tow behind core aerators ?

[northeast]

I am looking for some input on tow behind core aerators,what kind do you have? and do you like it?I will be buying one soon,and would like to get the best I can to be pulled behind a
exmark lazer hp. northeast

[1grnlwn]

I have a 36" ryan. Haven't used it much but I am adding core tines 48, and building hydraulic lift. Tough to use in average size yards 8000sf. Hyd lift will help.

Mark

[Lawn-Scapes]

I recommend that you do not tow an aerator with your hp...

I have a 60" Lazer/25hp Kohler and a 60" Lesco tow behind.. though it does pull the aerator.. I can feel (sense) that it shouldn't be. I will be getting a small tractor in the near future.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Exmark and all the other ZTR's were not designed to pull tow aeraters with alot of weight on them.

It can be done, but not recomended.

I use a Feldman 48" tow about $500

There is also a Classen 40" that Lesco sells in green.

[trophytkr]

I also wouldn't tow anything behind a ztr. I purchased a 21 hp garden tractor for those kind of jobs, aerating, rolling and dethatching. My ztr is just for mowing and I feel that's all that it's designed for.:)

[Runner]

The Feldmann Turfvent is an excellent aerator for the money. While the Classen is an all around excellent aerator, it's a bit pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for. Great quality. Like I said, the Felmann is great for the money. I have one, and have more than satisfied with it. Works great, built well.

[1grnlwn]

No more than you are going to use tow behind I wouldnt worry about using Ztr. I wouldn't do it on hot day. I certainly wouldn't go buy something else just to pull that. Then you got two big a.. things to store all summer and all winter. I guess if the Exmark isn't tough enough get a Ferris or Dixie.

Mark

[Lawn-Scapes]

I have the 48" not the 60" aerator.

I almost bought the Turfvent.. in fact the charge was made to my credit card. But they screwed up the shipment. So I cancelled it and went with the Lesco. Yes they are 3 times the money but they are 3 times the quality. I'm glad they lost the shipment :)

No more than you are going to use tow behind I wouldnt worry about using Ztr.

That's great that you wouldn't worry about it :rolleyes: I guess that's because it's not your money.. right?



northeast.. why don't you ask this question in the Exmark forum where a qualified individual can answer.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Qualified answer;

Exmark sells a hitch.

Maximum towing on it is 80 pounds.

1grnlwn; it's not that the Exmark is not tough enough, it is none of the ztr's on the market were designed to be towing 300-400-500 pounds that aeration sometimes needs.

The more weight you add what is being towed and the resistance of it, adds to the amount of back pressure that is added to the hydro system.

None of the ZTR's have a big enough wheel motor to handle it for a long period of time.

[rodfather]

I have a BlueBird towable that I use behing my 325D Toro Groundsmaster. The things weighs a ton when I fill up the water cannisters that fit on top. Not so sure I would try it behind a Z...must weight 4 or 5 hundred pounds.

My 2 cents.

[lee b]

LGF, you may want to talk to Eric, I remember him saying that he was using his diesel chopper to aerate with. If my memory is correct he said it would not hurt the hydros. Check with him and see.

[northeast]

Thanks for the input ,I really didnt consider the strain I would be putting on the exmark.Good point. I think that I would go with a
walk behind unit before I would buy a tractor just to pull an aerator. Thanks for the input. Northeast

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by lee blount
LGF, you may want to talk to Eric, I remember him saying that he was using his diesel chopper to aerate with. If my memory is correct he said it would not hurt the hydros. Check with him and see.

The hydro's and wheel motors are bigger on the diesel, but still does not recomend pulling a whole lot of weight with it.

I never said it can't be done.

Hell I pull around 500# with a Lazer. And it whines real bad.

How long do you think it can do it?

How much life did I take off that hydro system?

[lee b]

I don't have a clue how long you can do it and apparantly you don't either. But if you think it's that bad on your z, why do you still do it? I was neither recommending nor endorsing anyone to pull anything with their z, merely making a statement concerning something read here, posted by a well-respected and knowledgeable person. .

[Eric ELM]

Yes, I do use my Dixie Chopper for pulling the Classen/Lesco aerator. I know several other guys using Dixie Choppers to pull the same aerator. I wouldn't advise using a Flat Lander Dixie Chopper for aerating because of the smaller wheel motors, but I do know 2 guys using them to pull this same aerator. Dixie Chopper is one of the few ZTR mower companies that puts a hitch on their mower. If a mower doesn't come with a hitch, I wouldn't put one on it to use it to pull with.

[Dennis Watson]

Bluebird makes a good core areator. The one I have only has a crank lift system which is the one feature that I don't like. I pull mine with an 18 hp Simplicity tractor and my 23 hp Derby Stallion ZTR. I can't tell that it strains the ZTR one bit and it pulls alot faster than the tractor. I do have an oil cooler on my ZTR. I also use the Derby for leaf removal, pulling a 4'x8'x4' collection trailer. I may be asking for trouble, but so far it handles it w/o any problems.
DW

[1grnlwn]

That's great that you wouldn't worry about it I guess that's because it's not your money.. right? I have 500 lb ryan and I pull it with my ZTR. So I guess it is my money.

[thartz]

Ever thought of using an atv? I use a compact tractor but I've seen a lot of atv's pulling lawncare equip. lately.