Aerators

[MLLINC]

I am thinking about purchasing an aerator for residential and commercial use. Does anyone have any suggestions on advice to what brand to buy?

[whoopassonthebluegrass]

Bluebirds will kill you physically.

[ALC-GregH]

48" Blue Bird pull behind. Don't even bother with a walk behind type. They'll wear you out.
http://www.bluebirdintl.com/node1269.asp?url=%2Fnode1519.asp%3Fcid%3D481%26frames%3Dfalse

[ALC-GregH]

Little hint. Watch out for irrigation heads if the property has them. The plug tines will destroy them, and no, I haven't had the bad luck of hitting one. They will pull a 3" plug out no problem. After doing my own lawn, I over seeded and could see the seeds dropping in the new holes. It works pretty good.

[turfsolutions]

I bought a zplugr from z spray 4 years ago and have been very happy with it and would recommend it. I would also look into the Lawn Solutions new aerators as well. They have a new walkbehind that is by far the best design out there. They also have a new ride on that is definately worth a look. They are a lawnsite sponsor so take a look.

[turfcobob]

There are many considerations you need to look at before you buy. Type of properties, hills, gates, rocks, how will you move it around and the list goes on. How much pain can you take will determine if you want one that you drive or one you have to manhandle all day. How much you want to spend determines if you want to ride or walk.

If you would like to chat about aerators call me.
Bob Brophy
Turfco Mfg. Inc.
402-783-2028 cell 402-432-2446

[cgaengineer]

Bluebirds will kill you physically.

And don't buy a Classen either. Really if I had all the money in the world I would purchase a hydro drive (ride on) cam driven (Tines) one. Forget the drum type...they suck.

[bigslick7878]

Bunch of wimps in this thread.

I can think of 50 things that wear you out more than a little old aerator.

The one I use is probably 15 years old,and twice as heavy as the new ones and I have no problem with it.

Its called work.

[group501]

We just purchased a Lawn Solutions walk behind aerator. We have about 40 aerations on the unit and my technicians love it. The reverse feature and hydro drive take the back breaking work away. If you service larger properties I would suggest waiting until they release the stand-on unit this Summer. The aerator we purchased is very operator friendly, well designed and pulls awesome plugs. :dancing:

[turfsolutions]

Bunch of wimps in this thread.

I can think of 50 things that wear you out more than a little old aerator.

The one I use is probably 15 years old,and twice as heavy as the new ones and I have no problem with it.

Its called work.

Yeah Dude we know, I have been aerating for 15 years. When you have to aerate 1 million square feet then come talk to us about how easy the old drum type aerators are, and how they don't wear you out. I'll stick with innovation and cutting edge tech personally. Work smart dude.

[cgaengineer]

Bunch of wimps in this thread.

I can think of 50 things that wear you out more than a little old aerator.

The one I use is probably 15 years old,and twice as heavy as the new ones and I have no problem with it.

Its called work.

You are either a spring chicken, big as a house or dumb as a rock!! I see myself as a hard worker and it wears me out.:laugh::rolleyes:

You can work hard or you can work smarter. Using a Classen or Bluebird is working hard.

[cgaengineer]

Yeah Dude we know, I have been aerating for 15 years. When you have to aerate 1 million square feet then come talk to us about how easy the old drum type aerators are, and how they don't wear you out. I'll stick with innovation and cutting edge tech personally. Work smart dude.

No joke. I own a Classen and I do not sell aeration service to my customers. It took me about 5 nights to finish my own lawn with the damn thing...to hell with that $hit!!

[bigslick7878]

Yeah Dude we know, I have been aerating for 15 years. When you have to aerate 1 million square feet then come talk to us about how easy the old drum type aerators are, and how they don't wear you out. I'll stick with innovation and cutting edge tech personally. Work smart dude.

I'm sure most folks are aerating MILLION square foot of lawns every day.

After all thats only about 25 acres.

You get what you pay for,if you spend $1200 on one of the basic Classen or bluebird it is just fine for the job it was intended for....lawns up to 1/2 an acre or a little more.

If you want to spend 5k on a fancy one that you can do acres with that works fine too.

To advise someone not to buy a basic unit because the "work is just too hard!!" is silly.

[lawn king]

We purchased the lawn solutions machine in march, great machine for residentials. We use the big woods for commercial.

[cgaengineer]

I'm sure most folks are aerating MILLION square foot of lawns every day.

After all thats only about 25 acres.

You get what you pay for,if you spend $1200 on one of the basic Classen or bluebird it is just fine for the job it was intended for....lawns up to 1/2 an acre or a little more.

If you want to spend 5k on a fancy one that you can do acres with that works fine too.

To advise someone not to buy a basic unit because the "work is just too hard!!" is silly.


There is no way possible you can aerate all day with a Classen or Bluebird period...I don't care who you are...that is if you want to be able to move the next day.

Try doing small tight lawns with a Bluebird or Classen...the more turns the worse it is. I don't know about you bigslick, but when I aerate I make multiple passes...several actually...9 holes per square foot is what I shoot for. My Classen claims 23,000 sq feet per hour...that's just a little over 1/2 acre per hour. I suspect that is a single pass. With a single pas the job is not complete or done properly in my opinion...so figure 4 passes, 4 hours and 2 acres worth of aeration...you will be dead at the end of the day and you will have only done 2 lawns of that size.

You also have to consider soil type...here in GA the soil is hard...very hard, the harder the soil the more holes needed and the more work you will be doing.

[Taylorman]

I just ordered a jrco hooker aerator. We will start using it in about a week or so. I hope it works well. I'll report back.I have 75 yards scheduled to do which is 498,600 sq ft. I plan on renting a walk behind to trim.

On a side note, i just bought a jrco spreader which mounts to the front of my mower and it works great. Its a top notch unit.