08-06-2022

How to Use a Lawn Aerator - Correctly and Safely

 

How to use a lawn aerator: We are all looking for the perfect lawn, but did you know that there are things you can do to achieve it? Getting yourself this handy tool would be a good start.

This is an aerator and you can hire them from Speedy, the UK’s number one hire company. 

A couple of good things to remember when hiring from Speedy, all our hire equipment is checked, tested, cleaned and serviced before every hire and will all come ready to go. You will also notice a folder attached to your hire product, these are the safety and operating instructions, please make sure you read these before you begin your job.

Before you use the aerator it’s really important that you wear the correct PPE, eye protection, safety boots and gloves are essential and we’d also recommend using ear defenders, and any PPE you do require can be purchased from Speedy.

Speedy Top Tip! Please Watch our How-To Use a Lawn Aerator Video below:

 

Aerators are fantastic bits of kit. Under the machine you will find a row of hollow tubes like this which have been designed to perforate the soil in your lawn by pulling out corks of soil and turf to create small holes. This allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots, resulting in a stronger more vigorous lawn.

This is a petrol, walk behind aerator and can be fuelled by removing the cap here and filling it up with regular unleaded petrol. If you are refuelling the aerator after use it’s really important that you let the engine cool down before you refuel. As refuelling when the engine is hot could be really dangerous.

All of the controls for this machine can be found on the handlebar. This is the throttle lever and will control the rate that the tubes are plunged into the ground to pull out the corks of soil. In order to release the throttle you will need to press this safety switch – just here. This metal lever here will lift the tubes off the ground or lower them to the ground. It’s ideal to keep the tubes in the up position when you are transporting the aerator around so they don’t damage the surface you are moving it over. Only when you’re ready to start using the machine should you lower the tubes. This switch is the power switch, turning it to the middle will put the machine in start mode and turning it to the left or right will turn the engine off.

 

Step 1:

Once you’re ready to start using the aerator and you have the switch in start mode you can now fire the engine up.

 

Step 2:

To begin with you will need to open the fuel line by sliding the fuel cut off lever to the right. Then you will need to activate the choke by sliding it to the left. Now you will need to pull the start cord. Don’t worry if it doesn't start straight away, as it might take a couple of pulls. Once the engine has started, slide the choke lever to the right to turn it off.

 

Step 3:

Make sure the tubes are in the lowered position, give it a push and away you go.

 

Step 4:

A couple of tips for when using the aerator, try and keep your runs straight, like you would if you were mowing the lawn, this will help to keep the holes constant and evenly spaced.

 

Step 5:

When you get to the end of the run, release the throttle and lift the plugs, this will allow you to reposition the aerator for the next run without making a mess of your lawn.

 

If you have any issues with any of the products you hire from Speedy, just give your local Service Centre a call, as we are always available to help, and remember to always check the safety and operating guidance before you use any hire product.

 

Ready for more DIY tips?

Thank you for reading our Speedy Services blog, we hope you found this how to use a lawn aerator guide and video useful, please check out our Gardening Projects page for further inspiration to get your garden looking lush.

Plus, there’s plenty more tips and how-to-guides where this came from please visit our Skills and Projects page.

You’ll find all the power tools and hire equipment you need right here, why not start planning your next DIY project today and open a Speedy account online or instore for all your tool hire needs.

 

For more tips subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Speedyserviceshire

Find ideas on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/speedyhirediy

 

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