Soil aeration is equally as important as seed stitching or overseeding when trying to improve a sward’s productivity. Soil compaction poses a growing issue, not only in tillage farming, but in grassland farming too. Usually, the two factors leading to compacted soils are challenging wet weather conditions alongside the ever-increasing size of machinery. Ground damage can be divided into three categories – soil and sward damage, near-surface compaction and deeper compaction.
Compacted soils have a limited growing ability, as water drainage, root growth and nutrient availability are affected. Evidence of this damage can often be seen inside gaps, as well as where tractors and heavy machinery such as large slurry tankers have travelled. It is quite noticeable usually early or late in the growing season.
Ground tends to be more severely compacted where heavy machinery has travelled, as grass growth here is reduced. While some soils are more resilient, bad weather and heavy machinery are usually the two main factors leading to compacted soils.
Although prevention is the best cure, there are a number of machines on the market to open and aerate soils, helping to reduce compaction. There are machines to help address both shallow and deep compaction. Spike aerators are aimed at improving shallow compaction issues, while subsoilers are designed to burst open the lower soil layers.
The most common spike aerators are the three-point linkage mounted type. This is a tubular axle suspended within a frame, with the axle having 150mm to 200mm spikes mounted around it. The toothed roller type is another popular machine aimed at fixing the problem.
Bridgeway Engineering, based in Co Offaly, offers linkage mounted and trailed spike aerators. The simple effective approach sees a spiked shaft housed within a frame, which is free to rotate on bearings either side.
Depending on working width, models are either mounted or trailed. The rotor is fitted with hardened cut-and-twist blades, which Bridgeway believes sets its offering apart from others, resulting in a better aeration process.
Rotor angle is adjustable through 15°. Blades are designed to penetrate the surface up to 178mm. Five working widths are available from 1.5m to 6.2m, featuring 24 to 96 blades. The common 3m machine is fitted with 48 blades and weighs 700kg.
Given the nature of Bridgeway’s frame, it is designed to be fitted with ballast weighting.
Optional extras are available, such as tine bars for scarifying. Grass seeders and rollers kits can also be fitted. The basic 3m model is priced at €2,642 plus VAT.
The Ritchie 3m aerator is priced at €2,950 plus VAT.
The Ritchie equipment range is imported into Ireland by PJ Callan, Ardee, Co Louth. The standard grassland aerator is a simple, yet effective approach. Its three-point linkage mounted design sees a solid shaft with double flange fittings for its blades to be bolted to. The blades fitted are 260mm long with a thickness of 12mm. The bladed shaft sits within a galvanised frame and runs on self-aligning bearings. Additional weight can be added to the aerator’s frame, if needed.
The Ritchie aerator is priced at €2,950 plus VAT.
Fleming offers working widths from 1.5m to 5m with the option of a painted or galvanised frame.
Fleming also offers spike-type aerators, from 1.5m to 3m rigid models, as well as larger folding machines.
The boron blades designed to penetrate the surface are mounted in a spiral configuration around the adjustable rotor shaft for smooth operation.
Rotor shafts are mounted to the frame using 45mm bearings.
Frames can be either painted or galvanised and are designed to carry ballast weighting.
The 3m unit has an unladen weight of 518kg and is fitted with 48 blades. Prices depend on a working width but a typical 3m painted unit costs €3,450 plus VAT.
The 2.5m Alstrong 840T has a dry weight of 2.7 or a max weight of 5t if the large barrel is filled with water.
The Galway-based engineering firm offers the toothed-roller aerator. It is available in either 2.5m or 3m working widths. The trailed aerator has been designed to break hard pan up to 30cm deep.
Alstrong’s 2.5m and 3m models have dry weights of 2.7t and 3.0t respectively, with the ability to be filled up with water as additional ballast. This leaves a maximum operating weight of 5t and 5.5t respectively. The drum is fitted with 15mm hardened steel blades designed to penetrate the soil, altering its structure and allowing air into the ground. These trailed units are fitted with heavy-duty bearings and flotation tyres, as well as LED lighting kits. Prices start at €11,000 plus VAT.
The Watson aerator is fitted with 7in tapered blades which are mounted in a spiral configuration.
Walter Watson Engineering offers a 3m spiral blade aerator. The roller-type design is similar to a standard trailed land roller. The 36in diameter barrel has a wall thickness of 20mm and is held within the frame using a 3in solid axle and nylon bushings either side. The barrel is fitted with 7in tapered Hardox blades which are designed to fracture the subsoil up to 12in below the surface. The 3m unit weighs 2.75t, or 4.25t if ballasted with water. For transport, the aerator is fitted with 400/60 R15.5 flotation wheels and LED lights. The unit is priced at €9,950 plus VAT.
Grassland subsoilers
Erth Panbuster is available in working widths ranging from 2.4m to 3m.
Erth Engineering offers three-, four- and five-leg options of its Panbuster with leg spacings from 600mm up to 1,200mm.
Working widths vary from 2.4m up to 3m, while transport width varies from 2.35m up to 3m. Horsepower requirements starts at 80hp.
The Northern Irish-based firm offers three variations.
The first is the Panbuster X, the top-of-the-range offering. It uses an accumulator at each side of the reset rams.
It is also fitted with auto reset and with a constant pressure disk which provides consistent depth of cut throughout the depth range.
The shearbolt and Compact/Eco machines have the same disk system and the same format and space between disk, leg and roller. Different leg numbers can be configured in the same frame.
Meanwhile, the Compact/Eco frame has an indispension-type rubber-mounted disk and single bolt depth adjustment.
Erth Engineering claims to have developed a special grass leg for its panbuster range. The company said that by placing the legs in a line, the lift is maximised and can be controlled more by adjusting the toplink. The company added that, as the point wears, lift and penetration can be helped by shortening the toplink.
It is equipped with an hydraulic roller which acts as a depth control monitor with an indicator. This allows depth to be changed to suit conditions. The Panbuster comes with spring-loaded disks and Nikrom ram rods.
All load-bearing areas are brushed and have large pins. Prices start at €6,200 plus VAT.
The McConnel Shakaerator is different in that it is fitted with a vibration unit to ease the pulling force required.
McConnel manufactures a range of aerators and subsoilers. In addition to the standard grassland subsoiler is the grassland Shakaerator, which has been designed for easing compaction on grassland using lower-powered tractors. The inclusion of a PTO-powered vibration unit means there is a lower power requirement. The firm says as little as 100hp is enough power to pull the larger 3m five-leg unit.
Working widths range from 2m to 3m, with the option of having different leg configurations within each frame. McConnel’s 2.0m ,2.5m and 3.0m machines can accommodate a maximum of three, four and five legs respectively, suiting varying needs and applications.
A range of shin and point types are available, as well as mechanical shear bolt, hydraulic and gas strut reset protection options.
Behind the legs is a 24in packing roller with flat, ridged or shark tooth options available. Although packer rollers are manually adjustable as standard, the option of a hydraulic packer roller is available. Spring-loaded discs designed for grassland cut ground ahead of the following low-disturbance legs. Depending on the leg type, maximum working depths of 14in and 16in are possible. Although specification varies, the shakaerator has a starting price of €19,025 plus VAT.
The Mastek grassland subsoiler range is available with either hydraulic or shearbolt reset options.
Based in Co Cavan, Mastek offers three-, four- and five-leg shear bolt type and auto reset-type grassland subsoilers. The hydraulic reset feature is designed to raise up to a height of 15in. Depth control is determined by the hydraulically adjustable 18in packer roller. Adjustable discs cut the surface ahead of each leg. A maximum working depth of 20in can be achieved. The smallest three-leg machine has an unladen weight of 1,115kg and has a minimum power requirement of 80hp. The firm’s largest five-leg 1,585kg machine requires in the region of 170hp. Prices start at €6,500 plus VAT.
Soil aeration is equally as important as seed stitching or overseeding when trying to improve a sward’s productivity. Soil compaction poses a growing issue, not only in tillage farming, but in grassland farming too. Usually, the two factors leading to compacted soils are challenging wet weather conditions alongside the ever-increasing size of machinery. Ground damage can be divided into three categories – soil and sward damage, near-surface compaction and deeper compaction.
Compacted soils have a limited growing ability, as water drainage, root growth and nutrient availability are affected. Evidence of this damage can often be seen inside gaps, as well as where tractors and heavy machinery such as large slurry tankers have travelled. It is quite noticeable usually early or late in the growing season.
Ground tends to be more severely compacted where heavy machinery has travelled, as grass growth here is reduced. While some soils are more resilient, bad weather and heavy machinery are usually the two main factors leading to compacted soils.
Although prevention is the best cure, there are a number of machines on the market to open and aerate soils, helping to reduce compaction. There are machines to help address both shallow and deep compaction. Spike aerators are aimed at improving shallow compaction issues, while subsoilers are designed to burst open the lower soil layers.
The most common spike aerators are the three-point linkage mounted type. This is a tubular axle suspended within a frame, with the axle having 150mm to 200mm spikes mounted around it. The toothed roller type is another popular machine aimed at fixing the problem.
Bridgeway Engineering, based in Co Offaly, offers linkage mounted and trailed spike aerators. The simple effective approach sees a spiked shaft housed within a frame, which is free to rotate on bearings either side.
Depending on working width, models are either mounted or trailed. The rotor is fitted with hardened cut-and-twist blades, which Bridgeway believes sets its offering apart from others, resulting in a better aeration process.
Rotor angle is adjustable through 15°. Blades are designed to penetrate the surface up to 178mm. Five working widths are available from 1.5m to 6.2m, featuring 24 to 96 blades. The common 3m machine is fitted with 48 blades and weighs 700kg.
Given the nature of Bridgeway’s frame, it is designed to be fitted with ballast weighting.
Optional extras are available, such as tine bars for scarifying. Grass seeders and rollers kits can also be fitted. The basic 3m model is priced at €2,642 plus VAT.
The Ritchie 3m aerator is priced at €2,950 plus VAT.
The Ritchie equipment range is imported into Ireland by PJ Callan, Ardee, Co Louth. The standard grassland aerator is a simple, yet effective approach. Its three-point linkage mounted design sees a solid shaft with double flange fittings for its blades to be bolted to. The blades fitted are 260mm long with a thickness of 12mm. The bladed shaft sits within a galvanised frame and runs on self-aligning bearings. Additional weight can be added to the aerator’s frame, if needed.
The Ritchie aerator is priced at €2,950 plus VAT.
Fleming offers working widths from 1.5m to 5m with the option of a painted or galvanised frame.
Fleming also offers spike-type aerators, from 1.5m to 3m rigid models, as well as larger folding machines.
The boron blades designed to penetrate the surface are mounted in a spiral configuration around the adjustable rotor shaft for smooth operation.
Rotor shafts are mounted to the frame using 45mm bearings.
Frames can be either painted or galvanised and are designed to carry ballast weighting.
The 3m unit has an unladen weight of 518kg and is fitted with 48 blades. Prices depend on a working width but a typical 3m painted unit costs €3,450 plus VAT.
The 2.5m Alstrong 840T has a dry weight of 2.7 or a max weight of 5t if the large barrel is filled with water.
The Galway-based engineering firm offers the toothed-roller aerator. It is available in either 2.5m or 3m working widths. The trailed aerator has been designed to break hard pan up to 30cm deep.
Alstrong’s 2.5m and 3m models have dry weights of 2.7t and 3.0t respectively, with the ability to be filled up with water as additional ballast. This leaves a maximum operating weight of 5t and 5.5t respectively. The drum is fitted with 15mm hardened steel blades designed to penetrate the soil, altering its structure and allowing air into the ground. These trailed units are fitted with heavy-duty bearings and flotation tyres, as well as LED lighting kits. Prices start at €11,000 plus VAT.
The Watson aerator is fitted with 7in tapered blades which are mounted in a spiral configuration.
Walter Watson Engineering offers a 3m spiral blade aerator. The roller-type design is similar to a standard trailed land roller. The 36in diameter barrel has a wall thickness of 20mm and is held within the frame using a 3in solid axle and nylon bushings either side. The barrel is fitted with 7in tapered Hardox blades which are designed to fracture the subsoil up to 12in below the surface. The 3m unit weighs 2.75t, or 4.25t if ballasted with water. For transport, the aerator is fitted with 400/60 R15.5 flotation wheels and LED lights. The unit is priced at €9,950 plus VAT.
Grassland subsoilers
Erth Panbuster is available in working widths ranging from 2.4m to 3m.
Erth Engineering offers three-, four- and five-leg options of its Panbuster with leg spacings from 600mm up to 1,200mm.
Working widths vary from 2.4m up to 3m, while transport width varies from 2.35m up to 3m. Horsepower requirements starts at 80hp.
The Northern Irish-based firm offers three variations.
The first is the Panbuster X, the top-of-the-range offering. It uses an accumulator at each side of the reset rams.
It is also fitted with auto reset and with a constant pressure disk which provides consistent depth of cut throughout the depth range.
The shearbolt and Compact/Eco machines have the same disk system and the same format and space between disk, leg and roller. Different leg numbers can be configured in the same frame.
Meanwhile, the Compact/Eco frame has an indispension-type rubber-mounted disk and single bolt depth adjustment.
Erth Engineering claims to have developed a special grass leg for its panbuster range. The company said that by placing the legs in a line, the lift is maximised and can be controlled more by adjusting the toplink. The company added that, as the point wears, lift and penetration can be helped by shortening the toplink.
It is equipped with an hydraulic roller which acts as a depth control monitor with an indicator. This allows depth to be changed to suit conditions. The Panbuster comes with spring-loaded disks and Nikrom ram rods.
All load-bearing areas are brushed and have large pins. Prices start at €6,200 plus VAT.
The McConnel Shakaerator is different in that it is fitted with a vibration unit to ease the pulling force required.
McConnel manufactures a range of aerators and subsoilers. In addition to the standard grassland subsoiler is the grassland Shakaerator, which has been designed for easing compaction on grassland using lower-powered tractors. The inclusion of a PTO-powered vibration unit means there is a lower power requirement. The firm says as little as 100hp is enough power to pull the larger 3m five-leg unit.
Working widths range from 2m to 3m, with the option of having different leg configurations within each frame. McConnel’s 2.0m ,2.5m and 3.0m machines can accommodate a maximum of three, four and five legs respectively, suiting varying needs and applications.
A range of shin and point types are available, as well as mechanical shear bolt, hydraulic and gas strut reset protection options.
Behind the legs is a 24in packing roller with flat, ridged or shark tooth options available. Although packer rollers are manually adjustable as standard, the option of a hydraulic packer roller is available. Spring-loaded discs designed for grassland cut ground ahead of the following low-disturbance legs. Depending on the leg type, maximum working depths of 14in and 16in are possible. Although specification varies, the shakaerator has a starting price of €19,025 plus VAT.
The Mastek grassland subsoiler range is available with either hydraulic or shearbolt reset options.
Based in Co Cavan, Mastek offers three-, four- and five-leg shear bolt type and auto reset-type grassland subsoilers. The hydraulic reset feature is designed to raise up to a height of 15in. Depth control is determined by the hydraulically adjustable 18in packer roller. Adjustable discs cut the surface ahead of each leg. A maximum working depth of 20in can be achieved. The smallest three-leg machine has an unladen weight of 1,115kg and has a minimum power requirement of 80hp. The firm’s largest five-leg 1,585kg machine requires in the region of 170hp. Prices start at €6,500 plus VAT.
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