Fairway Aerifier Cancel The title field is required!

1. Kerry Ohlwine

   

   0 posts
   
   2/20/2013 2:02 PM

   I need to replace our Cushman GA-60 fairway aerifier. We have bentgrass fairways grown on heavy clay soils and pull 3/4"cores in the fall. I am considering the Toro ProCore 864 and the John Deere Aercore 1500. Does anyone have experience with either of these machines or have another brand to consider. Any help would be appreciated.
   
   Kerry Ohlwine
   Chestnut Hills GC
   Fort Wayne, IN

   
   
   
   
2. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   2/20/2013 2:02 PM

   Hi Kerry,
   
   I had the John Deere 1500 when I was up at Tri-State, we used it everywhere, tees, fairways, athletic fields, and including greens. We did lose a gear box before the warranty was up and they replaced it. I don't really know if that was from some of our sports practice fields or just one of those things. I liked how well it worked, can't tell you what it was like after 4 or 5 years.
   
   I have heard good things about the Toro but can't confirm them myself.
   
   Hope things are well back that way.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   2/20/2013 5:02 PM

   Toro 1298. Will go through rock, clay, sand, cart paths.....have had one for 6 years. Great machine and very productive. Only downside is the weight of the things requires a pretty stout tractor with a good 3-pt hitch weight rating and suitcase weights up front. We run ours on a Kubota 5740 with about 400#s up front and it works great.

   
   
   
   
4. Douglas Eggert

   

   1 posts
   
   2/20/2013 6:02 PM

   I have a 1997?8? John Deere Aercore 1500 and run it behind a 2001 John Deere 4600 tractor. I love it. I use it on tees, fairways and some rough. I use it extensively after flooding events. Heavier soils, with clay in areas. I set it at 3.75" and it doesn't completely go that deep, I wish the machine had more weight to it. I have the 3 and 4 tine holders for it. On fairways with solid tines, it's the 3 tine holders, tees it's the 4 tine holders.
   
   I haven't cored fairways in 3 seasons just solids, I plan on it this fall though. I do run the machine in the middle of June to open up tougher areas. Tees get done 4 times per season.
   
   Before I bought the Procore 648, I was seriously considering on using it on putting surfaces with .500 tines. My putting surfaces are flat enough to do it.
   
   I rebuilt mine a few seasons ago, new belts and some bearings, and it still works like new. I'd buy another, I'd also have no problem buying any Toro aerator either.
   
   Good luck.

   
   
   
   
5. Keith Fellenstein

   

   0 posts
   
   2/21/2013 12:02 PM

   2 JD 2000's and 1 JD 1500 have been real good for us for many years now. We hire a contractor to help twice a year and they use the 2000's...figure if its good enough for someone that uses it every day, it's good enough for us 4 times a year.

   
   
   
   
6. Casavant Gerry

   
   2/21/2013 3:02 PM

   What are all you guys using to collect cores? Curious if anyone employs a large area sweeper type unit for this?
   
   Gerry Casavant
   Prince Rupert, B.C.

   
   
   
   
7. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   2/21/2013 3:02 PM

   Yes.
   
   [img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/DualAerifiers_zpsd948bff1.jpg[/img">
   
   [img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/AerificationandRenovation008.jpg[/img">

   
   
   
   
8. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   2/21/2013 4:02 PM

   Andy Jorgensen said: Yes.
   
   [img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/DualAerifiers_zpsd948bff1.jpg[/img">
   
   [img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/AerificationandRenovation008.jpg[/img">

   
   
   
   Showoff!!

   
   
   
   
9. Douglas Eggert

   

   1 posts
   
   2/21/2013 5:02 PM

   Andy's got all the toys....

   
   
   
   
10. Casavant Gerry

    
    2/21/2013 10:02 PM

    I am considering a Rake o Vac (with verticutting reel) or a weideman Super 500. Thanks for the pics .. impressive process!

    
    
    
    
11. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    2/22/2013 5:02 AM

    Gerry Casavant said: I am considering a Rake o Vac (with verticutting reel) or a weideman Super 500. Thanks for the pics .. impressive process!

    
    
    
    The Rak-O-vac's work great, especially on dry material. They work good on wet, but you have to be careful you don't go too fast and clog the chute.
    
    We demoed the Super 500 and it with the verticutting blades worked freaking awesome, but the hopper size would have required a lot more travel time between dumps. From what I have been told though, they've increased the hopper size so it may not be an issue.

    
    
    
    
12. Wally Dowe

    

    0 posts
    
    2/22/2013 1:02 PM

    I would second the Toro 1298 on all of Andy's points. Good machine but it will require a bigger tractor.
    
    Wally Dowe
    Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club
    Tucson, AZ