?? Pull 48" BlueBird Aerator With Toro Z G3

[mcw615]

That time of year again, aerating and overseeding.

In the past few years I have borrowed a friend's ATV for the pull behind aerator on larger accounts.

I have also seen one or two larger companies pulling it with their zero-turn mower, anyone done this before and what is the ease of use and how damaging do you feel it is to your mower?

If a 19HP walk-behind mower is made to be able to pull a 200lb person on a sulky do you think a 29HP zero-turn could pull a 325lb aerator without much damage................?

[yardatwork]

If a 15 HP lawn tractor can handle pulling an aerator I think a 29 hp ZTR ran by hydraulics can handle the job!

[mcw615]

I asked eXmark. They said, "It is a lawn mower, not a lawn tractor; and a general rule of thumb is if you can pull it by hand, your lawn mower can pull it. However it's actual towing weight rating is only about 80lbs, any more continuous use chances are the hydraulic system will overheat as general operating has the hydraulic oil temperature at about 70% of it's maximum heat capacity."

Was just looking to possibly use the Z instead of the ATV for better turn ability and comfort.

[robertsturf]

We use our Wright Stander 52/23 w 1000 hrs to pull our aerator, about 150# or so and I weigh 205. Have done it for 4-5 yrs that way.

[John deer Z]

I have a honda 350 rancher I use to pull a areator. Used large claussen pull behind till this year and rental place got rid of them with out me knowing it They replaced them with blue bird towables JUNK!!! I have used the blue bird 2 times now and they wont pull a good plug out of the ground. Found a towable Ryan core weighted aireator that works great though.

[Jimslawncareservice]

i have a blue bird with 5 water jugs. I pull it with a jd 445 tractor mower. It pulls hard. the dealer i bought it from asks everyone what they are using to pull it.. most want to use a small lawn tractor which will not pull it. these are not like the chepos at lowes or home depot that you can lift and carry. with out the weights 1 person can not carry a blue bird.

your mower may pull it on level ground fine and have problems on slopes but think of the long term effect and cost of your hydros. if it were me and had the money i would look for a usede jd 316, 317, 332. you can buy them from 900- 1800 depending on how nice it is.

[sven1277]

I use a front mount dethatcher with a collection system on a ztr. That is a similar strain on the system. You'll be fine.