Tow Behind Lightweight Core Aerator - Any good?

PBinWA · May 11, 2005

I'm thinking of buying one of these:
Northern Tools Core Aerator

Does anyone have any experience with them. I have the HP to pull one loaded up with weight so that is not an issue.

Do they work "good enough" for the basic home owner. I always thought I would just rent a "real aerator" when I needed one but I'm always too busy to go to the rental yard.

If these work "good enough" for a basic residential lawn that I just want to keep nice (not perfect) then let me kow.

My soil type is mixed dirt with lots of clay in spots. I've tilled up most of the clay spots and mixed in some dirt/manure but it still tends to pack down pretty good.

I guess I'd also like to know if they don't work at all. As long as they work I can put up with waiting for specific weather conditions etc.

Thanks,

Paul

TheKid · May 11, 2005

I don't know about the Northern one, but I have used my brothers old 36" Craftsman aerator. I just loaded up the top with a bunch of granite cobbles stones and it did a pretty good job. My soil is mostly clay mixed with rock an I was able to get 2 1/2 to 3"" of penitration if I used it when the soil was moist.

Whiskey · May 11, 2005

PBinWA:

If you have a Lowes close by you may want to check there, at least our local Lowes carries the same aerator more than likely for less...

Anywho, it's kind of on the cheep flimsy side and made to pull behind your typical lawn mower. I've look at them @ our Lowes and wasn't inpressed will it knock holes in your yard...you bet, will it last very long...more than likely not.

thegreatrandini · May 11, 2005

My home depot rents these for 40 bucks a day... I figure to rent one next time the ground is soft.... I figure that way I don't have to store the thing as I think every two or three years is enough.....They seem to be a little heavier duty... The use water cans for weight......

Dk45_Jeff · May 11, 2005

I have a similar 48" model, made by Agri-Fab, and it works very well providing the ground is damp and I put 150 pounds of ballast in the weight tray.

hwp · May 11, 2005

I have the same unit as Jeff and it works as well as the ones from the rental yards. I aerate my lawns every spring and fall. I put a hydraulic cylinder on mine to raise and lower the transit wheels so I don't have to get off the tractor and reposition the wheels at the start and end of every run. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Lloyd_E · May 11, 2005

Hey Paul,

I have the same unit. I load concrete patio blocks on and strap down.
I do 2-5 acres - lots of seat time!!!!!

This is my 3rd year for operating. i did the acre around the house only this year and it greened up faster than the rest of the property.

I have a mixture of lawn and pasture with clay base.

It works for me.

Lloyd

chucko · May 11, 2005

I made an Aerator out of a 5' long 7" dia. steel pipe and some rebar cut into 4" pieces and welded to it. seems to work ok for me

MossRoad · May 11, 2005

I, too have the same thing in the 48" model. It will not penetrate hard soil, even with lots of ballast. If the soil is damp, such as after a rain or a VERY heavy watering, it does OK but nothing like a commercial self powered unit from a rental yard.

For once a year it is fine. I pulled it with our late 60's Simplicity lawn tractor, which only weighs a couple of hundred pounds and has a 8.5HP engine. It was plenty of power to pull it in first and second gear, although second was a little too fast.

If you buy one, be prepared to spend some quality time assembling it. It took me about an hour and a half. The knives are sharp and there are lots of bolts. Plus side is it only took a couple of sockets and a crescent wrench. No fancy tools.

thcri · May 11, 2005

Is the aerator listed from Northern a Core Aerator? I was on the understanding the core aerator actually would pull plugs out of the ground. The listed by Northern I believe will only punch holes which is ok but not as good as the ones that actually pull the plugs out?

murph