What's the easiest way to get a walk-behind aerator into a truck?

[shepoutside]

I love the tailgate ramp, like in my pic below

[ostrichsak]

Originally Posted by shepoutside

I love the tailgate ramp, like in my pic below

That's pretty tiny. Got some bigger pics and details?

[shepoutside]

Originally Posted by ostrichsak

That's pretty tiny. Got some bigger pics and details?

Go to the bottom of this page for bigger pic's

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=371727&page=2

[locallawncare.ca]

I had the same dilema when i first got an aerator, I use a bi-fold ramp that you attach 3/4" plywood to, you can make it as wide as you like, mine is 30" also has side rails, but not really needed, just part of the design, got at local supply store and plywood for home-depot. the ramps with metal plates are ok for mowers but an aerator can be a bit more difficult, especially if the tines drop down while going up the ramp, which can happen. Best of luck witht the trailer.

[MillerIn503]

Originally Posted by ostrichsak

Thanks for the posts fellas. I picked up a new Tacoma TRD (supercharged woot!) yesterday and now I'm getting ready to pick up the aerator tomorrow and get cracking.

That 2-wheel trailer is pretty bad ass. My only concern pulling that with a truck is that someone may not see it. Maybe not as big of a deal as your car since it's a little easier to see the trailer behind it but I don't need someone running over my $3k aerator that I had to drive hours to get. It also wouldn't be much use for getting mowers in and out and such too once I start doing that. I do like it though and will continue considering it because it sure would be nice to not even worry about getting that beast in and out of a truck dozens of times every day. Edit: I just looked at your pic again.. is that just a 2-wheel dolly that you modified?

The board idea sounds like it will be the most affordable and easiest to do on short notice. I can swing by Home Depot tomorrow and have everything I need within a matter of minutes. My only concern with these is making sure they 1) don't break under the weight of the aerator and myself (I'm a pretty stout dude) 2) They don't slip out while I'm up in the air (I could use tie downs to bumper to hold them against the gait but that would be time consuming to do every time) and 3) how difficult it would be and I guess this all depends on the length but I'm sure ideal length is no longer than the bed itself which will make for a somewhat steep angle. No problem for once or twice every now and then but to do dozens of times a day I could see it being a little more cumbersome. Maybe I'm over thinking these and maybe the beauty lies in the simplicity. I like this idea and likely will give it a try if nothing else as a temporary solution until I get something more permanent. Do you just push them together so there's no gap and then the three wheels (well, 2 & the drum) all fit on them at once?

The idea of a gate/ramp that replaces my tailgate is actually the most appealing to me at the moment. I did a quick Google search but didn't come up with much so I obviously used the wrong search terms. Who makes these? What do they cost? I envision something that looks like the grate style you see on landscaping trailers that stands tall or maybe even folds in half when you put it up. If it stood as tall as the cab when put up and folded in half this would make for a fairly long ramp when deployed for an easier/quicker load/unload. The downsides to this would be having to swap out my tailgate, the time it takes to locate one have here to utilize and probably cost. I would imagine something like this wouldn't be the cheapest piece of equipment to buy but would probably be worth it since I'm trying to avoid pulling a trailer... for now at least. If someone can get me some more information on this type of thing or get my pointed in the right direction for me to research I would appreciate it.

Thanks and keep 'em coming!

Found this set up the other day. I too am avoiding the trailer aspect. Streets can get pretty tight here in Portland. http://www.tailgateramps.com/

[I'magenius]

Hey Jc I cant make out the brand on this one. Could you provide a name and number or a link? Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by JCLawn and more

something more hefty

[locallawncare.ca]

Here is what I used, worked great.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/prod...-Ramp-Hardware

[Executive Lawn Care]

Originally Posted by ostrichsak

I was looking at this and unless I'm missing something how does something like this work with something like a Ryan Lawnaire IV which has two wheels in the rear then a single drum up front in the middle? I don't see how these items that all have two ramps with a gap between them would work for something like this.

I have a bluebird lawn aerator, when I felt daring I would use my two steel ramps. when load I would drive it up one ramp with the center wheel, and when unloading I would line up both ramps and use the two small rear wheels to go down the ramps.

I typically used a 5 X 6 trailer which works great for aeration. For next season I will purchase a 5 X 10 or 12 enclosed trailer to store all my lawn care equipment. Still is a shame to haul around the enclosed for aeration.

[MillerIn503]

locallawn, you just saved me a grip of money in start up cost. Thanks... http://www.weststeel.com/utility-ramps Locations to purchase are on the link. Although, I will be going with the 6" model. Being that I am starting with a WB 25" only to start(yBravo BBC I hope) and will consider different setups as I grow. Buy as needed mentality.

[locallawncare.ca]

No problem, I use that ramp specifically for aerations with just a truck, no need to bring trailer, also you can make it as wide as you need, its very strong(basically as strong as the wood you use), I used 3/4", but 1/2" would work for lighter applications. Also I found that if you want to make a wooden ramp that folds, you can use garage door hinges, they are very strong and lock out at 180 degrees (flat postition). All the best. Also Princess Auto is like the Tractor Supply store, Im sure the name varies place to place.