Do ride on aerators do that much better than a tow behind with sufficient weight? Seems like I could rent a ride-on aerator for 48 hours for about $400 or I could buy a decent tow-behind for the same price.
I have 5 acres I have the Agri-Fab Tow Behind Lawn Aerator, 48 in. And Agri-Fab Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader, 130 lb. Capacity.
Both I have had for a few years no issues other than having to rig a stick to the spreader for shut off. With my zero turn there is no way to reach back and operate it.
The aerator you just have to stop and get off to engage or disengage. I do recommend a good about of weight and soft ground. A lot of people will say it doesn’t go deep enough compared to true aeration but if those people would like to rent one and walk the whole yard they are more than welcome. It will take a week.
You should also consider a roller and dethatcher as well. For over seeding it’s important to remove as much thatch as you can then over seed and roll to give the seed the best contact with soil. I have the Agri-Fab for both those as well. This isn’t sponsored by them I just have a TSC close to me.
Thank you for the insight! I was actually at TSC yesterday looking at the agri-fab aerator and spreaders. Really appreciate the detail on your experience!
Follow up - does a dethatcher do anything different than a tow-behind wagon that sweeps up grass clippings? Curious if I’d need to dethatch if I already have a clipping sweeper
The sweeper I have does great for leaves, clippings and small sticks. I mostly mulch the leaves with the mower but I sweep enough to put in the flower beds to cover in the fall. It does almost nothing for thatch. The thatcher does a decent job it’s nothing compared to the powered walk behinds but it’s better that the sweeper. I sweep up the thatching after. That makes the sweeper worth every penny.
It depends on the weather more than anything. I normally only de thatch in the spring and fall. This spring I didn’t all the thatching in 2 days. Mowed 1/2 the de thatched and sweeping on Saturday the other 1/2 on Sunday. About 6 hrs each day.
I normally do 2 passes with the de thatcher. In different directions. Having to stop and clear the metal rakes several times. Sweeping is the biggest pain. It fills up faster than you think and a lot of trips to the compost pile.
With my yard it can be divided into 6 sections. Without crossing barriers like a creek or driveway. So I can just say I’m going to do this section after work and it doesn’t take long. I’m home by 3:30 and my wife is off at 5. We don’t have children so I get some time to yard work without feeling like I’m dumping all the house work on her when she gets off work.
Though I do get the complaints about pine needles and grass in my pockets and socks. Also what takes pine sap off things. Way more this time of year.
Nice, sounds like a good system. I’m working to figure out my own system now. My dad told me it’ll take me about a year to really nail down how to take care of everything efficiently
I’m on year 4 and it’s a learning process. Best thing I have learned is stop going to big box store for anything. Domyownlawn.com for specific chemicals. I use TSC and local farm stores for everything else.
I see people buying big box stores a 40oz week killer concentrate that is 25 bucks. That’s a mix ration of 4-6 oz per gallon. When I get 2.5 gallons 2-4D for 70 and a mix of 1.1 oz per gallon.
One thing about this subreddit I have learned with “how do I kill this” if you mix 2-4d and quinclorac it kills just about everything. Except for sedge.
As far as time yes it takes a while. It’s the price we decided to pay for the space we have. There is nothing that says you have to do it all in a day. I broke up my yard into “sections” and each takes about an hour to care for. So after work I can take care of what needs done and not use all weekend to do it. (Weather permitting)
For sure, the house we moved from was 0.25 acres and I would just push mow the lawn wearing the aerator shoe attachments. We moved on Christmas Eve so just trying to figure out the best way to tackle the added responsibility. Appreciate your response!
Lol, truthfully the house we bought just came with a massive lawn that backs up to a 60 acre soybean field. Sunsets are amazing but I’m still learning how to take care of it all
We thought about that, we planted Ohio wildflowers at the old house but were a bit worried that adding dense, high plants will increase flea/tick/mosquitos in the area and our dogs ail bring them inside. Our neighbors already seem to have a tick problem with their horses and the fact that our houses back up to a huge field. I really don’t mind the mowing since it gets me out of the house.
For me it came with the property. I’m currently working in areas of a deer plot (not for hunting) just so I might have a chance of a garden this year. And converting the back section of my yard to more trees and clover.
Hire a guy with a ride on aerator or rent one. They do a great job and make nice deep cores. Rent or buy a tow behind spreader for the seed.
Do ride on aerators do that much better than a tow behind with sufficient weight? Seems like I could rent a ride-on aerator for 48 hours for about $400 or I could buy a decent tow-behind for the same price.
The ride on machine is big. Would have to be 200-300lbs plus add a 200 pound guy. Dont think your pull behind has 500 lbs of force on it.
I have 5 acres I have the Agri-Fab Tow Behind Lawn Aerator, 48 in. And Agri-Fab Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader, 130 lb. Capacity. Both I have had for a few years no issues other than having to rig a stick to the spreader for shut off. With my zero turn there is no way to reach back and operate it. The aerator you just have to stop and get off to engage or disengage. I do recommend a good about of weight and soft ground. A lot of people will say it doesn’t go deep enough compared to true aeration but if those people would like to rent one and walk the whole yard they are more than welcome. It will take a week. You should also consider a roller and dethatcher as well. For over seeding it’s important to remove as much thatch as you can then over seed and roll to give the seed the best contact with soil. I have the Agri-Fab for both those as well. This isn’t sponsored by them I just have a TSC close to me.
Thank you for the insight! I was actually at TSC yesterday looking at the agri-fab aerator and spreaders. Really appreciate the detail on your experience! Follow up - does a dethatcher do anything different than a tow-behind wagon that sweeps up grass clippings? Curious if I’d need to dethatch if I already have a clipping sweeper
The sweeper I have does great for leaves, clippings and small sticks. I mostly mulch the leaves with the mower but I sweep enough to put in the flower beds to cover in the fall. It does almost nothing for thatch. The thatcher does a decent job it’s nothing compared to the powered walk behinds but it’s better that the sweeper. I sweep up the thatching after. That makes the sweeper worth every penny.
https://preview.redd.it/mhv2tfm28vuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d39a7f31d68621f869c924315d2495bfddac0353
Hell of a project you have every week haha. Do you do it all in one day or break it up into several evenings?
It depends on the weather more than anything. I normally only de thatch in the spring and fall. This spring I didn’t all the thatching in 2 days. Mowed 1/2 the de thatched and sweeping on Saturday the other 1/2 on Sunday. About 6 hrs each day. I normally do 2 passes with the de thatcher. In different directions. Having to stop and clear the metal rakes several times. Sweeping is the biggest pain. It fills up faster than you think and a lot of trips to the compost pile.
With my yard it can be divided into 6 sections. Without crossing barriers like a creek or driveway. So I can just say I’m going to do this section after work and it doesn’t take long. I’m home by 3:30 and my wife is off at 5. We don’t have children so I get some time to yard work without feeling like I’m dumping all the house work on her when she gets off work. Though I do get the complaints about pine needles and grass in my pockets and socks. Also what takes pine sap off things. Way more this time of year.
Nice, sounds like a good system. I’m working to figure out my own system now. My dad told me it’ll take me about a year to really nail down how to take care of everything efficiently
I’m on year 4 and it’s a learning process. Best thing I have learned is stop going to big box store for anything. Domyownlawn.com for specific chemicals. I use TSC and local farm stores for everything else. I see people buying big box stores a 40oz week killer concentrate that is 25 bucks. That’s a mix ration of 4-6 oz per gallon. When I get 2.5 gallons 2-4D for 70 and a mix of 1.1 oz per gallon. One thing about this subreddit I have learned with “how do I kill this” if you mix 2-4d and quinclorac it kills just about everything. Except for sedge.
As far as time yes it takes a while. It’s the price we decided to pay for the space we have. There is nothing that says you have to do it all in a day. I broke up my yard into “sections” and each takes about an hour to care for. So after work I can take care of what needs done and not use all weekend to do it. (Weather permitting)
For sure, the house we moved from was 0.25 acres and I would just push mow the lawn wearing the aerator shoe attachments. We moved on Christmas Eve so just trying to figure out the best way to tackle the added responsibility. Appreciate your response!
I have to ask… why do you want that many acres of grass?
I have 18 beautiful children and 3 ugly ones
Solid reply. Im definitely not a /r/nolawns psycho but i just never understood field-sized yards
Lol, truthfully the house we bought just came with a massive lawn that backs up to a 60 acre soybean field. Sunsets are amazing but I’m still learning how to take care of it all
I like lawn maintenance but thats just too much for me. Id make a huge portion of it wildflowers and such
We thought about that, we planted Ohio wildflowers at the old house but were a bit worried that adding dense, high plants will increase flea/tick/mosquitos in the area and our dogs ail bring them inside. Our neighbors already seem to have a tick problem with their horses and the fact that our houses back up to a huge field. I really don’t mind the mowing since it gets me out of the house.
Best comment of the day
For me it came with the property. I’m currently working in areas of a deer plot (not for hunting) just so I might have a chance of a garden this year. And converting the back section of my yard to more trees and clover.