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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3

Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/10/2010 4:02 PM

I want to convert a manual hollow tine aerator to a motorised one. I have experimented with electric motor, 3000 rpm, with an eccentric load, mounted on the hollow tine aerator framework. It did not work. I don't have a suitable gearbox. I don't know what a suitable output speed should be. I guess about 100 rpm. I tried mounting an industrial hammer drill. Unlike brick or concrete, the soil did not have sufficient resistance to make the hammer device operate. I think hammer drills have two opposed undulating disks, one stationary and the other spinning that produce the hammer action. I remember when, many years ago, I hired a commercial motorised hollow tine aerator it was extremely heavy and very large. It had a revolving cylinder onto which hollow tines were attached – not suitable for small gardens. Comments on potential designs, with approximate parameters, would be appreciated. I have noticed in the forum detailed information is often requested. The detailed information I have provided does not imply I am asking for complete designs. Design approach or ideas is what I seek. Thank you. Manual hollow tine aerator parameters: 5 hollow tines at pitch 2.6 inches (66mm) Tine diameter 0.63 inches (16mm) Tine length 4.5 inches (114mm) Tine wall thickness 0.08 inches (2mm) Tines welded to a 1 x 1 x 0.12 inch (25 x 25 x 3mm) steel angle Load spreader 1 x 1 x 9.4 inches (25 x 25 x 240mm) Angle/ Load spreader 2 screws, 0.24 diameter (6mm) at 7 inches (178mm) pitch Superstructure 0.75 inches (19mm) outside diameter Forms an inverted 0.68 inches (17mm) inside diameter U and welded to the angle. Operation of the manual hollow tine aerator needs the user to stamp on the angle for the tines to penetrate the soil thus filling the hollow tine with soil. The next stamp forces the tines into a new soil location. The soil entering the bottom of the hollow tine expels the previous cylinder of soil out of the top of the tine. Believe me this requires a lot of effort even when the soil is moist.

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#1

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/10/2010 4:28 PM

Hello billpallan.

Is this an image of the device you are trying to convert?

Or along this line, anyway?

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#5
In reply to #1

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/11/2010 4:59 AM

Hello Doorman, Yes, identical.

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#2

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/10/2010 5:01 PM

How about a modified reel type mower as a base, with the reel replaced by an assembly of tines on cross pieces who's ends have pins or cam followers that retract into slots on the end drive disks as the tines contact the soil to keep the tines perpendicular? (I'm out of breath).

You would have to play with ratios and add counter-weight.

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#3

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/10/2010 7:33 PM

You need lots of weight and a fulcrum and lever. Kinda like a teeter totter. No motors.

5 tines requires 300-400# to put them in the ground.

Or, cut the handles off two of them and duck tape them to your full wheelbarrow where the feet are now. Every time you set it down you punch 10 holes.

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#4

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/10/2010 9:39 PM

There are also rotary turf pluggers with staggered tines that are pressed down one or two at a time simply by the weight of the roller.

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#6

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/11/2010 5:50 AM

Hello Doorman, Unredundant, lynlynch and Tornado,

Thanks so much for you prompt and excellent contributions. They were just the type of replies I wanted.

I apologise for my original post being stripped of formatting. I created it in MS Word - cut & paste and used Google Chrome.

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/11/2010 6:00 AM

have you tried the water powered one?

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/AboutUs.asp?LID=1205

give the area a good soak 1st especially if it's hardpan

add [p] to the end of lines in chrome for line breaks

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#8

Re: Hollow Tine Aerator Design

08/11/2010 10:37 AM

Here is a link to an attachment for rototillers:

http://lawn-aerator-attachment.com

Or depending on local firearm laws, a Thompson 45 would be handy.

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Users who posted comments:

billpallan (2); Doorman (1); Garthh (1); lyn (1); Tornado (1); Unredundant (2)

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