While it seems at the moment that the John Deere 40″ Dethatcher/Aerator Combo remains unavailable I had begun to look elsewhere for a substitute. It seems that the only product that comes close is the –
Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator, 40-Inch.
Let’s get into it…
The Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator – 40 Inch Analysis:
Pros:
For the price point, it looks like a fairly good unit; its tray can hold quite a bit of weight – 150 lbs as per the manufacturer. This is very good for driving the tines deeply into the soil.
The frame looks as strong as the John Deere Dethatcher/Aerator Combo and its usability looks quite similar.
Cons:
The wheels are made of plastic and seem comparatively flimsy to me. I have serious doubts as to whether or not the wheels, as opposed to the sturdy frame, will hold up under the strain. There is no wheel bearing for the unit to ride upon. it’s just the plastic wheel on a steel axle. The tight turns, especially, put a great deal of lateral strain on the wheels and they don’t look like they will stand up well to that kind of demand over time. However, there may be a means of mitigation on this. Please read on…
Is The Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator – 40 Inch a Good Purchase? Let’s look at the math…
An Aerator rental will cost you up to $100 per day. As the Brimley has a cost of $200, after two uses, the unit has essentially paid for itself – the break-even point as it were.
But, it is the third use that creates the real return on investment…
So, if you believe that you can get 3 uses out of the product, it is decidedly worth the gamble, especially if your lawn is less than 1/2 acre in size.
All this being said,
The Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator is a Good Buy
*A word of Advice – If I were to purchase this product, I would buy extra wheels up front – Part Number: R-891 $10.80 each at the time of this posting. The extra wheels will very likely help you to put off having to replace this product too soon.
A Cynic’s View of Manufacturer’s Cost Analysis
This, like so many others, is a simple case of the manufacturer finding the perfect market price point They find a quality level that would do the job long enough for the customer to be satisfied enough not to complain, but to just go and buy another one as it’s likely still cheaper than renting or hiring a pro (I remember reading about how restaurants would use the Quadratic Equation to figure out how many tables they could fit in a dining room before they made too many people uncomfortable enough not to return a second time. I swear this is true.).
I am sorry to sound so cynical. But, I like high-quality products at a fair price, not cheap for cheap to maybe… maybe acquire a repeat customer. High-quality products at a fair price are how you create loyal customers. I mean if it were your company, which would you rather have?
In any case, this seems, for the time being, all that is left us.
Again, for the money spent, this is a good product, not a great one. If you can get 3 uses out of it, you have gotten your money’s worth.
I will keep my eye out for the superior John Deere product and will update as soon as I hear or see anything. Otherwise, The Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator – 40 Inch is a decent substitute.
Best of luck with everything
Berk