"Lets Build A Pull Behind Core Aerator"

[Daner]

Hey all...I have decided to do another build (Core Aerator)

I will post some pictures as I go along...But for now...I'm In the designing mode...and I could certainly use your help with Ideas and your experience.

Most of my properties are 1 acre plus...so I thinking of making this machine say 60"...and to pull 9 plugs per sq.'. I think I have most of the materials kickin around here In the shop or on the steel rack...I noticed that I have a length of 1-1/4 cold rolled...so thats what I will use for the shaft...and the rest will be constructed from sq tube, angle and what ever else I have on hand.

So starting off with the trickiest part of the build...and thats the tine spoons...Yes...I'm making them too...If you have a close up picture of a open spoon ,please post It here...thats what I need to look at...Or give me a link...Or Ideas on the spoons...any close up pics of tow behinds would help me out a lot In the design.

So feel free to chime In ...and Inputs will be much appreciated

Daner

[turfcobob]

Be sure to keep track of your labor hours so you know how much you really have in the machine when you are done. If you work for zero I know alot of guys that will hire you.

[LindblomRJ]

I am planning a project along those same lines.

Do you have a piece of 10 or 12" well casing? I would cap each end and have a bung on the end so it can be filled with water, or sand or whatever for ballast.

[Daner]

I need to be able to control the weight...so I want to use water containers on the top...but I think your well casing Idea would work as well.

Bob, I know what your saying about the costs...My labor Is free...and It gives me a chance to blow the dust out of the shop, LOL...plus I like custom building my own tools.

I'm going to use steel pipe for the spoons...And for the soil around here...the easier the plug comes out of the spoon the better...so I think the spoons should be open. I'm not a very good Cad guy...more of a soap stone on the steel work bench kind of guy...So the spoons will be cut with the band saw and the plasma cutter...then finished with the die grinder...then hardened the old fashion way

[LindblomRJ]

Are you going to built some sort of lift for transport and end of rows and things like that?

On edit: The more I think about it with a bung you could fill it with as much or little water as needed. I guess either way would work.

[Daner]

Are you going to built some sort of lift for transport and end of rows and things like that?

Yes...I think some kind of electric over hydraulic kinda gadget:)

[LindblomRJ]

What are you going to pull this around with?

[Daner]

What are you going to pull this around with?


I was thinking of using the ATV...In low range

[LindblomRJ]

I think if and or when I build mine I intend to pull it is a real garden tractor. When you get going on it post up some pictures. This has my interest.

[Daner]

Starting off with the spoons:) I'm cutting then shaping the spoons...1 or 2 then i will try to pull a plug by hand and see how they work before i make them all:)

D

[LindblomRJ]

How long are you cutting the spoons?

[jggarrettllc]

heres one i have been working on.........it is complete now (actuator/grease fittings/ etc.) but this only pictures i have.........it uses and electric actuator to lift up/down. I am having a hard time finding an actuator that is quick enough......the one i used for mockup is soooooooo slow.

anybody know where to get actuators

[PlatinumLandCon]

Sweet saw daner, I've got one myself:drinkup:. I can't wait to see this thing updated, it seems like a cool project.

[LindblomRJ]

heres one i have been working on.........it is complete now (actuator/grease fittings/ etc.) but this only pictures i have.........it uses and electric actuator to lift up/down. I am having a hard time finding an actuator that is quick enough......the one i used for mockup is soooooooo slow.

anybody know where to get actuators

Try the Surplus center in Lincoln Nebraska.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/

[bruno_rs]

heres one i have been working on.........it is complete now (actuator/grease fittings/ etc.) but this only pictures i have.........it uses and electric actuator to lift up/down. I am having a hard time finding an actuator that is quick enough......the one i used for mockup is soooooooo slow.

anybody know where to get actuators

hey jg, nice fabrication and welds. maybe i'm missing something but, i can't see how the unit lifts and/or lowers. looks time consuming to put on the machine and/or take off... wouldn't it be easier to tow the unit? i have a unit which i tow, behind my zero turn and am happy with its' function, ease of use and quick connect/disconnect.

[jggarrettllc]

a tow behind would be too easy

4 bolts to mount it..........the lift is not in these pictures.....ill try to get some new ones

[bruno_rs]

a tow behind would be too easy

4 bolts to mount it..........the lift is not in these pictures.....ill try to get some new ones

hey jg, i get it... you're one of those guys that likes to over-engineer? no offense intended and i hope it works out for you. definitely post some pics (with the actuator) when you have it close to completion. maybe you're onto something. have a good one.

[Daner]

heres one i have been working on.........it is complete now (actuator/grease fittings/ etc.) but this only pictures i have.........it uses and electric actuator to lift up/down. I am having a hard time finding an actuator that is quick enough......the one i used for mockup is soooooooo slow.

anybody know where to get actuators

Ahh so I'm not the only one building there own tools...nice job...as for your lift system...see If you can get a picture...It may just need a adjustment ...on a lever... Did you get your spoons from a old aerator?

[Daner]

How long are you cutting the spoons?


There just cut extra long at this point...I'm making 3 different spoons...then I'm going to take them outside...on the lawn and test them...to see witch one will pull and clean the best:)

I will be working on this Aerator just In my spare time, I have some other projects to finish before I fire up the wire feader

Cheers

Daner

[cspaugh]

Hey Daner,
Looks good, but more important some time has gone by, any opdates to that machine yet. I will be looking, I love to build stuff and this looks like a worthwhile project. Keep up the good work.:weightlifter:

[Jmastersinc]

Im new to the site and am wantint to build my own as well, any idea of whare to get the spoons? Don't have the time to build my own, and myne will be a very simple tow behind.

Thanks.

[1.2.3. green]

I bought a 60" aerator from lowes and reinforced it with angle iron including the drawbar. Welded small uprights around the top to hold the 4 - 12" cinder blocks which are filled solid. About 250.00 total and paid for itself 4 times over the first day i used it.