Choosing the Right Tow Behind Aerator

For an average-sized model, expect to spend $300-$700. With rental prices of around $100 a day, purchasing one will eventually save you money. Plus you can avoid the hassle of transporting it to and from the aerator rental center each time you need it.

Be sure that the aerator you choose can be correctly attached and pulled by the lawn mower or tractor you own. Their size, width, length and weight vary by model, so read specifications carefully. Most are 3-4 feet wide and about 5-6 feet long. They typically weigh 500-1000 pounds before any additional weight is added. On average, a tow-behind will aerate at up to 4mph, or around 1.5 acres per hour.

Most tow aerators have multiple tine wheels that rotate as they move over the ground. Choose ones with hollow tines that will remove dirt cores over those that have solid spikes for the best results. Curved models will follow the contours of the ground better and will more consistently aerate in uneven areas. Be sure that the design allows you to turn when the tines are in the ground, making it much easier and faster to maneuver.

How to Use an Aerator

Begin by properly attaching the tow lawn aerator to the tractor or lawn mower. If necessary, add additional weight with lead, sand or water depending on how the aerator is designed. The extra weight helps the tines get farther into the compressed soil. Start aerating, then check to see that they are getting in deeply enough. If not, try adding additional weight.

Tow aerators  or pull aerators are wider than other kinds of aerators. This means that more area is covered in a faster time, with more tines putting more holes into the ground. They make quick work of larger lawns. However, the additional width makes them more awkward to maneuver. It is best to go in long rows or in a circular pattern around the lawn. Be sure to carefully clean dirt and any small stones from the tines after each use.

When to Aerate

Aerating should be done at least every three years. Ground that is heavily compacted or easily compacted will need to be aerated more frequently, every year or two. It is important to have good soil conditions for lawn aeration before beginning. If the dirt is too hard, it will be difficult for the tines to get far enough into the ground and make quality holes. If the soil is too soggy, the holes will not last very long and the process will not be as beneficial.

Also pay attention to the time of year you plan to aerate. In general, aerate in the early spring or late fall. The grass will do best with a month of cool (but not cold) temperatures and plenty of water. Aeration is stressful on the grass plants and can cause them to dry out more quickly, so it is best not to aerate in the summer. After aerating is a great time to overseed and fertilize. You’ll see the most benefits from all three when you do them in conjunction.

Lawn aerating the lawn makes it easier for the grass roots to grow deep into the ground rather than horizontally in the first few inches of dirt and improves accessibility to nutrients and water. The holes left by core aerators expose the grass roots to the air and sunlight. When fertilizer or other lawn products are put on the turf, the roots can easily soak them up, so the grass can enjoy the full benefits. The roots have an easier time getting plenty of water, making the lawn more drought-resistant and heat-tolerant. Some aerators have solid spikes that punch into the lawn, but the holes they leave are shallower, narrower and close up more quickly. Coring aeration will have a longer-lasting effect and provide greater benefits to the lawn’s health.

Types of Aerators

Core aerators come in three main types. Manual ones usually consist of two or three hollow shafts at the bottom of a long handled tool that can be simultaneously pushed by a hand and stepped by a foot into the ground. When pulled back out, the dirt cores come out and then fall to the ground. Mechanical versions are somewhat larger and twice as heavy as most gas-powered lawn mowers. Typically powered by gas, these are pushed along the lawn similar to a lawn mower. Rolling aerators feature a rolling barrel or drum with several coring tines attached along the surface. As the drum is rolled over the ground, the cores remove plugs as they come in contact with the lawn and then roll off it. These are typically towed behind a tractor or riding lawn mower.

Core Aerator Prices

You can buy a manual aerator for about $30. Renting a gas-powered machine will cost a little more, around $40-$50 for four hours. Plan to pay $300 or more to buy one of them. The tow-behind kind come in very wide price range based on the size and type, typically starting at a couple hundred dollars and going up from there to get a quality one.

When to Aerate

Lawn aerating does cause turf stress, so it is best done in spring or late fall when the temperatures are more mild. It is not a good idea in the hot and dry summer months. After aerating, the lawn should be well-watered and kept that way for a few weeks. Since aeration exposes the grass roots, core aerating should be planned right before fertilizing and re-seeding to result in the most improvement in the lawn’s health.