072E has 6 spoons.

I will check out the other models you mention - I think I will probably drom the solid drum option at this point. Even though I probably could use it and just pick it up and go in reasonably straight lines

 

[Nuru]

I wouldnt buy a solid "drum type"....if/when you turn with a solid type it it will tear up the ground to heck because of the "speed differential" between the inside of the turn and outside of the turn...
In theory the sold type is fine if you dont turn...but how often can you drive perfectly straight?


Gotcha, I must admit that I last "looked into" the kioti unit over a year and a half ago... Let us know what you find out...

Dave; thanks for the inputs. i will let you know if I can find a Kioti.

 

[JeffinNE]

Nuru,
Here's a link with specs on the Frontier 20 and 20E series aerators.

www.deere.com/en_US/ag/.../frontier/.../DSFE43160_FrntrCoreAtr20Srs.pdf

I can't find specs on the Frontier 10 series but believe they are made by Woods. I think the Frontier CA1060 has 96 spoons like the Woods and Landpride 60 inch units whereas the Frontier CA2060 has 80 spoons and the Frontier CA2060E has 60 spoons. Here is a link to the Woods aerators.

Woods Equipment Company - 48'', 60'' & 72'' Pluggers - PL Series

Now if you're just using for personal use there's nothing wrong with the E series Frontier units--as long as you can get equal weight to get equal penetration. You may not get as many plugs, but you can certainly go over the ground twice (more seat time!!).

I think it all comes down to pricing on each unit as to your final choice. From all the research I've done, I think that Woods PL72 at $1900 is a great deal which your JD3520 will have no trouble with and will last you many, many years. Me, I'm looking at getting a JD2320 and will probably not be able to go bigger than a 48 inch unit. My local dealer has the Frontier CA1060 in stock for $2200. They've told me ordering a new CA1048 would be more due to increased steel prices.

Let us know what you get and how it works for you. Happy shopping!

 

[Nuru]

Thanks JeffNE; I did download the specs already, but thanks for the links just the same. I think the Frontier CA2072E model has 72 spoons and i am kinda leaning towards that but you never know. The Woods that is on sale for 1900 would require $500+ to ship to my location, so that puts it close to a new one locally.

 

[JeffinNE]

Nuru,

I wasn't sure how far you were from Illinois.

Shipping charges or travel $$ and time really does lessen the attractiveness of the many great deals I've found looking on the web for various implements and tractors.

Plus, there's a lot to be said for doing business with the local dealer and strengthening that relationship.

The CA2072E at $1800 does seem to be a good price.

Let us know how it works for you, how much weight you add (and what you use for added weight) to get the best results.

 

[Nuru]

Nuru,

I wasn't sure how far you were from Illinois.

Shipping charges or travel $$ and time really does lessen the attractiveness of the many great deals I've found looking on the web for various implements and tractors.

Plus, there's a lot to be said for doing business with the local dealer and strengthening that relationship.

The CA2072E at $1800 does seem to be a good price.

Let us know how it works for you, how much weight you add (and what you use for added weight) to get the best results.

Well it looks like I will get the Frontier CA2072E at this point. And yes I will definitely let everyone know what works as far as additional weight.

 

[Nuru]

Ok, well, I did not find a Kioti, but I did get the Frontier CA2072E for $1700 + tax so I am partially ready for Spring.

Hey here is a question? Does anyone think I will have to change over to my R4's to pull this unit around my property? (i.e. wait until it is damp not wet to avoid slush streak attacks on my lawn)

 

[DK35vince]

Hey here is a question? Does anyone think I will have to change over to my R4's to pull this unit around my property?

I'm assuming you are currently running turfs..
You should have no problems pulling an aerator with turfs.
I wouldn't think it would pull that hard.

 

[AKfish]

R4's... nah! Not unless you wanna throw those plugs 50 yards!!!

Heck, you could probably just unhook that turbo - and do just fine...

AKfish

 

[Nuru]

I'm assuming you are currently running turfs..
You should have no problems pulling an aerator with turfs.
I wouldn't think it would pull that hard.

Thanks DK35vince, I was concerned with the slopes and the Frontier digging in and catching something.

 

[Nuru]

R4's... nah! Not unless you wanna throw those plugs 50 yards!!!

Heck, you could probably just unhook that turbo - and do just fine...

AKfish

Unhook the turbo, and watch my engine wheeze under the weight LOL!

That would turn it into a very slow 3320, well ok, "3310" Broken turbo 3520 - :laughing:

 

[Nuru]

Well I picked up the unit and it is apparently a BEFCO unit branded by Deere/Frontier. Does look pretty strong though.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]BCA-072[/FONT]
working width [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]72"[/FONT]
Overall width [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]78"[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]weight 401[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]lbs
Spoons per wheel 6[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Total spoons 72[/FONT]
This is apparently the same unit as the CA2072E