[familyguy]

We need to buy a core aerator.
One that is small enough to fit through a gate.
Easy enough to use for a first timer.
Heavy duty enough to put a sulky on for large properties.
Add well built to the list.

Any suggestions are really appreciated.

[Mark Oomkes]

I would recommend a Z-Plugger.

http://www.z-spray.com/plugr.html

[Dale Wiley]

That one is still a roll type aerator. Lots less capital expense than an up and down type.

Better than nothing, but produces about 50% less holes than an up and down type.

Your parameters are a bit wide.

For a lawn service looking to increase revenues, and aeration is a real good way to increase margin A LOT, that one don't look to bad.

[familyguy]

thanks for the speedy replies.

Mark- that z-plugr looks pretty good. 2 issues are that 1st, it costs 8k with purchase + delivery + taxes (for the small one). 2nd they are only sold out of Indiana so servicing it (regardless of waht the salesman says) seems an issue.

Dale- up and down vs. roll type? and, one thing we are not really is a "lawn service". We have about 15 "lawns" that we service. They are just typically really big and are manicured.
We need to aerate that "sports field" I inquired about a few months back. (You suggested it was more of a utility field). It is about 4 acres and part of the contract was to aerate 1x per year and overseed. Pretty much only want to buy an aerator now because we have spent enough renting one over the past few years to justify purchasing. Some of our estates have nooks and crannys that require a small one, some are big. I do not want to have to buy 2. Just one that can do both in an efficient way.

[Mark Oomkes]

Originally posted by familyguy
thanks for the speedy replies.

Mark- that z-plugr looks pretty good. 2 issues are that 1st, it costs 8k with purchase + delivery + taxes (for the small one). 2nd they are only sold out of Indiana so servicing it (regardless of waht the salesman says) seems an issue.

Yes, it is an issue. However, if you have a local shop that is Kawasaki certified repair, they should perform warranty on the engine if needed. As for parts, they are only a UPS truck away. I completely understand, we have 1 of the pluggers as well as the Z-spray, and I still highly recommend either. We have only had problems with the engine on the Z-spray, nothing with the plugger.

And yes it is rather spendy, but it will do the job of a larger machine as well as get into small areas.