Core Aerator:pick one

Slippy · Oct 29, 2005

Looking for a 3pt core aerator. Read some old posts. Looking for a good one and willing to pay a little more for better quality. Rather spend more money and have it hold up and do a good job. On the other hand, if folks have experience with less expensive and they work as well as higher cost models, why spend more?
So, thoughts ideas on brand, type. I would think ones with grease fittings would be built better and hold up. Also, what are thoughts on 3pt v pull type? What is your pick? Thanks in advance!

Stoneseller · Oct 29, 2005

I'm all ears on this one

RalphVa · Oct 29, 2005

Our local tool rental place has 3 core aerators for rent: powered one, pull-behind one and the 3 pt one. I'd not ever buy one unless I was in the business. Don't use them very often. Never used one myself.

Ralph

ducati996 · Oct 29, 2005

Ok I will throw in my pick - I bought a 48" core aerator from
Corriher ( dealer on this site) and I'm very happy with it.
Its a solid unit that will last a long time, and was not all that expensive. Check out their web site for prices...

Duc

cp1969 · Oct 29, 2005

I just bought one identical to Duc996 except mine is 60".

DO NOT be fooled into thinking that because you pay more, you get more on core aerators.

The problem with renting core aerators is a.)they're expensive (usually around $100/day) and b.) you can't always get one when your soil conditions are right.

kingoflawns · Oct 30, 2005

We are in the lawn & tractor business. We always research a tractor attachment before we buy! The core aerator 3pt line up is as follows #1 landpride (good) #2 millcreek (good) #3 classen (good) #4 woods ( far superior to all others) The 60" model ran us around 2 grand, worth every penny. I call it the war wagon of core aerators. Scott.

Slippy · Oct 30, 2005

I have a lawn service that treats my lawn (1 1/2 acres). They called and wanted $450 to aerate my lawn. Been wanting to do it for the last 5 or 6 years, and my yard could really use it. It has been so expensive to get it done, I thought I would rent one. But as stated above, when I need it, can't get it. So...never got it done. This year I thought buying would be money and job ahead because its not getting done. So, now that I can justify the $, its a pick one event.

Kingoflawns...why is the woods so much better than the others? Does it do alot better job, is it made better?
Looking for help.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Oct 30, 2005

996,

The unit is mfg by Midwest Equipment

web page

I believe they also make them for Kioti. I have a 48" Kioti unit paid $735 in 3/03 from a local Kioti dealer, works great.

Slippy · Oct 31, 2005

Ok. For those of you who are interested here is what I have found out. Most or many of the core aerators have a solid shaft, which means they will not flow well with the contour of the terain. That is why most of the pull types do better than the 3pt. However, I have found a brand made in Canada, Agrimetal, that has floating shafts. You can go to their web site at Agrimetal.com and see a video of their large unit being pulled. Watch as each section moves up and down with the turf. Don't know price yet. Also, have been told that the curvature of the spoons can also make a difference. The curved spoons will do a better job, with less ripping of the grass.

Based upon the limited number of responses to this post, this does not seem to be of much interest. So, unless requested, I will not post follow up to my research. However, as always, happy to help if you like.

smoothie17 · Oct 31, 2005

The problem with the 3 point hitch type is that you can't turn at all; you have to make straight back & forth passes and lift at the end of each pass.

In my opinion the pull behind is much better (Blue Bird) because you can make turns to follow the contours of flower beds, etc.

Slippy · Oct 31, 2005

Makes sense.

cp1969 · Oct 31, 2005

Wow....$450 to do 1 1/2 acres? I was thinking if someone asked me to do core aeration, what I would charge. I was thinking something like $60 per acre. It's easy work and not hard on equipment at all.

I don't need the floating feature as my ground has very little contour to it.

I am still amazed at the prices some of these companies ask for their core aerators. $2k and up, when a roto tiller, with its PTO shaft, gearbox, drive sprockets & chain, and umpteen curved, sharpened blades goes for half that.

FWIW, weight is no substitute for proper moisture when aerating. It rained this morning so I thought I would be able to do some aerating this evening. But even with about 300# on, I was only getting about 2" penetration.

I'll have to wait for more rain.

Slippy, please post what you find out. You never know when it will be of value to someone. A lot of people don't think about aeration until spring.

kingoflawns · Oct 31, 2005

The woods/gill pl series has a built in weight tray designed to hold 1000 lbs of weight. The spoon wheels (gangs) turn independently, this prevents lock up and turf tearing and allows some turning. Each gang has a grease fitting and the overall construction of the aerator is very heavy duty. We only buy equipment built for the long haul. Check out all the other aerators for yourself, it's obvious the woods is far superior!

ducati996 · Oct 31, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 996,

The unit is mfg by Midwest Equipment

web page

I believe they also make them for Kioti. I have a 48" Kioti unit paid $735 in 3/03 from a local Kioti dealer, works great.

)</font>

I know that all the instruction manuals are from Midwest...got my rake from them as well...Excellent stuff for the money no doubt, very heavy duty. Will last a long time

Duc

Slippy · Oct 31, 2005

Will go check out the woods stuff and let you know.

OhioGuy · Oct 31, 2005

I'm also looking for a good core aerator. I rented one a month ago, It was OK, couldn't travel overdriveways without unloading it because of a poor design. It rented for $45 a day.

I have a line on a Turfco for around $600, it looks like a solid unit.

http://www.turfcodirect.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=18

I think the advantage to owning one of these is that you'll use it 2 or 3 times a year as opposed to trying to rent at the right time hoping one is available?

Or maybe I just want another 3 pt tool for my arsenal?

Curt

Slippy · Nov 1, 2005

Turfco looks like a good unit. Is the one you are looking at pull or 3pt? I am in Ohio also, so if you don't purchase, let me know please. You can pm me if you like. Thanks.

ducati996 · Nov 1, 2005

Based on their pricies on the site - $600 is a great price...
However I'm confused they offer a limit size selection - 42" or 62" nothing in between ?? I like the water jugs as weights /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OhioGuy · Nov 1, 2005

I liked the water jugs also, it can double as a water wagon. The website indicates the independant rows of cores reduces or eliminates tearing, that remains to be seen.

I wondered about the sizes also, maybe they are primarily dealing with golf courses and that has some significance?

I'll let you know and post pics if I buy it.

Curt

Slippy · Nov 1, 2005

Have checked on the Woods core aerators. Also looked at Front Line. Both look to be nice units. Still in the $1500 to $2100 price range. Although 3pt would be easier to transport, lift, move while not on grass, pull behind coud be pulled by quad, etc., and less time for hook up, especially if you have to take something off first. Just some more thoughts.