Aerating gives a lawn added water, nutrients, and air — all of which make it more resilient and look extra lush. Experts agree that without aerating at least twice a year, you can't achieve those results. For any practice crew that needs to cover a large amount of space, a powered aerator is a necessity. While there are pros and cons of both, pull behind aerators are the right choice for most professionals — see the advantages and disadvantages of each below.

Speed

You're comparing the engine on your trusty lawn tractor against the built-in gas or electric engine of a walk behind aerator. Your tractor will be faster by a long shot, and that will pay you back in the time it takes to aerator the lawn. Whether you're navigating a lap or two on a five-acre lot or mower with a self-propelled push mower — there's no comparison!

Efficiency

Not only do we know that a pull behind aerator is backed by the engine on your tractor, but the efficiency doesn't stop there. One of our top-selling units tends to be at least twice as wide with twice as many spoons or tines as most other competitors' walk behind options. Just think how much ground you can cover faster compared to the competition (walk behind aerators). Because you're hitting the tractor tire all the way, you reap the rewards when it comes to efficiency.

Price

This question is more complicated than you might think. Our entry-level aerator costs around $1,155 — and costs slightly less than most competitor aerators. Even our more expensive options meant for huge fields are comparable in price, if not slightly less than most other commercial aerators. However, the difference is that you need a lawn tractor in order to be able to run a pull behind aerator. For most professionals that's not a problem — odds are you already have at least one in their equipment fleet.

Labor Saving Potential

Not only does the tow behind aerator save you about half the time, but it enables the minutes and hours using it easier, too. After you need to do is drive the tractor up and down your field or grounds to aerate, instead of the work. While a professional walk behind aerator is self-propelled, you're still expending a lot of effort and handling a serious sweat.

Self-Sufficiency

It's only fair to include the primary advantage of a walk behind aerator — it is a fully self-sufficient machine. This actually makes it more popular with homeowners than most commercial landscapers. You don't need a tractor since a quality tractor is almost always on hand.

Lawn aeration serves as one of the most important maintenance practices for achieving and maintaining healthy, resilient turf. Over time, soil naturally becomes compacted from foot traffic, mowing equipment, weather conditions, and simple settling. This compaction restricts the flow of essential elements that grass roots desperately need for vigorous growth and disease resistance.

When you aerate, you create channels through compacted soil that allow water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the root zone where they're needed most. These channels also provide space for roots to expand and develop the extensive networks that support lush, green surface growth. Without regular aeration, even the best fertilization and watering programs deliver disappointing results because essential resources cannot reach grass roots effectively.

Professional landscapers and experienced homeowners recognize that aeration should occur at least twice annually for optimal results—typically in spring and fall when grass actively grows and can quickly recover from the temporary disturbance. Properties with heavy clay soils, high traffic areas, or struggling turf benefit from even more frequent aeration to combat ongoing compaction issues.

Selecting the appropriate tow-behind aerator requires evaluating several key factors that affect performance and suitability for your specific needs:

Working Width: Aerator widths range from 36 to 48 inches or more. Wider units cover more ground faster but require more powerful tractors to pull effectively and may prove unwieldy on properties with tight spaces, narrow gates, or complex landscaping features. Match width to your typical job sizes and property characteristics.

Tine Configuration: The number and spacing of tines determines hole density and coverage quality. More tines create more holes per pass, improving soil penetration and reducing the number of passes needed for thorough aeration. Professional-grade units typically feature 32 or more tines for optimal performance.

Weight and Tractor Requirements: Heavier aerators penetrate deeper and more consistently but require more powerful tractors. Verify your tractor's horsepower and towing capacity meet the aerator's requirements. Most residential lawn tractors handle 36-40 inch aerators effectively, while larger commercial units need professional-grade tractors.

Build Quality and Durability: Commercial-grade aerators feature heavier gauge steel construction, reinforced frames, and superior component quality compared to residential models. While more expensive initially, professional units withstand intensive use season after season, making them superior long-term investments for serious landscaping operations or property owners managing extensive acreage.