Instructions / Assembly

Operating - Spiker Aerator - 11
OPERATING - SPIKER AERATOR
Operating - Spiker Aerator
When to Use the Spiker Aerator
The spiker aerator will actively penetrate soil, allowing
much needed air, water, and nutrients to enter the lawn. It
will also relieve soil compaction.
A moderate soil moisture content is important to proper
operation of the spiker aerator. Penetration will not occur in
extremely dry soil, and very wet conditions will cause the
unit to “bog down,” possibly causing lawn damage.
Use the spiker aerator only on an established lawn, never
on newly laid sod. The spiker aerator should not be used
when lawn conditions are too wet or too dry. To determine
condition, dig a small amount of your soil, about 76 mm (3
in.) deep:
• If soil appears powdery and brittle, it is too dry. Wait until
a later date, after a rainfall.
• If soil appears damp, roll a small amount into a ball in
the palm of your hand, if it forms a ball, then it is too wet.
Ideally, the soil should fall apart when rolled in the palm of
your hand. Wait till a later date for soil to dry. If soil is too
wet, the aerator tines will penetrate too deep and your
tractor could lose traction, causing lawn damage. If soil is
too dry, the aerator tines will not penetrate soil properly.
Selecting the Operating Positions
1. Park tractor safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY
section.)
2. Install spiker aerator to tractor.
3. Push lift handle (A) toward right side of machine, away
from side plate (B).
4. Move handle forward or rearward to engage lock pin into
desired position:
• TRANSPORT (C) - Use rear lock pin to raise tines so
unit can be towed without tines contacting the ground.
• OPERATE (D) - Use front lock pin to lower tines to
ground for operation.
Using the Weight Tray
1. Install spiker aerator to tractor.
2. Place lift handle in rear hole for transport position.
3. Add sand bags, concrete blocks, or other type of weight
to weight tray (A). Do not exceed 45 kg (100 lb) of weight.
Distribute weight evenly across tray to ensure equal
pressure on tines.
4. If necessary, secure weight in tray using straps.
c
CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not operate lift
handle unless attachment is installed to
tractor.
Lift handle is under tension when using ballast
in weight tray. Use caution when moving
handle into different positions.
Keep hands and feet away from tines when
lowering to the ground.
c
CAUTION: Avoid injury! Never add weight to
tray unless attachment is installed to tractor.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Never exceed the
weight tray capacity of 45 kg (100 lb).
M79134
A
B
C
D
A