Ohio Steel 42CP Spring Activated Core Plugger

Made in the USA (in Ohio) Heavy gauge steel, built like a tank. Relatively well tough out and easy to assemble except for the 32 plug cutting spoons which take a while to put on.. Spring loaded cutters, so they pull out of the soil in a straight vertical motion, then flick the soil plug.I managed to catch an insane price on an Amazon warehouse item, but I see it is now being fulfilled from somewhere else for more money.Comes with real tires, which are easier on the lawn than the plastic no-flats on similar aerators in the same class.Now that I assembled it and had a chance to use it:Assembling took a few hours. The transport wheels are not really well thought out. I like that they are "real" tires. I do not like the wheels just being mounted on a long through bolt with Delrin bushings. At the very least they would need 4 washers total to protect the Delrin bushings both on the inside and the outside. As it is, only 2 of these are supplied, the bolt hex head has no washer under it, and I imagine it will chew up the Delrin on the outside eventually. The way you have to raise and lower the wheels is a pain in the butt. You have to get off the tractor. and raise one side at a time, removing and re-adding a pin to secure it on both side. I would prefer something that would just click into place and could be operated while sitting on the tractor. I see the 48 inch version has a more convenient mechanism, I would consider upgrading to that for that reason alone. It is heavy enough that it almost does not need any extra weights on it.

I just received this aerator. When I went to assemble, either the axle shaft is too short, or the spacers are too long because I cannot get the plug assembly mounted in the frame. I’m currently trying to contact Ohio Steel to figure out what the problem is.

First time I used it a plunger came off, but the unit worked might be high maintenance parts wise.