tow behind aerators and what to pull them with?

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

What brands of tow behind aerators do you own? Also what do you pull them with other than ztr's?

[Eric ELM]

I have a Lesco/Classen 48 I pull with a 430 diesel John Deere tractor. I could pull it with the ZTR, but the 3 Point hitch is nice too, so I use the JD.

[landscaper3]

Ours isnt a tow behind it goes on the front of our Walker mowers, awsome unit all hydrolic. Works awsome they also make a manual one to go up front a little cheaper at $900.00 46" areator

[Runner]

Feldmann Turfvent. Built well, and REAL reasonable priced. I pull it with whatever I happen to be doing at the time. Sometimes a ZTR, sometimes a tractor.

[Skookum]

I only had one yard big enough for a pull type aerator about four years ago. I had a price of $600 from Tru-Green to do it for me, I could rent one for $105 per day. All the ones I could find to buy were over $400 and they did not look that great.

Then I ran across the Ag-Fab 48" one for under $200. I bought it and made $200 the first time I pulled it around. I still use it on a few times a year. It works just great. It might not be as good for a lot of aeration work, but for the money and just doing a few a year, it is just right.

I pull it around with a old 16hp Bolens garden tractor.

[leeslawncare]

I've got a pull behind that fill with water (drum type) i got it for 400 $ .I pull it with my polaris 500 sportsman 4x4 it works great !

[lbmd1]

I purchased the 36" GPC tow behind true core aerator several months ago for about $500 including shipping. (as seen in the turf mags we all recieve) I am very pleased with it's performance and workmanship. As with any tow behind, you have to watch your turns or you'll make quite a mess. I also bought a hitch kit from Toro for my Zmaster to pull. Sent a special flyer to about 50 of my 120 weekly customers that I thought needed an aeration for a price of $150. Ended up getting 40 calls. Took 3 days to do them all and made $6000!! Funny thing is, Chemlawn's price is $195 per 6000 sq ft lawn and they all always busy. Going to advertise heavily to the public next season to get more outside aeration business. Not alot of LCO's doing them around here, mostly Chemlawn. I've also been getting big into organic fertilizing up here with alot of success. About a third of the aerations followed up with an organic app at $65 adding alot more to the bottom line. I've been wanting to get out of the snowplowing business the last couple of years and I've already made in aerations and fertilizing what I make in 3 months waiting around here for our pitiful snowfall amounts.


Mike

[scottb]

Originally posted by leeslawncare
I've got a pull behind that fill with water (drum type) i got it for 400 $ .I pull it with my polaris 500 sportsman 4x4 it works great !


Hey I have been thinking about using my Sportsman too. How did it do while turning, This is my only worry as I know it has plenty of power.

[Eric ELM]

I started out with a Agri-Fab 42" and mounted it to the 3 point hitch on the JD. It didn't put very many holes in the turf so I bought a 48" when they made the bigger one and mounted it in front of the 42" so I could lift them both at once and the 42" tracked in between the 48" so it would more plugs per square foot. It worked fine as long as the ground was soft, but a year ago I bought the Classen built aerator and it puts more holes per square foot than both of the Agri-Fabs did and did a nicer job of it and is so quiet compared to the Agri-Fab. If anyone is interested, Classen also makes a 5' pull behind aerator.

[parkwest]

We also use a 48" Classen. We pull it with a New Holland diesel tractor with 3 pt hitch. Wouldn't do it any other way.

[bob]

I have a Lecso 42" pull behind. I use my Gator.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

How much power do you need to yank the classen around? Would an old used garden tractor work? The classifieds around me always have them for sale.

[Eric ELM]

It doesn't take much power to pull them, but it does take good traction on hills. On flat lawns, I would think 10 HP would be plenty, but on hills, you need at least a 1000 pound machine to pull it with. I have the bar type tractor tires on my JD and it weighs close to 1,500 pounds the way it's set up, but with the aerator raised up on with the 3 point hitch, it will back up some very steep hills.

[awm]

I HAVE A CHEAP TINE TYPE .I twisted the tines
so they are like little sharp shooters
100 lbs of blocks held on with clamp.
It will even tear up dry clay,and does
super job on most soils.Pull with lawn tractor.
More than one way to skin a cat.I also
have tank type but but can t recommend them
Good Luck

[Barkleymut]

I have one of the Lesco Classen aerators and yes you can tow it behind a Murray, Scotts, MTD etc. I know because my Chopper which I usually use to tow it with was in the shop for a couple of days during aerating season and I was behind. My buddy has a Craftsman with a 14HP and it did the trick no problem.

[jaclawn]

I use a JOhn Deere 212 to pull my 48" Lesco. IT works well, plenty of power, especially in low gear. Traction on steep or muddy hillsides becomes an issue, especially with the tines in the ground.

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by scottb


Hey I have been thinking about using my Sportsman too. How did it do while turning, This is my only worry as I know it has plenty of power.

I have a Feldman Turf Vent(48 inch-$300.00) aerator that I pull with my atv, it has 5 seperate sets of tines that move independently from each other, when you turn they don`t tear up the turf. I guess if you had an areator that didn`t have these seperate tines it would tear the turf up when turning.Next year I am getting a hitch for my lazer so I can do jobs while I am out cutting :)

[Likestomow]

Hey Mow,

Can you give us some direction on locating that Feldman Turf Vent aerator on the Web or perhaps an 800 number to the factory?

[SKDCO]

We use a Kubota B4700 4wd and a Ryan Lawnaire 48" core aerator

[BUSHMASTER]

Originally posted by landscaper3
Ours isnt a tow behind it goes on the front of our Walker mowers, awsome unit all hydrolic. Works awsome they also make a manual one to go up front a little cheaper at $900.00 46" areator



Who makes and where can i see one...
thanks

[Runner]

Likestomow, Here is the number for Feldmann that makes the Turfvent. It's 1 800 344 0712. They are pretty prompt at sending you their literature and price lists.

[leeslawncare]

to be honest it sux for turning ,an way too big .I think i'am gonna find another one a lil smaller an with out the 4x4 for next year.The good thing about a atv is .....I'ts a tax write off!!!! an fun to play on !!!

[Premo Services]

Feldmann Turf Vent Aerators
1-800-344-0712
http://www.turfvent.com

[Davis TLC]

I have a 42" Agri-fab aerator, that I pull with my JD 318 or with my Dixie Chopper.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

What do aerators run for towbehind?

[Eric ELM]

The Classen 48 is around $1250 at Lesco and the 5 footer is around $1700.