Brinly-Hardy Tow-Behind Aerator Review

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Written By: Mark Marino, a Massachusetts Core Applicator License holder
and owner/operator of Lawn Phix,

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I bought the Brinly-Hardy 40″ Tow-Behind Core Aerator from Home Depot last fall in effort to cut down on both the costly landscaping fees, as well as the cumbersome equipment rentals. Here’s what I thought of this core aerator, Model # PA-40BH.

Brinly-Hardy Aerator Pros

  • Support: Unfortunately, my aerator had missing pieces so I was unable to assemble right away which was a bummer. So I requested the new pieces with no questions asked. Delivery was of course free and took less than a week. (See below for more reasons why their support is top-notch).
  • Assembly: Given how big this thing is, and how many total pieces there are to put together, assembly wasn’t all that bad. In fact, it was much easier than the 40 in. tow-behind dethatcher.
  • Cost: At under $200, this has already paid for itself. Sure, I could rent one for cheaper, but that’s if I a.) had a truck or van to transport a professional machine aerator, and b.) made sure that I picked it up, used it, and returned it within four hours. No chance with my 18,000 sq. ft. lawn.

Brinly-Hardy Aerator Pros

  • Functionality: I put three concrete blocks on top of the dethatcher to keep the tines from bouncing off of the ground while riding over bumps. The product description says it can hold up to 150 lbs. of additional weight for severely compacted and clay soil – so I did. There was even a good rainstorm just 2-3 days prior to me aerating. But unfortunately, I didn’t see the nice 2-3” plugs that I was expecting. I even made multiple passes in my backyard… next time I’ll water the lawn good the night before to ensure the soil isn’t dry.
  • Durability: Maybe it’s my own fault but this thing tipped over when driving diagonally uphill on my 211-5 Wheel Horse ID 4211B501 11803 9112 and the main rod that holds it all in place bent. Conversely, the steel is thick and very strong and I was unable to bend it back. But there’s a reason why I put “Support” #1 on the list here. I called them back a second time and asked for a replacement. I was surprised just how helpful the woman on the phone was with me. She walked me through the assembly instructions to ensure I was requesting the correct piece; she even offered to ship both just in case!
  • Storage: This thing is pretty big and it would be a neat feature if the tow arm was either foldable, or more easily removable – like with a cotter pin. I have limited space in my shed, as I also need to store my Redmax EB7001 along with my Wheel Horse. Instead you need a wrench to remove the nuts and bolts. I didn’t do that as I’m sure I’d eventually misplace those pieces, too.

Overall

It was my first year with not only a lawn tractor, but first time operating anything tow-behind. While I had some issues with the Brinly-Hardy Aerator, it was a learning experience and I should see better results this year.

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Author's Note: this piece has been updated for accuracy since its first publication on

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Author: Mark Marino
My name is Mark Marino, and I am the founder, owner, and operator of Lawn Phix. With a passion for lawn care and turf nutrition for over a decade, I've dedicated countless hours to correcting soil and perfecting lawns. Today, my expertise, backed by formal courses at UMass Extension Pesticide Education, allows me to offer top-tier lawn care services and advice. I am a fully licensed and insured lawn care applicator in Massachusetts, specializing in comprehensive turf nutrition, weed control, and lawn pest control. My license number is AL-0053865. Contact me at [email protected] or +1 (508) 500-8402.

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