core aerator questions

I am looking to buy a pull behind the lawn mower type core aerator. Anyone have one and what's your thoughts on it? Besides the normal use I also want to use it to smooth my yard some. My thought is if I really go over it heavy and then use my homemade drag it should pull the plugs into the low spots etc... anyone ever try that? My yard gets compacted from the dogs, four-wheelers, my truck and tractor. Figuring on using it a few times a year.

 

The drag likely won't move the plugs far in the tall grass. It will break up the plugs and let the dirt settle and the thatch will stay on top so you can mulch it up with the mower.

The small cheap ones for a garden tractor aren't built very well and will get beat up quickly.

Best bet would be to look for a used one for your New Holland or go for something like this so it will last a while.

http://www.billygoat.com/Product-Categories/Detail/aet-series-4872-towable

 

Looks pretty heavy duty. Was not sure if I waited until after a rain the plugs would stick together. It's not horribly rough but I was also figuring on doing a serious rough up with it multiple times over in multiple directions. Thought about a 3pt model but don't want to run the tractor over the yard a whole bunch.

 

Budget is the big question then maybe. The cheap ones at TSC or other stores aren't built heavy and when you add enough weight to get the tines into the ground it likely won't last too long. But at the price just scrap it every few years and no big deal.

Then there's the other end of the spectrum. We use these at work: http://www.toro.com/golf/cultivation/aerator/deep_tine/SR72.html
And here's a video of a similar model in action:

Nothing that a homeowner would need but the cheap ones don't pull cores anything like that.

Moisture content can help but there are other variables. Type of soil, strong/deep roots, and how much thatch are a few.

Best bang for your buck would really be something like this: http://www.agrisupply.com/drum-spike-aerator-wide-tow-behind/p/74601/

It won't wear out fast, it will relieve the compaction, and you can just add water for the extra weight. The biggest benefit to pulling a core when aerating is to remove the thatch. Unless your trying to amend the soil by getting sand down into the holes. If your main concern is to relieve compaction then just poking a hole will do the job.

 

Jet... a friend of mine has developed and maintained his small grass airstrip for over a couple decades now. I asked him once how he got it so smooth? It was an old farm field before. He said the only way to smooth out the tufts and be able to use the area too... was to scun it down with a decent HD finish mower and let it come back from there, along with rolling it. He went thru a few blades after many re-sharpenings... but they did the trick. I've flown out of the strip a lot. Smooth as tar.

 

Bret Hart Was going to try to find one on craigslist. I am known to be hard on things so I don't want to spend a ton of money. Stinny it's more or less just low spots trying to fill in and don't want to have dirt brought in. Plus just something else to piddle around with.

 

I have a core aerator. It has really helped my grass since I got it. It has also helped smooth up my yard. I have heard people says if you pull a harrow over after you aerator it will really help it smooth your yard. Keep in mind it will be a slow process. If you really want to smooth things up top dress after you aerator. The heavier the aerator is the better job it will do. I'm sure of a good brand of pull type to recommend. I do think I would stay away from the stuff in box stores. Some people on a tractor forum I look at have got a feldman aerator. They look a little cheap but they still look better than the box store stuff.

http://www.turfvent.com/seriestwo.htm If your looking for a used model check and see if any rental companies have one they want to sell. If you have any hills to aerate you probably want a 32'' for a lawn mower.

A spike aerator actually compacts the soil so it is counterproductive. They are good to use when you seed or overseed.

 

Glad this thread came up - I was browsing for one this morning.
I don't have big enough yard to justify a tow behind and am thinking of a foot stepper type unit - anyone ever use one?

I might build one -curious are the coring tubes tapered or straight pieces of pipe?

 

If you have a riding mower I would say the yard is big enough.

 

I have a riding mower - old snapper that I only use for sucking up leaves other than the bagger it's a POS. I can push mow the yard in ~20mins.
watched few videos of the two prong stepper and I could probably do the yard in a couple hours

 

I would think you could make a multi prong step on do hicky fairly easy instead of just a 2 prong. I think the key would be to make it so you stepped evenly on it. Or my be rent a small walk behind unit.

 

I have decent soil that doesn't compact much but there's a path to the garage that packs down a bit and I get with a foot job one every year or two in the Spring right after a rain. The cores pretty much disappear in two weeks or so.

 

I have rented a walk behind core aerator for years and they work great as opposed to the tine type. The cores dissolve pretty quick. If you have an uneven / sloped lawn like I do, it wants to fight you every inch of the way. The one I rent is heavy and it makes for a great workout with muscles you never thought you had.
This is a timely topic because I too have been looking for a core aerator I can tow behind the lawn tractor.