Forget Heavy Push Aerators: The Amazon Find That Makes Lawn Maintenance Easier

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Your lawn needs to breathe! And that's why aeration is so important — it corrects the soil compaction that naturally develops. Aerating breaks through thatched lawn and compacted soil, making it easier for water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots. Knowing how and when to aerate your lawn can improve its health. Push aerators make the task easier, but some machines are expensive and bulky. Plus, even lighter-weight versions require effort to push and maneuver across an entire lawn. One alternative is a tow-behind model for a riding mower, like the Suchtale spike aerator. It's available on Amazon for under $140. It's lightweight and doesn't require any pushing, which simplifies aeration for the DIYer.

This pull-behind aerator features a low profile with a row of 8-inch spike wheels, each with 10 galvanized steel tines. The aerating wheels rotate independently, even on turns, and the sharp tips are designed to dig into the ground up to 2 inches deep. Its steel frame, solid steel axle, and reinforced sides are designed to provide stability as you pull it, and the powder-coated finish cuts down on rust and corrosion. The two main wheels that support the aerator feature bearings to handle more weight.

The 340-plus reviewers on Amazon give this aerator a 4.3 average star rating. Praise for the equipment includes ease of use and value for the money. Some customers did find the aerator difficult to assemble, and others felt that it wasn't as durable as it could be noting that both the arms/draw bars and tines bend easily. A few people note that you shouldn't back up with it attached, as it can catch and jackknife, damaging the aerator. Others say that if the ground is hard the tool won't work well, and rocks seem to bend the tines easily.

Whether you have a riding lawn mower or a lawn tractor, you can attach this tow-behind aerator from Suchtale. It features an adjustable, pin-style hitch for quick and easy attachment to different sizes of equipment (though it may be too short for higher-profile vehicles). While there are some hidden downsides to riding lawn mowers, they also offer perks, like being able to tow equipment behind them. This is especially beneficial if you have limited mobility but still want to care for your lawn yourself. The 40-inch wide design helps you complete the work quickly, working in much wider swaths than most push aerators.

The Suchtale model features a weight tray with a capacity of 110 pounds. Adding something like cement blocks or sandbags to the tray can aid with soil penetration. Several reviewers noted that weight was necessary to get good results. However, one person said that despite staying below the weight capacity, the blocks bent the tray in the center.

It's important to note this is a spike aerator — knowing the differences between core and spike aerator helps you choose the right type. Spike aerators, like this model, punch holes in the soil, whereas core aerators pull out little cylinders of soil. Spike aerators are typically easier to use and can work well for light use when your soil isn't heavily compacted. If you have heavy compaction or clay soil, this aerator might not work well for your yard. The company does make a tow-behind plug aerator that might be more appropriate.