Anyone have a pull behind plug aerator?

[RhondaHonda]

Home Depot has a 40” Brinly for $269 and there’s also a 48” wide one as well. They hold extra weight on top if needed for good penetration. I figured I’ll pick one up if they aren’t total junk as it’s $200+ to get my yard aerated. Anyone have any good or bad experiences with these?

 

[Oily_Thing]

I've rented the Brinley and it worked great. Get several 5-gallon gas jugs filled with water to use for weight.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I've rented the Brinley and it worked great. Get several 5-gallon gas jugs filled with water to use for weight.

Thanks. I have a few decent size hills and was thinking about some bags of topsoil on there to weigh it down.

 

[mrsilv04]

I use the same tubes of sand that I use in the back of my 2WD pickup in the winter, for weight. The size and shape is perfect.

 

[TCL]

Thanks. I have a few decent size hills and was thinking about some bags of topsoil on there to weigh it down.

I have an Agri-Fab or Brinly 40 inch that I got from Home Depot. It was hanging on the wall as a display.
They didn't have a new in box unit, so I offered a 100 bucks for it and they took it. Works great when ground is damp or moist with two cement blocks strap down with a cargo strap. I guess the weight would be dependent on your soil type and how much weight and/or drag your lawn tractor transmission can handle.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have an Agri-Fab 40" one for the past 20+ yrs. It does a good job in slightly wet soil. I use concrete blocks for weight due to the heavy clay content in my soil.

 

[Pelican]

Airating a lawn is only necessary if there is compaction, if there isn't there is no need, but it makes a good selling point for lawn care companies.

 

[FowVay]

I have an Agri-Fab 48" version. I've used it every fall for the past 20 years to aerate the soil and to make little holes to hold my pelletized lime that I spread in the fall. The main tow arm that hooks to my mower broke in half this summer because I had too much weight on it but it was a simple and inexpensive repair to get it back to new. The part cost me $12 with cheap shipping so I had it back up and running for less than $20. I'm glad to know it's not a throw-away lawn tool. I had to replace #5 in this IPC:

 

[RhondaHonda]

FowVay-that’s one I’ve been looking at. Good to know it’s worked well for you for many years. Our soil stinks here and I’d like to aerate and overseed. The seed doesn’t bite here just throwing it down in the dirt without aeration or raking.

 

[RDMgr]

I use liquid aeration. Shampoo, soap (not the anti-bacterial stuff) or a commercial surfactant work well for water/nutrient penetration without the hassle of plug or tine aeration.

 

[TnT_M]

I rent one from my local hardware store in the fall after I mulch leaves, and sometimes again in the late spring. It's ~$10 to rent one and I don't have to store it... I have 4 concrete blocks that I bungy cord onto the aerator. FWIW plug aeration is the only way to go IMO.

just my $0.02

 

[RhondaHonda]

I rent one from my local hardware store in the fall after I mulch leaves, and sometimes again in the late spring. It's ~$10 to rent one and I don't have to store it... I have 4 concrete blocks that I bungy cord onto the aerator. FWIW plug aeration is the only way to go IMO.

just my $0.02

That’s a deal and for that I’d rent one too. The only tow behind I’ve found is $60/day. I have plenty of storage space so that’s not a concern. I’ll buy one for $250 vs rental at $60.

 

[TnT_M]

That’s a deal and for that I’d rent one too. The only tow behind I’ve found is $60/day. I have plenty of storage space so that’s not a concern. I’ll buy one for $250 vs rental at $60.

No doubt! I just can’t justify one for that small rental fee. Good luck with yours. Aerating keeps my lawn health and green.

Just my $0.02

 

[jeepman3071]

I have the 48" Brinly. It works well and has held up pretty good. I've used it on other lawns besides mine and have probably had it about 8 years now.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I have the 48" Brinly. It works well and has held up pretty good. I've used it on other lawns besides mine and have probably had it about 8 years now.

I’ve got a 70s Simplicity lawn tractor that I’d pull it with but it only made 13 horse new. Think it would pull the 48” aerator ok?

 

[Lubener]

For me, it's too big to have sitting around to only use once a year. I will have the local landscape company do it.

 

[jeepman3071]

I’ve got a 70s Simplicity lawn tractor that I’d pull it with but it only made 13 horse new. Think it would pull the 48” aerator ok?

Yeah, it should pull it fine. Those old Simplicity tractors are stout. My neighbor has borrowed it and pulled it with his rear-engine rider.

 

[meep]

I’ve got a 70s Simplicity lawn tractor that I’d pull it with but it only made 13 horse new. Think it would pull the 48” aerator ok?

I pull the Home Depot rental aerator with a 14.5 hp ZTR. Power has not been a problem, however if the aerator sinks down too far, the drive wheels break free before any power loss becomes a thing.

 

[Randol]

I have an Agri-Fab 48" version. I've used it every fall for the past 20 years to aerate the soil and to make little holes to hold my pelletized lime that I spread in the fall. The main tow arm that hooks to my mower broke in half this summer because I had too much weight on it but it was a simple and inexpensive repair to get it back to new. The part cost me $12 with cheap shipping so I had it back up and running for less than $20. I'm glad to know it's not a throw-away lawn tool. I had to replace #5 in this IPC: View attachment 73492

I have the same one, probably 23 years old. We have industrial strength clay here in my part of Indiana. It works well if you catch the soil at the right moisture level. It actually pops plugs out. I have used several things for weight over the years ranging from an old SB chevy block to sand bags. I have recently found some concrete blocks that fit well. I usually pull this with my 4-wheeler. The bar that drops the wheels is long gone since I don't need it. I'm using it on two acres.