Lowes/ Home Depot Aerators

[coachgrd]

I'd like to get an core aerator. In looking at the ones Lowes/HD offer, I just can't imagine they would last a day on the job with you pros. How are they for me they homeowner looking to use them 2 times/year, roughly 2 acres?

Also, are the spike aerators useless? Seems as if they would compress the soil more than aerate it.

Thanks in advance for your professional opinions.

coach

[dvmcmrhp52]

Coach,
If you've got 2 acres to do I don't think a home despot model is going to last very long.
Yes, Spike aerators are useless.

Just a side note for you.........
Sears has a core aerator that is a better built model than the lowes/ home depot,etc. models,it is heavier steel and more weight capacity.(they have 2 different models of core aerators,I'm not talking the cheaper one)
It may work O.K. for occasional use.................

[Flounder]

I bought the Northern Tool branded Aerator yesterday. I tried to put it together last night. The nuts were rusted right out of the box. I put it back in the box and I'll be returning it today. I'll check out the Sears model.

Thanks

[Lombardi]

I bought a Brinley from HD 3 years ago and have not had a problem since.

[jsmonroeCT]

I bought a Brinley from HD 3 years ago and have not had a problem since.
Same here. Using it now to aerate and overseed (using a rotary spreader). I have a 1.2 acres and it works like a champ - just weigh it down. Good luck.

[Jeffd1979]

I bought the home depot areator last year.. have used it 3 times so far and it works great.. I put 180 lbs worth of my dumbells on it and it does a descent job.

http://web.infoave.net/~jeffd1979/air1.jpg
http://web.infoave.net/~jeffd1979/air3.jpg

[Flounder]

The Northern Tool model looked identical to the pictures above except it had steel wheels/rims. Shipping weight was 100 pounds which was same as the bigger AgriFab at HD so I thought the steel would be about the same thickness/quality, descriptions in the catalog are the same for the AgriFab and Northern Tool but the Northern Tool is only $129.99. Maybe I should have just replaced all the screws with galvanized and kept it for the price savings.

[Flounder]

I went to Sears on Saturday and they had thier "Commercial grade quality" Craftsman 42 in. Plug Type Aerator on sale, 11 bucks off (regularly $229) and when I asked about the Craftman club and the salesperson gave me an additional 10% off so I bought it. I didn't even have my Craft. club card with me but the sales person did not care. Supposed to be delivered this week. I'll be glad to post a review if anyone is interested. I plan on aerating and overseeding next weekend. Good thing about Sears if I don't like the it I can take it back.

[flyboy03]

how about some photo's of the sears unit? a user report and impressions would be interesting to see. thanks

[dcondon]

I went to Sears on Saturday and they had thier "Commercial grade quality" Craftsman 42 in. Plug Type Aerator on sale, 11 bucks off (regularly $229) and when I asked about the Craftman club and the salesperson gave me an additional 10% off so I bought it. I didn't even have my Craft. club card with me but the sales person did not care. Supposed to be delivered this week. I'll be glad to post a review if anyone is interested. I plan on aerating and overseeding next weekend. Good thing about Sears if I don't like the it I can take it back.


A friend of mine has one that's from sears and works great for him. Just make sure you get the better of the two and add plenty of weight. He uses 4 cement blocks filled with cement. :waving:

[Flounder]

Here is the link at Sears. I have assembled it but I have not used it yet due the latest Hurricane. I plan on using it this coming weekend. The metal tines look a little thin though. It comes with a three year warranty I guess that will cover them. I have a load of top soil mix comming to fill in some low spots. I put in an irrigation system (with help from this site) last July and some of my trenches have settled a little.

I can take some pics of the aerator this weekend if you want.

Fraser

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@1396163389.1096335020@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadcmjfmdldhcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&vertical=LAWN&pid=07124328000

[ReckordGeneralMaintenance]

the home depot model is pretty good had it for about 3 years and never a problem and you shouldn't have to aerate more then once a year

[RichmondR]

Flounder --

A couple pictures would be nice as well as your thoughts on the quality of the job compared to a heavy duty tow behind rental unit (if you have ever rented one). I'm considering this model as well instead of making the annual trip to the rental center.

Thanks

[Big Joe]

Just wondering where you can rent one of the tow behind models? I have called the local HD and the dont have a rental department...Does anyone know if they usually carry this in there rental department? Maybe I could travel to a different HD to get one...Thanks

[dvmcmrhp52]

Just go to a regular rental yard, most have tow behind aerators.

[Flounder]

I used my Sears aerator this weekend for the first time. I have Sears' best model. Retail is $229 but with all the club discounts and sales I got it for $175. I aerated my lawn (about 13K sq ft) and my neighbor's (about 8K sq ft.). I put four 40# bags of lime on it for extra weight. I was a little worried about the tines holding up after putting it together. This model has what I thought were thin tines and these little springs, however the core plugs looked great about 2.5 - 3 inches. No tines bent or any damaged. Everything worked very well except it's not the easiest to put the wheels down to cross over drive ways/sidewalks. Probably some user error involved. Over all I'm very happy with the performance. I'll load a few pics tonight.

Fraser

[harryhomeowner]

I too aerate with a 42" brinley and like it quite a bit. But, you must go over the lawn several times (3 or 4) to do the same job as a Blue Bird/Ryan or other commercial aerators would do. Because of this I aerate in the spring and in the fall.

Prior to buying mine I used the tow behind from the rental center.

[Flounder]

I made several passes in one direction and then ran several more passes perpendicular. I also, really needed to break the turf up. I enjoy my little tractor so much it just made it more fun. Maybe I need to get a life. :p