Roller Type Spike Aerator

[Maddog]

I am thinking of getting a roller type spike aerator. The spikes are heavy duty and mounted to a roller that you fill with water for weight. It is 36" wide and is pulled behind a lawn tractor.

Has anyone had any experience with this type aerator? Are they worth getting?

From everything I have read they are the next best thing to a core areator.

[Scott]

Hey Maddog,
I heard the just the oposite and I'm sure there's plenty of arguements but I think the core aerator is by far the better choice, if there is a choice.
I've heard, never used one, that they will compact the soil to where the core aerator, I've used these numerous times, won't.

[mx495]

No comparison to a core aerator. Core aerators reduce compaction by pulling out a "core" of the soil and grass. Spike aerators poke holes, but do nothing to help compaction, they actually make it worse.

[Tony H]

As far as functionality..I couldn't answer. What bothers me with the water one you are looking at is that when you make a tight turn, they tear the hell out of the grass. The plug ones are many individual rollers so the outside roller can rotate faster then the inside while making a turn.

Just my 2 cents

[Maddog]

Thanks for the relpies.

[CCLS]

Core aerators also help decompose the thatch layer at the same time. I will only use core aerators.