A few weeks ago I bought a new Ozito tiller from bunnings. In my defense, it was marked down from almost 300 (apparently) to $49. Figured it was too good to pass up.
I was thinking last night about aerating the lawn (predominantly Buffalo front, couch rear lawn) later in the year in the spring. In my mind I thought of converting the tiller to an aerator. I can see people have converted large 4 stroke tiller to carry the corer spoons, however I don't know if the little 52cc engine (or the centrifugal clutch) will like that much.
I have also seen the little Honda FG110 having the option of straight teeth tines (like a sharp cog) to aerate. I think this is probably better - although it doesn't physically remove the soil, it will at least get some air room in.
Does anyone know of suppliers of these straight teeth tines, or would it probably be easier to get some steel plate (same thickness as existing tines), mark and angle grind teeth out of it, plus drill the mounting holes. It only spins at a a couple hundred rpm so balancing shouldn't be a major issue. Edit, just watched a video and they spin faster than I thought
Im not sure the small tiller would weigh enough to aerate really well, I have a ryan lawnaire (overkill for one home block but I found it on ebay for $50) it would have to weigh in at over 200kg and will drive the half inch spikes a good 3 inches into the lawn. the tiller would probably make a good dethatcher with the toothed blades.
The house was built on a 850sqm block, but only small house, so everything is garden. My grandmother has always kept it impeccably, only problem is now she is 91, I am doing more of the gardening.
I don't mind, in fact I quite enjoy gardening, but as she had gardens in local gardening competitions going back 40+ years, I apparently dont do it well enough haha
Plus, she collects orchids and frangipanis (20 odd orchids, and 48 frangis ranging from newly planted to 25-30 years old.) In the past year, we have filled 5x council skip bins of garden refuse.
I try to get as much done as I can, so shes not out there trying to do it ( but she enjoys being outside so still does a lot - and will try to do too much). Last year one time I went to empty the mower catcher and I heard it rev up a bit - walked back to find she started mowing - said the mower cut well but was too heavy haha.
With big trees everywhere (lemon, orange, olive, magnolia, Ice cream bean tree, cocus palms) theres roots everywhere to get caught up in the tiller haha
Pretty sure she has got a dark red as well - they do look magnificent when they flower. Bought a few when Masters were closing down in 2016 - light yellow, mauve, and dark purple and some others.
A few others are still quite new and havent really started flowering - one is cream with deep red edge
I took a few photos last week, but we had 40+ days, so they were a bit off (and it took out the lawn as well despite a few kg of wetta soil and NPK before the heat)
Had to put in a star picket in the lawn to hold one up (at least I can fit the mower between it and the edging)
