Towing Capacity for Aerator?

[KYCOLONEL]

I have a Toro rider 17 hp- 44 and am considering pulling a plugger aerator behind it this weekend (It's either that or rent a walk behind). The aerator weighs 119 lbs. and you could add up to 250lbs more in weight if needed. I need it to aerate about 1 acre of mostly flat ground.

The question is- how much can I safely tow with my 17 hp garden tractor using the factory hitch? At what point should I worry about overstressing the mower pulling the "dead weight" of an aerator?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Woody71]

How wide is the aerator? Given it's weight, I am inclined to think it might be designed for a heavier frame Garden Tractor with a stronger transmission. I pull a 40" tow-behind plug aerator (weighs about 70 lbs) loaded to maximum with approx 175 lbs of bricks using my 15hp John Deere LT155 tractor. The aerator manual also covers a 48" model that can hold up to 250lbs of extra weight. It clearly says the 48" model should only be pulled by a "Garden Tractor" class machine. I have aerated my mostly flat 1.5 acres 3 times with the 40" setup and my tractor seems to have no problems pulling it. Comparing the MSRP from the Deere and the Toro websites, I would say we have similar class machines.