I need a plug aerator that is reliable, sturdy and won't break the bank

[toddsyr]

Hi folks,
Running around my 1/2 acre yard with my John Deere X570 lawn tractor tends to compact the soil, especially where I turn a lot. Yes, aeration, probably annually, is the answer. But.....

The gas powered ones run over 10 grand. That's a lot of loot for as much as I'll use it. No, I wouldn't justify the expense by doing other lawns.

We paid to have it done last year and ended up having weeds transferred to our yard due to the machine not being cleaned between uses. We're not going that route again.

Soooo..... What are the more affordable options for a reliable/durable plug aerator that will be used on harder soil and can be pulled around by my X570? I realize it won't be cheap, just wondering about decent options. Thanks.

 

[bertsmobile1]

It is a piece of kit you will use for 1 hour once a year
Go hire a self propelled one or get a lawncare specialist to pop in and do it one a year
IF you lived to be 1000 years old you will still pay less by doing either of these .

 

[bkeller500]

You could rent a plugger. You also might be exposing weed seed imbedded and dormant as you aerate ( just a thought). The Agri-Fab pluggers are cheaper and if you wait and do your aeration on a wet lawn you will get good penetration, possibly adequate enough.

 

[toddsyr]

I found an affordable and effective way to aerate. It's called "Air-8". It's a liquid aerator you apply to your lawn. Works great on clay soils like we have around here. A guy up the street from me uses it and swears by it. Must work, his lawn looks great. I understand there are granular brands that you apply with a spreader too. Those one takes up to 3 years to take effect. I'll go with the liquid.

0-0-5 Air-8 Liquid Aeration Bio-Stimulant, Humic Acid | N-Ext

N-Ext Air-8™ Liquid Aeration is designed to create space in the soil, increase water penetration, and encourage deeper rooting to drive more oxygen into the topsoil profile. One gallon covers up to 21,300 sq ft Analysis is 0-0-5::N-P-K Contains 8% Humic Acid Great for hard compacted soil...

thelawncarenut.com

 

[7394]

Interesting.........

 

[wickedgoodoutdoors]

Build your own. use old skill saw blades as the disks. yea they make good plinking targets also.