So last year I rented a 3 point aerator and did my yard in the fall as well as about 6 neighbors houses. All have small lots of about 1/2 acre. Mine is the largest at just over 2 acres. Instead of renting year after year I was thinking of buying. I've been scouring craigslist but they don't seem to show up used all that often. I've resorted to buying new. I've been searching but all I have found is some that are in the 1500-2000 dollar range which is steep.
Then I stumbled upon this.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/yard-tuff-48-in-3-point-plug-aerator?cm_vc=IOPDP1
I like the 48" width and the stands that this has. My only worry is the weight but that can always be pouring some small concrete slabs and putting them on the rack. Anyone have an experience with this model. I'm sure its not built to the standard that the 2000 dollar model is but I can see spending that much coin on something that will get used once or twice a year. I will be using my 1023e to hike it around
Thanks for the input in advance
I found that once my neighbors say my core aerator, several of them wanted their lawns done. If they call someone out to do it, it's a minimum of $350 and frankly, the cowboy's who run the machines simply want to get in and get out. They don't bother to call Miss Digg and they don't worry about marking sprinkler heads. They drop, throw cores, collect the money and leave. In fact, they wiped out internet service to the house they were working at recently plus 3 of the neighbors by hitting everyone's lines near the junction box. I tried to warn the guy running the machine about the cables because I had called Miss Digg when I did the neighbors property and there were cables barely below the surface in that entire area, but he didn't speak English and just kept shrugging his shoulders at me.:dunno:
Since the aerator operator didn't call Miss Digg, they were billed to fix the damage they caused and it was late on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. $$$$ Turns out the guys also wiped out 6 of the neighbors sprinkler heads, so that cost $185 to repair. I just don't get why they do things the way they do....:dunno:
I bought the Frontier 60" Aerator. I really like it and I have a total of 8 neighbors who now are paying me to core their lawns at $150 to $250 per lawn (our lawns are 40,000 to 65,000 sq feet on average of actual lawn). So, between the lawns done last fall and others this spring, I have collected just under $2,000 towards the cost of my aerator, which means it's nearly fully paid for itself in one year. I do hang (6) of the 42# suitcase weights on it and they hang nicely on the frame and don't move and improve the coring result.
I looked at this as I would rather have a nice quality tool that will last me the rest of my life and I like the one source for parts from Deere down the road. With the new Ken's I Match Hook, it hooks and unhooks like a dream.
When doing the work for the neighbors, I have a short agreement that they sign and I sign and we both get a copy. Basically is states that
1. I will only aerate after Miss Digg has marked the utilities, which I put in the web request and coordinate with Miss Digg.
2. It's up to the homeowner to mark their sprinkler heads and I loan them the flags to do it (I bought 100 pink flags which are reused). If I have to mark the sprinkler heads, it costs another $50 and I need access to their irrigation controller box.
3. If I strike any sprinkler heads which are marked, they are my responsibility to replace. If I strike any which aren't marked, they aren't my problem. Any lines which are punctured away from the sprinkler heads are the responsibility of the homeowner. Same with any valves, controls, etc. which are not marked.
4. It's up to the home owner to advise me of any other buried risks they might be aware of. Failure to do so and mark the item means it's on them.
5. Payment is due immediately upon completion.
While I frequently will help people out with various tasks, I don't feel it's reasonable for anyone to expect their neighbor to invest the money into a piece of equipment like these tractors and implements and expect work for free. If they are willing to pay someone else to aerate their lawn, then why wouldn't paying me for the same service be reasonable? After all, I charge less and do a much more thorough and careful job.
Many people have never had their lawn truly "Core Aerated". Many use the slit pull behind machines which aren't even in the same category. For the lawns with a lot of thatch, I have a thatcher for the front of my zero turn and then my Wheel Blower to remove the thatch. But adding the steps moves the cost up quite a bit over simply aerating. It takes triple the time to do a lawn with thatching it, removing the thatch and then aerating it.
You may want to take the same approach with your neighbors. It can help offset the cost and ownership of the equipment. This is another reason why buying a near commercial grade piece of equipment is important because when you start to use it often, you will want it to last and do a good job.
I did get approached by a guy just down the road who has a 7 acre lawn for aerating his lawn. In his case, I told him it would be $600 to core aerate it. He doesn't have any irrigation so that cuts down on the time and trouble. Truth is he can go out and rent the tractor and aerator and do it himself for a little less and I really don't care if he does. He tends to hire out most tasks so I expect to be doing his lawn this fall.