Hollow tine aerators pull dirt plugs from the ground, leaving holes that loosen the soil and improve water and nutrient flow to grass roots. There are three main groups of these aerators: manual, mechanical and tow-behind.

Manual

A manual tine aerators has two or three tines spaced along a horizontal bar which is attached to a long handle. To get the best ground penetration, push the aerator into the dirt with your foot along the bar and your hands at the top of the handle. Then pull it back out, letting the dirt cores fall to the ground.

The hole diameter depends on the size of the tines and soil conditions, but they are typically around a ½ inch or so. The hole depth should be around 1-3 inches and if you cannot get it in that deeply, you will need to water the lawn more thoroughly to soften the ground or use a mechanical or pull behind aerator.

Manual aerators are great for lawns under 500 sq. ft., for more frequent aeration in spots that compact quickly and to work in areas that are difficult for a mechanical or tow-behind to get to. It is a good idea for everyone to have one of these valuable garden tools. Although a lawn aerator can cost as much as $5000, manual aerators start at around only $20. Choose a high quality tool manufactured from durable materials and it will last several years.

Mechanical

For average to large residential lawns, most people prefer using a mechanical aerator. These are like a large, heavy lawn mower, weighing up to 300 lbs. As you move the machine along the lawn (choose one that is self-propelled to make it easier), the hollow tines roll into and out of the dirt.

They are much quicker to use and will produce deeper holes, around 2-4 inches. It is best to mechanically aerate in either the spring or fall. Aerate well before the summer so the grass can recover before the hot and dry weather starts. In the fall, aerate with around a month left of growing season, so the grass has time to benefit from the aeration process before going dormant. You want the ground to be soft but not soggy so the holes will be deep and long-lasting.

The best mechanical aerators cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, so renting one makes the most sense for someone who will just aerate their own lawn periodically. Most lawns can be done in a four-hour, half-day rental period, but if your lawn in very large, it may take longer. Rates are around $40-$60 for a half-day and $80-$110 for a full-day. Call early to request a rental since it isn’t uncommon for all the machines to be rented out on the weekends during the best times to aerate.

Tow-Behind

Tow behind aerators are attached to the back of a riding lawn mower or trailer and pulled over the ground, the hollow tined wheels rotating in and out of the ground as it goes along. Most models can be made heavier with the addition of water, sand or lead, which helps improve hole depth in heavily compacted ground. Most tow-behind aerators put in holes 3-4 inches deep that are around ½ inch in diameter.

Tow-behinds are wider than other aerators, from 2 ½ feet to 6 feet depending on the model. They are typically used on lawns of an acre or more and at golf courses and parks. Because of their width, they can be trickier to maneuver around obstacles. Also, it is better to aerate in long rows to avoid unnecessary turning. If you need to go over the lawn twice, you can go the other direction the second time for more comprehensive coverage. If you prefer, you can aerate in circles.
Buying an aerator that is a tow behind unit makes a lot of sense for someone who already has a lawn mower or tractor to pull it. They start around $150 and go up to $750 for models that will meet most needs. Since renting one of them will typically run $75-$125, after a few uses it pays for itself and you won’t have to worry about transporting it to and from the rental center.

How does aerating benefit my lawn?

Using a tow behind aerators to aerate you lawn, helps your lawn look greener and reduces the cost of watering by:

1) Reducing soil and root compaction

2) Reducing water run off and improving drainage.

3) Reducing drought stress and the probability of drought damage.

4) Helps to break up and decompose thatch.

5) Aerating allows water, air, nutrients and fertilizers direct access to the root system.

6) Helps lawns get established and helps with reseeding.

How do pull aerators work?

Pull aerators attach to a tractor or a riding lawn mower. If soil is dry or compacted you will need to add weight to the aerator to get it to work properly. For best use, tow the aerator either in straight lines back and forth or in a circular pattern. Some lawns will get the best results by making two passes over the lawn with a tow behind aerator.

How do I use a Pull aerator?

5 steps to using a Tow Behind Aerator:

1) First, attach the tow behind aerator to your riding lawnmower or tractor.

2) Fill aerator with weight, either by adding lead, water, or sand.  The amount of weight needed depends on how dry or compacted the soil is.

3) The next step is to test the pull aerator to make sure it is going to desired depth.

4) Aerate lawn as mentioned above. Make two passes if necessary.

5) Clean out tines using water,  a rag and if needed a small flat screwdriver to dislodge dirt and small rocks.

The major advantage of a pull aerator is that they are typically wider than most other kinds of aerators so they save you a lot of time when you aerate.  Because they are wider they are a little harder to maneuver. Another advantage is that they are relatively cheap because you don’t have to buy the mower.  Lastly they can often do two things at once, such as aerating and over seeding or aerating and fertilizing.

In the long run, buying a pull behind aerator is a lot less expensive than renting.  Pull behinds range in price from $100 to $700 versus $70 to $110 dollars to rent a tow behind aerator for a single day.  It doesn’t take very many aerations to pay for your tow behind attachment. Plus having an attachment can also save you a lot of time.  If you already have a riding lawn mower or a tractor, a towable aeration attachment will upgrade the capabilities of your rig.