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Petrol Aerator Options

Hi,

I am not a professional turf care specialist. I have a large lawn (approx. 1200sqm) and I'd like to start taking better care of it. After much reading I believe Hollow-tine aeration to be a vital part of this programme. So I'd like to get some advice on the machines. The machine will have very light use but I plan to live in this house a long time so think it will pay for itself (against hiring or getting someone in). There doesn't seem to be much on the market or I'm searching badly.

The cheapest 2 I've found are these,

           Weibang WB457AB Professional Lawn Aerator £1.55k

DR Professional Aerator (Manual Start)  £1.9k

Does anyone have any experience of using them?

Is there something that I should be looking out for self-propelled for example?

Does any know where/if you can buy second-hand?

I have a John Deere tractor mower and wondered if you can get decent towed aerator's that are independently powered?

Your thoughts will be appreciated! Cara

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  • PRO

    If your only planning on looking after one lawn, regardless of size it would be more cost effective to hire rather than buy a pedestrian aerator .

    The trouble with  towed aerator is it needs lot of weight on it to do it's job properly, though you could spike or slit more often is it was in the garage.... At this point I wouldn't get to hung up on what kind of aeration your doing - more that you are doing some sort of aeration. IMO you can never do enough....   

    • As long as you vary the depths, too much aeration can be a bad thing!
      • PRO

        Please explain?

  • PRO Supplier

    If you are looking at purchasing, it would be worth looking at Groundsman Industries aerators, they're brilliant and really robust. Perhaps you could look at trialling some different models/brands from a local hire company (or borrow from a friend/neighbour) to see what you think of different models? Make sure you look out for one that has low vibration or similar to save your arms if you get a walk behind machine!

    As a hire company we are, of course, a little biased towards hire - the benefits are a professional machine worth a larger sum without having to do maintenance and repairs, and you may be able to get a larger machine (such as ride on or tractor mounted) which would make covering the area a little quicker.

    If you are set on purchasing it is always worth having a look on sites such as the Classifieds section of this website (http://landscapesupplier.co.uk) and Pitchcare.com for second hand machinery. Could be a little wait for something perfect though as the season is in full swing! :)

  • PRO Supplier

    Hello Cara,

    I operate the Terralift machine which aerates the soil to one metre depth.  It is a "kick start" type treatment, relieving waterlogged soil and breaking up compaction panning.  The Terralift injects dried seaweed with the compressed air which, over time, the seaweed expands and contracts with the moisture content in the soil, helping to keep the fissures open.  The probe holes are backfilled with an aggregate to keep the aeration/ventilation process running.  Once treated, this deep aeration treatment would not be needed again, with nature taking over.  I would however recommend that you fork or hollow tine the surface, keeping the soil open to link down to the deep aeration fissures.

    Lynda

  • We have just posted a video to our web site blog demonstrating a "Billy Goat" hollow core aerator. (CLICK HERE)

    The machine is American made and we love some of the really simple but effective designs such as the handles rapidly collapse down to allow the machine to be stored within its own foot print.

    You can then fill the machine with either water or sand for really hard and compacted surfaces.  The water / sand provide additional weight ballast to then allow for greater ground penetration / depth.

    The negative side to the machine is that it  only hollow cores.  It would be nice to have the option of swapping the tines for solid tines to provide greater flexibility long term.

    You state you already have a tractor so perhaps something like this would be ideal especially for your budget ? (tractor mounted aerator / rake)

    Let  us know how you get on.

    regards

  • PRO

    Hi Cara,

    I quite like the Bannerman BA4's - robust plus honda engine. They come up on ebay quite often for £500 to £800 and would be a good 2nd hand buy. However, any decent aerator is going to be heavy 100kg plus and need annual servicing. They are generally physical to handle and it would be very advisable to wear safety boots. I've had customers hire, then do their backs in; then come to us the following year. Ditto scarification. Overall I'd get a local lawn care company to come in for the aeration (I would say that, being one), but the price should be roughly similar/small premium to a weekends hire (inc vat and delivery/pickup). Agree with Robbie, don't get hung up on hollow vs solid etc, doing any aeration will be of benefit.

  • hi cara, 

    few points I hope you find useful.

    1. If its engine powered then it will be self propelled as the action of the tines rotating also drives the machine along. The tines enter the ground and then rotate hence the machine moves. 

    2. With regard to the 2 machines mentioned I know little about them. I think Weibang are Chinese but have received good reviews. Parts availability would be worth checking. The DR is dearer and only 30cm wide. That would rule it out immediately for me. I don't think either machine will get enough use to worry too much about quality. Weibang I'd plump for. I use (hire) a Bannermans. Awesome but another price bracket. 

    3. I have to agree with other contributors in that it seems excessive to buy one when you could hire. They deliver and collect. You don't have to mend it or store it. 

    4. If you have a tractor mower then it makes sense to ignore stand alone engine powered machines and get a towed aerator. Look at brands SCH and Agrifab. I guess there are other brands too. You could get an aerator and scarifier for the price of the DR plus something else. That would be my choice

    Hope it helps. Regards Neil

  • I just bought a Bob Andrews scarifier second hand off that auction site to use on a couple of customers' lawns this autumn. In the past I have used the Sisis turf care range to good effect but they are expensive to buy, particularly if you are only using it on your own private lawn. As others have said hire one in or get a reputable lawn care specialist to do it.
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