John Deere 2038r Aeration And Overseeding Tips / 116

Today I'll my John Deere 2038r and a lawn aerator made by Everything Attachments. This video will give you tips on basic lawn aeration and and the importance to overseed and fertilize your grass in the fall to maintain a thick and healthy lawn. This process will also fix ugly lawns that have been compacted and neglected. Lawn aeration and overseeding should be done every fall to maintain a beautiful lawn.
Welcome to my channel, I'm in Dubuque Iowa, and my channel is know as Today in Iowa or Bill Burkhart 1025.Be sure and check out my channel for many videos including the John Deere 2038r backhoe and the many implements I have to maintain my property.
I'd enjoy hearing your comments, I answer every comment.
Chapters
0:00 Overview
2:06 Filling drum with water
2:56 Specifications of aerator
3:14 Overview of lawn to be aerated
3:42 Plugger specifications
4:39 Close up of aerator in use
5:03 Caution using a drum roller
5:25 Examining plug holes up closes
6:37 Fast vs slowing aerating
7:52 Seed and fertilizer application
9:39 Shout outs
9:51 Aerating bare dirt
10:14 Aerating pattern discussed
12:00 Aerator storage
12:35 Next video preview of compost spreader

[@aprilgeneric8027]

cut your grass down right to almost yellow in the blades. you can go into the yellow so long as the temps are less than 70º at the hottest part of the day and there is not more than 6 hours of constant full sun. so a cloudy spring day is optimal which would be right into the first week of june after that going into the yellow will result in sun burnt lawn yellow and sun = cooking lawn. toasting bread is a prime example as it is actually the meat of a grass seed. do not use a plugger longer than the depth of your irrigation system lines and mark out all your heads with spray paint or flags or your replacement irrigation system is going to be very expensive. use spoons that get you an inch below your thatch line which is generally the top 2 inches so 3" spoons work fine, but most plugging doesn't happen under optimal soft soil conditions so 4" spoons is almost necessary unless you know your stuff like a golf course grounds keeper. also don't plug/aerate when weeds are putting out seeds like the fall and mid summer, you're just introducing weed seed like dandelions and thistle straight into your lawn. stick to just spring and early summer only unless you are doing this to alleviate poor soil water drainage puddle/ponding conditions which is typical in clay soil. also don't use your plugger in wet soil. just slightly moist soil will cause the plugger to jam up like you are packing it with clay and if you are plugging clay it will take clay 3 weeks to dry out from the last medium rain and upto 5 weeks from a heavy rain as clay generally doesn't release that water until the 3rd week. this is typical in large H.ome O.wner A.ssociations that have slopes in them and the middle of the slope is so wet that maintenance machines have a difficult time staying on them or there is tearing damage to the lawn grass happening. speed has little to do with it but even aggressive lawn tires have to keep reapplying biting edge force on the knobby treads of the tires inorder to stay on track. i use the john deere tweels on a daily and quite frankly their weakest point is going sideways on a hill and most especially 30-35º or more on a down slope as there is no sidewall biting edge to keep the machine on track. this is also why i make sure my snow tires have aggressive side wall tread them as in winter snow or mud once you start getting stuck due to the tread filling up with wet material it loses traction and the side walls will be your only biting edge force trying to do more of the work to keep from being stuck especially the swiveling wheels you steer with. this is where the difference in aerator type is important in wet conditions you want to use a spiker which will be perfect, in moist conditions use a slitter, and dry conditions a plugger will do the best jobs for those conditions. there is a pounds per square inch rule, the more surface tension you are trying to break the more gravitational force it's going to take...you can aerate a swamp just by walking thru it in hip waders and you can aerate a sand dune just by using a leaf blower. the weight of the welded seam is why the drum sinks to that welded seam. it was a poor choice by the manufacturer to put the plug right there with the welded seam. i understand they only cared about draining the drum, but they had no concern for getting it filled in the first place and as long as they had a welded seam there they should have flush mounted a drain cap there on one or both ends you inversely insert that allows a 1/2 or 3/4 drive socket driver to slip into and you can unscrew it, since there are all those spoons in the way of using a wrench. just my opinion from an engineering and operator standpoint. seems alot of engineers don't actually use the things they design enough to understand some of the poor choices in design they made or flat out don't care and the CEO decided cutting corners was better that missing out on a new yacht or sports car every year from the cost savings to manufacture. more opportunity for competition to put them out of business as i say: best bang for the buck.

[@billburkhart]

Thank you for taking time to share so much in-depth information. Sounds like you’re in the business. I’m going to pin your comments so everyone can benefit from your advice- enjoy the rest of your weekend-Bill

[@garypower9024]

The panels with the weights is real nice idea Bill 👍

[@billburkhart]

Gary, next to that new backhoe I got to drive, this aerator is one of my favorite implements. But I like that Compost spreader too. What part of the world do you live. I'd like to recognize you and the next video.- Bill

[@garypower9024]

@@billburkhart I agree. There's a tool for every job, and all of those implements nail it every time. Its a matter of taking your time and letting the implements do the work.i live in Newfoundland-Labrador, Canada, a long ways from you. We are a fairly large island on the most eastern part of Canada. I love it here, very peaceful place, but when i see your videos and the property down in there, man that is nice. Have an awesome day Bill, and keep those videos coming . We should see more now that you're retired . More seat time on that 2038 👍

[@billburkhart]

@@garypower9024 Thanks Gary, I’ll do my best for new videos. My next videos are going to be about a new grapple I purchased, a video on timber theft after some mature trees were stolen from my land and a video on using the soil pulverizer. -Bill

[@garypower9024]

@@billburkhart looking forward to that one Bill . The world is getting crazy. Respect for fellow man and his property is evaporating . It's an upsetting world we live in

[@garypower9024]

@@billburkhart he Bill never let the negatives control your thinking, Stay with the positive attitude

[@TimothyBrewer]

I love the stand you built. great idea

[@billburkhart]

Thank you Tim , enjoy your weekend. Thanks for taking time to check in.-Bill

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

Great job Bill! It sure makes a difference when you have the right equipment 👍🏻, have a great week.

[@billburkhart]

Thank you, Enjoy the rest of your week also

[@LostCauseRanch]

Dropping in from Dubuque, love watching your videos. Thanks for being thorough.

[@billburkhart]

Thank you Joe!

[@kendodd10]

Enjoy your videos Bill keep them coming.

[@billburkhart]

Thanks for your encouragement Ken, much appreciated.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Really nice lawn plugger, Bill. I have several Everything Attachment (EA) implements and am well pleased. A tad pricey but well constructed implements (great welds and excellent customer service). They're located here in NC. One day, I'd like to visit their factory. Anytime I'm getting a new implement, I'm anxious like a little kid on Christmas day. Thanks for the hello-shout out (made my day). Enjoyed a full-watch. Wishing you and family a great Thanksgiving. I enjoy the comments from your audience. They're a great group of folks. Okay my friend, be safe and I look forward to your next video. 👍🏽🙂.

[@billburkhart]

Happy thanksgiving to you and your family also Houndsman. Wish EA was more inventory for quicker shipping. Watch for next months video and the pin map I made tracking all the wonderful viewers On this channel.

[@RobinRK1962]

Hello from Midland Ontario, we got our first snow this week, so no overseeding for us anymore this year. Love your content. I'm going to record the sound of your tractor and put it on a sound loop and use it as a sleep aid at night. 👍 keep care and be safe😷

[@billburkhart]

Hi Robin, I’ll put you on my push pin map👍 thank so much for saying hello. Have a safe winter.

[@tomcooke6670]

Bill i live about 40 miles due south of Bristol. Thanks tom

[@mrgregpappas]

Nice video. I’ve been enjoying the channel. You may want to include the keyword John Deere 2038R in your video titles, as it helps bring it up in searches. Might help people find you easier. I’m glad that I stumbled upon your channel.

[@eddieharbour5922]

great job

[@billburkhart]

Thanks Eddie, I really enjoy the benefits of aerating my lawn.I hope we get rain or snow soon, it’s very dry here. Happy holidays.

[@daveknowshow]

nice looking plugger. I been wanting to build a plugger myself. I have a spike style but it cant compare to the plug style. excellent video quality and editing!

[@billburkhart]

Thank you Dave, you should make another video on backhoe operation as I’ve recommended your videos to others with their first backhoe. Have the best Thanksgiving you can under these circumstances and stay well

[@stephenrhodesianridgeback7418]

Looking good Bill 👍 Very nice aerator. Damp cold and wet here in Ontario. Staying in the shop building away . 👍

[@billburkhart]

Thanks Stephen you guys ok with the COVID? High numbers here in Iowa. Still working but laying as low as we can here.

[@stephenrhodesianridgeback7418]

@@billburkhart We are just laying low in the country also . COVID climbing back again . We get checked every day at work at the gates . Very busy at work making steel . I’m in maintenance as you know . Never a dull moment all day then straight home too serenity 😂 Be safe my friend 👍👍

[@PressShopEng]

I live in Greencastle about an hour south of Lafayette. I saw that plugger for sale. Looked interesting. Glad you were able to purchase it and had a use for it. Since we brought the horses home we don't have much grass any more. I see you have a grass cutter besides the 2038r. I have X495AWS with a 62" deck and by the time the engine is up to temperature the grass is all cut. My wife won't let me sell it because she likes to mow with it. My 1025r has an 62" drive over auto-connect deck that I never use as the X495 needs some exercise and by the time I reconfigure the 1025r the grass is already cut. I always enjoy your video's.

[@billburkhart]

Happy Monday, funny you saw that plugger for sale, small world isn’t it. Sounds like you have a terrific set up there, good luck with your projects and thanks for taking time to comment. Stay healthy.

[@willwipf7030]

Glad I found this video,ii rented a walk behind plugged didn't realize how slow I am at 69 ,it dang near killed me ,wife said it flung me around like a rag doll I'm fair size at 250 lbs old school,but that thing is for the young my 155 lbs grandson finished for me he's still pretty fast ,no video wife was laughing so much she couldn't keep up up !

[@billburkhart]

Good morning Will. I enjoyed your story about the aerator because I’ve use that too and have experienced the same beating you described in your comments. He’s implements are going to allow me to remain on my property a lot longer than if I didn’t have them. Have a great Sunday and thanks for taking time to comment

[@mickey17y]

Great video Bill. It's the first one I've watched when I didn't think, hmmm, I could use one of those for my 2038R. I purchase the EA because I've had an EA Independent Wheel aerator for a couple of years and I love it. No such luck, you had to show the top dresser. Hmmm, I could use one of those :-)

[@billburkhart]

Hi Mickey you made my day. You should know I’m very jealous of your independent wheel aerator... I really think your design would work better..... I think you’ll get a kick out of The next video with the top dresser, I’ve had this thing sitting in my garage for a year until I finally found good quality compost. Thanks for taking time to say hello, stay healthy.

[@pitts3219]

If you ever get a chance to try out a skid steer you would be amazed how much faster and easier they are not to mention fun. Would make for a good video also.

[@billburkhart]

Good morning Pitts321, I’ve been lucky and have operated several skid steers, I agree with your comment on fun and the capabilities of those machines. Thanks for checking in and saying hello.-Bill

[@chrisreddick36]

Awesome job Bill I really like that top dresser I’m curious on how it works is it hydraulic operated? But the aerator is really nice and I truly think it is a nice implement thanks for the shout out it made my day take care sir.

[@billburkhart]

Hello Chris, the top dresser is driven by the wheels and a gear assembly. there is a power switch that I have on the tractor that engages the gearbox to drive the belt spreader and spread the product. I hope you will enjoy the push pin map I’m creating for all the viewers that check in and let me know where they’re watching from , should be a lot of fun, have a great month thanks again for watching

[@seenithere]

HI Bill another great video. I have a both a water filled drum knife type aerator & a Frontier plug type. I fill the drum aerator on a slight hill so It doesn't come spraying out like what happens on the flat plus you can get a bit more in it. When I drain it the fill hole is on the lower side of the hill to drain completely. It was pretty dry here in the fall so the plug type didn't penetrate very well. Will try it again in the spring, ground is frozen up here now.

[@billburkhart]

Oh man those are great ideas, I’ll try them next spring. What part of the world are you in?

[@seenithere]

@@billburkhart In interlake, Manitoba 75 North of the border.

[@billburkhart]

Burrrrr thanks for telling me .....have a safe winter and I’ll put you on my new push pin map

[@linnjensen7469]

Hello from Cardston Alberta Canada

[@billburkhart]

Hello Linn, i’ll get you on the map enjoy the rest of your spring.

[@MisterEberger]

Thanks Bill. Appreciate the knowledge! I didnt get a chance to aerate this fall. Can I do it in the spring?

[@billburkhart]

Hello Jordan, you sure can aerate next spring, in fact I plan on doing it to my yard and my pond area again next year, thanks so much for taking time to comment. Enjoy the rest of your fall.

[@russsmith2653]

Once again an excellent video Bill! I have been working my yard for the last couple of years trying to improve it. I started aeration this year with a tow behind aerator hoping to get better results. Will be very interested to see how your lawn turns out with the compost. I have a 1025R and would love a larger tractor mostly for ground clearance. I may have missed why you upgraded to a 2038R which is the large frame from a 1025R. Would be interested in why you jumped as far as you did and your thoughts of the 2038. I have to be honest the 2032R or 2038R would be my version of the ultimate machine. But the cost really slows me down. How many acres is your property? Thanks again for a great vid. God bless!

[@billburkhart]

Hello RUSS I have 17 acres of property and the 2038 is a perfect fit for my situation. Not that the 1025 was a poor fit, I jumped to the larger machine for more capacity and horsepower to the loader backhoe and PTO. I understand cost being a barrier, but sometimes times takes care of that for you. Good luck! Thanks for taking time to come out and watch my videos I sure appreciate it

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

New follower. Great video. I’m looking for something a little larger for pastures.

[@billburkhart]

Thank you! I appreciate your support, stay in touch -Bill

[@jeffm6139]

Hey Bill, just found the channel and enjoyed the video. The lawn plugger that you demonstrated looks very well made and might be something that I might want to purchase. My only concern is that it appears rigid and my ground is very uneven in spots. How well do you think this would work on property with some hills and valleys? Other suggestions? Thanks.

[@billburkhart]

Hello Jeff thanks for checking in. Everything attachments makes an aerator similar to this one but the difference is each plugger has an independent wheel and it is not a drum style like mine. But the price tag for that unit is almost 3 times higher than this one. That’s out of my budget. This one works just fine I did demonstrate it on my slopeing terrain here at my home. Just go slow and don’t turn. Don’t get me wrong you can turn slightly over 30 or 40 feet just don’t make sharper turns it’ll tear your yard up. I really like this plugger and would buy another one in a minute or yards getting thicker every year so much so that I use very little weed killer now because the grass is so thick. Thanks for the question and your support of my videos, have a great week. - Bill

[@chrisbennett3200]

Be sure and let us know the results, I did the same treatment for my lawn a few weeks ago, Enjoy your videos.

[@billburkhart]

Thank you Chris, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and say hello.

[@garymeyer3294]

A hint from experience... wait to core plug until AFTER your final mowing before winter. If you plug and then mow your mower deck underside will be packed solid with dirt from the blades picking up all the plugs. I'd addition, it will be extremely dusty if the plugs dry out. Let the plugs sit over winter and break down into the soil. I believe professional lawn service companies will tell you the same thing.

[@billburkhart]

Thanks for the info Gary, I'll keep that in mind next time I'm out. I was thinking of plugging an area in the Spring, any suggestions?

[@garymeyer3294]

@@billburkhart Personally, I wouldn't do it. It will not only make a mess when you mow such as mud in you deck and on your mower tires and it will dry out your soil rapidly because of the aeration. If you have a drought this summer plugging will intensify the stress on your lawn.

[@VASteelersGuy]

Great videos, can you share where you got the top dresser. You mentioned a government auction?

[@billburkhart]

Hello Rick, I found this top dresser on Govdeals.com. Video # 118 goes into detail about that auction site. Happy hunting.

[@VASteelersGuy]

@@billburkhart Thank you!

[@petebusch9069]

The plug size changes with soil moisture and you need to do this when its just right. To dry it will just pack in the pluggers, too wet and it will just poke in the dirt and not push through the plugger.

[@billburkhart]

Excellent point Pete, sounds like you have experience plugging yards. -Bill

[@petebusch9069]

@@billburkhart Yea, they all kind of work the same, its all about soil moisture.

[@billburkhart]

Well said Pete.

[@boatdesigner12]

Nice grass. What are you using for seed?

[@billburkhart]

Hello. I use a cool sunny grass seed mixture from a local feed store. Thanks for checking in.

[@TheDarckwar]

What do you recommend for a area with lots of rocks in the soil?

[@billburkhart]

Good morning Darckwar, that’s a tough question….I have rocky soil too but have 4-5 inches of suitable dirt on top of all the rock. I guess my advise would be to top dress your ground with 4-5 “ of soil. One last thought ….plant an alternative plant instead of grass , for instance, clover may be a suitable alternative. Good luck with your project. -Bill

[@tomcooke6670]

Hi bill please let me know any government auction sites you know of. We have a small farm in east tn. Thanks tom

[@billburkhart]

What town are you near and I’ll try and watch for an auction for you.

[@hhunt2527]

Seriously considering this aerator for my lawn aeration, purchased an Agri-Fab 45-0299 tow behind for my zero turn and weighted down with 75+ lbs wound not even dent the soil. Based on your experience do you think this would work well in hard clay mix soils? The soil is very compact when dry but does soften a bit after decent amount of rain. Thanks.

[@billburkhart]

Hello Mr Hunt- I have the same hard clay here and the aerator works fine on it, keeping in mind I use it during Spring and Fall when the clay is somewhat softer. Still can grow grass in the clay. Good luck with your decision.

[@salt-team-six5883]

I have never seen one with that long of a spear I guess you call it. Seems like they would rip to much. All the ones I have seen down here in the south is more of a knife kind of thing.. A lot shorter

[@billburkhart]

Good morning, thanks for taking time to comment and say hello! -Bill

[@terrencepipermd9]

mr burkhart been trying to find that aerator looked on everything attachments i could not find that aerator can you give me any help i want what you have!!!!! terry piper

[@billburkhart]

Hi Terry I’ll find a link and get it to you Tuesday, will that work? Bill

[@billburkhart]

I went to every thing attachment website and they have a 60 inch drum style lawn, aerator exactly like mine. The only difference is the drum is filled with sand and not water, that takes away any possibility of it freezing if you forget to drain the water. You could also call them and see if they’ll make you one. Seems like it would be pretty easy to just put a fill plug on the side and not fill it with sand. I hope this information is helpful, I sure enjoy mine. Enjoy the holiday season. -Bill

[@rustyfan89]

That’s a serious aerator, you would think 800 lbs would be more than enough to penetrate even hard soil

[@billburkhart]

800 lbs should be adequate for most soil, however, a hard clay mixture will present a challenge. - Bill

[@mrbubetube]

will that plugger break up ice on an icy road?

[@billburkhart]

Hello, I wouldn’t recommend that because I would expect the spoons to be damaged. Thanks for commenting and have a good Sunday,

[@mrbubetube]

@@billburkhart ah ok, ya you're probably right. you'd probably need solid spikes rather than spoons for that

[@galehess6676]

will break up macadam

[@billburkhart]

@@galehess6676 I don’t think it will because I feel it bounce when the spoons strike a buried flat stone.

[@rustyfan89]

If you’re not careful with that thing you might poke some holes in your yard

[@billburkhart]

It sure does put holes in the yard Rustyfan. Thanks for checking in, stay in touch.-Bill

[@johndevos9003]

How much was that plugger?

[@billburkhart]

Hello Jack, I’ve seen them used for $1200 and new cost seem to be rising every week. I’m only guessing new pluggers may be 1600-1800. Good luck with your search.

[@blancopolar4674]

🙏👏🙌💰🇻🇪😭⚽🥅

[@garyvoigt5090]

So you spend another 1.00 in gas... that should be a mo brainer... also thats the problem with a roller type. Articulating is much better...

[@billburkhart]

Hello Gary thank you for taking time to comment have a terrific summer

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Nice video. That’s an aerator not a plugger and those are tines not spoons.

[@billburkhart]

Sam, you are correct. I took the plugger term from EA's web site. Thanks for reminding me of the terms. Enjoy the rest of your Spring.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

@@billburkhart Your welcome. I was a manager of a golf course for twenty two years and I dealt with aerators of every size. Eight foot wide aerators for fairways and roughs and smaller for putting greens and tee boxes. That’s why I new the terms for the machine and parts.