As a teenager I worked for a local sod farm - I remember being sent out with an aerator and being told to run the tractor as fast as I felt comfortable, so when the cores come out they break apart on the top of the turf as they land. Provides the soil enhancements that Neil mentioned, but also help break down the thatch on that particular field of sod. Looked like a flock of geese were there for weeks, but it worked - next year we were harvesting it, totally healed in (no holes) and no thatch - was remarkable the difference.
Every time I see those plugs I think a flock of Canada geese visited. Good reminder to aerate -- gotta add that to my list. First time I've noticed the new theme graphics. Sharp!
Neil, if you have really hard ground, a Aeravator (from First Products) that works off the PTO and vibrates works a lot better, and doesn't pull plugs but breaks up the ground really well. If you run it across concrete it will tear it all up
I have the same aerator and use A weight set that I found on a property I obtained. I usually wait until a good rain in the fall as I have the same type ground in Iowa. I also have rocks so I keep a box of spikes on hand. I am a firm believer in what it does. I know it has increased the hay ground production. I learned the hard way to clean the spikes when I am done or they get hard dirt in them. Good Video
I bought an aerator this spring, and noticed a huge difference between my lawn vs neighbors. Mine stayed green a lot longer into the summer even though it was getting the same amount of water. I think another good tip is to go slow. I put my BX in low range to ensure that I was getting the deepest hole possible. You don't want to fly across the surface.
my tractor therapy is watching Neil have his tractor therapy. I have a similar kit. NC blue tooth headphone, boots, favorite pants or shorts depending on weather --- oh yes and my tractor.
Everyone hating on the crocs…. I wear work boots every day for work but when I’m working at home it’s crocs or old spearys all the time. I think that’s just the dad thing to do.
Have you tried a subsoiler on it? I've had luck doing that first and then aerating after a good rain. Anyway, great video as always. I wish you guys had a dealership here in Texas.
I'm on clay. I use the 3rd version a knife type - not big enough tractor to use twist knife and the corer appears too fragile for the clay from a long term maintenance. I go out after every shower - it bounced the first time and then got in about 20mm 2nd time buy about the 4th time the knife got all the way in and was flicking out clay nicely. Haven't found out if it is better to mow and aerate or the other way in an attempt to make something get into the holes. The only downside is the ground is now too soft for a tractor after rain - never happy!
Would this work on a hay field 🤔. We have someone cut and bale the field for their cattle and we get a few for our goats and sheep. I was just wondering if we would get better yields when baling. Comments and observations are very welcome.
I’m just curious, would a rototiller going really slow and mixing in some topsoil/compost work? Or do you think the ground is to hard for that? Obviously you gotta use the tools you have, but I am wondering if you think that would work?
If you can get the tiller to penetrate the soil it would work, but that is unlikely if your soil is like his. Mixing in the organic material would certainly help if it is clay. I am no expert by the way, but I have plugged my yard every year for 30 years.
It would, think about farmers that till between ever season. This loosens the ground and looks almost everything growing. Great in that application, except the long term affects if you don't take care of the land. A good tiller can get through that ground, it will just take a few passes. I've done it with an older Troy built horse tiller, and 3 to 5 passes. It is better if the ground isn't dry, but you don't always have time for that
@@MessicksEquip ya I figured that. Just wondering if it would be easier add some compost and till it up. Then throw down some grass seed. Seems like it’d help keep it from getting rock hard in the future too. Just a thought.
My lawn has some areas that are a bit uneven and rough. I know the aeration would help lawn quality but I was also wondering if aerating a few times a year would start to smooth out the rough spots. My idea is to do several passes and use it almost like light tillage. I hope that over a few years it will make it a smoother ride when I’m mowing. Anyone have experience with this?
Time for a box blade to even those out. A few years ago I tilled it with midtine tiller, but did not realize the lumps that eventually formed. I did not own a tractor then, so I had to hope they evened out. They did some, but not enough. This past fall I had fun with the box blade, and inspite of my learning curve just getting stated, produced a much better looking yard.
Gotta let that rain sit on it first, and then they’re very affective. No aerator I’ve seen works on dry ground, maybe a stand on turf aerator or power aerator would work fine but not a 3pt with little down pressure.
Neil, do me a favor and please put a pair of boots on when working around the tractor. A true operator of any kind equipment(farming or otherwise) would never wear crocs to do any kind of work, and neither should you. Thank you and i truly enjoy your videos. Have a good one!
@@MessicksEquip I really thought your in your were in your young 40s but I had to harass you. Great work your doing. And I know where to go when I need help or an attachment for my Kubota! Messicks! I needed a rock bucket you were the only dealership that had one. Virnig30. It works fantastic. With out your videos I would of been waiting 6 months from my dealer in Michigan 😢. Thanks Neil!
My yard is varying sizes of rock, from volkswagon to dust… I bet I’d kill an aerator in 50’… As you probably guessed, we have no grass, maybe in the future
The first pair of men “crocs”, should have resulted in a federal investigation and a law to prohibit men from wearing crocs or face forfeiture of their man card!!
As a teenager I worked for a local sod farm - I remember being sent out with an aerator and being told to run the tractor as fast as I felt comfortable, so when the cores come out they break apart on the top of the turf as they land. Provides the soil enhancements that Neil mentioned, but also help break down the thatch on that particular field of sod. Looked like a flock of geese were there for weeks, but it worked - next year we were harvesting it, totally healed in (no holes) and no thatch - was remarkable the difference.
I remember when my middle school aerated the field since the school was new. We just chucked the 4” long lumps of dirt at each other.
Every time I see those plugs I think a flock of Canada geese visited. Good reminder to aerate -- gotta add that to my list. First time I've noticed the new theme graphics. Sharp!
I seem to remember not too long ago you were crazy selling some tractor weights!! Could have come in handy!!! Great coverage, keep it up
I run the same aerator on my L3240, the 600 lbs of water helps, but you still have to pick your timing. Does a great job.
Neil, if you have really hard ground, a Aeravator (from First Products) that works off the PTO and vibrates works a lot better, and doesn't pull plugs but breaks up the ground really well. If you run it across concrete it will tear it all up
Perfect time to throw down some grass seed and drag the seed into the holes then follow up with some starter fertilizer
I have the same aerator and use A weight set that I found on a property I obtained. I usually wait until a good rain in the fall as I have the same type ground in Iowa. I also have rocks so I keep a box of spikes on hand. I am a firm believer in what it does. I know it has increased the hay ground production. I learned the hard way to clean the spikes when I am done or they get hard dirt in them. Good Video
Neil I use cement blocks for ballast they scratch the paint but they work
Need to add a Aerovator from First Products they are awesome. It’s something you could add to the rental fleet.
I bought an aerator this spring, and noticed a huge difference between my lawn vs neighbors. Mine stayed green a lot longer into the summer even though it was getting the same amount of water. I think another good tip is to go slow. I put my BX in low range to ensure that I was getting the deepest hole possible. You don't want to fly across the surface.
my tractor therapy is watching Neil have his tractor therapy. I have a similar kit. NC blue tooth headphone, boots, favorite pants or shorts depending on weather --- oh yes and my tractor.
""Wasn't happy with the filming we did earlier..."!
In my opinion, I think it was the Crocs🤣🤣🤣
Everyone hating on the crocs…. I wear work boots every day for work but when I’m working at home it’s crocs or old spearys all the time. I think that’s just the dad thing to do.
mine will also get rock stuck in it and I do have the tanks for weight but I did add a hose so you do not need to get under it to drain them
Have you tried a subsoiler on it? I've had luck doing that first and then aerating after a good rain. Anyway, great video as always. I wish you guys had a dealership here in Texas.
“Janky” is one of the phrases I definitely miss from the 80s. 👍
I'm a fan.
Ideally do this after a good rain. If not that, water well the day before. You want a 2-3” core at least.
You’ve got competition for camera time!
Rain, what is this rain thing you speak of. We here in Central California understand drought and clay. Aerating will begin in a few weeks.
One thing about the Frost Zone area. The ground Heaves on it's own and Nothing is sold in spring.
I'm on clay. I use the 3rd version a knife type - not big enough tractor to use twist knife and the corer appears too fragile for the clay from a long term maintenance. I go out after every shower - it bounced the first time and then got in about 20mm 2nd time buy about the 4th time the knife got all the way in and was flicking out clay nicely. Haven't found out if it is better to mow and aerate or the other way in an attempt to make something get into the holes. The only downside is the ground is now too soft for a tractor after rain - never happy!
Cool, very interesting, THANKS
Would this work on a hay field 🤔. We have someone cut and bale the field for their cattle and we get a few for our goats and sheep. I was just wondering if we would get better yields when baling. Comments and observations are very welcome.
I’m just curious, would a rototiller going really slow and mixing in some topsoil/compost work? Or do you think the ground is to hard for that? Obviously you gotta use the tools you have, but I am wondering if you think that would work?
If you can get the tiller to penetrate the soil it would work, but that is unlikely if your soil is like his. Mixing in the organic material would certainly help if it is clay. I am no expert by the way, but I have plugged my yard every year for 30 years.
The tiller would destroy whatever grass is growing. This does minimal damage as it goes.
It would, think about farmers that till between ever season. This loosens the ground and looks almost everything growing. Great in that application, except the long term affects if you don't take care of the land. A good tiller can get through that ground, it will just take a few passes. I've done it with an older Troy built horse tiller, and 3 to 5 passes. It is better if the ground isn't dry, but you don't always have time for that
@@MessicksEquip ya I figured that. Just wondering if it would be easier add some compost and till it up. Then throw down some grass seed. Seems like it’d help keep it from getting rock hard in the future too. Just a thought.
I would love to have an aeravator but 10k to punch holes is silly
Neal, how were the aerator points after running on dry hard packed clay lawn
Fine, this is a very well built one. I've seen some with plastic tines that probably wouldn't fare so well.
@@MessicksEquip THANKS
My lawn has some areas that are a bit uneven and rough. I know the aeration would help lawn quality but I was also wondering if aerating a few times a year would start to smooth out the rough spots.
My idea is to do several passes and use it almost like light tillage. I hope that over a few years it will make it a smoother ride when I’m mowing.
Anyone have experience with this?
Time for a box blade to even those out. A few years ago I tilled it with midtine tiller, but did not realize the lumps that eventually formed. I did not own a tractor then, so I had to hope they evened out. They did some, but not enough. This past fall I had fun with the box blade, and inspite of my learning curve just getting stated, produced a much better looking yard.
Gotta let that rain sit on it first, and then they’re very affective. No aerator I’ve seen works on dry ground, maybe a stand on turf aerator or power aerator would work fine but not a 3pt with little down pressure.
Neil, do me a favor and please put a pair of boots on when working around the tractor. A true operator of any kind equipment(farming or otherwise) would never wear crocs to do any kind of work, and neither should you. Thank you and i truly enjoy your videos. Have a good one!
We call driving the Kubota in Crocs, Croctoring.
I see that the sticker on the Aerator is a Messick's rental.... so does Neil get a discount? 😁
I have to pay like everyone.
@@MessicksEquip employees discount? 😆 LOL
25 year old cargo shorts?. What did you do get them from your dad? You can’t be any older then 35. Keep up the good work Neil!
I'm 42. I got the shorts in highschool. They're disgusting, I love them.
@@MessicksEquip I really thought your in your were in your young 40s but I had to harass you. Great work your doing. And I know where to go when I need help or an attachment for my Kubota! Messicks! I needed a rock bucket you were the only dealership that had one. Virnig30. It works fantastic. With out your videos I would of been waiting 6 months from my dealer in Michigan 😢. Thanks Neil!
I'd love to get a 60hp kabota tractor
My yard is varying sizes of rock, from volkswagon to dust… I bet I’d kill an aerator in 50’… As you probably guessed, we have no grass, maybe in the future
Makes those little lawn turds? 😁😁😁
Dry clay pretty much same as concrete lol
The first pair of men “crocs”, should have resulted in a federal investigation and a law to prohibit men from wearing crocs or face forfeiture of their man card!!
Thanks Neil. You'll be losing your Man Card because of the flagrant use of Crocs. C'mon Man.....
They're actually generic Crocs, called AH Comforts. Even better ☺️
It's so dry there your hair isn't even growing!!