Drum Type Aerators

[jnjnlc]

I did a search on this is and did not find what I was looking for.

I am in the market for a tow behind aerator. I have looked at one at my local JD dealer. It has about 32 spoons. The problem is that the spoons are blunt and not sharp. It seems to me that this would not be very affective.

Is anyone using an aerator like this? Can I get some recommendations that won't break the bank?

Thanks

[lawrence stone]

Take your machine across town and demo one of these:

http://www.7315.com/gpc99.htm

[whitleys]

Just purchased a GPC Metal Products 48" tow behind "true core" unit. 60 spoons on the 48". The spoons had a "blunt" end and did not penetrate the hard clay soil we have in Kansas. I used an angle grinder and sharpened each spoon. Works much better. Works best when the turf is moist. Doesn't consistently pop out the plug but does penetrate 2"+ leaving a hole about 1" in diameter. So far I'm happy with the unit although my experience with aerators is very limited.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by whitleys
Just purchased a GPC Metal Products 48" tow behind "true core" unit. 60 spoons on the 48". The spoons had a "blunt" end and did not penetrate the hard clay soil we have in Kansas. I used an angle grinder and sharpened each spoon. Works much better.

Good tip for a rainy day project.

Just don't fall off your machine and have that thing run over your
azz.

[whitleys]

Thks Lawrence,

With the weight of the drum, if i fall off and it runs me over, sharp may feel better than dull blunt pressure!:D

[jnjnlc]

Well I have decided that I will not be purchasing a drum type. I rented one today. It sucked. Tore up the ground instead of aerating it. My Agri-fab does better. I looked at the Ryan today, $2500 is a bit much for a tow behind. It looks like a solid unit though.

I think for a tow behind you must have independent spokes for each set of spoons. I have modified my Agri-Fab so that I have two sets of spoons for each spindle. This makes turning easier. The problem is that it is not going to last much longer. I have welded on it to keep it together. It is about to plug last hole.

I also rented the Ryan 19” walk behind today. I was impressed with it. Much better than the Blue Bird.

Thanks for the replies but I think my mind is made up. No barrel aerator for me.

[strickdad]

check the lesco line, inexpensive , built well, perform well .

[jnjnlc]

Funny you should post about lesco Strickdad. I finally got fed up with my Agri-fab aerator and bought a new Lesco yesterday. It is the tow behind model. It was about 1200.00 less than the Ryan tow behind. It looks just like the Classen. I understand it is the same with the Lesco name on it.

I am now saving my pennies for the Lesco split drive.

[lawnboy82]

Have you demoed an aeravator yet? Try one out, you won't be sorry you did.

[Eric ELM]

jnjnlc: Yes Classen makes the Lesco aerators and paints them green. Below is a picture of mine after I set it up so you can use the wheels as gauge wheels. The lawns I do have well and septic fields and they are not supposed to irrigate the septic areas and they get hard. This creates hard areas where the septic fields are and soft areas where they irrigate and most of my lawns have underground fences. This is why I use the wheels to keep it from going too deep when I have lots of weight on to make it penitrate the hard areas.

I let the spoons down on a hard surface and put 2" under each wheel and marked where to drill a whole and I also did this at 3" so I can now use the wheels to keep it at these depths. I thought this might help you and others that own this aerator.

http://www.elmlawnsite.com/000303-003.jpg

A rear view of it while aerating at 2"

http://www.elmlawnsite.com/equipm1.jpg

[captdevo]

Eric,

How much does Lesco sell that unit for?

[Eric ELM]

It is around $1250 for the 48 model and $1700 for the 60

They have the split axle and the frame is built out of solid bar steel, it's built to last. ;)

[cp]

I've run a Ryan self propelled, but the Classen TA/25 w/split drive seems to do better and of course is steerable. Pricey at around 2500.00 I think. Husquarvarna's self-propelled is very hard on the operator. Controls not ergonomically friendly (will kill you)...

Pull behinds I ran a 48" True-vac this week and aerated 8 acres with it, price around 500.00+/-, it's light weight and can fit on a small trailer easy. It has 8 sets of 2 plugs all independant and with grease fittings, but the pluggers could be longer. Good buy on a budget..

Really would like to purchase the Classen tow behind, I think Eric has one that he pulls with his DC. They are larger and have the 3-pt hitch, good for either tractor or Z (w/hitch), priced around 1400.00 I think.

Well that's my $.18 worth.

[HBFOXJr]

I recently saw a 3 pt hitch unit about 60" wide. I just bristled with tines (core type). Looks like and excellent pattern compared to other tow/3pt I've seen.

Comments?

[David Haggerty]

Originally posted by HBFOXJr
I recently saw a 3 pt hitch unit about 60" wide. I just bristled with tines (core type). Looks like and excellent pattern compared to other tow/3pt I've seen.

Comments?

I spoke to a salesman on the phone at Mill Creek about their aerator a couple of weeks ago. His comment was that the optional 2 1/4" pattern tended to walk on top of the ground and not penetrate as well as the 5" pattern.

http://www.millcreekmfg.com/index.cfm?do=search

I bought the 5" pattern 63" aerator at the Ohio Farm Science Review and saved a little shipping. It was about $1600 with tax.

It's a well made unit. It has the independent pairs of spoon wheeels so it can be steered while the spoons are in the ground.

I got the 3 point hitch model and made new push arms to mount it to the front of my Toro 325D. I wish I had Eric's talent for welding and fabrication.

Dave

[Davis TLC]

I just got back from picking up my new aerator. From the short amount of time I have used this thing I can tell I'm gonna love it. Got some lawns to go aerate now.

[prolawnguy]

Spend the money and buy a Ryan tow behind. The hydraulic wheel setup is awseome. I have yet to see a better one.