Woods Aerator

Carykong · Feb 4, 2011

Just bought a used Woods plug aerator 6'. Very good condition but had not been used for years. I am playing around with my new aquisition and learning how to use this gear. Placed 8 5gal buckets filled with crush and run for additional downforce on the spoons. The spoons are penetrating the ground at least 3 inches or more but not throwing plugs. Just punching holes. I did clear all the spoons by hand and tried again. Same result. The spoons filled with dirt and turf but would not eject. I was wondering if this is just soil conditions or can I perform some extra cleaning and wirebrushing the inside of the spoon for less friction encouraging the dirt to eject from the spoon. Welcome any experience or comment with this type of gear.

Glen Watkins · Feb 4, 2011

I don't know much about this style aerator but if it is punching a hole with each spoon it is doing what it is suppose too,no? I have been watching for one of these used, for sale also.

MarkV · Feb 4, 2011

Isn't the weather rather extreme for aerating in Virginia right now? I find that my aerator is rather sensitive to the moisture content and soil conditions to work as I would like.

MarkV

RedHawkRidge · Feb 4, 2011

The earth being plugged has to go somewhere. If you're getting a hole, then maybe you're not finding the plugs.

Carykong · Feb 4, 2011

I guess I did not make myself clear. The closed spoon is punching a hole in the ground about 3" deep. The soil and turf in the the closed spoon just above the cutter,however,does not eject or move out the back of the spoon. No plugs are created just a hole in the ground. The dirt is simply not moving thru the hollow spoon. I am surmising that I will get better results once the soil is a bit looser and drier.

I really just wanted to know if anyone with a plug aerator made the effort to clean each spoon and hone the interior for less friction and less chance for the soil to compact in the closed spoon.

arsenix2001 · Feb 5, 2011

Your aerator is acting like a spike aerator right now because the ground is way too wet!! Pleeease dont waste a minute of your time cleaning spoons lol! Im not THAT far from you and our ground is sopping... Can barely take the tractor with out leaving ruts. You need to run it when the soil is fairly dry... Basically moist but very firm to hard. Proper time to aerate is around april/may. Once it starts working correctly the soil itself will polish the spoons and it will work even better. I use concrete filled cinderblocks with rebar handles for ballast on my pl72.

DJ54 · Feb 5, 2011

The best I've ever cleaned mine out, is using a scrap piece of 3/8" rod, about 18" long. So it wasn't all that cleaned out. Never had any problems with it not throwing plugs, once the ground is suitable to plug.

Just remember to pick it up when turning on the ends. It will bend/break the spoons if you don't.

Carykong · Feb 5, 2011

Thank you for posting back,DJ and Arsenix. I do indeed have about 4 busted spoons. Any suggestions for best source for replacement spoons other than my local JD Dealer.