Aerators - Classen Tow Behind, or JRCO?

[Daves Propert Maintenance]

Looking at purchasing an aerator to use with my ZTR. The two that seem to make the most sense are the tow behind model from Classen (little wonder) and the Hooker Aerator (JRCO). Does anyone have experience with either of these two aerators? Also, what do they cost?

[Cooter]

Has anyone tried the Gator Rator, which is a front mount like the JRCO? It looks well, just not very wide unless they have different widths. It also says you can run it at 8-10 mph.

[grass_cuttin_fool]

Im thinking the same thing for 07. From what I can tell, the classen should be heavier and do a better job. I havent seen but a few post of the jrco, the people that had them didnt speak to good of it

wayne

[Daves Propert Maintenance]

From what I've found is that the classen will be cheaper as well. Not only to purchase, but to maintain, as it has heavier duty parts and fewer of them.

[Daves Propert Maintenance]

After reading around some more, it seems that tow behind models can damage the Hydros on ZTRs. Anyone have any problems with this before?

[turfcobob]

I would advise you to look at the Turfco TM-42 aerator. turfco.com
We redesigned it several years back just for use behind Z mowers. Made the dwawbar tongue longer so tires will not hit the machine and allow tighter turns. Also the wheels are mounted in pairs so it will keep aerating without tearing through tight turns. Weight trays to add weight as needed. It really is a well built, unit and works great. Works best as speeds 5 mph or higher.
Now a word of caution. Make sure your Z unit will pull an aerator. If you do not have adequate oil flow and cooling you can do real damage to your machine. check this out before you pull anything with a Z they were not designed to be pulling machines. Most of them we looked at were not capable of long term pulling without heating and damage to the unit. Gear drive machines like tractors are made for pulling. It is a great Idea using a Z but make sure your machine is up to it. Aerators have quite a drag to them let no one tell you otherwise.

[gene gls]

Looking at purchasing an aerator to use with my ZTR. The two that seem to make the most sense are the tow behind model from Classen (little wonder) and the Hooker Aerator (JRCO). Does anyone have experience with either of these two aerators? Also, what do they cost?

I have a Hooker and don't use it. I rent a Plugger.

[dcondon]

After reading around some more, it seems that tow behind models can damage the Hydros on ZTRs. Anyone have any problems with this before?

We have never had a problem towing anything with our ZTR's.

[LawnDawg65]

same here, pull one all the time with my scag- loaded with 300 lbs.- never a problem

[americanlawn]

You got that right! Besides not being engineered for pulling, "zero-turns" suck on hills (they're dangerous). We run two John Deere 445's (tractors) with hydraulic lift pull-behinds which weigh well over 500 pounds. They're great in wide open areas and handle slopes fairly well (much safer than zero-turns). Total cost per tractor & pull-behind = BIG MONEY.

I've been in this business 30 years now (started with ChemLawn in 1978), and if I started from "square one", I would utilize TurnAer units with sulkies on my big open areas, then use their smaller units to do the trimming.

2nd choice would be Ryan, as they stand up well too.

Keep in mind, we have had decent luck with Ryan units, but it seems that Turfco offers the same quality or better.

Customer support? Turfco >>>>> bar none.

That my honest two cents. Hope it helps. Larry.

[lawnbutch]

Hay guys!! go to www.plugr.com or call 1-888-418-9065 and check out the new PL1600 Tow Pro 45".

[aclassic]

Anyone know how much that PL1600 Tow Pro costs? Looks pretty slick

[aclassic]

For anyone who wants to know, the Plugr PL1600 Tow Pro has a suggested retail of $5,995.00

[rodfather]

Think I paid like $1100 for our Bluebird 36" tow behind with weights.

[aclassic]

I bought a 36" bluebird towable unit as well from a rental yard for $400 (i think) works great and is durable. only problem is its a pain if you have to raise and lower it very often my arm gets tired from cranking it up and down.
hopefully before i get goin on aerating this year i'll rig something up w/ and electric actuator to do the work for me.

[rodfather]

For anyone who wants to know, the Plugr PL1600 Tow Pro has a suggested retail of $5,995.00

Saw it today at the NJLCA show at the Meadowlands. Nice unit with a 12 hp engine. Does 12 plugs per square foot...impressive to say the least. Weighs in around 700+ lbs too with a 45" swath.