Bluebird aerator-quirk

[Toroguy]

I rented a Bluebird aerator on Saturday. It had a roll over safety turn-off switch. The switch was so sensitive that it turned the aerator off on the slightest incline. I had to aerate up and down slopes, but even the angle on my turn arounds would shut it off?

I had to restart it at least 50 times on one lawn, the rest were pretty flat but probably 50 more shut offs on the other five yards.

Do all aerators have this feature or only rental or Bluebird?

During the off season I may have rotator cuff surgery from pulling the rip cord on that baby!

[BUSHMASTER]

I had that problem on my bed shaper when i rented it check the oil level it will shut the engine off on small incleines if it's anything but full or the sensor could be bad...but it would probally be a good time to buy it from where you rented it from, after all if folks are having problems they might get rid of it.

[KirbysLawn]

FYI, if you look at the front of the engine there is a wire with a male/female plug, just unplug it when on hills and problem solved.

Ray

[Evan528]

same exact thing happed to me when i rented the bluebird aerater last year... it was driving me nuts shutting off on a 5 degree incline! when i returned it i cmpained and they explained that the oil was a littl elow and the sensor was reading very low when i was on inclines and shutting off the engine.

[Toroguy]

Bushmaster,
I dont plan on buying an aerator for two more seasons, but you have the right idea on geting a good deal.

Kirby,
Now that you mention it there was a wire like that. Next season I will know better.

Evan,
A couple times the fricken thing wouldnt restart for 5 minutes...I bet the oil was responsible for that difficulty.

Even with all the difficulties, it was a profitable endeavor. Armed with this new knowledge the frustration factor should be minimal.

Thanks all.

[SLSNursery]

I haven't had an oil sensor problem, but we've had a Bluebird demo aerator for about a month, and the guys have noticed/complained that it simply goes too fast, especially when compared to the Ryan that we've had for several years. Any comments on this? Should I set the max. idle screw in, or adjust the cable tension?

[Runner]

SLS, Just tell your guys to spped up! lol

[turfsurfer]

I would bet that this aerator had a Honda engine on it. Hondas have low oil level feature on them which shuts off the engine to protect it from low oil damage. This feature is useful on some items like generators,powerwashers and such but is useless on items such as aerators which encounter slopes alot. Anyway I found this out the hard way like you did by doing a lot of starter rope pulling the first day until I found the disconnect wire. BY the way this will not damage the unit since your oil is not really in a low state for any length of time.

[OU812]

I own a bluebird aerator with a B&S it dosnt have the oil alert so thats not a problem,but i have used one with the oil alert it is a pain but make sure the oil level is up and it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

SLSNURSERY,
As far as it being to fast tell the employee's to hurry up but if im behind it i just turn the engine R.P.M.'s down a little!!
CRASH

[Ricky]

I rented a Bluebird slit seeder back in Sept. It was powered by a Honda engine. I live on a very steep hill. I didn't have any problems.

[jay]

Whats a good reasonably price machine that you guys recommend? For mostly small jobs not much over 3000sqft.

[turfsurfer]

for that size lawn I assume your looking for a walk behind model. I demoed the Bluebird and Ryan and bought the Ryan. I found it way more comfortable on the hands and the big water drum in front is way more easy to manuever than the smallish wheel on the Bluebird. Also like the pneumatic tires on the ryan compared to the hard rubber ones on the Bluebird. I have the Lawnaire v which ran @$2500. Just my opinion though, demo as many as you can before buying. One thing for sure, after a day behind a walk behind aerator you'll be longing for the comfort of your ZTR mower.

[leeslawncare]

Doing aeration in the Coldest time of the year? Just qurious did you seed an/or put down winter fert ? how late can a man put down winter fert?

[gusbuster]

I just bought an aerator from this company this last fall.
http://www.turfco.com/lawncare/html/aerator.htm
I've been impressed on how it worked. Also it is cheaper :)than the Ryan or Bluebird.

[jay]

Which aerator did you buy, they have been sending me brochures. I've been sceptical about ordering anything through the mail. How much did it cost and whats the warantee? Did it come unassembled? Was it very much work to put together? Do they have any local shops in C.A. that carries the parts? I looked at your site it's nice. Have you ever tried to aerate through your gopher netting it seems it might get caught up? Sorry about all the questions but I've been curious about this machine, but never known anyone whos owned one.
Thanks, gusbuster