What's the best push along lawn aerator advice?

I have a couple of small lawn rescues to attempt come the start of September. Both clients previously had GT treating the lawns! and what with the dry/hot weather they look absolutley terrible.
Plan is a light scarification, aerate, topdress and reseed as they are both pretty patchy as it is.
Up till now ive only done this work occasionally with small lawns and used a border fork to aerate but im getting more request's with bigger lawns so need to streamline some what!
None of the lawns are huge though and besides i have no room for yet more expensive petrol powered equipment.
So question is, are the push along type spiked aerators any good for small to medium sized lawns?

click links for idea of what i mean link1 link2

Hello Anthony, I'm in a similar situation myself. I wouldn't bother with link1 complete waste of time and if the ground isn't damp/wet then you are on a hiding to nothing.

Try this Alko 4000VB Petrol Scarifier looks like a good deal.

"This petrol driven model provides you with the freedom to cover large areas of lawn without the hassle of a lead. The AL-KO Powerline 4000VB has a tough plastic housing which is impact and corrosion resistant, as well as being quick and easy to clean. Equipped with a powerful 148cc / 2.2kW Briggs & Stratton engine, it will tackle head on even the most demanding of tasks. It possesses 17 stainless steel cutting blades 155 mm in length. Featuring a single dial height adjuster, the Alko 4000VB Petrol Scarifier operates at six different heights making it equally suited to tough conditions and light work. The working width is 40 cm and a 60 litre collection bag is provided. The 4000VB also bears the TÜV-GS safety certification mark. The ergonomic safety handlebar can be held at the sides or the top and the engine automatically cuts out when the bar is released. Weighs just 33kg."

Replies

PRO

Daniel Gillings @ DC inc August 7, 2010 at 1:34pm

I'd love to know the answer to this one myself! I'm too having an issue with a GT treated lawn... Seems they'll treat anything regardless of weather or newly laid lawn patches! :@
Geoff Norfolk August 7, 2010 at 1:45pm

funnily enough, there's a garden I do and the next one is done by GT (my one used to have GT in but I said to them to just let me do it at the same time as all the other garden maintenance) God knows what they've done to their garden...... the whole lot looks dead..... and all I've done with the one I do is fertilize and selective weedkill. Suspect they scarified in the Winter and then fertilized in the drought.
Those push along spikers as on link 1 are an absolute waste of time........... found one in someones shed once and you're lucky if it penetrate the ground more than a few mms. Also the spikes don't pivot on the one I tried so it really hadn't a hope......... basically, there's just not enough weight on it to push the spikes in. I'd imagine link 2 would at least penetrate the ground and if it didn't, you could add another lump of concrete!!
PRO

Gary RK August 7, 2010 at 4:00pm

They are not sufficient for any form of comemercial work, no weight/power to produce anything other than a half hearted attempt. Used one that has a water container to provide ballast/weight that was owned by a client.

Suggest you line up a couple of clients/lawns and hire a professional one for a day, they can cost as little as £25 for 1/2 day for a solid tine petrol powered areator. Get friendly with a local small hire centre - it helps.
Marc Cole August 9, 2010 at 2:28pm

Hello Anthony, I'm in a similar situation myself. I wouldn't bother with link1 complete waste of time and if the ground isn't damp/wet then you are on a hiding to nothing.

Try this Alko 4000VB Petrol Scarifier looks like a good deal.

"This petrol driven model provides you with the freedom to cover large areas of lawn without the hassle of a lead. The AL-KO Powerline 4000VB has a tough plastic housing which is impact and corrosion resistant, as well as being quick and easy to clean. Equipped with a powerful 148cc / 2.2kW Briggs & Stratton engine, it will tackle head on even the most demanding of tasks. It possesses 17 stainless steel cutting blades 155 mm in length. Featuring a single dial height adjuster, the Alko 4000VB Petrol Scarifier operates at six different heights making it equally suited to tough conditions and light work. The working width is 40 cm and a 60 litre collection bag is provided. The 4000VB also bears the TÜV-GS safety certification mark. The ergonomic safety handlebar can be held at the sides or the top and the engine automatically cuts out when the bar is released. Weighs just 33kg."