Pasture Aerator Built From Water Tank

Pasture Aerator Built From Water Tank TILLAGE EUIPMENT Miscellaneous 22-1-4 After seeing a farmer-built pasture aerator in FARM SHOW recently, Charles George decided to build one of his own to use on a 5-acre cow pasture. "It doesn't tear up the ground like the 8-ft. field harrow I used before," notes the Graham, Wash., rancher. "It just punches holes in the ground so water can wash manure down them." He started with a heavy-duty, 150-gal. well tank that's 6 ft. long and 3 ft. in dia. He welded spindles off a boat trailer in the center of each end of the tank to serve as stub shaft axles. He built an A-shaped tongue out of angle iron that bolts to the spindle hubs. The design allows the tongue to be easily re-moved so bearings can be serviced or re-placed quickly. He fitted the tank with 11 in-line rows of eight 4-in. long spikes. The spikes were made from 8-in. long pieces of square stock. He simply cut each piece in half at a 45 degree angle to produce a pair of pointed spikes. George estimates the tank weighs 1,800 lbs. when filled with water. The weight is enough for the spikes to penetrate the full 4 in. in most conditions. He uses his Ferguson TO 30 tractor to pull the aerator at up to 5 mph. "It works like a charm, allowing water and fertilizer to penetrate the soil and aerating roots," he says. Out-of-pocket expense was $40, including square stock. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Charles George, 7411 288th St. E, Graham, Wash. 98338 (ph 253 847-7204).

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