Spiked Aerator Vs. Roller

Spike vs. Roller

• Spike aerators press blades, spikes or tines into the soil to create holes. Their action mainly affects the surface layers of your lawn. While these aerators tend to cost less, the manner in which the spikes are pressed into the ground causes compaction around the spike, which adds to the problem you’re trying to correct through aeration. Roller aerators with hollow tines are also known as core aerators. Roller aerators are much better for aerating, and core aeration is the practice recommended by the Iowa State University Extension. These aerators remove plugs of soil, penetrating to affect deeper layers of the soil and grass roots.

Features

• Tines that offer close plug spacing and deep penetration give you the best results, according to Mantis.com. When choosing among aerators, consider whether the equipment has hollow or open tines and whether the tool positions weight over the tines, as this aids penetration. Compare the number and size of the blades or tines and the path width, as these features determine the number of cuts or plugs created per pass. Ideally, you want to create 20 to 40 plugs per square foot. The cleaning and maintenance needed to keep the equipment functioning is also an important factor in equipment choice.

Pros and Cons

• Plug aerators work better on a slightly moist soil. Both dry and wet conditions reduce their effectiveness, while wet conditions can increase the compaction produced by spike aerators. The speed at which the aerator functions is important if you have to cover a large area. Plug aerators may not pull plugs effectively at faster speeds.

Considerations

• In addition to pulling plugs and cutting into the soil, the spike and tine actions of some types of aerators tear the grass and soil more than others. This is good if you want to encourage root growth and in some cases helps to deliver nutrients deeper into the soil, but the effect this action has on your lawn's surface may be unwelcome. Manual, tow-behind and motor-driven lawn aerators are available for rent and purchase, and lawn care professionals will perform aeration as part of their services if you prefer not to do the work yourself.